Hotel Review: Protea Sea Point, Cape Town

Overview of Protea Hotel Cape Town Sea Point

Cape Town, South Africa, has no shortage of seaside hotels to choose from, but not all of them are perfect for blending business travel with leisure. For that, look no further than the Protea Hotel Cape Town Sea Point.

Just steps from the beach, this property is an ideal venue for travelers attending a conference or event, but still wanting to experience Cape Town’s natural beauty during their stay. The sophisticated, simple rooms offer either mountain views or sea views, providing a peaceful oasis in the midst of your demanding workday.

For the perfect spot for a productive workaway, we recommend that you book a room at Protea Sea Point.

How I Booked the Protea Sea Point

I have a friend who works with Marriott, so I have access to Marriott’s Friends and Family rate. I was able to book a six-night stay at the Protea Sea Point for about $470.

Even during peak season, the hotel is almost always under 20,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night, or around $120. This makes it possible to use the Marriott free night certificates from the credit cards mentioned below, but it also means that you won’t get as much value from your certificates and Marriott Bonvoy points—it may make more sense to spend cash. Always do the math for your personal stay to see what’s best.

It’s also possible to book this hotel with Marriott points, which can be earned through the following credit cards:

• Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card

Protea Cape Town Sea Point Location

Protea Sea Point is located just one block from the Sea Point Promenade and several public beaches. The proximity to the sea makes this property an idyllic locale for busy travelers who need an escape. Signal Hill and Lion’s Head provide a scenic backdrop for the hotel, beckoning adventurers outdoors to take a hike in between conference sessions.

Protea Sea Point is just a 25-minute car ride from Cape Town International Airport. You can take public transportation, but it’ll take almost two hours to get between the airport and the hotel. We recommend booking a car or driving in yourself to save time and hassle. There is on-site parking, but it costs about $3.20 per day if you don’t wish to street park off site.

Protea Sea Point sits among a great variety of shops, cafes and markets that follow the coastline. Be sure to try some exquisite South African seafood dishes at Ocean Basket Sea Point, grab breakfast at Arthur’s Mini Super or indulge in decadent treats at Crumbs & Cream. There’s no reason to go hungry when staying in this neighborhood.

Best Parts of Protea Cape Town Sea Point

It’s geared toward business travelers and groups.

This is not necessarily a plus for everyone but it certainly is for remote workers, conference organizers and delegates. Not only does Protea Sea Point feature six meeting rooms, but the on-site breakfast cafe features communal dining tables, which is ideal for exchanging ideas over coffee before breakout sessions.

It’s a great hub for Cape Town activities.

I always appreciate close proximity to a variety of activities, and this property is conveniently tucked between the mountains and the sea. Even if you’re traveling for work, it’s simple to get around Cape Town using this property as a home base. It’s perfect for a quick excursion in between responsibilities and excellent weekend fun.

Protea Cape Town Sea Point Drawbacks

It’s not a party hotspot.

Even with plenty of things to do in the neighborhood, this property doesn’t place travelers in the pulse of Cape Town’s clubbing scene. The famed Long Street is located on the other side of the hills with respect to the hotel, so if you’re looking to experience that, then Protea Sea Point is likely not for you.

It’s fine for solo travelers, but not necessarily built for them.

Don’t get me wrong. Solo travelers find plenty to do at this property, and if you’re into making lots of new friends while you’re away, then you may enjoy the opportunity to utilize the communal spaces at Protea Sea Point. However, there’s a big difference between properties that cater more to groups and properties that cater more to the lone wolf. If you’re looking for a place that’s likely to host more solo nomads, then you might consider looking elsewhere.

The fire alarm went off many mornings of my stay.

I stayed at the Protea Sea Point for six nights, and the fire alarm went off between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. on five out of the six mornings I was there. I inquired about it and was told it was because of a toaster in the breakfast area (but never actually was able to verify if this was true). I wasn’t offered any compensation for the inconvenience this caused. If you’re not an early riser, this may mean that it’s best to choose another hotel for your stay…unless the toaster problem has been fixed by now.

Getting to Protea Cape Town Sea Point

After a long flight, I generally prefer to take the quickest route to my hotel. In this case, getting from Cape Town International Airport to Protea Sea Point is easily done via Uber or Bolt. These are commonly used apps in the city, and I prefer them because they’re accessible, reliable, and the rides are reasonably priced.

Depending on traffic, it takes about half an hour to get from A to B. Just make sure to keep track of your belongings at all times and try not to roll down your window to prevent potential thieves from getting their hands in.

In this case, I spent the week before I was at the Protea Cape Town Waterfront Breakwater Lodge, so I was an easy few-minute Bolt ride away from the Protea Sea Point.

Check-In

When I fly into Cape Town, it’s often my point of entry into southern Africa. Either way, it’s usually a long-haul flight and I’m ready to settle into a comfortable space after a long day (or days) of travel. With that, I was glad to be greeted by a kind receptionist and experience a smooth check-in process.

Protea Sea Point takes its name and location to heart with decor that reflects that of a seaside beach house, complete with bookshelves, comfortable chairs and French double doors. I appreciated the welcoming, relaxing vibe and was glad to find that my room was ready even though I was a bit early.

I have Titanium Elite status with Marriott but didn’t receive an upgrade this time. That said, I was traveling during high season, so it wasn’t so much of a surprise. The hotel offers a great buffet breakfast that, as a Titanium member, I was able to enjoy every day at no additional cost.

I booked a guest room with a king bed, which provided a spacious 323 square feet (30 square meters) for me to stretch out and settle in. The decor was on brand with the lobby, complete with lots of natural light and pleasant, beachy pops of color. The layout was pretty standard, with a writing desk and flat-screen TV at the foot of the bed and a bathroom between the bed and the door, as per usual.

I didn’t have much of a view from this room, but the property does offer rooms with views of either the sea or the mountains.

I didn’t have any issues regarding comfort. The air conditioning was reliable, and the room came with a mini fridge to keep my snacks and drinks cool. The bed was standard for a hotel king bed, complete with comfortable, quality linen.

The bathroom featured a stand-up shower and toilet, and there was a hair dryer for complimentary use. The stand-alone sink was pretty small, and I couldn’t set my toiletries bag there for fear that it might fall off. However, there was plenty of room under the sink as well as on a small ledge above the sink, which supported the mirror. Bathroom amenities include a small soap and a small lotion, which were nice but not top-tier brands.

The room comes with complimentary bottled water, a safe and plenty of electrical outlets for charging devices. I also appreciated having a work desk with drawers such that I could unpack a little, and didn’t have to leave my cords and laptop out when I wasn’t using them.

Note that the internet isn’t necessarily included for all bookings, so for those who are utilizing the space for a workaway, that is definitely something to take into account. Make sure you read the fine print when making your booking.

Overall, the room was more or less what I expected. It was comfortable and served its purpose, but again, I needed to be particular about the conditions of the internet access. I’ve gotten used to assuming the internet is always complimentary in this day and age, but that isn’t necessarily the case. Be sure to check the conditions of your room and status beforehand.

Food and Drink

Protea Sea Point has two on-site dining options: La Cafe and Seven Spur Steak Ranch. La Cafe is open exclusively for breakfast, and Seven Spur Steak Ranch is open from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m.

La Cafe features a breakfast buffet, which is complimentary for those with Platinum status or higher, that can be enjoyed from communal dining tables, small individual tables or out on the patio. The breakfast was great—the buffet came with a variety of different foods including fruits, cereals, pastries and hot dishes. I found that whatever breakfast mood I was in, I could find something that I really enjoyed.

Seven Spur Steak Ranch is adjacent to the property and serves traditional South African cuisine. It’s great for an easy meal without having to really leave the property, but with so many wonderful restaurants in the surrounding area, I found it difficult to prioritize this one. However, this restaurant is really convenient for groups or business travelers who want to share a meal together at the property.

Amenities

Protea Sea Point features a small rooftop pool with plenty of lounge chairs for catching rays. I do recommend checking out the pool. There’s a great view of Signal Mountain and the surrounding scenery from up there.

There’s also a small fitness center featuring treadmills, stationary bicycles and weight training machines. There isn’t a ton of space, but it’s air-conditioned and perfect for getting in that quick workout.

One main feature of this property is its ample conference space, including six meeting rooms and dedicated areas for mingling and pre-function events. The infrastructure for audio/visual and internet connectivity is stable and reliable, making this a safe bet for conference organizers and delegates alike.

Service

Service at Protea Sea Point was lovely in my experience, but note that the property isn’t known for over-the-top accommodations. It’s a hotel geared mainly towards business travelers and short-term guests, providing proper comfort and accessibility rather than luxury and pampering. I have nothing but good things to say about the staff at Protea Sea Point. They met most of my expectations with grace and professionalism.

Protea Cape Town Sea Point Family Friendliness

Protea Sea Point markets some of its suites toward families, but their suites all come with only one bed and don’t permit rollaway beds. Instead, I’d recommend that families consider booking one of the larger guest rooms, which come with either two king beds or four twin beds.

When it comes to family friendliness, families are most certainly welcomed at the property, but it’s not geared toward them. There are no dedicated amenities for children, and the pool isn’t particularly built for lots of splashing and playing. However, the staff is happy to recommend family-friendly activities in the area and, being just a few steps from several public beaches, there are plenty of places to swim and play nearby instead of the rooftop pool.

Overall, though, this property is much more comfortable for adult travelers. It’s a great location for families who want to take advantage of the beach and/or hiking opportunities, and there’s plenty of communal dining on site, but I think it would be more fun for the children to have more space to play and hang out with other families on vacation.

Final Thoughts on Protea Hotel Cape Town Sea Point

Protea Sea Point is an ideal locale for business travelers in town for a conference, who also want a taste of Cape Town’s beautiful coast. With the sea just one block away and Table Mountain within easy reach, this property offers the amenities that business and solo travelers need plus accessibility to Cape Town’s favorite activities. If you’re in town on business or popping by during a workaway, then Protea Sea Point would be a great Cape Town home base.