I recently returned from a visit to the Cape, including a 4-night stay at the Mt Nelson. The hotel itself, including common areas, grounds and rooms, is beautiful and in a good location. You can walk from the hotel to the centrally-located sights, shops, restaurants and the hotel has a convenient complementary shuttle service that takes guests to the waterfront. Service was excellent in all aspects of the hotel and restaurants - very friendly, sincere and helpful staff. The food was excellent in the restaurants. The hotel is also excellent value, not just due to the Rand being weak but also because the hotel doesn't try to take advantage of its guests with excessive charges at the restaurants, mini-bars, etc., which makes for a more relaxing stay. Overall it's hard to find any fault with this hotel - highly recommended, particularly if you can get a good rate.

We stayed here in 2007 and it was by far the best place we have stayed in South Africa. This hotel is impecable, the staff are friendly and you get what you pay for.

I highly recommend this hotel. As always, the only bad experience was our car hire which you need to be careful about. Go to the trusted brands for car hire or companies that come recommended.

We used this site and got some great car hire from £10 per day: www.sa-carhire.com

I think you will love this hotel.

For our second stay in Cape Town in 2 years, we had only one condition for Trailfinders to fulfil - our holiday was on the condition that we stayed at the Mount Nelson. We have previously stayed there, as well as another waterfront hotel, but the "Nellie" as it is known locally, is truly memorable.

I would recommend the Planet Champagne bar, as well as their Colony restaurant - both have served us well over our two visits. The staff all having their part to play in our enjoyment. The famous afternoon tea is remarkable and the best we have had anywhere (including London and Burj Al Arab Dubai hotels)

It is easy to forget that this hotel is in the city - as the extensive gardens camaflauge everything but the view of Table Mountain.

We first visited as part our 30th wedding anniversary trip to Africa along with my sister and her husband. This recent visit was their choice for their 30th wedding anniversary and the only place in the world they wanted to go to celebrate.

All four of us know we will return to this hotel sometime in the next few years if we can.

Everything in Cape Town is such good value with the current exchange rate.

If you are going on to the Winelands, as we did. I would recommend Le Petite Farm for lunch in Franschook and Wuinhius in the centre of Stellenbosh for an evening meal (book both in advance if you can)

If you're going to stay in the most beautiful city in South Africa which is Cape Town, it makes sense to stay in the most beautiful hotel in the city. To my mind only one hotel could hold the title, The Mount Nelson. Think l realised this the minute l drove under its imposing gateway and first saw the hotel sitting majestically at the top of the drive.

Arriving at the main entrance we were greeted by a smiling doorman who immediately welcomed us to the hotel, organised for the luggage to be unloaded and ushered us through to reception. Whilst enjoying a glass of sherry, formalities were quickly completed and soon we were being escorted to our room which was located on the second floor offering double aspect views, out across the main lawn at the front and a view of Table Mountain from the side. Did l say a room, in most hotels our accommodation would be called a junior suite it was so spacious. In addition to the beds, we had a settle, two easy chairs, coffee table, fridge and t.v. (both of these were discreetly hidden in cabinets), plus enormous wardrobes. The bathroom had ample supply of fuffy towels and toiletries which were all replaced again each evening with the turn down service.

Later that evening we dined in the more formal restaurant, The Cape Colony which offers an extensive menu featuring Cape, Asian and International dishes, plus specials of the day. Each time we ate here the meals were superb in presentation, quality and service. You have to save room for a desert, they are devine, my favourite was 'Is it green or is it red' , which is six different ways of serving apple; Deep fried fritter, sorbet, ice cream, brulee, froth and a jelly. One of the most interesting and unusual deserts l've enjoyed in a long while. David our waiter looked after us very well but was never intrusive.

Breakfast is served in the hotel's other restaurant the informal Oasis, with a choice of the large wicker chairs inside or sitting outside on the terrace. We always chose the terrace which looked out over the main swimming pool and gardens', sitting there you could hear the birds singing it was so peaceful, yet the city center is just a few minutes away. Tea and coffee was served at your table by charming waitress ( we had Katie and Margaret) before you help yourself from the buffet. What a selection on offer, one counter contained the cereals, fresh fruits, yogurts, cold cuts of meats and cheeses; the other counter full of breads, rolls, croissants, danish pastries, scones and muffins all freshly baked that morning in the hotel kitchens. A chef was on hand to cook eggs to order, omeletts, waffles and pancakes which you can add to sausages, bacon, mushrooms and potatoes. The Oasis also serves lunch but we could never manage this since the hotel also offers the most scrumptious Afternoon Tea you will find anywhere in the world. Tea is served every day in the lounge with a pianist accompanying. The enormous Windsor table is completely covered with finger sandwiches, savouries, scones, trays of pasteries, jams, cream, fresh fruit and standing guard at each corner of the table, a gateau. My advice is to have a very small breakfast since you can return to the table time and time again. Even if you don't stay at the Mount Nelson hotel, you MUST,MUST go for tea and worry about the extra pounds you're putting on later.

You can easily walk from the hotel in to Cape Town during the day along Government Walk, a shuttle service takes you to the Waterfront for shopping and on your return have a choice of two swimming pools to relax by. But what makes Mount Nelson stand head and shoulders above the other city hotels is the staff. They just can not do enough for you, very courteous, efficient and you can tell they are really proud of working for the hotel.

Staying for 15 nights wasn't long enough to enjoy all the delights of Cape Town or the Mount Nelson so looking forward very much to returning again later this year.