316 Best Hotels in South Africa

It's said that on January 22, 1879, during the Battle of Isandlwana, which was a major defeat for the British army, the chief of the Zulu army stood on Nyoni Rock where this lodge is now built. With sweeping views of the battlefield, the building, shaped like a Zulu shield, commemorates Isandlwana. The comfortable rooms are named for Zulus significant in the war, and bathrooms contain shield-shape sink pedestals. Plenty of hot water, heaters, and hot water bottles at night ensure you're snug in winter. The lovely balconies offering inspiring views of the area. The interiors are modern yet Afrocentric, with African prints and wooden furniture. Picture windows in public areas make the most of the incredible battlefield views. Trips to the local battlefields are led by knowledgeable local guides.

This lodge, one of South Africa’s loveliest, is set among 14,826 acres of private concession in southwest Kruger—the park's first with game-rich traversing rights as a result—with twelve comfortable, spacious suites, each with a plunge pool and stunning views over the Biyamiti River. Had Sir Percy Fitzpatrick, author of the famous Jock of the Bushveld and his canine superstar still been alive, they would have highly approved of today’s camp, which is authentic and steeped in history. The food, service, and rangers are superb, but the game-viewing is spectacular—think night drives in Kruger. The nearby Fitzpatrick’s Camp is better for families and intergenerational trips.

From the moment you reach this lovingly restored, 19th-century, green-roofed farmhouse set among purple mountains, 800-year-old trees, and rolling plains where cheetahs, rhinos, and giraffes roam, you'll forget another more stressful world even existed. The understated yet elegant colonial farmhouse and three lovely cottages await you after a day of game-watching, hiking, or picnicking high on a mountain ridge. Super-attentive but unobtrusive staff and imaginative five-star cuisine add to the elegance of this exclusive safari lodge. The cottages have their own private verandahs with outdoor areas where you can gaze at a star-filled sky. There's a history room with fossils and information about the area if your interest is piqued, but your ranger will give you the lowdown on the terrain, geology, animal life, and uplifting backstory to the ecological transformation Samara has undergone. Lions and elephants have also been successfully re-introduced.

On a working ostrich farm, this stylish guesthouse has rooms that are individually decorated with beautiful antiques; all of the bathrooms have elegant clawfoot tubs. Guests are greeted with welcome drinks in the elegant lounge of the 1902 Victorian manor house or on the verandah overlooking the valley. You'll enjoy scrumptious home cooking in the attractive restaurant. If you're keen on seeing what ostrich farming is all about, you can take an informal but informative tour with the owner. The turnoff to the farm is 7 km (4 miles) west of Oudtshoorn and is well marked from the R62.

All the spacious rooms at this elegant beach-themed boutique hotel—decor is clean and minimalist in shades of white, sand, and pale blue—have balconies with superb sea views making the most of the fact that you are literally on the beach. The cozy public areas are also very comfortable and enjoy the same gorgeous sea views, and the excellent staff make a point of introducing themselves and other guests (never more than 12). When you're not basking on the sundeck (good for whale-watching during the season, and surfer-watching whenever there are waves), you can explore lovely Kommetjie Beach—over a mile of white sand and wild seas—just out your door. Some nice touches include beach baskets at the ready, complimentary minibars and snacks, and a romantic turndown service with candles and petals.

Part of the Leeu Collection—which seems to own half the town these days—this classy guesthouse exuding privacy and peace is a Winelands favorite. Rooms in two-story whitewashed cottages face a pool deck and central garden exploding with flowers. Upstairs rooms have timber beams and mountain views, and suites have private pools. Be sure to book in advance for a table at Protégé or Épice, the latest restaurants from the team at the multi-award-winning La Colombe in Cape Town. 

Ivory Lodge offers the ultimate in luxury, privacy, and relaxation. Suites are really more like villas, as each has its own private entrance, separate sitting room and bedroom joined by a breezeway, and superb views overlooking the Sabie River and Kruger—the spacious deck comes equipped with a telescope and a plunge pool. Suites are decorated in contemporary African-European style with wood-burning fireplaces, a butler's passageway—you'll have a personal butler—and an indoor and outdoor shower, as well as a freestanding tub. For something even more special (if possible), inquire about spending the night at the Chalkley's Treehouse. 

Originally built in 1910 as the manor house of one of the private farms that would later be incorporated into Shamwari, this studiously designed and richly furnished Edwardian property continues to evoke the colonial era and all the opulence that went with it, albeit now with a more contemporary twist. The main building itself—until a few years back bedecked in pastel pink—has been given a more contemporary make-over, made pale yet still classically beautiful. It still stands, like something quite regal, at the heart of perfectly manicured gardens, open verandahs and terraces, ornate water features, and a number of great, leafy old trees whose branches bring welcome shade to various outside nooks. The infinity pool at the bottom of the gently terraced stairs is at the center of it all, a kind of lookout point from which to survey the vast plains that spread out in front of the lodge. On one side of the pool is the bar and lounge, where guests meet for refreshments before game drives, and on the other side is the restaurant, where adventurous food is served. A pathway leads to one of the most interesting bomas in the country, where a fire pit is encircled by huge nest-like dining pods—an enchanting setting for an outdoor dinner experience. The rooms, which echo the main lodge's Edwardian heritage, are lavish and utterly cushioning, with enormous beds and bathrooms; you can open your curtains and look for animals on the nearby plains, or sink into an armchair on your porch and simply stare at the exquisite surrounds. Not that there'll be too much time for dawdling—game drive and bush walks await, and your ranger will always have something thrilling to show you. 

Stone and thatch air-conditioned rondavels with two bathrooms and an outside shower are decorated in creams and browns and luxuriously furnished with natural finishes like copper and wood, colorful handwoven tapestries and rugs, terra-cotta floors, and original artwork. Public areas have a traditional safari feel, with plush couches, animal skins, and African artifacts. Shaded by ancient jackalberry trees, a huge deck overlooks the Sand River and its continuous passing show of animals. Browse in the air-conditioned Monkey Room for books and wildlife videos, sample the magnificent wine cellar, sun yourself by the pool, or stay fit in the well-appointed gym. The food is tasty, wholesome, and varied. Children over four are welcomed with special programs, activities, and goody-filled backpacks; children under four are not allowed on game drives. One guest room is geared toward travelers with disabilities.

This exclusive camp with seven ultra-luxurious suites lies at the southern end of Main Camp and overlooks the Sand River and surrounding bushveld. If it's privacy and exclusivity, or a perfect family or friends getaway you're looking for, then this is the spot. With its own pool, library, and boma, it's smaller and more intimate than Main Camp, but it shares the same magnificent all-around bush and hospitality experience. No children under 12 years old are allowed.

One of the Southern Hemisphere's most spectacular seaside properties, The Marine has an incomparable clifftop setting. Perched on the cliffs overlooking Walker Bay, the sumptuously decorated rooms provide whale-watchers with grandstand views over the ocean. All rooms keep you toasty with underfloor heating, and some have private balconies. The two restaurants tempt you with sophisticated menus. The Marine is surprisingly child-friendly and activities can be arranged, including whale talks by a local expert and cooking classes with a chef.

If you’re genuinely eco-conscious and seeking an authentic wilderness experience, then choose this unique bush camp set plumb in the middle of Madikwe’s best game-viewing areas. Apart from the elephant-high electric wires that encircle this delightful camp, there’s no other electricity, but oil lamps and hot water heated in the donkey boilers for your bush showers are both practical and romantic. Separate, private ablutions and toilets are easily accessed from your comfortable twin cabin on stilts, but be warned, they're basic. The simple home-cooked food is delicious and you’ll receive personal attention from the friendly, knowledgeable staff. Mosetlha’s local rangers are among the best anywhere and have won international awards, so expect your game-viewing to be spectacular. Lions, wild dogs, leopards and hyenas have all been known to wander through the unfenced camp, but you’ll be quite safe in your cabin or as you sit round a crackling fire sharing sightings of the day. There may be no frills but this family-owned little camp has top marks for authenticity, eco-awareness and spectacular sightings.

Antelope often wander by Tswalu's exquisite main lodge, where the communal area features a series of terraced indoor and outdoor lounges that spill down to a pair of pools and a floodlit watering hole and where guest quarters consist of beautiful, freestanding, thatch-and-stone suites, known as "legae." The decor is minimalist and infinitely stylish, echoing the landscape in color and texture and incorporating local stone and wood, interesting art and artifacts, and unique light fixtures. The atmosphere, like the magical Kalahari surroundings is enchanting, and the service is intuitive and warm-hearted. The lodge is also resoundingly child-friendly and flexible, allowing you to set your own agenda (for example, having breakfast and lunch served whenever and wherever you wish).

An icon of Cape Town since it opened its doors in 1899, this superbly located landmark sits on 9 beautifully landscaped acres and retains a charm and gentility unusual even in the world of luxury hotels. Rooms decorated with a perfect mix of fine antiques, contemporary art, and fresh flowers feel aristocratic but never stuffy. Though very centrally located, the famous manicured gardens and spectacular views of Table Mountain lend a bucolic feel. The traditional high tea experience—which takes place in the elegant lounge, glassed-in conservatory, and extends to the gardens in good weather—is a must. Additionally, with an excellent spa, frequent events like wine or brandy tastings and art exhibits, and playfully glamorous Planet Bar, there is always a reason to visit. Fabulous and discreet service go without saying.

This lovely retreat in the countryside west of Springbok and overlooking the Spektakelberg Mountains and has five, large, individually decorated rooms (with impressive en-suite baths) in an upscale Dutch Cape–style guesthouse; three quaint, architecturally unique Mountain Suites designed to emulate the surrounding boulders; and two self-catering cottages. The Mountain Suites are the most exclusive and memorable option, in terms of both design and location. Ancient granite rocks are incorporated into their interiors, and their private decks have stellar views. Dinners are three-course feasts of robust Namaqualand home cooking, with a good choice of wines to wash it all down. In the morning, take it all in before heading out for a long walk amid the blooms. Regardless of which accommodations you pick, you'll need to reserve well in advance to stay here during flower season.

Marula seeds softly falling on the tents seem to be applauding this gorgeous little camp shaded by a canopy of giant trees. You'll feel like a sultan as you lie beneath your billowing, honey-colored canvas roof, which acts as a ceiling for your basket-weave handmade bed and headboard. Polished wooden floors, gauze-screened floor-to-ceiling windows, a roomy dressing area with two stone washbasins, and a fabulous en suite bathroom create a feeling of such roominess and elegance that it's hard to believe you're in a tent. The camp's dining area, lounge, and huge wooden decks almost nudge the very edge of the Timbavati River.

This lovely old guesthouse is nestled amid 7 acres of beautifully well-kept gardens with expansive views across the treetops to the dramatic mountain peaks, and with easy access to all of Hogsback's outdoor pursuits. Nutwoods Park offers a small handful of accommodations options ranging from secluded, cozy self-catering cottages with braai (barbecue) facilities to luxury suites, all of which have log fireplaces. The suites have kitchenette facilities. The intimate dining room has high ceilings and exposed beams and rafters that complement the thatch roof. The food is as interesting, eclectic, and well presented as the guesthouse itself. Many of the ingredients are sourced from Nutwoods Park's own organic garden. Be sure to book a stay here well in advance.

This exquisite, Asian-themed boutique hotel is aimed at the discerning traveler who is looking for an unusual and memorable experience and wants to be out of the center of the Johannesburg business district. Suites are large, with equally large bathrooms that have deep soaking tubs and Oriental rugs on the marble floors. There are also shower cubicles with views over the surrounding hills and a separate toilet. All suites feature collectible objets d'art. The Constantinople suite has a 300-year-old Indian four-poster bed; others have a mix of antique and period reproduction pieces. Instead of bathrobes, you will find in your wardrobes authentic galabayas, the all-in-one caftan worn in north Africa and the Middle East. Giant carved timber doors and reflecting pools are found throughout the property. All the rooms offer views over the surrounding hills. If walks in the conservancy (zebra and eland roam freely) don't appeal to you, there's an extensive library. Mosaic restaurant has been recognized for its superlative French cuisine. There's an on-site cinema and a museum of sculptor Tienie Prichard's work.

Set on a secluded coastal reserve that incorporates magnificent dunes, woods, river deltas, lagoons, a 3½-km (2-mile) expanse of beach, free-roaming horses, and a plethora of birdlife, Oyster Bay Lodge truly is a hidden gem that, once reached, feels like you've arrived at the ends of the earth. The beautifully furnished luxury suites are certainly a plus, but it's the location and the array of outdoor activities—exhilarating dune buggy jaunts and horseback riding on the beach—that really set this unique destination apart. The original old farm buildings have been carefully restored to retain their old-world charm, think exposed wooden beams, open fireplaces, and understated antique furniture. And if the bird-watching and fynbos guided tours aren't enough, you can ride fat bikes on the dunes, borrow skim boards and boogie boards, or join a township tour at nearby Oyster Bay—all fees goes directly to the creche you'll visit and to help fund community initiatives. 

This iconic multi-award-winning hotel has achieved a perfect marriage between old colonial and African contemporary style in its luxurious accommodations and offers an eye-popping range of services and complimentary extras. Through the mahogany-and-glass doors (gleaned from Durban’s Royal Hotel) the spacious reception area, with lazily turning ceiling fans reminiscent of a tropical plantation villa, leads to the original 1950s carved wooden staircase, lined by cool paintings by contemporary African artists. Upstairs is the red-and-white Lighthouse Bar, where Prince Albert of Monaco and Princess Charlene partied before their wedding. Choose a garden room overlooking lush foliage, or face out over golden sands and the famous lighthouse—whichever you choose, the sound of the surf will soothe your travel weariness. This gorgeous hotel is noted not only for its fabulous accommodations but also for its equally fabulous food: fresh oysters in the marine-themed Oyster bar, a sumptuous, diet-defeating Champagne breakfast on the Ocean Terrace, the best curries served in an enviable buffet, a high tea (for vegans too) fit for a queen, and candlelit fine dining in the Grill Room. When you've had enough of the beach, cocoon yourself in the leather-and-book-lined library, or catch a movie in the small movie theater. 

You might think a hotel based on the concept of a lost African palace would suffer from theme-park syndrome, but happily, that's not the case here as sculpted cranes and leaping kudu appear to take flight from the hotel towers, elephants guard stairways and bridges, and graceful reminders of ersatz Africa strike you at every turn. No expense has been spared, and the attention to detail is mind-boggling. All rooms have hand-carved doors and furnishings, the jungle paintings on the ceiling of the lobby's rotunda took 5,000 hours to complete, and the hand-laid mosaic floor is made up of 300,000 separate tiles. The property was renovated in 2022.

The luscious garden with its two adjoining swimming pools is the central feature of this award-winning, owner-run boutique hotel that is equidistant from Melrose Arch, Rosebank, and Sandton. The dense vegetation pays homage to Joburg’s man-made forest and every room has a private outdoor space, balcony, or patio that makes it easy to forget you’re in a city. The welcoming eco-chic rooms are tastefully decorated with subtle hints of African design and are equipped with iPod docking stations, USB, and universal plug points. Eco-conscious guests will appreciate the heat pump water heating system, gray-water reticulation, recycling initiatives, and on-site vegetable and herb garden used for its two restaurants. The on-site bistro serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner to guests. Basalt is its prix-fixe, fine-dining restaurant with optional wine pairing that is housed in the original 1940s heritage home and is also open to the public.

On a private 450-acre nature reserve, this stunning lodge, set in the tree canopy of the indigenous Knysna forest, offers guests the opportunity to sleep in luxury tree houses built from sustainable woods. The bathrooms are a celebration in themselves, with the baths under an atrium of glass jutting out into the tree canopy. The secluded location and clever design ensure complete privacy for each suite, and the living areas are linked by elevated wooden walkways to protect the forest floor below. The lodge is famed for its restaurant, the Forest Boma, which offers contemporary, classical six-course meals with dishes such as springbok carpaccio; pawpaw, carrot, and ginger sorbet; and crispy prawns with spiced coconut sauce. Service is outstanding. Nonguests can book a table for dinner.

High on a rocky point in Plettenberg Bay, this luxury hotel has unbelievable views of Keurbooms Lagoon and the Tsitsikamma Mountains. In season, whales and dolphins frolic just beyond the waves. Built around an 1860 manor house, the hotel has an aura of graciousness. Even if you don't stay here, treat yourself to lunch on the hotel terrace. Diners sit under large umbrellas and look out over a gorgeous pool. Reservations are a must at SeaFood, a fancier affair focusing on local meat and seafood. You can have a romantic dinner for two in the private dining room for no extra charge.

With seven luxury suites tucked away inside a thick, lush indigenous dune forest (plus one on a dune with magnificent views), this exclusive hideaway was Cintsa's first and best luxury offering—you'll find few better spots in which to unwind anywhere on the Wild Coast. The enormous suites have fine Persian rugs and high ceilings with beams and the bathrooms have large open showers and baths that overlook the private garden. Apart from the Forest Suite, all suites have fully retractable French windows that open onto private sundecks and plunge pools. The spectacularly located Diamond Villa has a great vantage from its raised position—it's the only suite with sea views, and definitely worth the extra splurge. The main reception areas include an extensive, beautifully decorated library, and the restaurant serves sophisticated meals; many of the vegetables and greens come fresh from the lodge's own on-site garden. The spa is reason enough to check in, with soothing treatments by therapists who've been through an empowerment program bringing skills to people from local communities. Although it's tucked away in the forest, the lodge has direct access to Cintsa's gorgeous beach and lagoon via a boardwalk and some steps—there's also a magnificent ocean-facing viewpoint from the top of the dune, lovely for a sunset drink.

This lovely, reasonably priced lodge offers fine food, superb hospitality, and all the facilities you'd expect at a top lodge. Whitewashed walls, thatch roofs, delightful gardens, and panoramic views over the rolling Sabie River valley make for a country-house atmosphere, and—a special bonus—all rooms have verandahs. However, the spacious garden suites are worth the extra expense. Not surprisingly, the inn gets lots of repeat visitors. Meals are served in the restaurant or on the patio overlooking the pool. For breakfast choose Continental or the Full Monty, a full English feast. For tasty snacks, try the à la carte menu; for dinner, check out the local and vegetarian specialities. The lodge will also book excursions, supplemented with a tasty picnic basket.

The ultimate luxury getaway, this renovated Victorian manor house—with original ceilings, wooden floors, and antique furnishings—manages to seamlessly combine five-star decadence with unpretentious family hospitality. Rooms are set in the lush gardens behind the main house and have king-size beds with goose-down bedding, wool carpets, and restored Victorian baths. The restaurant, in the conservatory of the main house, serves lavish three-course breakfasts and delicious dinners featuring dishes like saffron pasta with black garlic and cinnamon pork ragu.

Overlooking the beautiful Sand River, Singita Boulders Lodge intermingles the wildness of its setting among boulders with traditional Africa decor at its most luxurious. Terracotta polished stone floors blend with cow-skin rugs, hide-covered armchairs, hand-carved tables, and carefully chosen artifacts. From every side there are stunning bushveld views. Luxuriate in a sumptuous suite with leather and wicker armchairs, a zebra-skin ottoman, and desks and tables fashioned from organic wood shapes. A herd of impalas could easily fit into the bathroom, with its claw-foot tub, his-and-her basins, and an indoor and outdoor shower. All doors lead out onto a big wooden deck with an infinity pool, sun loungers, and bushveld views. Request Room 11 or 12, which overlook a waterhole. Children over the age of 10 are welcome.

For a luxurious and private seaside retreat, a room in this casually elegant guesthouse—or even better, the whole house—is just the ticket. Originally built in 1877, this three-bedroom home in the lovely village of St James is strewn with Arabic rugs, antiques, and tasteful artwork, and can be rented entirely or by the room. Either way, you'll enjoy a well-equipped kitchen, a fabulous breakfast in the lovely light-flooded dining room, and a luxurious lounge with a working fireplace that flows onto verandah and pool areas outside. Other perks include a deck and barbecue area cleverly built so they remain sheltered even in the wind, a pizza oven, and complimentary minibars stocked with goodies and a generous range of both alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages. The nearby St James Manor and Homestead properties, which, like Seaforth, are managed by the luxury Rovos Rail Group, are equally magnificent. The Manor is all classic, old-world Edwardian, and the Homestead's rooms are reminiscent of the luxury train.

With an amazing location in the heart of historic Cape Town, the Taj sits in the grand former headquarters of the South African Reserve Bank and provides the professional and luxurious hospitality that one would expect from this brand. From the eighth floor and higher you'll enjoy fabulous views of Table Mountain and the city, but the lower floors also can provide a wonderful vantage on the hustle of people in Company's Garden and Church Square just across the street. The general style is a subtle and lovely mix of Indian accents and classic European aesthetics. Dining is superb at the flagship Bombay Brasserie restaurant, a whimsically gorgeous space for Indian fine dining. The 24-hour lobby bar, "executive club" for second-floor and suite guests, and a small gallery that hosts monthly events make this hotel extremely popular with business-traveler parliamentarians and international visitors alike.  Rooms are divided into colonial (heritage section) or modern ("the tower") decor, so be sure to state your preference if you have one.