One&Only Cape Town: V&A Waterfront private island palace with Nobu, 350m² infinity pool, Table Mountain views, and One&Only Spa

Reigning with supreme contemporary cosmopolitan urban resort grandeur across private waterways and a secluded residential island in the heart of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa (directly framing breathtaking unobstructed views of Table Mountain, just 20 minutes from Cape Town International Airport), One&Only Cape Town opened in 2009 as South Africa’s premier ultra-luxury urban waterfront grand palace. Masterfully designed by celebrated design studio Dennis Irvine, the 131-room luxury haven is divided between the main Marina Rise building and exclusive standalone Island Suites surrounded by tranquil canals. Featuring the world-renowned dining institution Nobu (the first and only Nobu in Africa by master chef Nobuyuki Matsuhisa), the contemporary South African restaurant Ochre, an extraordinary 350-square-metre heated outdoor freshwater infinity pool, and the palatial private island One&Only Spa, this property is Cape Town’s ultimate luxury grand palace.

Arrival introduces travelers to unvarnished South African cosmopolitan glamour and Table Mountain splendour: personal Butlers greet guests along the private marina driveway on Dock Road before entering Dennis Irvine’s soaring glass lobby with floor-to-ceiling glass framing Table Mountain, hand-woven African textiles, contemporary art installations, and chilled South African Cap Classique sparkling wine with warm biltong pastries and Cape Malay canapés. Day-one logistics focus on coordinating bespoke Cape Town mountain, marine, and Winelands pursuits: taking private guided cable car ascents to the summit of Table Mountain (10 minutes away), private chartered motor yacht cruises through Table Bay to Clifton Beaches and Robben Island (steps away from the private marina dock), private sommelier-led wine tours through Stellenbosch and Franschhoek (45 minutes away), swimming in the colossal 350m² heated pool, indulging in African botanical therapies on the private spa island, sipping vintage South African wines in the three-story Wine Loft, and reserving dinner at Nobu.

Palace living balances active Cape Town coastal discovery with serene private island wellness: One&Only Spa is situated on its own private 1,000-square-metre island in the marina featuring 12 private luxury treatment suites, vitality hydrotherapy pools, saunas, steam rooms, and therapies utilizing organic African botanicals, rooibos, and ESPA skincare. Dining is an extraordinary Japanese-South African culinary summit: celebrated gastronomy at Nobu (featuring black cod miso, yellowtail jalapeño, and Cape Grand Crus), local terroir dining at Ochre, poolside Mediterranean fare at Isola, and 24-hour in-room royal dining.

Accommodations comprise 131 rooms, luxury executive suites, and private Island Suites styled in rich African hardwoods, custom earth-toned textiles, and private furnished balconies framing Table Mountain or the marina waterways ranging from 63 to 380 square metres. Each residence features dedicated 24-hour personal butler service, plush king beds with custom linens, and marble bathrooms with deep soaking bathtubs, embedded TV mirrors, and custom amenities.

Waterfront purists, food lovers, and luxury travelers seeking V&A Waterfront location, Nobu dining, and Table Mountain views in Cape Town should book One&Only Cape Town without hesitation. Grounded review consensus confirms legendary standing with a 4.9 out of 5 on Tripadvisor across 6,200 reviews and a 4.8 out of 5 on Google across 8,400 reviews.