Only The Cullinan Hotel offers views of all of the Mother City’s main attractions: Table Mountain, the harbour and ocean, the V&A Waterfront and the city skyline. Marble pillars and floors and lush furnishings, transport guests into a world of luxury complete with individualized four-star services. A pool and gym offer the perfect way to relax after a day of business meetings or sightseeing and the choice of bars and restaurants is sure to meet everyone’s tastes.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
City View
Family
Languages Spoken
English, Afrikaans, Xhosa, Zulu
Location
1 Cullinan Street, Cape Town Central 8001 South Africa
Southern Sun The Cullinan
2,455 reviews
Getting there
Great for walkers
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
This summary was created by AI, based on recent reviews.
Powered by AI
Southern Sun The Cullinan receives mixed reviews on its value, with some guests appreciating the luxuriousness and affordability, while others question its 5-star status. The hotel's cleanliness is a highlight, with many visitors impressed by the well-maintained premises. Amenities such as the pool and shuttle service are generally well-received, and the atmosphere is often described as pleasant, especially with the live piano music during breakfast.
Although room experiences vary, the hotel's location near the Waterfront earns consistent praise. Service quality, however, shows some inconsistency, with both commendations for friendliness and criticisms regarding responsiveness.
Location
Convenient
Atmosphere
Charming
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Mixed
Cleanliness
Meticulous
Service
Inconsistent
Amenities
Outstanding
Was this helpful?
Tripadvisor is not responsible for this summary or the opinions in it. For more information, please read the traveller reviews and learn more about how the site works.
I would really have liked to give this hotel a 5* rating - it has a very grand entrance leading out into a (heated) pool area. Reception and check in was quick and efficient and we were soon on our way to our room. The room itself is rather small and dated, but perfectly adequate - there is a fridge, safe, TV, tea & coffee making facility and free WiFi. But little things let it down - the only hotel on our tour without international electric plug sockets (we had to borrow an adapter from reception), just a trickle of water to the sink in the bathroom (although the shower was fine) and just 2 small bottles of drinking water provided daily (although, in fairness you could phone down for more.) The restaurant, though was great, both at breakfast and dinner with plenty of variety to suit even the most picky eaters. The hotel is in a great location, an easy walk down to the V&A waterfront, and there is a free hourly shuttle if you choose not to walk. We did enjoy our stay, but it was just a shame that such basic items let the place down.
Read more
Date of stay: February 2020
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Pieter Tepper, Owner at Southern Sun The Cullinan
Responded 04 Mar 2020
Dear Chris M Thank you for taking the time to provide us with such detailed feedback. We are pleased to see you enjoyed your stay. Thank you for bringing your concerns, albeit as you stated "little" to our attention. We appreciate any and all feedback that allow us to improve on our services. and it is through feedback such as yours that we are able to do just that. The team and I are looking forward to your next visit. Kind regards Pieter
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Historical hotel with old time charm. Room was very comfortable and clean. Nice touch - they offer guests 3 types of flavored popcorn and drinks in the afternoon in the lobby. Location great for a short scenic walk to the marina where there are multiple malls, entertainment and scenic views of the shore. Shuttle bus available as well. All in all great place to stay.
Read more
Date of stay: August 2019
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Pieter Tepper, Guest Services / Front Office at Southern Sun The Cullinan
Responded 14 Apr 2020
Dear Worlt Thank you for taking the time to provide us with such detailed feedback following your stay with us. We are pleased to see you had a great stay with us . The team and I are looking forward to welcoming you back again soon. We wish you all the best during this difficult time. Kind regards Pieter
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
A lot to digest? Read an AI-generated summary of recent traveller reviews.
I was really impressed with this hotel. The moment I walked in, it looked nice, fancy, the lovely pianist playing. There were also popcorn which was nice. Everyone was friendly.
The hotel is convenient by tour bus stops, around town, 10 minutes walk to the waterfront.
The breakfast buffet was good. Everyone were friendly, the servers and staff picked up the plates really fast, which was good. The breakfast had a range of delicious food, like fruit, omelet, I really liked the omelet, they were delicious.
The rooms were really nice and comfortable. Spacious and safe. Two double beds, really comfy.
I really enjoyed going to the waterfront every afternoon. This hotel offers rides to the waterfront at every hour. The waterfront is full of restaurants, shops, entertainment and a nice scenery of Cape Town.
I recommend that you stay at this hotel, it is worth staying here.
Read more
Date of stay: December 2019
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from PieterT166, Manager at Southern Sun The Cullinan
Responded 14 Jan 2020
Dear sofiaryan7 Thank you for taking the time to provide us with feedback following your stay with us. We are pleased to see you had a great stay. The team and I are looking forward to welcoming you back again in the not too distant future. Kind regards Pieter
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I have often stayed at the Cullinan and have generally enjoyed the experience. It is a very good four star hotel, well positioned just next to the Cape Town Convention Centre. I had an executive suite which was very very comfortable. The room was large and the bathroom had a separate shower and was well appointed. The lobby area is still grand and inviting and the front staff extremely friendly and welcoming. I had a hired car and, upon driving up to the porte cochere, doormen would immediately come out, greet you with a smile and park the car. Breakfasts are buffet style and cater for all tastes. However, having said all that, I have found that attention to little details are, sadly, on the downside. Some examples; at breakfast, they were not always fully equipped with basics such as plates, glasses, serving spoons etc. Almost daily, I have had to find someone to ask where the glasses are, or where the ladle was to help myself to hot oats. I know that the pace is like a railway station at peak times, but I had the advantage of having breakfast each morning when the crowds had left, either for their business meetings or their tours. The service slackened. Another example was the room service. I only started receiving my morning newspaper after the third day. The evening turndown service was inconsistent; the first night there was none. After that, it differed, dependent, I suppose, on who the chambermaid was. I have experienced well run hotels all around the world and one of the things that impresses me is consistency in service. If a turndown service is done in a certain way, that way should be identical night after night and in every room. Another small but irritating detail; phoning another room is not easily and readily explained. Usually, this information is on the phone itself. I had to phone the concierge to obtain this information. So, all in all, the experience ranged from good to very good, but there are signs of slippage that management should be aware of. A slick service is certainly lacking.
Read more
Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from PieterT166, Manager at Southern Sun The Cullinan
Responded 26 Jan 2020
Dear GSM19 Thank you for taking the time to provide us with such detailed feedback following your stay with us. It is noted with concern that you observed a lack of consistency that affected your stay. It is through feedback such as yours that we are able to address the issues you have brought to light. with the above being said we are pleased that you enjoyed your stay with us for the most part. The team and I are looking forward to welcoming you back again soon, in order for us to provide you with the exceptional service we pride ourselves in. Kindest regards Pieter
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Where do I start?? Stayed for 10 nights during a business trip.
Housekeeping:
Their service is inconsistent, and they really need more training.
Unacceptable that you provide unsealed water bottles.
Who approved the horrible cranberry cookies next to the tacky coffee and tea set??
Speaking of the set, one day you get milk, the next none. One day coffee stirrers, the next day they place my own straws in the cups!!
Why is the soap bar changed frequently? One bar was more than sufficient for handwashing for this period. But every other day or so, you take it away and place a new one. What a waste.
Breakfast
Out of the 10 days, I had breakfast only twice.
The staff are unfriendly and you need to beg for coffee. Even then, they don't speak a single word with you.
The bacon is awful, and the eggs are so watered down.
Room
The walls are thin, and you can hear your neighbours on the phone. Carpets are filthy.
The windows have poor sealant, and you can hear cars all the time whilst trying to sleep.
In all honesty, the bed and pillows are the best of all hotels I've stayed in.
Smell
There's a constant bad smell on the floor, and cheap humidifiers are seen as you enter the floor.
Laundry
Laundry is terrible. Items wrinkled and not properly hanged. Laundry bags not replaced in the room. Overpriced for what they do to your clothes.
Read more
Date of stay: March 2022Trip type: Travelled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from The Cullinan SouthernSun, Guest Services / Front Office at Southern Sun The Cullinan
Responded 07 Jun 2022
Dear Desert, Thank you for bring the above to our attention, We would like to whole heartedly apologize for your experience that you had with us, this is defiantly not the service that we are known for. We have had this escalated with our Housekeeping department to ensure something like this does not happen again. We hope you will be back with us again so that we can look after you Warm Regards, The Cullinan Team
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We visited 27 September 2022 - 01 October 2022. We have stayed at this hotel on numerous occasions but were shocked with how the service has deteriorated in recent times. Even though the hotel is rated 4 star - it felt more like 1 star. The room was not cleaned properly as we had seen a barcode label in the shower when we got there and it was in the drain everyday and night. Room service was never done at night thus we were constantly calling for new towels and to have our bathroom cleaned. The breakfast lacked excitement as we had the same breakfast for days. On most days when we went for breakfast, almost all of the cold breakfast and some of the hot breakfast was finished with no one bothering to replenish it. The egg station guy was continuously rude and arrogant . The only savior was the head chef who assisted us with getting something different on one day. Overall i did'nt enjoy my time spent here on this small getaway.
Read more
Date of stay: September 2022
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from The Cullinan SouthernSun, Guest Services / Front Office at Southern Sun The Cullinan
Responded 13 Oct 2022
Dear Melenie, Thank you for choosing to stay with us at The Cullinan. We are truly disappointed to read that you experienced so many difficulties during your stay. and we sincerely apologize for this. This is not the service that we offer to our esteemed guests. We have noted your valuable comments above and rest assured that your valuable feedback will be addressed further with Senior Management. We truly hope that you will consider choosing to stay with us at The Cullinan again when you visit Cape Town so that we can restore your faith in the superior customer service that we provide to all our esteemed guests. Yours in Hospitality, The Cullinan Team
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Previously we had stayed much closer to the waterfront however the availability & exorbitant prices made us look elsewhere. The best thing we did! Our last visit was 8y ago and we were shocked at the development of the V&A and how much more touristic it has become. The location of this property is just far enough away yet still assessable by short Uber or courtesy hourly shuttle (or long walk)
The rooms are well appointed with comfortable beds and quality linens. The only criticism was that the picture above the bath was discoloured with damp (don’t think I’ve seen art in a bathroom before)
The staff are fantastic, attentive and follow up on any request promptly.
Security staff everywhere so you feel more than safe.
The car park below was secure and very convenient. If your driving, location is brilliant! It’s the first exit from the motorway as you hit the central part of the waterfront area. This made it so easy for days out to the wine regions and Kirstenbosh.
We used the shuttle frequently down to the waterfront. The driver, Freddie (who’s always ‘ready’ as he says) was entertaining. The bus is not huge, so can be full quickly. Plus, don’t be late as it leaves V promptly! But hey, we also used Uber as it was so cheap.
In summary, loved our stay and would return in a heartbeat.
Read more
Date of stay: March 2023
Value
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from The Cullinan SouthernSun, Guest Services / Front Office at Southern Sun The Cullinan
Responded 28 Mar 2023
Dear Fordwater, Thank you for choosing to stay with us at The Cullinan and taking the time to leave us such an amazing review regarding your stay with us. Reading such amazing comments makes us very proud especially knowing that our staff provided superior customer service. Our staff, especially Freddie will be very thrilled to know that an amazing review was left for him. We look forward to having you stay with us very soon. Yours in hospitality, The Cullinan Team
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
To constantly meet all the required standards and remain at the top in any endeavour takes great dedication to the task at hand and a greater corporate culture with good management and leadership . The Cullinan team do exactly that over and over. Congratulations to all. From the front desk members to the housekeeping staff and security , they all know how to make the stay at The Cullinan a pleasure.The rooms have been tastefully decorated to a good standard without going over the top, with most rooms taking full advantage of the high set position with excellent views over the Waterfront and harbour and adjacent CTICC the purpose of my visit. A great choice!
Read more
Review collected in partnership with Tsogo Sun Hotels
Date of stay: March 2020
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Pieter Tepper, Guest Services / Front Office at Southern Sun The Cullinan
Responded 14 Apr 2020
Dear pmerwe701075 Thank you for taking the time to provide us with such detailed feedback following your stay with us. We are pleased to see you had a great stay with us . The team and I are looking forward to welcoming you back again soon. We wish you all the best during this difficult time. Kind regards Pieter
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I have to commend the staff and management for taking all the necessary covid precautions, whilst still allowing guests to enjoy their stay as they would pre Covid. The breakfast was delicious and despite some items being pre packaged or hot meals being served to us, we were able to enjoy the scrumptious food. The staff, in general went out of their way to make us feel welcomed and relaxed so that we could enjoy our stay as best as possible. The bar/restaurant staff accommodated our request for meal changes with a friendly and helpful approach. Zuko from the breakfast restaurant was a real gem and he ensured that we were well taken care of. He even tried to get pancakes added to the menu to cater for the kids, but unfortunately due to staff constraints this was not possible (and is understandable). There were small things that we could nitpick on, but chose not to, as we understand that the staff could have more responsibilities and are only human to forget small things. I highly recommend this beautiful hotel for your next stay in Cape Town.
Read more
Date of stay: October 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Pieter Tepper, Guest Services / Front Office at Southern Sun The Cullinan
Responded 19 Nov 2020
Dear AnnalizaM4 Thank you for taking the time to provide us with feedback following your recent visit. We are pleased to see that you had a great stay with us and that you felt comfortable and safe during this trying time. I am pleased to say that we are looking at providing a kiddies menu over the festive season. The team and I are looking forward to your next visit. Possibly over the season period so that the kids can have the pancakes they missed out on, on you last visit. Kindest regards Pieter
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Perfect venue, courteous staff, value for money Great location 7 minutes to the V and A Waterfront. The conference facility was perfect. Breakfast lunch and dinner was of a high standard
Management at the hotel was flexible and always willing to go the extra mile. Thank you
Read more
Review collected in partnership with Tsogo Sun Hotels
Date of stay: January 2020
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from PieterT166, Manager at Southern Sun The Cullinan
Responded 26 Jan 2020
Dear ganas382 Thank you for taking the time to provide us with feedback following your stay with us. We are pleased to see you had a great stay and that the conference was a success. The team and I are looking forward to welcoming you Back again in the not too distant future. Kind regards Pieter
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
There are more places to choose from in the Cape Town Central area.
PRICE RANGE
R 3,297 - R 5,242 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
southern sun the cullinan hotel cape town central, southern sun cullinan, cullinan hotel cape town
LOCATION
South AfricaWestern CapeCape TownCape Town Central
NUMBER OF ROOMS
394
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect average nightly room rates, including taxes and fees that are fixed, known to our partners, and due at time of booking. Please see our partners for more details.
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
