122 Best Hotels in South Africa

Within easy striking distance of the best game-viewing areas, this lodge overlooking the Bellair Dam is unashamedly family-friendly. The layout is fresh and funky, with a grassy inner garden that invites impromptu cricket matches, as well as an outdoor pool with a shallow area for children. There's also a playroom, babysitting for the under-fours, and a "Kids on Safari" program. The accommodations incorporate traditional Karoo-style architecture. Each of the rooms has a private deck or a balcony with a commanding view. Meals focus on traditional South African cuisine with a twist. A specialty is lamb shank, a typical Karoo dish.

Overlooking False Bay lake and the Hluhluwe River floodplain—follow signs from Hluhluwe village—this fantastic-value, family-owned lodge is the ideal base for visiting the game reserves and the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. After a day spent game-viewing, canoeing, bird-watching, mountain biking, boating, fishing, or walking in the pristine sand forest, relax in your comfortable A-frame chalet or sit on your wooden deck overlooking the bush, the floodplain, and the lake. This lodge is the only one with direct access to the lake, but water activities are dependent on the seasonal rains. The food is excellent—wholesome country cooking. There are two family chalets available and children three and under stay free.

Just 10 minutes from town, this tranquil property is set amid gardens that descend into a forested valley. The heart of the lodge is an old farmstead, a lovely thatch building with low beams and large fireplaces. Guest rooms are in cottages with their own fireplaces and verandahs. Three suites have private plunge pools. Tasteful antiques grace the rooms, and clawfoot tubs are the centerpiece of many of the gigantic bathrooms. Most guests eat at the hotel's excellent table restaurant, which brings a French touch to local South African produce. There's also the option of eating at Zinzi's, a separate restaurant on the grounds. The Summer House, in the garden, is open for tea, lunch, and early dinner in summer. The lodge is very child-friendly, making it one of the few places where you don't have to sacrifice sophistication for family accommodations.

This Hyatt Regency hotel is trendy and opulent, with lots of black, gold, and glass and enormous picture windows revealing stunning views of the northern suburbs. Local art lines the walls in discreetly lighted passageways, and there's an ultramodern restaurant, a wine bar, and a solar-heated pool on the roof. Sunday brunch is a favorite with guests and local families, and the lobby café serves coffee and light meals. The hotel is adjacent to Rosebank's major shopping malls.

A few paces from international arrivals and adjacent to the car-rental companies and bus terminal, this is a good choice for those who have a one-night layover. The InterContinental is very comfortable and upscale, with a chic African interior of warm woods and granite. Those who spend a few nights here do so for the business and meeting facilities and proximity to industrial areas, though it's also a quick 12-minute ride on the high-speed Gautrain into the center of Sandton from the airport. Rooms are soundproof and have blackout curtains, and the eighth-floor heated pool, gym, and spa offers jet-lag-specific treatments. There are great runway views from the gym and pool. The Quills Restaurant and Bar on the ground level serves meals 24 hours.

This lodge within the iSibindi Eco Reserve, 9 km (4 miles) from Rorke's Drift, combines game-viewing and Zulu cultural experiences with battlefield tours led by excellent local guides and historians. Enjoy early-morning and evening game drives, and cultural evenings with traditional Zulu dancers and traditional food. Visit the village across the river where the sangoma (traditional healer) will "throw the bones" for you and read your fortune. Rooms are in Zulu-style elevated beehive huts with private decks, which have lovely views of hill and valley. An attractive lounge and bar area shows off African prints and Zulu artifacts, and an outdoor bar and sunken pool share the views.

This intimate lodge, with only five suites, is the ultimate in luxury, with its marble floors, elaborate chandeliers, and plush furnishings. Watch animals at a waterhole on a wide plain from the deck in front of the main lodge area, the sunken fire pit, or from the luxury of your own deck or private plunge pool. Many Madikwe lodges serve excellent food, but at Jamala Madikwe, fine dining is taken to the next level, with three chefs serving up a different menu each night, sometimes running up to six courses and including dishes like tempura lobster served with a soy dipping sauce and compressed pork belly with wilted pak choi. For something really special, inquire about joining a unique conservation experience such as notching a rhino or collaring a cheetah, which the lodge offers in conjunction with the park's management.

In a quiet part of Summerstrand, this hotel feels cocooned, but it's close to the Boardwalk and Humewood Golf Course and within easy walking distance of Pollock Beach. The rooms are richly furnished with heavy fabrics and dark wood (which is not as overpowering as it sounds). Most bathrooms have enormous tubs and triple-head showers in roomy stalls, though four rooms have showers only.

On the road to Tsitsikamma, this magnificent 1,500-acre estate offers spacious suites that make you feel like you're staying in your own country home. This historic Cape Dutch homestead was once the home of a Russian émigré, Baron Peter Behr, back in the 1940s. Accommodations are in separate buildings and feature antique furnishings, book-filled shelves, handsome fireplaces, and private balconies. Many have staircases leading to charming children's rooms. The food in the restaurant is delicious, beautifully presented, and made from fresh, local ingredients.

The greatest asset of this hotel, primarily a time-share resort, is its location: in a bowl of rocky hills on the edge of the game reserve. The resort has an underground blind overlooking a waterhole, which is connected to the lodge via a tunnel; sit here (especially in the evening) armed with drinks, patience, and plenty of insect spray for a rewarding hour or so. Guest rooms have high thatch ceilings and large glass doors that open onto a verandah. It's best to secure a unit far from the noise of the reception, dining, and pool areas. You can pay to go on day or night game drives in open-air vehicles or to go on guided walks with an armed ranger—both are worthwhile. The breakfasts at the restaurant are legendary.

This good-value chic hotel enjoys a great location between the popular seafront promenade and Green Point park, and is also just a 15-minute walk from the V&A Waterfront. Ask for a sea- or mountain-facing room, either of which will have great views; the side-view rooms face the neighboring building but are quiet. The comfortable, well-proportioned, and cleanly designed rooms are bright and airy—mostly white with playful splashes of primary colors and a bit of a vintage-retro feel—and the downstairs restaurant Sotano serves tasty Mediterranean food and cocktails- perfect for sunset viewing on the busy promenade. 

The sheer beauty of the setting has not changed since this wine estate was founded in 1692. Its classic Cape Dutch manor house is flanked by the rolling vineyards and mountains of the Jonkershoek Valley. You can eat casual alfresco meals on the terrace (weather permitting), grab some upmarket pub food in the utterly charming Taphuis, or opt for fine dining at the Manor Kitchen, where chef Stephen Fraser pulls out all the stops. The menu changes regularly, but always features some South African touches like game meat, local oysters, or cheese from the Winelands region.

A great base for exploring the Constantia winelands, this peaceful boutique hotel with a lovely garden and incredibly spacious rooms successfully combines elegance with homey intimacy. The decor is classical, and fine touches include fluffy robes, luxurious toiletries, and wonderful baths with gorgeous mosaic details. Groups can even rent the entire establishment. Breakfast is served in the lush garden or conservatory, while lunch and dinner are only available on request.

This cluster of vine-covered buildings nestled in gardens overflowing with roses, lavender, frangipani, and jasmine sits in an upmarket residential corner of Stellenbosch. It's a mere 5- to 10-minute drive to several of the country's best wine estates and restaurants. Inside Majeka's tranquil walls, rooms are elegantly lavish with tones of silver and gold and modern chandeliers. A spa, whirlpool tub, sauna, and gym are all available, and lovely outdoor spaces abound, from the various pools to loungers in the magical gardens. 

The Maropeng Boutique Hotel offers peace and tranquility with magnificent views of the Magaliesberg and Witwatersberg mountain ranges just 90 minutes from Johannesburg. Rooms are decorated in warm, earthy tones that reflect the African setting, and each one has a small outdoor space where you can watch the sun set while sipping delicious cocktails. There is plenty to do in the area: the Maropeng Visitor Centre is a short walk from the hotel; the Sterkfontein Caves are just a few minutes' drive away; and for those looking to unwind, the wooden deck and pool are the perfect spot to relax (even though they are directly adjacent to the reception and welcome lounge). Don't miss the stargazing evening with the resident astronomer on the last Saturday of the month, if the dates work out. The restaurant, which is open to the public for all meals, serves South African food that might include roasted meat (lamb, beef, barbecued chops and pap, curried chicken) with fresh-cooked veggies, such as pumpkin and roast potatoes.

Conveniently situated in the heart of bustling Sandton, the Maslow is a case study in modern, seamless sophistication and, if only for a few moments, you'll forget you're anywhere near a city. Beyond the basics of free high-speed Wi-Fi, universal plug points, and first-class conferencing facilities, business travelers can expect unique offerings like the Incubator Room for out-of-the-box strategy sessions, or the Wayfarer Lounge, which provides a well-equipped work base (equipped with private showers) between flights. Minutes from the Sandton Gautrain station, the Maslow offers a free shuttle service that departs every 15 minutes, also stopping at Sandton City Mall and Nelson Mandela Square. The beautifully designed Africology spa is one of the most unique of its kind in Johannesburg, and the tranquil Oasis Garden is the perfect place for some downtime. Ask for a room on the far side of the wing that overlooks the garden and pool. 

This delightful hotel was originally built in Victorian times but was extensively remodeled in Art Deco style after a fire in the early 1930s. The present owners highlight its architectural flourishes and collect furniture and artifacts from this era to complement the interior. There's palm-shaded swimming pool surrounded by lounge chairs in the pretty garden. The dining room serves an excellent breakfast and straightforward lunch and dinner, often showcasing South African staples like Karoo lamb. Ask about trips to the wine route.

Situated in the family-friendly Noordhoek Farm Village with its great restaurants and cute shops, this clean and comfortable hotel is a practical option for families exploring the peninsula. Rooms are decently sized and bright if unremarkable in terms of decor, and look out onto the farm village. It is also one of the few hotels with four truly wheelchair-friendly rooms. Numerous good eateries are outside your door, along with a small pool and pleasant courtyard with lemon trees.

This old Wild Coast hotel is light and bright, with white walls and blue fabrics with marine motifs. Some rooms overlook the sea and have individual patios from which to enjoy the view. A resident tour operator can arrange day walks, gentle cruises, and canoeing. A 4x4 trip to Hole-in-the-Wall and a cultural visit is also available. Like all Wild Coast resorts, it's child-friendly. The food is well-prepared and unpretentious—just keep in mind that lobster and other seafood are considered unpretentious in this region, and you may well find wild coastal oysters offered as bar snacks. Nonguests may book for dinner if the hotel isn't full. Like some other Wild Coast properties, this hotel is partly owned by the local community.

About 8 km (5 miles) from Springbok, in South Africa's oldest mining town, this hotel is one of the finest places to stay in Namaqualand, not only for the above-average accommodations and dining, but also for the friendly owner, Malcolm Mostert, who has created a homey atmosphere and who is a great source of information about what to see and do in the area. Interiors are done in a pleasing palette of tan, brown and white and decorated with photographs detailing the area's mining history. Guest rooms are simple, tidy, and comfortable. You can lounge in pleasant outdoor areas or beside the pool, a real boon in summer. Homemade curries, stews, and meat dishes such as spareribs and steaks are popular and recommended at the hotel's restaurant, where breakfast is also served. Next door is the Cornish Pumphouse, a fully intact steam-pump engine that's a landmark on Okiep's main road and the only one of its kind remaining in the Southern Hemisphere. Malcolm also offers several self-catering rooms and houses across from the hotel. 

The setting of this stylish, minimalist lodge—in splendid isolation on a cliff top in a private nature reserve on the western (wild) side of Robberg Peninsula—is one of the best anywhere, and the view of the open ocean across fynbos-clad hills is spectacular. Rooms are decorated in understated creams, blues, and browns; those that face the sea have dramatic views, and the others overlook a tranquil lily pond. A steep path leads to a private beach and natural tidal pool. Rooms all have fireplaces and underfloor heating for the winter months.

This compact designer boutique hotel that blends modern sleekness with accents of stone, rough wood, and slate to create a sexy Zen ambience enjoys a great location on a quiet corner just a block from Camps Bay's main drag. Clever design makes use of every view available, as seen in unexpected windows placed to enjoy slivers of Lion's Head and Table Mountain, and a hallway atrium on the second floor. Deluxe suites have fantastic ocean views and are super luxe. For good value for the money, choose a luxury room with a view (rather than with a private pool), as the hotel's infinity pool on the deck with great ocean views is a preferable splash anyway. Enjoy attentive professional service, an enticing bar area, and perks like the complimentary minibar in your room, free DVDs and popcorn, and an iPad for public use throughout your stay.

Situated next to the Cape St. Blaize lighthouse and overlooking a huge, linear tidal pool, the Point Hotel has great views over the ocean and the rugged coastline stretching west. In season (July–October), you may see whales from your private balcony. The start of the scenic and fragrant cliff-top Cape St. Blaize Trail is a short stroll away, and the ocean is a stone's throw from most balconies. There is a tidal pool close by. The hotel often accommodates tour groups, which means the foyer can feel a bit like a public transportation terminal. Ask for a room from the second floor upward for unobstructed views.

Initially built around somewhat kitschy themes—think interior elements like elevators kitted out as a shark cage underwater or a Table Mountain cable car mid-journey—this large hotel (one of the few in the area) will appeal to those who value a vibey social atmosphere and proximity to Cape Town's nightlife. Although rooms are very small, you are getting four- and even five-star facilities for three-star rates (check out the executive suites for more space). Public spaces are open and bright, including a large lounge area which turns into a bar (complete with DJs) as day turns to evening. Thoughtful extras like free local newspapers in the public areas and free snacks at the bar continue to please.

Just a few steps from the Bartolomeu Dias Museum Complex, this stylish hotel is close to most of what's happening in Mossel Bay. You can take in the great views of the harbor and the beach while relaxing at the Blue Oyster Pool Lounge. Strange nooks and crannies and yard-thick stone walls testify to the building's status as one of the oldest in Mossel Bay (it dates back to the mid-19th century). The rooms are bright and spacious, with exposed-brick walls and tasteful decor. Self-catering suites have two balconies overlooking the water.

Four converted Victorian homes comprise the city's most intimate boutique hotel, a contemporary European-style property that's been reinvented with a colonial African makeover. Rooms feature mahogany furniture, crisp, white linen, damask-covered beds, and sunken tubs in luxurious bathrooms. Many of the rooms have small verandahs facing onto Florida Road, with its swaying palm trees and sometimes busy traffic, but double-glazed windows help to dull the noise.

Located just 55 steps from the Sandton Gautrain station, this is a popular destination for international tourists and local business travelers with well-appointed rooms, an outdoor splash pool, and a deck that overlooks Sandton's high-rise buildings. The interior has a bright and modern aesthetic, and clever design elements have been incorporated throughout the hotel to mimic features of the Gautrain station and rail line. The hotel also likes to keep visitors guessing by introducing fresh new concepts to entertainment offerings and food menus, such as Central One’s Full Flavour Board for 2, or a new DJ on the deck every weekend. Ask about the weekly specials.

When it comes to great locations, this hotel is one of Cape Town's front-runners, perched on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, at one end of the popular pedestrian seafront promenade, and less than 10 minutes' walk to the popular V&A Waterfront. Updated rooms are spacious and pleasantly decorated in stylish neutral tones, and those with a sea view indulge fantasies that you're on a yacht out at sea. Be sure to enjoy the infinity pool spilling into the ocean view, and the very good spa with its own indoor heated pool. A drink or meal at Tobago's Restaurant and Terrace, a popular after-work sundowner spot, is also a great way to enjoy this fabulous location. Ask the friendly staff for a sea-facing room: this is why you're here.

With a great view over vineyards and mountains, this small luxury hotel in a converted farmhouse is an oasis from the sweltering Swartland summer heat (and great as a winter getaway, as well). Rooms have a homey country feel, with comfortable couches and heavy wood furniture. In addition to the outdoor pool, there's an indoor pool so you can take a dip even if the weather is iffy. 

In upper Green Point, this converted apartment block incorporates adjoining houses to provide luxury sea-facing suites, all with generous balconies and fully-fitted kitchens. Decorated in an African-colonial style, what this property lacks in gardens and outdoor space it makes up for in generously apportioned spaces and partial sea views. Breakfast is included in the rates, but with self-catering facilities in suites, you might prefer to fix your own and enjoy it while watching the sea from your balcony. Or head down to Somerset Road on foot for a host of deli-dining options. The adjoining spa is well known for good, reasonably priced treatments.