Protea Hotel by Marriott Cape Town Waterfront Breakwater Lodge

Staff were really nice, but the rooms were very small. We booked a two bedroom and you could barely walk in and put your luggage anywhere. You couldn’t walk into the washroom comfortably because it was so tiny. The shower stall is in a separate room from the toilet, which is fine however, it does not have a curtain or any way for the water not to fall on the floor.

The location is excellent, just a short walk from the Waterfront. It’s a fascinating property with rooms spread across several buildings of a former prison. Despite its history, the rooms were extremely clean and very quiet, ensuring a peaceful night's sleep. The breakfast was outstanding, featuring specialty coffees and an omelet station where you could customize your order. Highly recommended for anyone looking for something a bit different. Would definitely stay here again!

Having stayed at a number of Protea Hotels during our trip along the Garden Route and back, we found this one to be equally as good as most of the others. First and foremost the position is excellent with just a short walk across to the Aquarium and the Water Shed. Our room was comfortable - we were on the 2nd floor of Building 1 - although as in every hotel we've been in the duvet is far too heavy for the summer temperatures, even with air con. Breakfast is served in Building 3 which can be easily accessed by walking through Building 2. Breakfast is the same of all the other Protea Hotels - perfectly good with plenty of choice. We'd certainly stay again.

As a student at the University of Cape Town GSB, I stayed at the Breakwater Lodge and enjoyed my stay. The Stonebreakers Restaurant is top notch and serves exceptional breakfasts and dinner. Walking distance to The Waterfront so can access anything you need.

Staff was Fantastic welcoming, accommodating ,and friendly.Great easy check-in. Zoe was great both times we stay in the past week The property was clean.. the location was great. Good walk to the waterfront easily for all tours and transportation

This was the perfect place for us. Clean, quiet room, comfortable bed, optional breakfast buffet, onsite parking, very friendly and helpful staff and easy walking distance to the Waterfront.

The hotel’s location is excellent, right across the road from the V&A Waterfront. The staff are awesome and super friendly. Plenty of onsite parking, but not undercover. The breakfast is a lovely spread, well better than other 3 star hotels. The rooms are quiet and block out curtains help with sleep quality.
The downside. The rooms are tiny, and the shower did not have a door leaving the floor of the shower room very wet. The wifi is very poor, such an easy thing to upgrade. Only one aircon of the two rooms worked, but we were moved to another room from the third night.

Excellent hotel service. Very friendly reception staff. Special mention to Euwan whom we met in our 2 check ins. Very attentive to details and exceptional service to ensure our stay was comfortable. Clean spacious rooms and bathrooms. Walking distance 5 minutes to waterfront. Parking was good. Breakfast was excellent. Just spread out in their facilities. Including rooms. Will want to stay again.

Found some of the reviews strange, we had very good interaction with staff at reception, more than helpful and very willing to help with luggage. In fact all staff in the hotel were very friendly and courteous. The hotel is a little spread out with reception & breakfast area /bar some distance from esch other but this was mot a problem. Our room was very large but not keem on the bathroom being part of the bedroom, yes their is opaque glass but anyone needing to visit the bathroom at night , switching on the light causes the bedroom to light up. Their was only one socket in the room. Fridge/safe and coffee making facilites were present. The shower was large. Breakfast was splendid, a large selection of hot and cold was available for everyone, one of the best I have seen in a hotel. Location is few minures walk to the V&A, safe, convenient. I defintely would return

If you want to walk to the waterfront this is the place to be. It is close to aquarium, malls and waterfront. It is safe and clean. For all the comments, this place is clean, very congenial staff, front desk and security. Accommodation is excellent, rooms are clean and Bonvoy members are treated well with decent upgrades and excellent large breakfast. I don’t see any better place to stay than this place due to its location to waterfront with restaurants.

Close to V and A

Yes walking distance

Mixed Feelings – This Hotel Could Be So Much More

I have very mixed emotions about my recent stay at this hotel. It has potential, but unfortunately, the negatives outweighed the positives for me.

Check-In Experience – A Disappointment
Reception was chaotic. It seemed like the staff had no idea what was going on—perhaps due to trainees—but that’s no excuse for the confusion. As a Marriott Bonvoy member, I had booked a room with breakfast included, yet I was told it wasn’t part of my booking. After some back and forth, and showing my booking confirmation on my phone, they finally agreed that breakfast was included. Not a great start.

Service – Severely Lacking
There was no one to assist with luggage. At this point, you’re your own concierge, which is simply unacceptable for a hotel in this day and age, especially under the Protea/Marriott brand.

Room Layout – Poorly Designed
I stayed in a family room, and the layout was honestly terrible. You walk into a foyer with the toilet on the left and the shower/basin on the right. The open shower design causes water to splash everywhere, leaving the whole area wet. The room itself is very small—barely enough space to open a suitcase. The bed was hard and uncomfortable, definitely not what I expect from a Protea hotel.

Positives – And Yes, There Are a Few

Breakfast was excellent. Despite the restaurant being quite small, the food was delicious and the staff were very friendly and helpful.

Location is perfect—just a 5-minute walk to the V&A Waterfront, right behind the amazing aquarium. Most attractions are within walking distance.

Parking felt safe and secure, with a guard on duty at all times.

Final Thoughts
Unfortunately, being a Marriott Bonvoy member doesn’t seem to mean much anymore. The personal touch and recognition that used to come with membership feel like a thing of the past.

I won’t be returning to this hotel. There are simply better options available in the area that offer a higher standard of comfort and service.

Loud, paper-thin walls. Doors slamming all night. Pipes knocking nonstop.

Great location. Good option for a 2 night stay.

Location

Pleasant stay at the Protea Breakwater Lodge. Centrally located, easy walking distance to nearby shops and restaurants, comfortable rooms, air conditioning, and great service. Glad to be able to redeem and earn some Marriott points on this trip!

We stayed at Protea Hotel Cape Town Waterfront Breakwater Lodge with my daughter and friends, and it was an excellent choice. The hotel is located right next to the Waterfront, making it extremely easy to reach restaurants, the aquarium, hop-on hop-off buses, and the shopping mall.

The rooms were clean and spacious, and the staff was very friendly and welcoming. Breakfast was varied and delicious.

If you are looking for a place that is safe, clean, and within walking distance to the Waterfront, I can 100% recommend this hotel.

Our stay at Protea Lodge was great. The room is nice even if there were some problems with their AC and fire alarms. The buffet breakfast was scrumptous. Book the room in the main building.

The hotel is within 8 to 10 minutes walk to the waterfront and all other activities and sightseeing tours. It is very convenient

Room service was awesome and quick. The portions were huge.

Nice hotel, very clean and comfortable and staff really friendly. Plenty of bars, shops and restaurants just behind the hotel. Went to Featherbed Nature Reserve from here and had a lovely walk and lunch there.