If you’re a tourist, you head to Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront. If you’re in the know, you head to Kloof Street. A vibrant, cosmopolitan neighbourhood where the coolest locals and businesses welcome the growing numbers of visitors to the city, it’s the place to stay to get a real feel for the city’s stylish side.
The new hotel that launched onto the scene in June 2025 is the Canopy by Hilton. Epitomising its home in the Kloof Street area, this new 154-room hotel is situated in the epicentre of the city. Serving an exciting slice of Cape Town, whilst calling this hotel home, we had the wineries, beaches, including nearby Camps Bay, and the famed Waterfront with its shops and attractions at our fingertips.
Characterising the vibrancy of modern-day Cape Town, the Canopy by Hilton represents the latest in a continued wave of gentrification in a city that continues to thrive as a popular international destination. This is thanks to the striking landscapes, sandy beaches, sunshine, vibrant culture and world-class food and drink: from exceptional seafood to award-winning wines.
The hotel
Canopy by Hilton is the result of the revitalisation of the historic Longkloof district and formerly a set of industrial buildings in the 113-year-old neighbourhood. Today, the red-brick property features the original structure of the building that has been elevated with locally inspired interiors. This includes colourful South African prints with curated artwork from locals, resulting a distinctive sense of place.
The hotel celebrates its South African setting, fusing urban charm with energetic local flavour, with views of Table Mountain cast above the property and surrounding cityscape. Instead of encouraging guests to simply stay within the walls of the hotel, the concept here acts as a cultural hub to effortlessly dip in and around the city at ease. This importance as neighbourhood-first guest experience is a core brand value, tying in perfectly with the creative neighbourhood the hotel enjoys.
Rooms and suites
The 154 rooms are fun and playful. Awash with colour and pattern, the bathroom and beds are framed by signature canopies adorned with South African designs that celebrate the local flora and fauna. Embodying the creative culture of modern-day Cape Town whilst honouring the strong presence of nature that envelopes the city, I instantly recognised illustrations of the national South African flower: the protea. This sat alongside depictions of the region’s fynbos botanicals, indigenous birdlife, pristine Cape beaches and undersea kelp forests.
The comfortable and wonderfully functional rooms include artisan-crafted furnishings and locally inspired designs that balance comfort and style. Categories to choose from include King and Queen rooms with city or mountain rooms (the latter for us), Junior Suites and Premium Suites. At over 600 square feet and featuring separate living and dining areas, these feel more like cool, city apartments rather than hotel rooms, with some including private terraces or balconies.
Food and drink
Local celebrity chef Bertus Basson (who began his career moving to London to work at Michelin-starred Chez Bruce) heads up the culinary flair at Canopy by Hilton. The concept follows the philosophy of Ongetem, which translates as ‘untamed’ with a vibrant dining experience of “butcher, baker, cocktail maker” to match the culinary craft that surrounds the property. This includes flame-grilled meats, fresh pastries, and cocktails inspired by South African botanicals.
In the heart of Canopy by Hilton, the restaurant has become a gathering spot for locals who mingle among hotel guests, creating the sought-after cool neighbourhood vibe. It is rooted in the charismatic and bold food culture with lively and contemporary design features that celebrate community and craft. Each morning, we sat outside on the terrace by a square with a water fountain feature. This type of European café culture experience is not often found in Cape Town, but is now present thanks to the revitalisation of the city.
What to do
The destination is the main attraction, and Canopy by Hilton sits at the heart of it. Inviting guests to explore the city at ease, the hotel provides complimentary canopy bikes with the canopy team members who are on hand to suggest hidden gems. Also known as ‘canopy enthusiasts’, these in-house local guides curate experiences to connect their guests with the very best of the neighbourhood, tailored to whatever they may seek. The hotel sits in the centre of eclectic dining and nightlife with Kloof Street boasting the best independent coffee shops, fitness studios, boutiques restaurants and wine bars.
In a nutshell
Carving its way through the city from Table Mountain and down to the Waterfront, Kloof Street has been ranked 26th among the world’s “coolest streets”. With striking views of the mountain, visible from anywhere along the street, this cultural hub should be high on your Cape Town hit list. Buzzing with vitality, since opening just last year, Canopy by Hilton has become a magnet for guests and locals alike, inviting guests from near and far to discover everything its lively neighbourhood has to offer.
Factbox
Address: Park Rd, Gardens, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa
Phone: +27 21 569 8880
Website: hilton.com/en/hotels/cptlopy-canopy-cape-town-longkloof
All imagery credit: Canopy by Hilton Cape Town Longkloof
