Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Hotel Garden Route

Erik, In response may I open up by saying that I always recommend guesthouses over hotels. I suggest this type of accommodation because owners of South African guesthouses are generally marvellous hosts. The ones that I use as a tour guide definitely are as such. Bear in mind that guesthouses represent excellent accommodation that is much more personalised at MUCH BETTER rates than hotels. Also bear in mind that guesthouses are marvellous venues to stay in and their rate also includes a fantastic breakfast. At most guesthouses you will enjoy this meal while watching wonderful Cape view When you stay in a guesthouse you have total freedom of movement such as if you want to put some juice or soda in the refrigerator for yourself for late at night you can do this and whatever else you would like to do. It is a wonderful free and easy style of holidaying. What also is most important is that because of the sizes of the guesthouse's you will NOT be in amongst hordes of tourists as you might only have a couple of other guests at the guesthouse while you are there. Thus you get great accommodation, personalised attention as well as wonderful value in a what generally is a very safe place to stay when you reside in guesthouses and that is why I recommend them so highly. With direct emphasis on your forthcoming trip if you are starting in Port Elizabeth and are going to spend a night in the city then I would try and stay at Lemon Tree Lane. http://www.lemontreelane.co.za/ Wonderful guesthouse with fabulous hosts. I would then travel from Port Elizabeth to Knysna an would stay in Knysna for at least 2 nights using it as a pivot to explore the area surrounding the quaint town. In Knysna I would absolutely no hesitation in recommending Overmeer Guesthouse. http://www.knysna.co.za/overmeer/ Fabulous guesthouse; well priced; wonderful hosts in the form of Ludwig and Riette Fechter and finally you will be staying at a house which probably has one of the top 10 views on the whole of the Garden Route. If you cannot obtain a booking at Overmeer then try Heron Water Lodge www.heron.co.za where Penny and Franc will host you like kings in their lovely guesthouse I would then suggest that you overnight in Oudtshoorn at Shades of Africa. http://www.shades.co.za Different type of accommodation experience that is very African and well worth the stay. From Oudtshoorn you could travel straight on to Cape Town (5 - 6 hour drive) You might elect to not want to stay in Oudtshoorn and travel from Knysna straight on to Cape Town. If this i the case then I would stay in Swellendam and honestly in this town you can pick and choose from so many guesthouses that I would not recommend one over another. Last point is that you obviously have realised that it is important to book early for the February period so make sure that you do this. OK Erik I hope this answers your question and in case you need to know more simply ask. Enjoy my country when you visit us