The 25-year regeneration of Cape Town’s harbour precinct into the wildly popular Victoria & Alfred Waterfront has transformed the docklands into one of the most popular tourist attractions in Africa; a happy mix of shops, restaurants and entertainment, including the Nelson Mandela Gateway to iconic Robben Island.

And set slap-bang in the middle of all of this tourist goodness is the Victoria & Alfred Hotel, named – like the waterfront itself – for Queen Victoria and her second son. In fact, it was Alfred who tipped the first stones to build the current breakwater back in 1860. With the harbour came ships and stores, and it was the historic North Quay Warehouse that was renovated and transformed into this four-star boutique hotel in 1990.

Ninety-four rooms are spread across three floors, with most offering lovely harbour or mountain views and all featuring plenty of mod-cons from complimentary wireless internet to satellite television. Old world service and period touches add to the sense of modern glamour; a feeling that the building’s rich history is never too far away.

Comfortable and stylish though they may be, this isn’t a hotel where you’ll want to relax in your room all day. There’s a small spa on-site as well as a well-equipped gymnasium, and V&A guests also have access to a wonderful pool at the Dock House boutique hotel across the road. On the ground floor, the OYO Restaurant & Cocktail Bar has lovely harbour and mountain views and offers good lobster deals in the summer.

All of which are really just the cherries on top of the great location. The Victoria & Alfred is a lovely hotel, but perhaps no better or worse than other four-star properties nearby. Its unbeatable trump card is that enviable position in the heart of the ever-popular Waterfront.