92 Best Hotels in South Africa

A national monument, this attractive 1802 hotel is thought to be the oldest continuously running inn in South Africa. The reception area is in the original living room, a beautiful space with a lofty beamed ceiling and elegant antiques. The whole hotel has undergone a major revamp, and the rooms have a clean, contemporary feel. A lovely garden and pool in a brick courtyard shaded by trellised vines is open for meals and drinks throughout the day.

You know you're in good company at the understated and elegant Owner's Cottage on Grande Provence Wine Estate when the visitors' book includes Jude Law and British royals Sophie and Prince Edward. The cottage's six rooms are decorated in muted tones more fitting to a farmhouse than an upmarket residence. The lounge has inviting couches next to a fireplace, underfloor heating, and complimentary sherry. For summer there's a fantastic pool and whirlpool tub. Breakfast is served in a pretty conservatory and includes delicious freshly baked goods and a full cooked breakfast. If the Owner's Cottage isn't available, ask about La Provençale Villa, which is smaller but no less comfortable.

This lodge makes the most of the sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean; the rooms might be simply decorated, but who needs artwork when at every turn you catch glimpses of the azure sea? At any rate, the rooms are comfortable and—a big plus—they all open onto verandahs. The lodge has a restaurant that serves West Coast cuisine, as well as a bar where you can sip cocktails while watching one of the sunsets the West Coast is so famous for.

On the outskirts of the village, this rural abode sits on a ridge overlooking a dam where you can enjoy sweeping views of the surrounding mountains. The thatched suites have modern interiors and private terraces leading to the poolside garden. High ceilings, good-quality linen, and original art in each room contribute to the luxe atmosphere. The restaurant is open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and serves brasserie cuisine with local flavors; meals can be enjoyed on the terrace in good weather or by the fireplace in winter. The cottage across the river has two bedrooms and is a great option for families. 

In the middle of a row of guesthouses, the Riviera is an oasis of personal attention, charm, and tasteful interiors. Hostess Anneke Malan loves to chat and will readily tell you all there is to know about Upington and its environs, but she's sensitive enough to leave you alone if you want quiet. In summer, breakfast is served on the veranda in the garden, from which you can also embark on a river cruise.

For luxury and indulgence in the heart of Oudtshoorn, look no further. You'll be greeted with freshly cut flowers in spacious and elegantly furnished garden cottages boasting under-floor heating, relaxing baths, and patios facing a pretty stone fountain. Suites have a separate sitting rooms and private pools. The reception area is located in an old farmhouse dating from 1852 with polished tile floors, exposed beams, and Persian carpets. The restaurant has a three- or two -course set dinner menu of well-executed classic dishes, such as ostrich with red wine sauce and steak fillet béarnaise. You'll also find a spa, pool, and all the other amenities.

Built of local Sabie stone, this charming bed-and-breakfast is the perfect base for exploring Mpumalanga's scenic attractions. The guest rooms (some wheelchair-friendly) are all animal-themed and attractively furnished with comfy beds, colorful bedspreads and soft furnishings, a minibar-refrigerator, and tea and coffee making facilities. A hearty English breakfast, served in the breakfast room or on the patio, is part of the deal. Guests have free use of the garden, guest lounge, swimming pool, and patio. Barbecue facilities are available, and by special arrangement a complete evening braai (barbecue) for guests in the boma (outdoor eating area) can be arranged.

It might be called the Santos Express, but this train isn’t departing any time soon. Compact compartments in the vintage sleeper cars have little space but lots of character, and the views of the ocean are hard to beat. Book way ahead to secure one of four Royal Suites, which have authentic wood paneling, private bathrooms, and private balconies. The always-busy restaurant serves a good range of traditional South African dishes, such as bobotie (spicy ground meat with savory custard topping) and waterblommetjiebredie (water-flower stew)—don't knock it till you've tried it.

This clean and contemporary African-themed guesthouse in a residential area about 3 km (2 miles) outside of Simon's Town offers spacious rooms with magnificent views over False Bay. All five spacious rooms have their own sitting areas with unobstructed views of the ocean and the surrounding mountain. At these prices, perks like extra-long beds, great linens, air-conditioning in all rooms, cookies, and free Wi-Fi are much appreciated. The stunning views are courtesy of a residential location perched on a steep hill, however, and you'll need a car to do any exploring, not to mention to get meals beyond breakfast. That said, an elevator makes the guesthouse fully wheelchair accessible, and the attentive owner-managed service is great.

Immerse yourself in elegance at this gleaming white country house sitting right on the edge of Knysna Lagoon. Wander around in a spacious suite with uninterrupted views of the water, wander around the landscaped formal gardens with tranquil koi ponds, or stroll down to the private pier with free use of canoes and fishing equipment. Indoors the setting is light and bright, with some lovely antiques.

It's worth staying at this friendly, stylish guesthouse just to see the building, a masterpiece of design that makes excellent use of space and utilizes unusual materials like corrugated iron, bare concrete, wood, and glass in incredibly innovative ways to create a comfortable, stimulating environment. It received a merit award from the SA Institute of Architects. Loft suites have combination tub-showers, whereas the other rooms have only showers; all rooms have microwaves, kettles and fridges. Centrally situated in the suburb of Vincent, Stratfords is close to the East London Museum, shops, and restaurants. It's particularly popular with business travelers.

Stellenbosch's original backpackers' lodging, within easy walking distance of most major town sights, is a great place to stay if you're traveling on a limited budget. You can choose from simple double rooms (R450 per night), a bed in a dorm room (R160 per night), or limited camping facilities in the gardens. Other amenities include shared kitchen facilities and a pool, which is great for the hot days of summer. The friendly folks here will even arrange budget-minded packages that include wine tours and cheese tastings.

In Dutch, welgelegen means "well situated," and this charming boutique hotel in two beautifully restored Victorian mansions is just that: nestled under Table Mountain in a quiet street just minutes away from city attractions. The spacious rooms are all individually and stylishly decorated with a mixture of African chic and romantic whimsy, and many have (at least partial) mountain views. The pretty courtyard (with a small solar-heated plunge pool) and the gorgeous old library are great places to relax after a busy day, and on-site spa treatments are available. With many staff members having been here for well over 10 years, this four-star guesthouse prides itself on giving guests five-star service.

This attractive Victorian-style B&B is set in a delightful garden bursting with roses. Luxurious bedrooms are decorated in pastels and have crisp white linens, bath and shower, satellite TV, and tea/coffeemakers. The two rooms on the first floor of the main building are completely private but share a balcony and lounge; they look out over an area known as Fairyland, a communal farm area where Sir Percy Fitzpatrick set up camp on his way to Lydenburg/Mashishing. Two garden suites are in a detached building and have private entrances. Guests can use a visitors' lounge as well as a refrigerator in the main house.

Spectacular floral arrangements, deep-pile carpets, and voluminous drapes framing the sea-view windows add to the sense of opulence at this beachfront guesthouse. The classic style—with dramatic shades of terra-cotta, soft blues, and corals and rich, vibrant fabrics—tells you you're about to be pampered. Rooms are individually decorated and have private balconies. The beach is just a short hop from the lawns or the saltwater pool. A small kitchenette means you can prepare a small snack or call for delivery.

This tiny guest lodge sits at the head of a steep valley, in a 2,000-acre nature reserve that's far from any other buildings, and has tremendous views of acacia-studded grasslands and hills. It lies at the end of a very bumpy rutted dirt roadbut a sedan is okay if you drive slowly. Rooms are decorated in contemporary style with fluffy white comforters (duvets) and raw-silk lamp shades—simple, comfortable, and elegant. The home-cooked four-course table d'hôte dinner focuses on traditional South African fare, including fresh farm produce, but there's no liquor licence so bring your own hooch. Picnic lunches and battlefield tours can be arranged.

A communal kitchen, pool table, swimming pool, bar, and TV lounge combine to create that vibe where everyone becomes friends in half an hour in this hostel that specializes in daily cycling trips down the Swartberg Pass, with stops at the Cango Caves and an ostrich farm. It also has a shuttle that connects with the Baz Bus stop in George. The beds in the dorms are all three-quarter size, some in rooms with en-suite bathrooms. The double en-suite rooms include soap and towels, and the lounge has cable TV and a library. There's a coffee shop on the premises (The Fix) that serves breakfasts and light lunches, and every night they prepare an ostrich barbecue for less than R100. Backpackers Paradise is conveniently located on Baron van Reede Street, just on the caves side of town.

This guest house on Leisure Island isn't actually on the beach, but the Knysna lagoon is only a hop, skip, and a jump away, and it has that casual beach-house feel that invites many repeat visits. Decorated with light lime-washed pine and wicker furnishings, it has an easy flow from the breakfast room to the sunny pool area. Owner Tim Cuningham will help make arrangements for golf and can provide plenty of advice on other activities, too. Bathrooms don't have tubs, but the generously proportioned shower stalls make up for that.

You'll benefit from abundant peace and quiet at these six appealing guest rooms and three independent self-catering cottages—a pleasant, good-value alternative to the local hotels. All the rooms and cottages are clean and comfortably furnished with large beds, spacious en suite bathrooms, TV, Wi-Fi, and private entrances. A wonderful homemade breakfast is served on the terrace or in the bright dining area overlooking the garden and pool.

Built in 1907 as a wedding present to Lady Mary Oppenheimer, this exquisite guesthouse lets you see how the rich and famous lived it up at the turn of last century. The current owners successfully maintain the national monument's old English Victorian decor and atmosphere while imbuing each room with a different design. Small details include handmade chocolates (created by the in-house chef) on pillows, turndown service, and slippers and gowns laid out with care. The exclusive Butlers restaurant ($–$$$) and its tea garden have officially been demystified by locals, after having been the private domain of guests for many years. Fine dining accompanied by white linen and fine silverware makes this the place for the discerning diner who likes to linger over a meal.

You can find this delightful little restaurant and hotel, the creation of sculptor Charles Gotthard, amid trees next to a river. It's made up like a fantasy fairy world, with three stories of little rooms, winding passageways, and stairs leading to colorful private alcoves and balconies. The restaurant has tasty, creative cuisine, such as South African sushi (made with springbok carpaccio), Thai chicken salad, and lime-marinated chicken breasts. A set menu ($$$) is offered on Sunday and holidays; menus change with the seasons. The restaurant is open from Wednesday to Sunday, and bookings are essential. A small shop sells dream catchers, small fairy statues, and the like, and the Gobble D'Gook coffee shop serves homemade cakes on weekends and holidays. There are three B&B units in a restored vintage train car.

This charming boutique hotel, on the banks of the White River, is only a short drive from Kruger Park, and it was originally a 1920s hunting lodge. Rooms, most of which have private gardens and outside showers, are individually furnished in colonial, Victorian, Provençal, or English-country styles. High tea, which includes cucumber sandwiches and cream scones, is a specialty. Sip an evening sundowner, before dining on superb county-style cuisine under the stars ($$). Fly-in guests receive complimentary transfers to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, only 4½ km (3 mi) from the lodge. Balloon flights, helicopter trips, Kruger Park excursions, and scenic trips can be arranged.

Located in a restored 1870 Cape Victorian mansion in lovely, quiet Tamboerskloof, this B&B is within walking distance of trendy Kloof Street and a five-minute drive from Table Mountain. All six rooms have en-suite bathrooms, and some have wood-burning fireplaces. Public spaces are warm and comfortable, with a communal TV in the lounge. Views from the wooden sash windows either look out to the pretty garden, where there's a table under the bougainvillea, or over the pepper and orange trees. Rooms are basic but clean, and apart from Room 5, spacious.

On the west side of the Magersfontein Battlefield, Langberg is far removed from the buzz of city life. Rooms here are all part of restored thick-walled, whitewashed farm buildings that date back to the days of the diamond rush. It's an operating game and cattle farm—raising buffalo and sable, roan, and 21 other antelope species—and hunting for kudu, gemsbok, and other antelope can be arranged. The atmosphere is relaxed, and the food is excellent. A three-course meal is served every night except Sunday and typically includes such hearty dishes as homemade chicken pie and venison fillets stuffed with dried fruits. Meals aren't included in the lodging price—breakfast costs R35 and dinner another R65 per person—but Langberg is inexpensive considering the luxurious service.

This always-buzzing, warm, friendly hostel with some private rooms is light and bright and conveniently located near the middle of town. It's easy to find a sunny or shady spot in the garden to just relax with a book, and the lively bar is a great place to share adventures come evening. All in all, it's an excellent value and the private rooms offer a touch of affordable luxury. There's an information desk, and staff is happy to make recommendations and reservations, as well as drop you off at adventure activities like bungee jumping or attractions such as Monkeyland.

Originally built as the home of a British missionary, this lovingly restored guesthouse also once served as a school before becoming a hotel with rooms decorated with rich fabrics and luxurious finishes. Two have their own plunge pools, one has a Jacuzzi, and others have generous fireplaces. You're a five-minute stroll away from Franschhoek. On arrival, you're automatically booked in at highly rated Bouillabaisse, the sister seafood restaurant down the road, but you're welcome to eat anywhere in the food lovers' paradise that is Franschhoek.

People come here as much for the living museum that owner extraordinaire Jopie Kotze has created as for the rest of the establishment, which originated as private homes, but it's a serviceable place to stay if you need to sleep over in Springbok. It's a family business, operated since 1947, when it was known as the Springbok Café and Private Hotel. Former tour guide Kotze's displays include a mineral collection, a photography exhibit on the Richtersveld and historic Namaqualand, and floral and landscape paintings by local artists. The mammoth operation sleeps 200 people in a variety of accommodations: rooms that sleep 2 or 3; family units that sleep 4 to 6; self-catering suites; and houses that sleep up to 13 people (note: avoid the rooms right behind the restaurant). Breakfast and dinner are available at the restaurant, and a gift, postcard, and curio shop carries a wide range of books. The restaurant (open until 10 pm nightly) has an eclectic menu that includes pizza, fish, burgers, and famous fries and milk shakes, as well as Jopie's "holy water."

This old Victorian house has been elegantly transformed into a stylish and comfortable guest lodge; white linen and subtle furnishings create a restful atmosphere. Some bathrooms have Victorian claw-foot tubs. Regularly voted one of South Africa's top-100 dining establishments, the restaurant (which charges around R120 per main course) will likely have you coming back for more, especially for dishes such as roast beef fillet with a verjuice-hollandaise sauce. The menu changes daily, and there are also interesting food-and-wine-pairing dinners that are worth inquiring about. For the lodge, arrangements must be made in advance for children.

This small, tidy hostel is quieter than most, so it's a good place to stay if you're on a budget and the lovely garden has great mountain views where you can even sleep in a safari tent. If you don't feel like making use of the communal kitchens, you can book meals (continental breakfast and dinner only) in advance. You can rent bicycles, shoot pool, and use the barbecue facilities.

Decorated in restful shades of blue and white, this is a great base from which to take long whale-watching walks. Ask for a room with a view and put your feet up while you watch the Southern Right whales splashing in the bay below. Alternatively, take a stroll along the nearby whale-watching cliffs. An honor bar and tea and coffee are available throughout the day.