If you want to stay near the ocean and the city center but don’t like the glitz of Camps Bay (and the astronomical hotel prices), Sea Point is your best bet. The cosmopolitan suburb, flanked by the Atlantic Ocean, has a wonderful seafront promenade that stretches for miles (where you can rent bicycles to cycle along), beaches that never get busy, public swimming pools next to the ocean and a relaxed everyday-is-a-holiday feel.

Sea Point is home to a number of hotels and self-catering rental apartments, and the Hyde Hotel offers a great combination of both. Tucked away on a quiet street that runs off Beach Road, the hotel is within spitting distance of the promenade. The Hyde was converted from an apartment block, so its 36 suites feel like apartments rather than hotel rooms. Each suite (which features modern fittings and minimalist furniture) has a kitchen, and some have spacious lounge areas with a massive wall-mounted flat-screen TVs and sliding doors that open onto views of other apartment blocks with a sliver of sea in the background. The only complaint is that the bedroom section feels small and stuffy (there’s only a fan in the room) in comparison with the open-plan living area, which has air conditioning.

What stands out at the Hyde is the staff, who are particularly helpful, friendly and welcoming, and display none of the offhandedness that you sometimes get at more snobby, upmarket hotels. Other positives are the daily complimentary shuttle to the V&A Waterfront, the small but decently equipped gym, and the good buffet breakfast of fruit, pastries, cereals, eggs and bacon.

The room service menu offers well-priced salads, sandwiches, burgers and pizzas but it’s not exactly five-star dining. Instead explore the neighborhood: Sea Point’s bars and restaurants are a short walk away. The Winchester Hotel, overlooking the promenade, is the best spot for sundowner drinks and is popular with tourists, while La Boheme Wine Bar & Bistro (for Spanish tapas) and Posticino (an unpretentious Italian restaurant with the best pizzas in town) are favorites with locals.