If you have a bit of padding in your pocket and don't mind being outside the city centre, head for the Mount Nelson Hotel or the Vineyard Hotel & Spa. They're two of the best options for luxury visits - although you probably won't see much of Cape Town as you won't want to leave your hotel. For upmarket hotels in the city centre, head to the biggies around the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront (for the harbour and shops) and Camps Bay (for the beach). Boutique hotels are also springing up, with more or less success.

If your pockets are padded with tissues rather than dosh and you're on a tight budget, go for the cheaper budget hostels and hotels around Long Street and Kloof Street. And remember that a 1 percent tourist tax is added to published prices - although you really have to be watching your budget to worry about this one.

The 'area' issue is really quite important in Cape Town. Our driver gave us a tour around the city, pointing out the 'Chinese area' and the 'Korean area' and the 'Gay area' and 'Red Light area' and the 'Expensive area' and even the 'Girly area' - it seems as though the location, location, location rule really does hold true. So do your research.

Peak times in Cape Town are around December/January, which is summer in the Southern Hemisphere. Despite the extra capacity springing up, visitors report difficulty finding accommodation in the popular areas, so make sure you book in advance. A lot of the visitors are from other parts of South Africa, so it never gets a really touristy feel.

And once you've decided on your hotel, go for the cheesy simple pleasure of getting a room with a view of Table Mountain. We know, we know, it's silly to pay extra for something you can see just by stepping outside the door. But we can't help enjoying the feeling of opening the curtain to that spectacular flat-topped mountain.

Related Stories:
The Saxon Hotel in Johannesburg :: Opulence in a High-Security Prison