Colona Castle Manor House
Old-world grand dame meets eclectic collector's home. Antique-heavy, individually themed suites, very personal service. Feels more like staying with a well-traveled host than checking into a hotel.
Request dinner in advance — the candlelit Dining Hall requires a minimum of 6 guests and needs prior notice.
Why It Matters
Curated by Tablet Hotels and listed in the MICHELIN Guide. Awarded 5-star grading, and the kitchen won the 2005 UK Observer Award for 100 Best Places to Eat This Summer — rated 8th worldwide in the 'Best Restaurant with Rooms' category. Now also home to a 12-unit EESystem Healing Centre, opened March 2024.
Colona Castle is a Tuscan-style villa perched on a hillside above Sandvlei Lake on the warmer False Bay coast, about 25 minutes south of Cape Town. Eight rooms, each with a distinct personality — safari camp, British colonial, Chinese imperial, Moroccan, Mogul — filled with prized antiques and objets d'art collected over years. Views from your balcony stretch from Table Mountain across the Cape Peninsula all the way to the South Atlantic.
Where You'll Stay
8 room types available
Chinese Suite
A statement room. Four-poster King-size bed with ornate Chinese-inspired décor, en-suite bathroom with Victorian bath/telephone shower and a separate marble shower, separate lounge, and a large sheltered balcony overlooking Table Mountain and the Cape Peninsula.
Four-poster King-size extra-length
English Suite
Twin beds set together as a King, with two full en-suite bathrooms — one with a large open shower, the other with a face-to-face Victorian bath — plus a separate cloakroom. Separate lounge and a large balcony with sweeping views across Table Mountain, the Peninsula, Sandvlei Lake and False Bay.
Two ¾ extra-length beds set together (or King)Green Room
Air-conditioned superior bedroom with a large open adjustable shower en-suite. Has a conservatory and a private balcony overlooking the garden, Sandvlei Lake and the Atlantic Ocean through the trees. The most garden-oriented of the superior rooms.
Two ¾ twin beds set together (or King)
Mogul Suite
Indian Mogul-inspired décor with rich materials and antique furnishings. Executive suite category with en-suite bathroom and balcony access. One of the three executive-tier options, decorated in the Mogul style referenced in the Tablet Hotels editorial description.
KingMoroccan Room
Mini-suite with a Queen bed, sitting area, separate dressing area and separate shower room. Moroccan-inspired décor. Has a sheltered patio with views across Sandvlei Lake and the Peninsula.
QueenNew Suite
The most contemporary of the three executive suites, with a cleaner aesthetic compared to the heavily themed rooms. En-suite bathroom, balcony, and all standard Colona Castle amenities.
KingPenthouse Suite
The top-tier pick. King-size bed in the bedroom, a large air-conditioned library lounge, both opening onto a private balcony. Marble bathroom with bath and open shower. Views sweep across Constantia, Table Mountain, the Peninsula, Sandvlei Lake, False Bay and the South Atlantic — arguably the best vantage point in the house.
King-size extra-lengthSafari Suite
Safari-camp fantasy theme — the most adventurous décor in the house. King-size bed, marble bathroom with bath and open shower, and a private balcony with panoramic views across Constantia, Table Mountain, Sandvlei Lake and False Bay.
King-size extra-lengthThe Property
Eat & Drink
1 venue on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
12-unit bioscalar energy field healing system opened March 2024, available to guests 24 hours. Marketed as a wellness and rejuvenation technology.
Hotel can arrange tee-off times at four world-class courses: Westlake (3 minutes), Steenberg (7 minutes), Clovelly (10 minutes), Royal Cape (10 minutes). Popular with golf groups.
Sunset horse rides along Noordhoek's long, unspoiled beach with views of Chapman's Peak.
Bicycle rentals available in the surrounding area to explore the estate and neighbourhood.
Trails through the Drakenstein Mountain Reserve, home to protea species, rare birds, baboons and mountain bok.
Visit African penguins at Boulders Beach, Simon's Town — watch them among giant granite boulders or swim alongside them.
Boat trips from Simon's Town in season, plus the option of driving the scenic coastal route to Hermanus and Walker Bay.
Great White Shark eco-tour in False Bay with operators featured on National Geographic and Discovery Channel. Witness breaching great white sharks from a boat.
Lessons at one of South Africa's surf schools on the False Bay coastline.
Outdoor pool with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and lake. Poolside gourmet lunches served in summer.
Private visits to Constantia wine estates (Groot Constantia, Klein Constantia, Buitenverwachting) and day trips to Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl. Hotel can arrange.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Babysitting available in the evenings.
Gym access available at a nearby Virgin Active Health Club — not on property.
Full English-style breakfast included in all room rates. Served all day.
Panoramic views of surrounding mountains and Sandvlei Lake. Poolside lunch service in summer.
Hotel arranges transfers to/from Cape Town International Airport (~25 min drive). Surcharge applies.
Property has its own electricity resources and is not subject to South Africa's municipal load-shedding programme — uninterrupted power supply guaranteed.
Property dispenses filtered and structured water in all areas including bathrooms and swimming pool, per their wellness philosophy.
BUILD YOUR COLONA CASTLE MANOR HOUSE PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
Start Planning