Overlooking the ruffled water of Table Bay, the Radisson Blu Waterfront screams – or rather, croons seductively – “holiday.” The white building resembles a cruise liner inside, with porthole windows and bridges crisscrossing its central atrium. There is a happy bustle in the lobby, where European tourists wander the souvenir shops and staff shepherd bespectacled men to geological conferences. The seafront bar-restaurant turns the holiday dial to eleven, with a delightful outdoor pool at the water’s edge and a private pier for sunset photos of passing yachts.

The poolside sign, advising “sun lounger is yours as long as you are in it,” summarises the happy-go-lucky atmosphere here. On the downside, the staff outside reception could be better trained and informed; our queries and requests generally led to confusion and visits to the front desk. However, the facilities do compensate, including a spa, bikes for hire, and a business centre with computers, printers and a round table for conferences. The tranquil seaside location is within walking distance of the V&A Waterfront – free hourly shuttles are provided until 11pm – and close enough to the Green Point Lighthouse to hear its foghorn.

The pricier rooms and suites occupy the oceanfront side of the building, gazing across Table Bay at the beaches and hills of the west coast. The city views from the standard rooms do not disappoint, with Table Mountain rising beyond the curvy form of Green Point Stadium, but be warned that breakfast is not included in this class (R160 extra per person). Standard rooms are spacious and comfortable, featuring glass-topped writing desk and cupboard, cast-iron bedside tables, and little extras such as French toiletries, slippers with the bathrobes and on-demand movies on the DSTV. Security is taken seriously: a boom gate leads to the underground parking; a room key is needed to activate the elevators; and the in-room safes are refreshingly easy to operate.