I stayed 18 days in the hotel for business with a colleague. Given the amount of money our stay has cost, I can not say it is good value for money.

As with previous stays in Cape Town, I was looking for a hotel that was not too overpriced and yet in the Waterfront area. Unfortunately, most hotels were full, so we booked this one. I asked questions via the online booking system, but even after a reminder they were never replied.

The location remains ideal of course, even though the Portswood is a bit "outside" the safe area, but still, not an issue. Staff at reception were friendly and we were given rooms before normal check-in time.

The rooms look ok, not modern but not bad. They are clean and have most basic facilities (minibar, coffee/tea/ TV/ internet). The bathroom is ok, shower is in the bathtub, but this is not an issue either. Single beds are not big enough for tall persons. The area and hallways were very noisy though. On top of that, a very annoying noise from an engine (?) forced me to wear ear plugs, if I wanted to get some sleep at all.

On the second or third day, the toilet broke. I had to report it twice to the reception before something was done. In the end I was given another room, that was a bit more quite as well.

The rooms were kept clean daily, however dirty towels, soap, minibar etc were not replaced/filled daily. Laundry services were very poor and very expensive. Internet facilities were insufficient. We could not get connection via the wireless. Staff said this was due to our laptop settings, but they work fine in every other hotel around the world

In general, some staff was nice, but many were not friendly, from looking down on us to downright rudeness. During the entire stay we were given the impression that we were not welcome at all.

This is barely a three star hotel though, I've stayed in two stars and B&B that had better facilities and a warmer approach towards guests.

My wife and I have just returned from seven nights at the Portswood in Cape Town and what a fantastic stay it was. We arrived late after a six hour delay from the U.K. and were greeted by helpful, cheery staff who had us booked in within minutes. The rooms were absolutely fine, good air-con, mini bar, room safe and beds that were comfy. The rooms were spotlessly clean and thoroughly serviced everyday. The location was perfect, less than five minutes to the V & A waterfront with its abundance of restaurants and shops. The service and approach of ALL of the staff was the perfect balance...not too heavy or false, just genuinely helpful and polite. Breakfast was good with the usual selection of cereals, breads, fruits etc with the addition of a fully cooked option if required. The hotel is nothing to look at from the outside (who cares as it's inside what really matters) but once you step inside you find all that you could possibly need for a great stay. Some reviews on this site comment on the size of the rooms being a little small, we found them to be just right and compared to other major city hotels actually quite spacious. There is an outside pool area with beds that we didn't use but that looked o.k. All in all we found the Portswood to be the perfect hotel for a centrally located stay in Cape Town with fantastic service, rooms, ambience and staff...100% thoroughly recommended!!!!!!!!!!!

We stayed at The Portswood for 2 nights at the end of a week long holiday in Cape Town, and we were impressed.

First of all, it is ideally located opposite the V&A Waterfront, which is very important in a city where the streets aren't completely safe to walk around. The service we received was also very good. The staff were polite, friendly and helpful. The guy on the door was hilarious, and a real character who made us laugh every time we walked past him.

The food was also excellent. It may be a little more expensive but the extra cost is worth it.

Our room as very clean and tidy, and exactly what you would expect from an elegant hotel such as this.

I would definately stay here again if I ever returned to Cape Town.

This was my first trip to Cape Town and and I was particularly concerned about security but I found the Portswood to be an excellent choice in all respects. The hotel was not just conveniently located, but there was also plenty of security in and around the building, and you only have to turn left and walk down the steps and you are on the V and A Waterfront with hundreds of other visitors. The hotel staff were delightful and always happy to help. The room was well equipped and spacious, wtih a view of Table Mountain from the window, and I made good use of the Business Centre in the hotel to keep up with my mail. The numerous restaurants on the Waterfront, such as the Green Dolphin where they have jazz every evening, are only a minute away and very well priced. At the hotel the Travel Desk enabled us to take guided tours directly from the door, and this really is the best way to see places such as the Cape of Good Hope on a half-day trip.. Also the red bus tour leaves from just across the road, taking you all around the city and up to Table Mountain, a must for any visitor. A further attraction is a boat trip from the Waterfront, such as the Maharandi (next to the statues of the four Nobel Peach Prize winners) for a trip round Table Bay.
I was at a conference at the Graduate School of Business 100 metres away from the hotel, but I think this would be a good choice also for a holiday: I would stay here again even if I came back with my family. It's not in one of the Cape Town beach resorts, but in any case the Atlantic is not warm enough for swimming., so I would recommend the Waterfront.