West Coast & Swartland
A five-star guesthouse with artsy rooms, a rooftop hot tub and plunge pool and a health spa. The restaurant (mains R145 to R210), also open to nonguests,…
Must-see hotels in Africa
Lesotho
The classiest option in town, Mokhotlong Hotel is fairly basic but adequate for those passing through the region. Staff members are friendly and helpful,…
Medina
This free booking service works with a good selection of restored guesthouses and apartments; a percentage of your bill is then donated to the High Atlas…
Kilifi
This big resort sits on the edge of Kilifi Creek, close to Mnarani ruins. There's a gorgeous curved infinity pool, a decent restaurant, a spa and lots of…
Northeastern Tanzania
This good place perched at 1900m has wonderful views, plus camping, dorm rooms and cottages. Tasty local-style meals are available, and guides can be…
Lamu Island
Right on the seafront as you round the corner to Peponi, a clutch of whitewashed, self-contained rooms with heavy four-poster beds catches the sea breeze…
Victoria
If you really want to be in Victoria, the closest hotel to the centre is Hotel Bel Air, on the road to Sans Souci, about 500m south of Revolution Ave. A…
Maputo
This place, in a quiet corner of Sommerschield, has well-appointed rooms and apartments (‘chalets’) set in expansive, manicured, enclosed gardens. There’s…
Northern Ethiopia
At this basic camping area out in the wild there are two campsites with no facilities. As long as you're self-sufficient in everything from food and water…
Oujda
Largely black marble and glass, the reception at this top midrange option is professional and the rooms are spacious with black leather bed frames. Double…
Lesotho
Hotel Mount Maluti offers dated rooms in cool blocks opening onto pleasant gardens. Its restaurant is a decent lunch stop (mains M70 to M110), serving…
Skeleton Coast
The De Duine Country Hotel, the most established hotel in Henties Bay, sits on the coast, though not a single room has a sea view – go figure! The German…
Sunshine Coast
Clean, neat and close to shops and restaurants, this hostel is a great choice if you're counting the pennies. The dorms and rooms have been renovated and…
Mozambique
This intimate residential-style B&B in the shady Ponta Gêa area has large, characterful rooms with mini fridge, TV and laundry service. No meals (apart…
KwaZulu-Natal
Inside the Ondini complex are these traditional beehive huts in pleasant surrounds, near marula trees. Rates include entry to the Ondini cultural site…
Winelands
This old house has comfortable, well-appointed rooms, some with balconies. The larger garden rooms are quieter, being off the main road. It's very…
Northern Kenya
Built in 2017, this is the poshest place to stay in Marsabit. The rooms are large and each comes with a clean bed and a TV. If you are looking for a…
Accra
A good deal, right in the centre of the action. Smart modern rooms come with all the necessary amenities, and there's Frankie's restaurant downstairs if…
Pemba
Clean, modern rooms (the best are the spacious ‘suites’), none with nets and all with bathroom and TV, are on offer here. It’s at the start of the Wimbi…
Western Cape
These simple but stylish guest rooms on the edge of town offer excellent value. Friendly hosts Jude and Bryan are passionate and knowledgeable about the…
Route 62
Fitted out with modern decor largely made of recycled wine crates, the rooms here perfectly marry the modern with the classic – in keeping with the house…
Diani Beach
The huge rooms at this dive resort are more than just a little appealing. With stone floors, a modern Swahili style and a beautiful pool and gardens, this…
Garden Route
As well as more than 300 campsites – many of which have ocean views – there are well-equipped thatched chalets here (the chalets were about to be…
Sea Point to Hout Bay
Offering clean, contemporary design, POD is perfectly angled to catch the Camps Bay action from its bar and spacious pool and deck area. The cheapest…
Djerba
A reasonably priced choice with bags of character, this converted funduq (caravanserai) offers barrel-vaulted rooms that are simple but attractive. It’s…
Southern Ethiopia
This simple pile on the Goba road 500m south of the bus station won't win any medals for design or comfort, but as far as Robe goes it's not bad for the…
Namibia
Part of a 46 sq km farm, SanDüne Lodge has luxury Meru-style safari tents and comfortable standard rooms in the main lodge building. Although quite pricey…
Namibia
Outside the conservancy at the junction of the C44 and D3306, this community-run camp has solar power, a water pump, hot showers and a staff of local San…
Sudan
Just next to the museum and the western deffufa, this nicely laid-out guesthouse that has long been used by foreign archaeologists now welcomes visitors…
Northern Mozambique
A Dutch-Mozambican-run guesthouse with three very characterful rooms that reflect the hybrid personality of Mozambique Island. Rooms are spacious and…
Botswana
A pretty basic rest camp, Mata Mata sits alongside the scenic Auob River near the Namibian border, a 2½- to three-hour drive from Twee Rivieren. There’s…
Ghana
A good-value guesthouse with spotless (if basic) rooms with air-con and free wi-fi. A decent breakfast is included and home-cooked meals are sometimes…
Southwestern Uganda
Up the top of an impossibly steep hill outside the park, this Dutch-owned lodge has memorable views out to Mburo's distant plains and lakes. Tented safari…
West Coast & Swartland
A great base in the Cederberg, with a winery, brewery and small shop on site and a range of top-notch hikes nearby. Accommodation is in simple chalets or…
Tiznit
Kenza's six elegantly simple rooms are centred around a petite, tiled courtyard with a marble fountain. Look out for the traditional carved doors and…
Lesotho
The pleasant interiors at Mohale Lodge make up for its distant dam view. The comfortable rooms are replete with modern furnishings and trimmed with Afro…
Northern Tanzania
This quiet, church-run place offers simple rooms around a flower-filled courtyard, and local-style meals. It's just outside Ngorongoro Conservation Area's…
Southern Ethiopia
In a busy location off the main drag in central Awasa, this large, multistorey place has been thoughtfully spruced up and shelters a mix of neat, well…
Eastern Cape
The best hotel in the area, the Ripple Hill harbours 14 entirely renovated rooms with wooden floors and sparkling bathrooms. The attached restaurant …
Hotel Oásis Atlântico Praiamar
Cabo Verde
On a breezy bluff pointing out to sea is this glossy Praia address. Though similar to business-class hotels around the world, the spacious rooms are…
