Must-see hotels in South Africa

  • Kopanong

    Cape Town

    Thope Lekau, also called ‘Mama Africa’, runs this excellent B&B with her equally ebullient daughter, Mpho. Her substantial brick home offers three…

  • Marloth Lodge

    Western Cape

    This excellent budget lodge is set on a huge plot of land bordering the Marloth Nature Reserve. It's had a bit of a makeover and offers charming rooms…

  • Trees Too

    Mpumalanga

    This place is a standout, with great thatch and brick rooms featuring quality furniture, honesty bars, wildlife artworks and vintage African tourism…

  • Lower Sabie Rest Camp

    Kruger National Park

    Kruger's most popular rest camp is set on a gorgeous bend of the Sabie River that attracts elephants, hippos, buffaloes and other animals. LST2U-class…

  • Ganora Guest Farm

    Eastern Cape

    If you’d rather be out of town under the soaring skies of the Karoo, this 18th-century farmstead 7km east of Nieu Bethesda is an excellent option. The…

  • Royal St Andrew

    Sunshine Coast

    Directly across from the golf club and within walking distance of the beach, the creatively designed Royal St Andrew is Port Alfred's most prestigious…

  • Elephant House

    Sunshine Coast

    For panache and design flair, Elephant House is a great place to indulge. The main thatched-roof building shelters six cosy rooms filled with rugs and…

  • Idle & Wild

    Mpumalanga

    In a wonderful tropical garden that will make your heart sing (no, really!) are eight excellent rondavels (round huts with conical roofs), with outside…

  • Bwelani

    Pretoria

    Concealed behind high walls down near the university, this bright, contemporary B&B has lots of personality. The nine rooms, including two self-catering…

  • Cloud 9

    Cape Town

    This arty new boutique hotel and spa has been created from combining several formerly separate properties. Rooms differ depending on what part of the…

  • Cascade Country Manor

    Winelands

    Tucked away along a dirt road 10km east of the centre, this place will make you feel like you're far from anywhere, although it's an easy drive back to…

  • Plumtree Lodge

    Limpopo

    The bungalow rooms at this German-run guesthouse are some of the most spacious and appealing in town. Standard features are high ceilings, lounge areas,…

  • Edge Mountain Retreat

    Eastern Cape

    The tastefully decorated cottages and garden rooms are strung out along a dramatic plateau edge. The cottages, some with sensational valley views, vary in…

  • Kimberley Club

    Northern Cape

    Founded by Cecil Rhodes and his diamond cronies as a private club in 1881, and rebuilt following a fire in 1896, this reputedly haunted building became a…

  • Ocean Bay Guest House

    Port Elizabeth

    A short amble from the beach, this sassy venture with a boutique feel is the epitome of a refined abode, with seven elegant, modern and amply sized rooms,…

  • Isango Gate

    Port Elizabeth

    This venue strikes a perfect balance between style, functionality and privacy (there are only 10 rooms), in a residential area close to the beach. Expect…

  • Point Village Hotel

    Garden Route

    The quirky, fake lighthouse on this exceptionally well-priced hotel’s exterior speaks to what you'll find inside: a range of fun, funky, bright rooms and…

  • Tatasberg Wilderness Camp

    Northern Cape

    The delightful cabins at this camp each have a covered deck with magnificent views over the Gariep (Orange) River. Made from corrugated tin, reed and…

  • Potting Shed

    Hermanus

    This friendly guesthouse offers delightful personal touches, including homemade biscuits on arrival. The neat rooms are comfortable and have bright,…

  • Liziwe Guest House

    Cape Town

    Liziwe has made her home into a palace, with seven delightful en-suite rooms all sporting TVs and African-themed decor. She was featured on a BBC cooking…

  • Scotia Inn Hotel & Restaurant

    Northern Cape

    There are standard rooms on the ground floor and bright, modern deluxe rooms (single/double R550/850) upstairs, some with huge sea-facing balconies…

  • Reeden Lodge

    Franschhoek

    A good-value, terrific option for families, with well-equipped, self-catering cottages sleeping from two to 10 people, situated on a farm about 10 minutes…

  • Shimuwini Bushveld Camp

    Kruger National Park

    This beautiful small camp and bird hide has a picturesque riverine setting, with 15 self-catering cottages staggered on lawns overlooking a wide stretch…

  • 139 on Munnik

    Limpopo

    Without a doubt Louis Trichardt's most luxurious accommodation. Modern fittings, stylish touches, great beds and facilities such as a bar and coffee shop…

  • Grand Daddy Hotel

    Cape Town

    The Grand Daddy’s star attraction is its rooftop 'trailer park' of penthouse suites, made from seven vintage, artistically renovated Airstream trailers…

  • Arniston Spa Hotel

    Western Cape

    The Arniston is a light-filled luxury hotel with a nautical theme and its own spa. Sea-facing rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows. The ocean-view…

  • St Francis Golf Lodge

    Sunshine Coast

    The best thing about this efficiently run venture with a boutique feel is its peaceful location inside the golf course. The 10 rooms, eight of which have…

  • Lookout

    Sunshine Coast

    Perched on a hill, this contemporary whitewashed home has five units with kitchenettes and wonderful views. All are in top nick and have individual…

  • Post House

    Western Cape

    Based in the town’s historic former post house, with rooms set around a pretty garden, this is a peaceful place right in the centre of Greyton's…

  • Kameeldoorn Tree House

    Northern Cape

    A simply delightful self-catering cabin accommodating one or two people, nestled in a tree in the centre of the park. Bookings should be made directly…

  • Rouge on Rose

    Cape Town

    This great Bo-Kaap option offers nine rustic-chic suites with kitchenettes, lounges and lots of workspace. The fun wall paintings are by a resident artist…

  • Kingwill’s B&B

    Northern Cape

    There are lovely rooms in the main building as well as spacious garden units with flat-screen TV, modern decor, microwave and fridge. Meals are served at…

  • Banghoek Place

    Stellenbosch

    This stylish suburban hostel provides a quiet budget alternative, away from the town centre. The recreation area has satellite TV and a pool table and…

  • Le Must River Residence

    Northern Cape

    This elegant riverside getaway has 11 African-themed rooms with antique furnishings and crisp linen. Sitting rooms and terraces open onto the artful…

  • French Lodge International

    Garden Route

    Rooms at this town-centre guesthouse are in luxurious thatched-roof rondavels (round huts with a conical roof) set around the pool, with satellite TV and…

  • Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg Lodge

    Western Cape

    This place offers quality accommodation in lovely garden rooms. Owners Dick and Regina are a great source of information, particularly on hikes in the…

  • Mackaya Bella Guest House

    Durban

    Located near the university, this pretty spot has a lovely indigenous garden (featuring the Mackaya Bella plant) and stylish rooms in a relaxed home-style…

  • Buccaneers Lodge

    The Wild Coast

    Offering an accessible taste of the Wild Coast, fabulous ‘Buccs’ is a sort of all-inclusive holiday resort for backpackers and beach bums. Sleeping…

  • Monkey Bay Backpackers

    KwaZulu-Natal

    Calling all surf-rats. This casual place – made from recycled materials, and painted in funky colours inside – has a pleasantly hippie vibe and a friendly…

  • Oceana Beach & Wildlife Reserve

    Sunshine Coast

    No, you're not hallucinating, the view is real. Poised on a greenery-shrouded hillside, the four tastefully appointed Ocean Suites overlook the beach –…

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