The big sporting event of the summer is the World Cup 2010 which will take place from 11 June to 11 July in South Africa. Thirty-two countries are playing matches in different locations around the country, including Cape Town. If you will be in Cape Town, here are two boutique hotels to consider when booking your stay:

Icon Hotel
Corner of lower Long Street and Hans Strydom
Cape Town 8000, South Africa
+27 21 421 4434
www.urbanhiphotels.com/icon-hotel-in-cape-town.html

Icon Hotel has studios, 1- and 2-bedroom apartments with kitchens, a roof top swimming pool overlooking Signal Hill and the City Bowl, concierge services, secure underground parking and Wi-Fi. It is close to the V & A Waterfront. It is located 2 kilometers from Green Point Stadium where some of the World Cup 2010 matches will be held.

Sugar Hotel & Spa
1 Main Road (corner of Main & Boundary Roads)
Green Point, 8005
Cape Town, South Africa
+27 21  430 3780
www.sugarhotel.co.za

The Sugar Hotel and Spa is an intimate boutique hotel with only 7 suites located in the trendy Green Point area. It is within walking distance (approximately 1 kilometer and 11 min walking time) from the V&A Waterfront, the 2010 World Cup Green Point Soccer Stadium and many of the city’s bars and restaurants. It has a swimming pool, free Wi-Fi, a gourmet restaurant and cocktail bar, and a spa.

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I have posted a list of favorite restaurants in Cape Town. Below is a Google map showing the location of the restaurants and hotels. A couple are outside Cape Town so make sure you enlarge the map.

View Mapplr favorites in Cape Town in a larger map

Cape Town is one of those unusual beach cities that is surrounded by so much natural beauty and is at the same time cosmopolitan, trendy, young and lively. With people from so many different parts of the world, great vineyards at its doorstep and fresh local produce, it’s no surprise that eating out is a big deal. Here are my favorites.

Caveau at the Mill
13 Boundary Rd., Newlands
+27-21-685-5140
www.caveau.co.za/themill
Wine bar

The Foodbarn
Noordhoek Farm Village, Village Ln
+27-21-789-1390
www.thefoodbarn.co.za
French

Ginja & Shoga
121 Castle Street
+27 21 426 2369
Fusion

Salt
34 Victoria Rd., Bantry Bay
The Ambassador Hotel
+27 21 439 7258
Fusion

Bukhara
33 Church Street
+27 21 424 0000
www.bukhara.com
Northern Indian

Lookout Deck
Look Out Beach
+27 44 533 1379
www.lookout.co.za
Seafood

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Here’s a Google map of Mapplr’s favorites in Cape Town, South Africa.

View Larger Map