Cute and convenient in Cape Town: The new Canopy by Hilton Cape Town Longkloof
For a city of its size, Cape Town has a preponderance of points hotels — and an exciting new one has just joined the roster.
The Canopy by Hilton Cape Town Longkloof officially debuted in June after a few months in soft-opening mode and offers guests cheerful accommodations — and even a restaurant that's a destination in its own right — in the heart of a brick, mixed-use development that anchors an up-and-coming part of the city filled with trendy restaurants, bars and boutiques. The property was featured on our list of the most exciting hotel openings for 2025, so we were especially excited to have a peek inside.
Accommodations come in several categories, including relatively inexpensive yet expansive suites, so it's a great option for travelers on a budget who still want some creature comforts.
We popped by the hotel for an overnight shortly after its official opening, and here's what you can expect from a stay.
Related: The best Hilton hotels in the world
First impressions
A genial doorman waves me over as I maneuver my car into the brick yard in front of the hotel. He directs me to the next-door parking garage, and by the time I pull into a space, he is already standing beside my car, waiting to take my bags and escort me to the elevator that will bring me to the lobby. Even during our short journey, he manages to convey a sense of excitement that the hotel is officially open, especially because Americans like me are already among the most frequent guests.
As I arrive in the lobby, I take a moment to acclimate to the energetic color palette that surrounds me. The hotel's interior design takes its inspiration from the flora, fauna and sea life of South Africa, so I spy everything from murals dotted with oversize protea blossoms to a life-size giraffe sculpture craning its neck through the center of a grand staircase.
There are light and art installations everywhere I look, plus knickknacks galore on the shelves around the lobby and reception desk. Guests lounge in the various seating vignettes, though no one has currently staked out a place at the long coworking table in the parlor. Instead, everyone seems to be gravitating toward the lobby-level restaurant, Ongetem, for Friday evening cocktails, though my own dinner will have to wait.
Check-in takes a mere minute, and there is a welcome surprise that I have been upgraded to a corner suite thanks to my Hilton Honors Diamond elite status. Along the way to my accommodation, which includes a jaunt through a glass-enclosed hallway etched with bird shapes, the receptionist shows me the water stations where I can refill the provided in-room bottles, then leaves me to my own devices to explore my home for the night.
The rooms
The Canopy by Hilton Cape Town Longkloof has 154 rooms and suites. The plethora of accommodation categories includes rooms with king or queen beds, city and mountain views, and even suites with their own private outdoor terraces. Mine is one of the latter, a King Premium Suite with Mountain View, though that view will have to wait till morning since it's already dark outside.
The suite spans well over 600 square feet, with a capacious living room and dining area where I find a welcome board of cheese, olives, fig jam and bread waiting for me. The minibar holds even more local treats, like almonds from Babylonstoren in the Cape Winelands, plus a Nespresso machine that will come in handy in the morning.
The bleached wooden floors and concrete ceilings give the space an industrial feel that is nonetheless warmed up to a modicum of coziness by the pink, blue and peach tones of a circular rug and a curving sofa set between a floor-to-ceiling window and a door to the terrace.
Behind a large sliding door, the bathroom is tiled in stark black and white, with dual stone-countered vanities and a glass-walled shower-bath suite stocked with Apotheke products.
Across the living room through another barn-style sliding door, the bedroom has an equally industrial feel, though that is softened by an overhang framing the white-sheeted bed with whimsical depictions of flowers, birds and butterflies from the Cape region.
Next to the bed, an open rack and set of drawers constitute the closet, while next to one of the enormous windows, there is a slender work desk and chair with a wall-mounted television above them.
The following morning, I'm tempted out onto the terrace for sunrise views of Table Mountain and settle into one of the deck chairs with my cup of coffee as I plan out my day. If only I had another night here.
Dining
The hotel's sole restaurant is Ongetem, which means "untamed" in Afrikaans. Well-known South African chef Bertus Basson is the man behind the concept, and on the Friday night of my stay, the cavernous space is packed with stylish Capetonians enjoying everything from date night and business dinners to larger gatherings of friend groups.
Basson's menu highlights South Africa's bounty and the diverse flavors of Cape Town's many cultures, according to his guiding philosophy of being a "Butcher, Baker, Cocktail Maker." You might start, like I did, sipping a glass of Stellenbosch chenin blanc or a botanical-forward cocktail like the Burnt Negroni with orange- and sage-infused gin, Wild Cape vermouth, and Campari ($5.60) to accompany locally caught fish crudo with spiced palm sugar, guava, avocado and cucumber ($6.50).
Then, tuck into fall-off-the-bone confit beef ribs with soy jus ($10.60), or head straight to the section of the menu with aged wood-fired steaks, or perhaps a hearty "cassoulet" with braised Karoo lamb shin, sausage and kidney with tangy gremolata ($16).
My only regret was dining alone so I couldn't try more of the dishes. That said, I was hungry again by the time I came back down the following morning for breakfast, which I could enjoy for free — including the buffet and an a la carte hot entree — thanks to my Hilton Honors Diamond status.
The buffet included house-baked sweet and savory pastries, plenty of fresh fruit, cold cuts, juices, cereals, and more. For my main, I had a slice of sourdough toast heaped with the largest avocado I've ever seen and served with scrambled eggs, nori salt and miso cream (it would have cost $8 normally). It was an interesting mix of savory Japanese flavors with the almost buttery-sweet texture of the avocado.
Amenities and service
- The ground-floor gym is open 24/7 and is equipped with plenty of brand-new LifeFitness cardio and weight equipment.
- There are several meeting rooms on the second floor in case you're in town for business.
- Parking is a breeze, and although the hotel lists it as 100 South African rand ($6) per day, we were not charged.
- Every staff member I met greeted us warmly, enquired about my stay and seemed eager to show off the new hotel.
Location and logistics
The Canopy by Hilton Cape Town is in Longkloof, a historic district southeast of the more touristy areas of the city center, with plenty of bars, cafes and shops in the surrounding streets. The hotel is in a new development that includes office spaces, designer boutiques and galleries, meaning you don't have to venture far to experience the vibrancy of the area.
It takes about 30 minutes to get to the hotel from Cape Town International Airport (CPT) by car and costs around $10-$18 in an Uber. The V&A Waterfront is a 20-minute, $4-$6 Uber ride, while Table Mountain is a bit closer and costs around the same.
What it costs and how to book
Rates at the Canopy by Hilton Cape Town Longkloof start at around $120 or 34,000 Hilton Honors points per night. That equates to a value of around 0.35 cents per point, which is well below TPG's August 2025 valuation, so be sure to do the math if you're considering a stay, because it might be better to save your points for a better redemption.
The night I stayed there, I booked a room in the starting King room category for $130, but thanks to my Hilton Diamond status, I was upgraded several categories to a King Premium Suite with Mountain View that would have cost $340.
When booking the Canopy by Hilton Cape Town Longkloof, try to use one of the credit cards that earn the most points for Hilton stays, or one that offers automatic Hilton Honors elite status for value-added benefits. These include:
- Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: Earn 12 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at Hilton hotels, automatic Gold elite status and the ability to upgrade to Diamond status through the end of the next calendar year by spending $40,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year.
- The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card: Earn 12 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at Hilton hotels, automatic Gold elite status and the ability to upgrade to Diamond status through the end of the next calendar year by spending $40,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year.
- Hilton Honors American Express Card: Earn 7 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at Hilton hotels and automatic Silver elite status (with an upgrade to Gold through the end of the next calendar year when you spend $20,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year).
- Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: Earn 14 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at Hilton hotels and automatic Diamond elite status.
Accessibility
Although part of the building is historic, the Canopy by Hilton Cape Town Longkloof offers up-to-date accessibility features. These include entry via elevator (from the parking garage) or ramp (from the street) and elevators to all floors and public areas.
There are accessible rooms in the King category, and these offer 32-inch doors for maneuverability, emergency pull cords, grab bars in the bathroom, a lowered peephole in the door, and audible and visual alarms for those who require them.
Bottom line
Though not fancy, the Canopy by Hilton Cape Town Longkloof is an exciting addition to Cape Town's hotel scene thanks to its affordable rates, trendy location and excellent restaurant. For those seeking an alternative to the high-priced, touristy hotels around the City Bowl, the Canopy might just be the solution they have been looking for.
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