Once Cape Town's biggest prison, this national monument building has been well converted into one of Cape Town's best hotel's. The hotel has a small attractive tropical garden with a swimming pool which has a stylish water feature at one end. There is a cocktail bar which offers guests drinks both inside the hotel and at the poolside terrace. A gym, steam room and sauna is available to guests, as is on-site parking.
These relatively small rooms are of a very high standard. All are carpeted, have traditional dark wood furniture, a table and chairs for guests and low lighting giving the rooms a calm and cosy feel.
Situated in the Old Convict Station building (part of the old prison) this long narrow modern restaurant has a beautiful wooden ceiling and support beams. The table settings are attractive and the walls are covered in historical black and white photos. The restaurant offers superb Cape Town specialities as well as international cuisine.
Lobby:
With it's Nautical theme the lobby is a bright area with large glass doors leading through to a pleasant reception with polished wooden floors and a seating area for guests. High ceilings give the lobby a nice sense of space, the reception has an elevated walkway similar to a ship's deck overlooking the central water and floral feature.
Exterior:
With its National Monument status the Portswood is an impressive historical building.