KwaZulu-Natal
For chic, ocean-facing luxury you can't do much better than this renowned hotel next to the lighthouse. Rooms have special amenities such as on-demand…
Must-see hotels in South Africa
Cape Town
The huge rooms here all have patios or balconies with magnificent views of forest, mountain or the sprawling suburbs stretching all the way to False Bay…
KwaZulu-Natal
This place has a top setting, backing onto the bird-filled Dlinza Forest. The owner is delightful and rooms are spotless, modern, airy and spacious. A…
Kruger National Park
The first private lodge in the park, Jock rests at the confluence of the Biyamiti and Mitomeni Rivers within an exclusive 60-sq-km conservancy. The 12…
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Off the main drag and opposite a lovely park, this guesthouse has affable hosts who ensure a very comfortable stay. Each room here has a fun, unique theme…
Kruger National Park
Stunning suites with ample terraces, private plunge pools and a real sense of having your own private luxury space in the heart of the African bush –…
Kruger National Park
Large suites decked out in soothing earth tones in the heart of excellent wildlife country make Baobab Ridge an excellent choice. Freestanding bathtubs…
Johannesburg
Adjacent to the 44 Stanley retail development, Hotel QSL takes up the area's industrial makeover theme, offering 10 chic loft-style rooms. The polished…
Hermanus
The town's poshest option is right on the sea with immaculate grounds and amenities, including two sea-facing restaurants. The Pavilion is only open for…
Kruger National Park
One of the loveliest lodges anywhere in the Kruger area, Simbavati has gorgeous, open-sided public areas, classy safari tents and beautifully designed…
Durban
This upmarket boutique hotel is filled with clipped accents and smart rooms of the ‘heavy drapes and floral furnishings’ variety, around a pretty paved…
Northern Cape
The largest camp in the park is also the most convenient, located next to the park entrance and with the most facilities, including a restaurant. The…
Kruger National Park
With eight individually styled suites, each named after a famous African explorer, Tintswalo has more personality than most lodges. With large private…
Western Cape
A modern, friendly guesthouse set on a beautiful property, it offers Zen-like privacy to go with the luxurious, colourful rooms. Health and beauty…
Northern Cape
Kgalagadi’s most upmarket option is owned and operated by the local San community. The lodge is a dreamy fantasy in ochre, overlooking a circular pan so…
North West Province
In this azure, Mediterranean-inspired environment, waterfalls cascade into a lake and cocktails go down nicely in the beach bar. There are multiple pools,…
Stellenbosch
This opulent place consists of a 300-year-old manor house and winery set in grassy grounds with awesome mountain views. One suite even has a private pool.
KwaZulu-Natal
Taken over by new management in 2014, this upmarket choice has a bit more character than the rest of the behemoths that crowd the Ballito coastline. The…
Drakensberg & uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
The ever-reliable and predictably ‘nice’ Champagne Castle is one of the area's best-known resorts, conveniently in the mountains at the end of R600 to…
Franschhoek
Along with the winery of the same name, this boutique hotel and restaurant were bought by Richard Branson in 2014. As you would expect, it offers gilt…
KwaZulu-Natal
The village’s flashest place, with enormous decks, forest views over Umlalazi Nature Reserve and the ocean, and luxury trimmings. In 2017 the owners added…
Winelands
This colourful boutique guesthouse is impeccable, thanks to hosts Luc and Hilde. A champagne breakfast is served, as are superb dinners on request, and…
Kruger National Park
The highest-end option within the private 100-sq-km Mluwati concession, Hamiltons has six sumptuous safari tents that are built on stilts next to the dry…
Kruger National Park
On a rise overlooking a riverbed, Senalala is quietly luxurious with contemporary-styled rooms in spacious thatched bungalows. Excellent guides and…
Stellenbosch
In a suburban neighbourhood bordering a small nature reserve east of the town centre is this elegant guesthouse. The immaculate rooms are bright and…
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Smart ‘African chic’–style chalets with all the modern trimmings are on offer at Lodge Afrique. The spot is right in the middle of St Lucia, but the…
Northern Cape
Perched on the banks of the Auob River, these four stilted cabins are connected by raised walkways between the camel thorn trees. Urikaruus is the second…
Simon's Town & Southern Peninsula
Escape from it all at this pretty whitewashed cottage, with an isolated position just steps from the beach and the pounding waves of the Atlantic. The…
Winelands
A superluxurious hotel set in a Cape Dutch manor house, offering wonderful mountain views, a heated swimming pool and the excellent Bosman’s Restaurant…
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
A world away from St Lucia, minimalist Dutch meets lush African forest and creates a stylish experience in Serene Estate's seven rooms and beyond. The…
Franschhoek
Set around a leafy courtyard and pool, the large rooms at this opulent hotel have fireplaces, huge beds and stylish decor. If you're feeling flush, try…
Garden Route
Part of the Protea chain, this is a classy hotel set in the old post office building. Its restaurant, Café Gannet, has a large seafood, meat and pizza…
Kruger National Park
If your dream safari involves classic safari decor – animal-skin rugs, wooden chests, colonial artworks, brandy decanters and silver water jugs – Kings…
Garden Route
This is the area’s most luxurious option, with three 18-hole golf courses designed by Gary Player, a health spa and four restaurants. It's about 6km from…
Plettenberg Bay
Built on a rocky headland with breathtaking vistas, this five-star place is pure decadence, with fantastic rooms, a spa and a top-class restaurant (mains…
Hermanus
This wonderful place, built in the style of a Provençal villa, is right in the centre of town. Many rooms have ocean views. Rates do not rise during peak…
Durban
King of the seafront hotels, this is classic and comfortable, with fresh-polish smells and full-on decor.
The Elephant Coast
An upmarket option, Masinda Lodge, near the Centenary Centre, is fully hosted and catered.
The Wild Coast
Bulungula is legendary for its stunning location, community-based activities and ecofriendly ethos. It’s 100% owned by the local Xhosa community, which…
The Wild Coast
Power down and disconnect at this ecologically minded coastal retreat, which offers accommodation (six doubles and one eight-bed dorm) in traditionally…
