The Very Best South Africa Luxury Hotel Stays
Why do we love South Africa so much? It’s like discovering a whole ‘world’ within just one country’. The landscapes are diverse, as are the types of holiday you can enjoy there.
…And then there are the luxury hotels and lodges. Each and every first-class stay we’ve featured on this specially curated collection of recommended holiday escapes boast fabulous locations, high-end attentive service and supreme comforts.
Recommended Luxury Safari Stays
5* Last Word Kitara
Exclusive Klaserie Private Nature Reserve location
LODGE HIGHLIGHTS:
View free-roaming wildlife from your room
Six luxury suites
Scenic helicopter trips
Sundowners and traditional boma dining
5* Kariega River Lodge
A vast family-owned private game reserve
LODGE HIGHLIGHTS:
Spectacular Bushmans River Valley views
Ten spacious air-conditioned suited
Unique mix of activities
Twice-daily game drives
5* Eagles Crag Lodge
Located in Shamwari, Eastern Cape’s largest reserve
LODGE HIGHLIGHTS:
Modern haven of minimalist luxury
Nine Junior Suites
Private decks and heated plunge pools
Born Free Foundation conservation partner
5* RockFig Safari Lodge
Timbavati Private Nature Reserve location
LODGE HIGHLIGHTS:
Relaxed ambience with authentic bush feel
Six well-furnished suites
Swimming pool with waterhole views
Open-sky evening meals
5* Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge
“The most environmentally sensitive lodge in Africa”
LODGE HIGHLIGHTS:
View free-roaming wildlife from your room
Four luxury lodges
Private plunge pools
Personal butler
5* &Beyond Ngala Tented Camp
Sophisticated camp with great wildlife viewing
LODGE HIGHLIGHTS:
Set in tranquil bush surrounds
Nine intimate and luxurious tents
Optional under the stars sleepout
Twice-daily game drives
Start planning your trip…
We’ve teamed up with Visions of Africa who specialise in luxury tailor-made travel to South Africa and can craft your itinerary to your exact needs.
Recommended Luxury Garden Route Hotels
5* The Marine Hermanus
Spectacularly located on Hermanus’ cliff path with the chance to spot whales from your room
HOTEL HIGHLIGHTS:
Chance to spot whales from your room
Two saltwater pools
Exceptional cuisine
Lush spa
5* GONDWANA PRIVATE GAME RESERVE
Luxury safari accommodation & activities
HOTEL HIGHLIGHTS:
Various camp, villa, house & lodges
Premium walking safaris
Tented bush spa
Ideal for family & friends
5* The Plettenberg
Ultimate seaside escape with breathtaking coastal vistas
HOTEL HIGHLIGHTS:
Gorgeous mountain and ocean views
Beautifully appointed rooms
World-class cuisine
Fresh Wellness Spa
5* Tsala Treetop Lodge
Private luxury set in the canopy of the Tsitsikamma Forest
HOTEL HIGHLIGHTS:
Spacious, split-level suites
Fantastic scenery and views
Excellent food and service
Yoga, gym and in-room pampering
5* Fancourt Hotel
Premier lifestyle resort on over 600 hectares of countryside
HOTEL HIGHLIGHTS:
Great for couples, families and solo travellers
Indoor and outdoor swimming pools
Spa with Roman bath
Three Gary Player designed golf courses
5* The Manor House at Fancourt
Serene country retreat with luxury amenities
HOTEL HIGHLIGHTS:
Boutique charm
Indoor and outdoor swimming pools
Spa with Roman bath
Three Gary Player designed golf courses
Start planning your trip…
We’ve teamed up with Visions of Africa who specialise in luxury tailor-made travel to South Africa and can craft your itinerary to your exact needs.
Recommended Luxury Cape Town Hotels
5* Last Word Long Beach
Boasting uninterrupted views of the sea
HOTEL HIGHLIGHTS:
Generously large rooms and suites
Intimate dining options
Perfect for honeymooners
One of Cape Town’s favourite surf spots
5* One&Only Cape Town
A tranquil enclave by mesmerising waterways
HOTEL HIGHLIGHTS:
Waterfront retreat
Breathtaking views of Table Mountain
Exclusive Spa Island
The restaurants – including Nobu
5* The Cellars Hohenort
An experience beyond expectation
HOTEL HIGHLIGHTS:
Heavenly accommodation
Luxury romantic getaway
Re-imagined cuisine
Wellness spa
5* The Silo
One of Cape Town’s trendiest hotels
HOTEL HIGHLIGHTS:
Vibrant Cape Town location
Beautifully stylish rooms
Great dining options
Roof deck bar and pool with panoramic views
5* Cape Cadogan Boutique Hotel
A characterful hotel offering a quiet, calm retreat
HOTEL HIGHLIGHTS:
Quirky, historic style
Kloof Street location
Spacious and stylish rooms
Perfect for couples
5* Cape Grace Hotel
The perfect place to unwind
HOTEL HIGHLIGHTS:
Excellent in-room facilities
Stunning waterfront views
Award-winning spa
Secluded outdoor pool
Start planning your trip…
We’ve teamed up with Visions of Africa who specialise in luxury tailor-made travel to South Africa and can craft your itinerary to your exact needs.
Recommended Luxury Winelands Hotels
5* Last Word Franschhoek
Unrivalled hotel for independent, savvy travellers
HOTEL HIGHLIGHTS:
Lavishly appointed, spacious rooms
Sizeable, sparkling pool
Private rooftop patio
Wine tram just 6 minutes walk away
5* Oude Werf Hotel
Intimate luxury combined with chic antique style
HOTEL HIGHLIGHTS:
Homely and welcoming, light and comfortable
Located in the heart of Stellenbosch
Swimming pool
“Living-green” hotel conscience
5* Franschhoek Country House & Villas
An original 1890 manor house
HOTEL HIGHLIGHTS:
Relaxed country setting
Well-equipped rooms
Acclaimed Monneaux Restaurant
First-class spa
Start planning your trip…
We’ve teamed up with Visions of Africa who specialise in luxury tailor-made travel to South Africa and can craft your itinerary to your exact needs.
Let us inspire you…
Cape Town
Being home to iconic mountain ranges, stunning natural wonders, thrilling landscapes and ocean vistas, Cape Town offers no shortage of adventures.
We cherish Cape Town for the vibrancy and the views. The cuisine is top-notch too.
Winelands
The Cape Winelands are only an hour from Cape Town, so can easily be integrated within anyone’s South African itinerary. Whether you explore Stellenbosch or Franschhoek, South Africa’s wineries are sophisticated and gorgeous.
It’s equally great to explore the vineyards on a bicycle or hop on the Franschhoek Wine Tram.
Garden Route
The Garden Route is one of the world’s best self-driving routes, stretching along 200 kilometres of gorgeous coastline from Mossel Bay in the west to Storms River in the east.
We recommend planning a trip by combining a few days in Cape Town with a stay in the Winelands before commencing along the Garden Route.
Safari Lodges
For an unparalleled first-hand authentic safari experience we recommend a stay in a safari lodge.
Amenities are aplenty within a luxury lodge. Almost all have swimming or plunge pools, air-conditioning, Wi-Fi and offer delightful intimacy.
When to visit…
- The best months for decent weather in South Africa November to February when it is mostly dry and warm. However, if you’re looking to go on safari, the game-viewing conditions are excellent in the cooler winter months of May to September.
- Summer temperatures average around 26-27ºC with the warmest month being February
- While the winter months are wet, they are reasonably mild.