I am going to South Africa in late July. Has anyone flown on South African in First Class?
If so, how was it?

Capetown Hotels- I have narrowed it down to the Radisson (Villa Via) or the Table Bay Hotel. Which one is better? Radisson is $98 per night with a special offer, Table Bay is $174/night. Also is the area around the waterfront safe during the day and evening?

I have not flown F on SAA only ecconomy. 17 hours in the back is Bad. Last trip I connected on LH in FRA. F should be good, the wines will be great.

Cape Town is wonderful. The actual waterfront is very active at night and whould be fine. The area between Waterfront and city is not good at night.

The Mount Grace on the Waterfront won the best hotel in the world award. Rates start at R2400, about $300 per night guess that is more than most expense account allow.

Make sure you get out to the winelands and if possible a sidetrip to the game areas in the northern part of the country.

------------------

Without doubt the Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town is the top hotel in the city. You'll feel like royalty staying there.

http://mountnelsonhotel.orient-express.com/

Don't worry now about what is "safe" and what is not safe. The locals will be able to tell you the up to date facts. As with all international travel your passport and other papers and at least one source of cash must be secure.
July in Cape Town is chilly and as a rule the homes and buildings are not centrally heated so be sure to take warm clothes with you.
As for the Waterfront... This is a place frequented by tourists. Goods and food are priced so as to be on par with international prices after doing the conversion from ZAR into your own currency.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size="2">Originally posted by ShvTraveler:
Capetown Hotels- I have narrowed it down to the Radisson (Villa Via) or the Table Bay Hotel. Which one is better? Radisson is $98 per night with a special offer, Table Bay is $174/night. Also is the area around the waterfront safe during the day and evening?</font>

ShvTraveler -- I just came back from Cape Town and stayed at the Radisson. It is a nice hotel (French Prime Minister stayed there), and IMHO is a very good value for the money. It's located in a private marina, less than a mile from the V&A Waterfront. Their free shuttle takes you to/from the Waterfront, although during the daytime it's a rather pleasant 10-minute walk.

Table Bay and Cape Grace Hotels are located right at the Waterfront, and are very posh.

MarkinDallas -- I don't think that your statement that "food at the Waterfront being on a par with international prices" is correct. While definitely more expensive than in some other Cape Town locations, numerous restaurants/cafes at the Waterfront (with the exception of those in hotels) are substantially cheaper than similar eateries in the US.