Built in 1997 and the flagship hotel of the Legacy chain, the grey stone and painted brick facade of this long, low-rise, property still looks pretty fresh from its 2008 makeover. Stepping inside, the lobby is airy and spacious, with a swathe of wooden flooring, antique-style furnishings, and centerpiece rug, floral bouquet, and chandelier. There's not much in the way of wow factor; the hotel is positioned to appeal to the middle ground with slightly dated, colonial-style interiors finished in a maritime theme with nautical related motifs, paintings, and knick-knacks. Hallways continue the seafaring theme dotted with old maps, exotic vases, and model clipper ships, while a central courtyard's terrace provides a peaceful and relatively secluded place to relax under the dappled shade of leafy trees.  

The hotel is located in Cape Town's Victoria & Alfred Waterfront district featuring a Table Mountain backdrop and about five minutes' walk from the harbor's bustling quay with its numerous restaurants, shops, and cafes. There are plenty of things to do in the area, including the Two Oceans Aquarium, Cape Wheel, and Robben Island ferry all within a 10-minute walk. Cape Town city center, however, is about two miles away, or a 10-minute drive, while the nearest beaches are at Clifton, 15 minutes by car. The closet airport is Cape Town International around 13 miles or 25 minutes away. 

The hotel's 236 rooms all continue the hotel's nautical theme though with slightly more contemporary styling with modern furnishings and vibrant maritime-themed wall art -- however some still feel a little dated. Tiled bathrooms are traditionally finished, again with seafaring motifs, and are clean and come well-equipped. In-room amenities include air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi -- although there is a per-day data limit. While most rooms overlook the pretty courtyard, some feature distant views of Table Mountain -- especially impressive at sundown. 

The hotel has a good-size outdoor pool, surrounded by terra-cotta terraces and scattered with sun loungers (though not always enough). The Clipper Restaurant is a pleasant, sunny dining room that serves a decent buffet breakfast (generally included) as well as an a al carte menu throughout the day. The hotel's Admiralty Bar is a nicely finished, colonial-style room with plenty of natural light during the day and where drinks can be taken out on to the terrace. A 1st-floor spa provides treatments, though no real facilities, and a fitness room includes a handful of exercise machines. On-site parking is available for a per-day fee and while Wi-Fi is free of charge there is a daily data limit.