Modern luxury in the heart of the World’s Best City

Old Bank Hotel elevates the Cape Town stay

Cape Town, South Africa 

As tourist numbers to Cape Town continue to rise through 2025 and into 2026, demand for high-quality, centrally located urban accommodation is increasing. Responding to this need, Old Bank Hotel, part of the Lion Roars Hotels & Lodges group (Lion Roars),has completed a major refurbishment. The upgrade expands the hotel with 22 new rooms and introduces a welcoming foyer and lounge on the ground floor, modern conferencing facilities, a compact fitness centre and a splash pool on the restaurant terrace - positioning Old Bank Hotel’s as a contemporary four-star city hotel offering exceptional value in the heart of Cape Town, recently named the World’s Best City. 

The sweet spot: Meeting evolving travel demands

The refurbishment forms part of Lion Roars Hotels & Lodges’ broader approach to responding to evolving travel demand, with a portfolio curated to offer distinctive stays across South Africa’s most sought-after destinations - from centrally located city hotels to coastal escapes and safari lodges. Amid the tourism boom, the group says Old Bank Hotel’s upgrade is a direct response to the “sweet spot” travellers are seeking: “accommodation that balances modern convenience, safety and lifestyle within a premium, well-appointed four-star setting,” says Vincent Bouwer, Chief Revenue Officer of Lion Roars. The revamp positions Old Bank Hotel to meet this demand, pairing elegant architecture with contemporary interiors and thoughtfully designed amenities to create a calm, stylish base for exploring Cape Town - from solo urban explorers to couples and business guests. 

Guests love the location

Ideally located just off St George’s Mall, the hotel’s central position consistently earns praise in guest reviews. Visitors frequently describe its “excellent location right in the city centre,” noting that attractions such as Greenmarket Square, the Company’s Garden and the colourful Bo-Kaap are comfortably reachable on foot. Many also highlight the convenience of nearby Hop-On Hop-Off bus stops, easy access to the V&A Waterfront, and the reliability of ride-hailing services - reinforcing Old Bank Hotel’s reputation as a seamless, walkable base for exploring Cape Town.

That convenience, combined with contemporary comfort, continues to shape the hotel’s appeal across a broad spectrum of travellers.

“Guests choose Old Bank Hotel because it makes city travel effortless,” says Abegail Mooi, General Manager of Old Bank Hotel. “They enjoy being close to cafés, markets and cultural attractions, while returning to a modern, beautifully designed space with the amenities they expect from a four-star hotel. The refurbishment has strengthened our ability to cater to a wide range of travellers while maintaining a strong sense of style and value.”

A contemporary stay for urban travellers

While the building’s exterior reflects its classical architectural roots, the interior experience is unmistakably current. Light-filled spaces, clean-lined design and a contemporary Afro-French–inspired aesthetic define the hotel’s atmosphere, blending European refinement with warm African textures and materials. “Our focus is on creating hotels that feel current, comfortable and relevant to how people travel today,” adds Bouwer. “Old Bank Hotel offers modern luxury and excellent value in a prime city location, with facilities that cater equally to leisure and business travellers, as well as younger and older guests who want convenience without compromise.”

A signature feature of Old Bank Hotel is its elevated eighth-floor rooftop, 1902 Bistro and the contemporary B & F Bar. From here, guests enjoy a relaxed vantage point over the city - ideal for morning coffee, informal meetings or evening drinks - while the outdoor terrace provides a calm pause above the streets below.

Lion Roars: geared for the visitor growth

Looking ahead, Cape Town’s tourism growth is expected to continue into 2026, supported by sustained demand across international, regional and domestic markets. “What this moment calls for is preparedness,” says Bouwer. “As the city continues to attract a diverse mix of travellers, our focus remains on ensuring our hotels are well positioned, thoughtfully designed and operationally ready to meet that demand - offering comfort, quality and value in the places where travellers most want to be.”