Gorgeous George Hotel — Hotel in City Centre

Highs and Lows: Arriving at the Gorgeous George Hotel in Cape Town was an exercise in patience and perseverance. As our car circled the block for the fourth time, it became evident that the directions provided by the receptionist were as clear as a foggy morning in the Cape. "Just go turn by that pole," she said, with enough "umms" and "ahhs" to fill a hesitant symphony. A suggestion for future guests: an immediate dispatch of a staff member to wave down new arrivals would save considerable frustration and align customer service with the hotel’s otherwise impeccable standards. When we finally stepped inside, the Gorgeous George lived up to its name. The lobby was a visual feast, blending Art Deco charm with contemporary chic. The hotel’s décor was a marvel—each corner an Instagram-worthy moment. Our dining experience was equally impressive. To celebrate my sister’s birthday, the chef and waitress orchestrated a delightful array of surprises, from a beautifully presented dessert to thoughtful birthday touches that were both unexpected and warmly received. However, the service, though kind and professional, moved at a glacial pace. The evening stretched long as we waited for each course, and by the time the final birthday surprise arrived, we were already paying the bill. It was a pity that such a well-intentioned effort lost some of its sparkle due to the sluggish pace. A recommendation for the management: speed up the service during peak hours to match the five-star quality of the food. As a corporate woman in my mid-30s, I found the rooftop terrace a delightful escape. Live music, a vibrant atmosphere, and stunning views created an ambiance that was both sophisticated and relaxed. The room itself was a sanctuary of style and comfort, marred only by the Marshall speaker—promised as part of the room's amenities—that refused to connect to our Bluetooth devices. Our stay was not without its challenges. The adjacent room (Room 308) housed DJs who turned the night into an unscheduled rave, their beats penetrating even the earplugs provided by the hotel. Yet, in the midst of this, Gabby, the logistics and people manager, emerged as a beacon of exceptional service. She swiftly resolved a problem with our TV and her professionalism stood in stark contrast to the overall service experience. One unsettling aspect was the frequent questioning of our guest status. Whether due to our age or another undisclosed reason, we often felt unwelcome. A simple solution, such as wristbands or A complementary piece of jewelry or jacket pin to distinguish hotel guests from restaurant patrons, could easily remedy this. The most jarring moment occurred during breakfast. My sister’s innocent inquiry about Ceylon tea was met with a minute-long mocking laugh from the waitress, a reaction so unprofessional it left us both stunned and insulted. Such behavior has no place in hospitality, and we hope the hotel addresses this lapse with appropriate corrective action. Despite these significant service flaws, the Gorgeous George Hotel has a unique charm that’s hard to ignore. Its creative spirit and aesthetic brilliance are undeniable. However, to truly shine, the service must rise to meet the beauty of its surroundings. As professional reviewers with deep roots in tourism and media, we will return in six months, hopeful for a more polished experience. The Gorgeous George has the potential to be a beacon of excellence in Cape Town’s hospitality scene especially with the rise of GenZers, but only if it addresses these critical areas of improvement. We look forward to a return visit where the service is as breathtaking as the décor, and where every guest feels as valued as the most beautiful piece of...

The hotel is FAB! The people, service, vibe and Gigi's is amazing (though I'd say that breakfast options and quality outweigh the lunch / dinner menu), though it was also very very good. The rooftop pool area is small - literally six sunbeds and though we were lucky and didn't have trouble spending time there, it was just that - luck. There's a 'lounge' on the first floor but it seems to only be used for organised weekend DJ / music type events so we didn't get to experience it. The small pool is really cool too. Weren't sure what to expect, particularly with the location of the hotel, which is on a pedestrianised street so there's no way to get dropped off or park directly outside. We knew this in advance but if you're arriving late it can be a bit disconcerting. The hotel do advise to call ahead and they'll meet you. Longmarket street is the closest to the entrance so get your uber to drop off there if possible. Walking through the city / )company gardens is a must) is fine during the day and there are loads of public security officials who are super helpful and them just being there give loads of reassurance. One actually proactively approached us to see if something had happened after we'd asked was it okay to walk around Bo Kap and then we changed our minds and came back 5 mins later. Nothing had happened at all we literally just decided to head for the V&A instead but the attention he gave was really appreciated. At night, it can be described as 'edgy', BUT simple rules, avoid walking anywhere and if you must don't walk aimlessly. Get Ubers, (black are best) be streetwise as you would be anywhere, and you'll be fine. We went to the most brilliant restaurant 'Kloof Street House'. It's such an experience - kind of like a house, our table was in the library etc, and the food is amazing. When we left there were literally lines of cars and taxis supporting that it's not only tourists who don't walk home. We were also pleased to see that pedestrianised area around the hotel - the uber which dropped us off on street further away (at 10.45pm) was well lit and there was a public security official walking around and Gorgeous George have security standing visible too. There are also a number of hotels very close to Gorgeous George, including the Holiday Inn directly across so it genuinely feels safe. The only iffy hotel issue we had was that our room, number 401, junior suite, had a noticeable 'drain' smell coming from the shower. It was quite bad but we put it down to the building being old and wasn't a cause to complain. In hindsight though we maybe should have made them aware given that it was notable enough for me to mention here - it required doors kept closed and we even put a cloth over the shower drain at one point. In summary though, we LOVED it. If you're...

The hotel is FAB! The people, service, vibe and Gigi's is amazing (though I'd say that breakfast options and quality outweigh the lunch / dinner menu), though it was also very very good. The rooftop pool area is small - literally six sunbeds and though we were lucky and didn't have trouble spending time there, it was just that - luck. There's a 'lounge' on the first floor but it seems to only be used for organised weekend DJ / music type events so we didn't get to experience it. The small pool is really cool too. Weren't sure what to expect, particularly with the location of the hotel, which is on a pedestrianised street so there's no way to get dropped off or park directly outside. We knew this in advance but if you're arriving late it can be a bit disconcerting. The hotel do advise to call ahead and they'll meet you. Longmarket street is the closest to the entrance so get your uber to drop off there if possible. Walking through the city / )company gardens is a must) is fine during the day and there are loads of public security officials who are super helpful and them just being there give loads of reassurance. One actually proactively approached us to see if something had happened after we'd asked was it okay to walk around Bo Kap and then we changed our minds and came back 5 mins later. Nothing had happened at all we literally just decided to head for the V&A instead but the attention he gave was really appreciated. At night, it can be described as 'edgy', BUT simple rules, avoid walking anywhere and if you must don't walk aimlessly. Get Ubers, (black are best) be streetwise as you would be anywhere, and you'll be fine. We went to the most brilliant restaurant 'Kloof Street House'. It's such an experience - kind of like a house, our table was in the library etc, and the food is amazing. When we left there were literally lines of cars and taxis supporting that it's not only tourists who don't walk home. We were also pleased to see that pedestrianised area around the hotel - the uber which dropped us off on street further away (at 10.45pm) was well lit and there was a public security official walking around and Gorgeous George have security standing visible too. There are also a number of hotels very close to Gorgeous George, including the Holiday Inn directly across so it genuinely feels safe. The only iffy hotel issue we had was that our room, number 401, junior suite, had a noticeable 'drain' smell coming from the shower. It was quite bad but we put it down to the building being old and wasn't a cause to complain. In hindsight though we maybe should have made them aware given that it was notable enough for me to mention here - it required doors kept closed and we even put a cloth over the shower drain at one point. In summary though, we LOVED it. If you're...