Gorgeous George, Cape Town, South Africa
Contemporary African Design in the Heart of the Mother City
Why DNA Hotels Loves It
● Two beautifully restored Edwardian and Art Deco buildings transformed into one of Cape Town’s most distinctive design hotels.
● A showcase for contemporary South African art, furniture, and craftsmanship, curated by designer Tristan du Plessis.
● Gigi Rooftop combines lush gardens, exceptional food, cocktails, and panoramic city views into one of Cape Town’s liveliest social spaces.
A New Energy for Historic Cape Town
Gorgeous George captures the creative confidence of modern South Africa. Hidden between St George’s Mall and Greenmarket Square, the hotel brings together two landmark heritage buildings whose Edwardian elegance and Art Deco character have been carefully reinterpreted by Urbane Citizen Architecture. Original architectural details remain visible, while exposed concrete, structural steel, and generous open spaces introduce a bold contemporary rhythm. History provides the framework. Creativity fills the spaces.
African Design Without Compromise
The interiors celebrate local talent at every opportunity. Designer Tristan du Plessis has created a rich, layered environment where sculptural furniture, contemporary artworks, handcrafted objects, vintage finds, and industrial materials coexist effortlessly. Pieces by leading South African designers including Gregor Jenkin, David Krynauw, Dokter and Misses, Egg Designs, and Porky Hefer sit alongside artworks by David Brits and other local creatives, giving every room its own distinctive identity. Nothing feels imported. Everything belongs.
Rooms Full of Character
Each of the thirty-two guestrooms reflects the building’s industrial heritage while embracing contemporary comfort. Raw concrete ceilings, exposed steel beams, oak floors, vintage rugs, salvaged antiques, bespoke furniture, hand-painted murals, Marshall speakers, and beautifully crafted bathrooms create interiors that feel both luxurious and deeply individual. Original windows flood the rooms with natural light, softening the industrial palette with views across the city. Bold. Yet remarkably welcoming.
The Rooftop Everyone Wants to Be On
Gigi Rooftop is much more than the hotel’s restaurant. Filled with lush planting, a rooftop pool, conservatory-style dining spaces, and panoramic views across Cape Town, it has become one of the city’s favourite gathering places. Seasonal menus celebrate local ingredients, many sourced through sustainable partnerships, while the relaxed atmosphere encourages guests and locals to linger long after sunset. The city gathers here. Almost by instinct.
Cape Town at Your Feet
Few locations place visitors so naturally within the city’s creative heart. Art galleries, independent boutiques, Greenmarket Square, museums, restaurants, cafés, and the Company’s Garden are all within walking distance, while Table Mountain, the Atlantic beaches, and the Cape Winelands remain easily accessible. Gorgeous George feels perfectly connected to both the city’s heritage and its contemporary cultural scene. It is urban. Without losing its soul.
Why It Works
Gorgeous George succeeds because it allows contemporary African design to lead the conversation. Heritage architecture, exceptional local craftsmanship, bold artistic expression, and genuine hospitality come together to create a hotel that feels unmistakably Cape Town. It is confident, creative, and one of the city’s defining design destinations.
