Bargain rooms in Cape Town

Q: I want to visit Cape Town next year around September and would like to know about cheap places to stay. We would prefer self catering accommodation for a family of 5. - Sithandiwe Pearl Mkhungo

A: Your best bet would be to check through some of the websites that offer self-catering accommodation, divided into the different areas of Cape Town. One of the most comprehensive listings is available on the www.wheretostay.co.za website. For example, you can rent a three-bedroom apartment close to the beach in Bloubergstrand from only R500 per night in September. Each Balmoral Beach Holidays unit sleeps six people, has two bathrooms, a fully-equipped kitchen, braai facilities and secure parking. If you would like to be closer to the city centre, a three-bedroom apartment for five people on the slopes of Table Mountain in Gardens can be rented for R750 per day. "Apartment Cape Town" has two bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, laundry room and a lock-up garage. It also has satellite television with over 50 channels, a DVD player, mini hi-fi system, a digital safe and 24-hour ADSL Internet access with Wifi connectivity. Out in Fish Hoek, you can rent an apartment at Serengeti Sands from only R200 per day. The studio apartment consists of one large room with an en-suite bathroom, self-catering facilities and a separate entrance. Sleeping facilities consist of a queen size double bed and two double bunks sleeping four people.

You should also look out for special offers in newspapers and magazines. You can often get excellent deals on timeshare apartments, where the owners are willing to rent out their weeks at very reasonable rates.