Hout BayCape TownSince the 1880s
A boutique hotel at the beach, at the foot of Chapman's Peak Drive. Sea-view rooms, the original seafood-in-a-pan, and a bar with more than a century of stories.
ScrollWelcome
Since the 1880s, the beach has run right up to our front porch. Today the world-famous Chapman's Peak Drive passes the front door, the calamari still arrives in the pan, and the Nobrega family has kept the welcome warm since 1977.
01Stay
In 2009 we opened an entirely new wing a stone's throw from the beach: twenty-two rooms and two penthouse suites, with views across what is widely regarded as the most picturesque bay in South Africa. Ten original rooms keep the charm of the 1900s building.
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01
The new wing · 14 rooms
Spacious contemporary rooms with the most spectacular views of Hout Bay beach and the mountains. Wooden shutters separate the bathroom from the bedroom, so you can open them and see the bay from the bath.
02
The top floor · 2 suites
Ultimate luxury and space on a grand scale, with sweeping views of the whole bay. Made for honeymoons, intimate getaways and executive travel.
03
The new wing · 8 rooms
Quiet rooms with spectacular mountain views and balconies within touching distance of the indigenous forest that wraps the hotel.
04
The historic building · 10 rooms
Ten charming rooms in the building that has stood here for over a century, refurbished with the warmth of a bygone era. Four look across the harbour to the Sentinel. A true unplugged stay: no TV, air-conditioning, phone or Wi-Fi.
02Eat
The grand old lady of Cape Town's outdoor seafood restaurants, and the place that started serving seafood in the pan. Our calamari, voted one of the top 20 things to do in Cape Town, arrives sizzling in garlic and lemon butter.
On hot summer days, lunch stretches out on the sun-drenched terrace, with the beach, the Atlantic and the harbour boats in front of you. When it turns chilly, the fires are lit in a wood-panelled dining room that takes you back to an era nearly forgotten. Stroll into the wine cellar and choose your bottle.
“Cherished by locals and loved by tourists. We invite you and your friends, with open arms, to join us for something very special.”
If you wanted to know who, what or when about fishing, you went to Chappies on a Friday night.
04Our story
One of the earliest seaside hotels in the Cape, on the same spot since the 1880s. The beach once reached its front porch; today the Drive passes its door.
1880s
One of the Cape's first seaside hotels opens on this spot, with the beach reaching right up to its front porch. Legend has it some patrons insisted on drinking at the bar while still on horseback.
1903
A lamp falls from a table while the manager, Mr Roche, counts the day's takings. No one is hurt. The only loss of any consequence: the entire bridal wardrobe of his daughter, who was soon to be married.
1904
The owner, Mr Scott, pitches a tent in the grounds so the pub can carry on, and rebuilds at once. Art nouveau fireplace tiles, the teak bar and Corinthian pillars from this hotel survive today.
1914
Motor cars line up outside the Beach Hotel. In 1928 new liquor laws require food with every drink, and an outside canteen is born.
1940
Set against milkwood forest at the foot of the mountain, the hotel is the pride of the local community, and still a fine example of a seaside hotel.
1961
Owners Max and Molly Goodman rename the Beach Hotel after the road everyone is talking about: Chapman's Peak Drive. The pub becomes "Chappies", Hout Bay's home of fishing yarns.
1977
The Nobregas take over, and the restaurant becomes famous for its calamari and for pioneering seafood served in the pan.
2009
Twenty-two rooms and two penthouse suites open a stone's throw from the beach, and the new generation restores the bar to its glorious past.
Today
Same spot, same welcome. Come and add a chapter.
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05Meet & celebrate
A location that inspires creativity and results. Three air-conditioned rooms with Wi-Fi, tea on a private deck over the bay, rooms upstairs, a famous restaurant downstairs and secure covered parking.
And for the celebrations, from picking up the phone to picking up the bill, we aim to put the "fun" into functions and the "art" into parties: birthdays, engagements, anniversaries and weddings.
Plan your event
First floor, opening onto a private deck over the bay for tea breaks and pre-dinner drinks.
A smaller room for boardroom or U-shape meetings, or as a breakaway.
An executive boardroom, or a breakaway for larger groups.
First-floor venue with a private bar and its own deck with sea views across the bay.
Private dining beside the restaurant, with a fireplace, seven intimate four-seater alcoves and direct access to the terrace.
The historic building's lounge, with a fireplace, leather couches and direct access to the bar and terrace. Ideal for a casual get-together with finger food.
06Explore
Chapman's Peak Drive starts at our front door: nine kilometres and 114 curves cut into the cliffs between Hout Bay and Noordhoek. It's the gateway to the Cape Point route, with Boulders Beach, Simon's Town and Cape Point itself beyond.
Fishing boats, the fish market and boat trips out to the seals on Duiker Island.
Ride the length of Hout Bay beach, just across the road.
Southern right whales visit the bay in the winter months. Watch for them from the Drive.
Mountain trails, cycling, galleries, the weekend craft market and beaches from Llandudno to Noordhoek.
07Book & contact
Stay with us
See live availability for every room and suite, and book in a few minutes through our secure booking partner.
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