316 Best Hotels in South Africa

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 breathtakingly beautiful Rattray's Camp merges original bushveld style with contemporary African luxury. Stay in one of eight opulent villas with spacious double bathrooms, dressing rooms, and private heated plunge pools. The entrance hall, with art by distinguished African wildlife artists such as Keith Joubert, leads to a huge bedroom with a wooden four-poster bed, lounge with comfy furniture, writing desks (for crucial nightly journal entries), antique Persian rugs, and a dining nook. Floor-to-ceiling windows with insect-proof sliding doors face the Sand River and open out onto your own game-viewing deck. Public areas include viewing and dining decks, an infinity pool, lounge areas, a library, a bar and an impressive wine cellar.

If you’re looking for a truly exclusive experience, this lovely camp set high on stilts overlooking the Sand River at the southern end of the main MalaMala Camp fits the bill. Perfect for couples or a family or friends gathering, enjoy total privacy in your spacious air-conditioned suite or sit out on your big wooden viewing deck and enjoy the passing parade of game. There’s a great Out of Africa feel to the comfortable accommodation which echoes the colors of the surrounding bushveld, but Karen Blixen could never have imagined this present-day luxury.

If you're looking for the perfect place to share a safari with a group of people, this is a fabulous option—although suites can also be rented individually. One of the area's original homesteads, the Restoration Hardware meets African Pottery Barn–decorated house has four suites, each with its own verandah overlooking the surrounding mountains. Bathrooms are huge—just try to resist getting into the claw-foot tub which has been drawn for you after the evening game drive. The living space is made up of numerous cozy seating areas where you can spend hours reading, chatting, playing board games, or sipping drinks. The pool overlooks the property's natural waterhole—you never know what you might see taking a drink. The house has a dedicated staff, including a ranger, who takes care of your every whim.

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. 

In the leafy suburb of Selborne, Meander Inn is close to the East London Museum, restaurants, and shops. It's a convenient place to stay on either side of a Wild Coast hike, but it's also great for business travelers, thanks to its business services. Of the older rooms in the main house, one is not en suite, but it does have its own bathroom across the hall. All rooms are predominantly white, with a different color accent in the soft furnishings. The newer rooms have wood accents and stylish bathrooms with black-granite finishes. All rooms have showers but no tubs. Dinner is available by request.

Slightly bigger than Uplands Homestead, the Manor accommodates up to eight guests and offers the same superb service and exclusivity. It's a farmhouse in contemporary style with handmade clay chandeliers, cowhide rugs, vintage ball-and-claw armoires, and huge bathrooms with claw-foot tubs. Built around a small central lawn with a swimming pool, the four spacious rooms look outward into the bush for privacy. You have your own chef and game ranger, and you call the shots. This is a great option for families, as you can take the little ones on game drives or leave them behind with babysitters. It's also a good deal for three couples traveling together (and a great deal for four).

In a tranquil part of the already sedate Belgravia neighborhood, this big, old, beautiful B&B offers all the comforts of home, with modern rooms, wooden furnishings, and a cottage feel. In warmer months, breakfast is served in a garden shaded by huge trees. The staff is unfailingly hospitable, even if management is not especially on-the-ball, and it's closer to the city center than the prevailing peace and quiet might suggest.

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.

About 60 km (37 miles) from Hermanus, Pringle Bay is a great place to be if you want to escape the Hermanus holiday crush, and situated within 1,600 feet of sandy beach, this modern, four-star guesthouse has spectacular sea and mountain views and is an excellent location for whale-watching. Luxurious, spacious, and private, each of the four en-suite rooms has its own decor. All rooms face the ocean and have separate patios, and some have log fireplaces and big bathtubs. In the garden there's a sun terrace and an infinity pool for hot summer days. Breakfast, which includes strong coffee, croissants, fresh fruit salad, and an English Breakfast, is served looking out over the pool terrace.

This attractive thatch lodge (the first built at Phinda) sits on a rocky hill overlooking miles of bushveld plains and the Ubombo Mountains. Wide verandahs lead into the lounge and bar, with their high ceilings, dark beams, and cool tile floors. In winter guests can snuggle into cushioned wicker chairs next to a blazing log fire. Brick pathways wind down the hillside from the lodge to elegant suites with plunge pools, thatch roofs, and large decks overlooking the reserve. Children are welcome, although those under five are not allowed on game drives (unless you hire a private vehicle or book a family package safari) and six- to 11-year-olds are permitted only at the manager's discretion. There's a state-of-the-art gym plus massage therapists available on-site for unwinding between safari activities. 

This wilderness retreat offers campsites, rustic huts, and comfortable self-catering cabins and chalets with electricity, hot water, and cooking facilities. Don't let the rather terse list of rules at the entrance put you off; the owners are fiercely protective of this little piece of paradise—and justly so. The emphasis is on the surrounding 2,400 acres of mountains, pools, waterfalls, and streams, where you can hike or mountain bike a different route every day—each more beautiful than the last, and might even spot some zebra, impala, blesbok, klipspringer, and gray hartebeest along the way. Pets and radios are forbidden, but children are welcome. Stasombs restaurant serves up pizza, burgers, salad bowls, pasta; check out the special meal of the day. 

In the central iMfolozi section of the park, Mpila is reminiscent of some of Kruger's older camps with lodging options that range from basic but fully equipped one-room chalets with en suite bathroom, kitchenette, and deck, to three-bedroom cottages (these come with a cook who will prepare the food you've brought with you), self-catering chalets, and the Safari Tented camp, with two- and four-bed self-catering tents with en suite bathrooms. Three luxurious lodges with resident chef and ranger are also available. Gas is available, but you can only buy curios and sodas at the camp shop, so stock up with groceries before you arrive.

It might not technically be inEast London, but this old-fashioned lodge in the heart of a small game reserve beyond the outskirts of one of the city's rural suburbs benefits from being far from the maelstrom and surrounded by nature. The lodge is only reachable by 4x4, so you'll park your car at the reserve's entrance and be ferried to the intimate lodge which is quite old-school, full of dark wood, with a cozy lounge with a fireplace, bar and restaurant, and gardens where there's a handful of family-sized chalets, too. Friendly staffers add a homey atmosphere, and game drives are on offer at set times; don't expect to see any crazy sightings, though—there are a few elephants, but mostly you'll be inundated with giraffe, zebra, and various antelope. Nyala like to hang out at the lodge itself, sauntering not only across the lawns but wandering down the passageways and into the dining area—it makes for a very special moment when you open your bedroom door and see curious eyes watching you from behind long eyelashes.

Guests return again and again to this classic safari lodge with its timeless Out of Africa ambience. A massive, double-sided fireplace dominates the lodge, opening onto a lounge filled with elegant comfy sofas and chairs on one side and a dining room on the other. Dinner at Ngala is quite formal (kids on their best behavior, please!); it's served in a reed-enclosed boma or a tree-filled courtyard lighted by lanterns with crystal and silver. Comfortably furnished air-conditioned guest cottages, in mopane shrubveld with no views, comprise two rooms, each with its own thatch verandah. However, you can easily make up for the lack of room view with an overnight stay at the luxurious andBeyond Ngala Treehouse (can be added on to any stay at andBeyond Ngala Safari Lodge or andBeyond Ngala Tented Camp). The remote off-the-grid sanctuary soars 39 feet into the air offering sublime birds-eye scenery. There's a full bathroom with an outdoor shower and two sleeping areas—one covered and weatherproofed, the other an open-sky sleep-out platform for the outstanding star-gazing.

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.

From the moment you reach this seaside retreat, it's all about relaxation, and that's exactly what Texan Rip Miller wanted in his property. There are no set times for anything; game drives can be taken whenever you want. Guests can take guided nature walks on the beach or get a range of treatments in the full, on-site spa. The property has wide vistas and soothing ocean views from the ocean suites and lodge. If you're dining on the deck keep an eye out for whales (June–November) or game around the water hole. The four ocean suites have decks, his-and-her bathrooms (one has the tub and one has a shower) with Molton Brown bath products, and canopy beds with views of the beach and ocean below, as well as a flat-screen TV that comes out of the dresser at the foot of your bed. Lodge suites, on the lower level of the main lodge, have similar amenities, including balconies, and open into a game room with shuffle board, a pool table, and a large flat-screen satellite TV so you won't miss any of those important games back home. The suites are perfect for a group traveling together. Another great option for a large group is the owner's villa complete with full kitchen and chef.

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. 

In the center of Kruger, Olifants has the best setting of all the camps: high atop cliffs on a rocky ridge with panoramic views of the distant hills and the Olifants River below. A lovely thatch-sheltered terrace allows you to sit for hours with binoculars and pick out the animals below. Lions often make kills in the river valley, and elephants, buffalo, giraffes, kudu, and other game come to drink and bathe. Try to book one of the thatch rondavels overlooking the river. It's a charming old camp, graced with wonderful indigenous trees. The only drawback, particularly in summer, is there's no pool.

In the spirit of founding investor Sol Kerzner's "go big or go home" philosophy, the One&Only Cape Town is a splendid tribute to excess with its four-story glass window views onto Table Mountain from the aptly named Vista Bar and decadent island spa surrounded by a moat. All rooms are larger than you'd find in most other hotels and beautifully furnished in contemporary African design chic. The island lends a tropical resort feel, added to by a spectacular outdoor infinity pool, award-winning spa, and the presence of Cape Town's very own branch of the renowned Nobu restaurant. A fantastic kid's club, excellent personalized service, and an amazing breakfast make your stay complete.

Don't dismiss this tiny, underappreciated rest camp on Kruger's western border in the center of the park because of its proximity to the Orpen Gate. It may not be the most attractive camp—the rooms, arranged in a rough semicircle around a large lawn, look out toward the perimeter fence, about 150 feet away—but there's a permanent waterhole where animals come to drink, and plenty of game is in the vicinity, including cheetahs, lions, and rhinos. The two-bedroom huts are a bit sparse, without bathrooms or cooking facilities (although there are good communal ones), but there are three comfortable family cottages with bathrooms and kitchenettes. And it's a blissfully quiet camp, as there are so few accommodations.

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.

In an 11-story building across the street from the popular Sea Point pedestrian promenade, this apartment-style accommodation with a view is great for families or groups. A variety of layouts sleeping four to eight people all have incredible sea views. The larger airy and light-filled suites are the most attractive, with picture windows, sliding doors, wide balconies, and white-tile floors. Small "studio suites" are more like conventional hotel rooms. Each unit has a full kitchen. The hotel includes a lot of time-shares, so December and Easter holidays can be hard to book.

The most secluded of all of Londolozi's camps, Pioneer's three private suites overlook the river and are perfect for getting away from others. It can also be adapted into a temporary family homestead for if you want to rent the whole place (children over the age of six are welcome). Suites have a modern Ralph Lauren feel, and your floor-to-ceiling glass sliding panels offer great wilderness views. Super-elegant bathrooms and classy bedrooms meld contemporary chic and classic African styles; clean, uncluttered furnishings blend perfectly with faded sepia photographs, old hunting prints, and scuffed safari treasures. The black-and-white outside showers come straight from a modern lifestyle magazine. In winter sink deeply into your comfortable armchair in front of your own blazing fireplace; in summer sit outside in your outdoor dining room and listen to Africa's night noises. There are inside and outside dining areas, viewing decks, and a gorgeous S-shape pool nestling in the surrounding bush.

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.