Axel's take on Century City: #7 of 8 in Cape Town, 5.3/10
Stay for a conference or shopping, not a first Cape Town holiday. Reasonable value supports a practical conference base, but weaker sightseeing access, limited doorstep choice and less character reduce its holiday appeal.
Stay here when your meeting is here, not just because it looks close to town. Century City is a planned business-and-shopping district built around Canal Walk, the conference centre and canals, with Ratanga Park and Intaka Island adding useful green space. It is practical for workdays and shopping-focused stays.
The trade-off is that most classic Cape Town days begin with transport. You can walk within the precinct, but that does not make the Waterfront, beaches or City Bowl part of your walking neighbourhood. We would favour it for a conference or deliberately quiet routine, not a first sightseeing holiday or a nightlife-led trip.
- Best for: business trips and conventions, shopping, a quiet stay
- Skip it if: This is your first sightseeing visit; You want city nightlife outside your door
- Getting around: MyCiTi D08 connects Century City and its rail station; change at Omuramba for 261 to Adderley; canal paths work locally; CPT by taxi, ride-hail or transfer.
- After dark: Expect dinner and drinks rather than a clubbing base; residents recommend heading into town for a fuller nightlife scene.
- Rates: Typical Axel rate $199 a night
Where to stay in Cape Town: every neighborhood ranked
Where to look in Century City
- Urban Square and Energy Lane. Choose this pocket for conference days and nearby meals, with Ratanga Park providing an outdoor break between appointments. Hotels here: Century City Hotel Urban Square, Colosseum Hotel.
- Century Boulevard at Rialto Road. A practical canal-side starting point for shopping-led stays around Canal Walk, rather than central Cape Town sightseeing. Hotels here: Cape Town Marriott Hotel Crystal Towers, The Residences at Crystal Towers.
How to choose
- Choose Century City Hotel Urban Square if your priority is conference access and a work-friendly room; request a position away from square-facing restaurant music.
- Choose Cape Town Marriott Hotel Crystal Towers if you want spacious hotel rooms, direct Canal Walk access and on-site pool and spa facilities.
- Choose Colosseum Hotel if you need generous suites, basic kitchenettes and free parking for less than most here.
What paying more buys
The Residences at Crystal Towers offers cheaper apartment space but uneven upkeep; Colosseum adds helpful service and generous suites with basic kitchenettes. The pricier Marriott Crystal Towers brings an on-site pool, spa and direct Canal Walk access. That premium is less worthwhile if you mainly need cooking facilities and parking between workdays. Typical rates with Axel here run from $98 a night at The Residences at Crystal Towers to $303 at Cape Town Marriott Hotel Crystal Towers (last 30 days).
The best hotels in Century City, ranked by Axel's take
Each hotel scored for what it is by Axel's own review; the rate is one stay Axel priced this week, beside the public rate for the same dates.
- Century City Hotel Urban Square 8.5/10, modern 4-star business hotel beside Century City Conference Centre. A strong conference base, but choose your room carefully for quieter nights. Why it's here: conference-centre convenience and modern, work-friendly rooms. Accept: square-facing rooms can catch restaurant music. $108 a night with Axel; no public rate was seen for these dates. Sign up free to book this rate
- Cape Town Marriott Hotel Crystal Towers 8.5/10, upscale business hotel in Century City. A strong Century City base, less convenient for a sightseeing-first Cape Town stay. Why it's here: spacious hotel rooms, direct Canal Walk access and on-site pool and spa facilities. Accept: parking costs extra; sightseeing requires transport. $198 a night with Axel; no public rate was seen for these dates. Sign up free to book this rate
- Colosseum Hotel 8.2/10, practical 4-star all-suite hotel in Century City. Generous suites and helpful staff make this a strong Century City base. Why it's here: generous conference-friendly suites with living areas, basic kitchenettes and free parking. Accept: dated finishes; pools and gym are 300 metres away. $146 a night with Axel; Expedia listed $138 a night for these dates when seen. Sign up free to book this rate
- The Residences at Crystal Towers 7.3/10, 4-star self-catering aparthotel in Century City. Generous apartment space beside Canal Walk, but upkeep and housekeeping need more consistency. Why it's here: cheaper apartment space with kitchens and free parking beside Canal Walk. Accept: uneven housekeeping and maintenance; confirm building and pool access. $91 a night with Axel against $113 a night on Expedia for the same dates and party: $22 a night less (19%). Sign up free to book this rate
