An Overview and other South Africa Hotel/Accommodation Reviews

I have started writing about all the places I have stayed at throughout South Africa.

I will list these hotels/B&Bs etc. on my city pages where they are located, and the hotels/B&Bs etc. that I have no page for as yet, I will list here on my South Africa page.

I had my own business in Cape Town for 5 years prior to coming out to the UK.

It was a Design & Manufacturing Business, and one of the product lines we produced was African-flavoured recycled corporate gifting, which included Christmas crackers, gifts for the hotel rooms, corporate gifts for their clients etc. Being of an African flavour this appealed to tourists and we dealt with Game Lodges and upmarket Hotels throughout the country as clients.

I have not stayed in all of them, but have at the very least been there for a conference/meeting, and dined there, if not once, a few times. Often-times I would stay overnight as it was far to travel to from Cape Town. As a long time supplier I have some insider knowledge of what goes on in some hotels too, information you would otherwise not find on their websites.


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Theme: Other

South Africa has a huge range of accommodation on offer.

It caters for the back packer looking for budget accommodation, as well as more luxurious accommodation for the tourist who has more cash to spare, as well as for those imbetween!

From rondavels (round, thatched brick accommodation), to 5 star hotels, to camp sites, to Bed & Breakfasts. South Africa has it all, in abundance.

I am writing about accommodation all over South Africa on this page, stating which region it is in, and providing a link to that specific page as well.... please note that if you rate the hotel on this page, please do not rate it on the city/province page. Thanks!

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask me via email. I will be more than willing to help in any way I can.

South Africa awaits your visit! :)


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Theme: Other

Directions: All over South Africa
Website: www.southafricangateway.com

Wits End is situated in Champagne Valley, amidst the Drakensberg Mountains. It is family run and is homely and comfortable. If you want a relaxing time away with your family, this is the place to come to.

We came here to celebrate my mum's 60th birthday... with family from England and South Africa getting together. My whole immediate family was here except for my brother and his family in the States. So it holds poignant memories for me, not only because it was a delightful place to visit, but because it was with my much loved and much missed mum and brother and his family.

They have a variety of accommodation available (all self catering cottages), and we had a large 8 bed cottage. It had 4 big bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a big kitchen with an ope plan lounge area. There was a covered patio area where e ate our meals together, out by the braai area, being overlooked by the gorgeous Champagne Castle peak!

We had a couple of big thunder storms (typical for the area), where they last for about an hour with tremendous rain and thunder and lightening... and one night we even had hail! The lights went out twice, and one night we had to do everything by candlelight :)

Unique Qualities: They have a 10 acre dam with rainbow trout and Natal yellow fish, and guests fish here plus canoe. My husband did a spot of fishing here from a boat.. the sides of the banks were too steep for him to stand and fish from (he does fly fishing), so the boat it was!

There are plenty of birds in the indigenous gardens which is a priority in their ecologically friendly policy. They also have a resident donkey (which we named Simon), 2 domestic pigs, a jack russel and some gorgeous horses, which you can horse ride on. It is a child friendly resort for sure.

There is a table tennis game area, darts, a trampoline and climbing gym for the kids, plus, for all the family... a gorgeous rock pool... whihc we practically lived in as it was so hot!

There are local hikes and walks and specific hikes through the local forest to find bushman art. You would need a guided walk for this, which the management can arrange for you.

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Theme: Other
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$20-40  » Currency Converter
Phone: +27 36 4681133
Directions: Off R600, Central Drakensberg, KwaZulu Natal
Website: http://www.witsend.co.za

Since I was a little girl, and first visited Pilgrim's Rest, I have always wanted to stay at the Royal Hotel.. so it was a dream come true for me to actually stay here... and it was even better than I had hoped for!

We stayed in the annexe to the hotel, which used to be the town's local bank! It has a lovely long balcony that runs down two sides of it.

Inside is a large and comfortable bedroom, with a passageway for a cupboard and place for your suitacses, which leads to a separate WC and a bathroom, with an original old victorian bath.

Service is outstanding - they depend on tourist trade in this town and so they know how to treat their visitors! The hotel includes breakfast in the room cost and it is a lovely breakfast: you can have full english/go the fruit and yoghurt route/go the cereal/muesli route/go the continental ham, cheese and croissant route.

It's all there for you, and you can have as much as you like.

The Royal Hotel restaurant is open for all meals and we had a lovely meal the night before in it as well.. I will write about this in a restaurant tip, as it stands alone from the hotel.

Unique Qualities: This hotel is a space caught in time - buildings are made of tin and materials of the day, as they were during gold rush days... style is Victorian.

I love the typical sunken bath and the old fashioned handbasin.

There is an open fire in your bedroom, and a ceiling fan, as it does get rather hot here during summer!

Tea and coffee facilities are here too, with a complimentary biscuit and old fashioned-styled pamphlet about the area and what you can see and do.

There is also an example of one of the old newspapers of the time, which you can take away, prior to exploring the old town!

Staying here was a wonderful experience and if you are looking for that out-of-the-ordinary experience, this is the place to be!

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$120-180  » Currency Converter
Phone: +27 13 7681100
Address: Main Street, Uptown, Pilgrims Rest, 1290 Mpumalanga
Website: http://www.pilgrimsrest.org.za/royal.htm

We were enroute Kruger National Park to Johannesburg, so only needed one night stayover at this hotel... and we wish we had more time there!

It was such a good hotel!!! The accommodation, huge pool, service, food, gallery artwork... all are to a high standard and worth recommending.

You have the choice of staying in the hotel itself (big building), or in one of the garden rooms... which is what we chose. It's quite Roman in feel... with a central garden with sculptured figurines... surrounded on three sides by the garden rooms.

Each room has tea and coffee facilities, a TV, spacious bathroom, a separate area with a cupboard and space for your suitcase (they cater so well for travellers here!), and the furnishings are contemporary and luxurious.

Unique Qualities: The unique quality lies in it's slogan: "An art gallery you can sleep in..."

... for it is exactly that! There is artwork in the form of paintings, sculptures, woodwork, industrial design, furniture etc. all around you. Whilst you enjoy your breakfast (in front of an open fire), or your dinner... you spend your time looking around at all the incredible artwork.

Most of it is modern and contemporary - there is a really good mix here, from a wide variety of artists.

Each hotel room depicts a certain artist whose paintings are in the room... they then co-ordinate the room furnishings and decor around the paintings colours and style.

They also offer meals to non residents, providing they have the space, so it's worth calling them.. as their food is amazing!

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$80-120  » Currency Converter
Phone: + 27 13 767 1244
Directions: Main Street in Graskop - hard to miss!
Website: http://www.graskophotel.co.za/
Other Contact: graskophotel@mweb.co.za

My all-time favourite, and the world’s number one hotel for a couple of years running:~ The Nellie.

Situated under the shelter of Table Mountain, it is perfectly situated for the Cape Town visitor.

The first thing you notice is its colour. It’s pink! Don’t let that put you off though, this is THE most superb 5 star hotel you could possibly stay in.

The one crucial thing that separates this hotel from other 5 star hotels in Cape Town (and there are quite a few!), is that this one is old-world, coupled with modern convenience and facilities. Other hotels have all the mod cons and ooze sophistication and have world class standards, don’t get me wrong, but The Nellie has the added comfort and warmth. Personal attention.

Even as a mere supplier, I always enjoyed going there, I would be offered tea (free 5 star tea!!!!) in the front room (BEAUUUTIFUL sunny breakfast room!), in the same area as the guests, to go through the latest proposals etc. It has such a warm and welcoming feel, and not only because you are spending your money there!

Many people have their weddings here, and they host a variety of corporate and private functions too. As a supplier of gifting to this hotel I supplied gifts for their rooms, Christmas crackers plus invitations and menus for occasions.

The impressive colonial architecture with grand ballrooms and receptions lends itself well in the way of entertainment.

Unique Qualities: The one occasion that I am most proud of is the when Nelson Mandela had his 79th birthday there in 1998 and I was asked by the then general manager of the Nellie to do his birthday invites for him, as he was having a big party at the hotel.

I did the outer leaves of paper in a thick and rustic handmade paper I specifically made for Mandela, with his name just visible in the pulp here and there. Took some experimenting, but the end result was fabulous! The inside was left blank for security reasons, Mandela's PA was putting the info and guests name etc inside.

So yes, all my memories of this hotel are ones of fondness and warmth. Highly recommended! :)

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: most expensive
Prices: US$180 and up  » Currency Converter
Phone: +27 21 483 1000
Address: 76 Orange Street Cape Town 8001
Website: http://www.mountnelson.co.za/web/ocap/ocap_a1a_splash.jsp
Other Contact: reservations@mountnelson.co.za

The Kruger National Park is a 4 hour drive from Johannesburg, to the east. It is in Mpumalanga province, with it's closest town being Nelspruit.

When visiting the Park you can stay at private lodges and hotels within the park or outside of the park.

We have always stayed at their one of their camps, usually one of the ones in the south part of the park.

Some camps are very commercial, with all the luxuries you might need. Other accommodation is very basic, with paraffin lamps and basic, rustic accommodation.

There are quite a few camps to choose from in the park.

Unique Qualities: All camps have their own flavour and charm.

The luxurious ones will have spas, posh restaurants, swimming pools and all the luxuries.

A less commercialised camp might have a stunning rock pool and basic necessities. No frills but very comfortable.

KNP linen is very good and comfortable, no matter where you stay.

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Theme: Other
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$40-80  » Currency Converter
Phone: +27 (21) 424 1037
Directions: Throughout the KNP
Website: http://www.krugerpark.org/
Other Contact: http://www.sanparks.org/

We got married in a stone chapel in the forest, and had our reception at Hout Bay Manor.

This is in Hout Bay, a sheltered valley about 35 minutes from Cape Town city centre.

We had a perfect day, where everything ran smoothly, thanks to the Manor staff. The service, food and accommodation is excellent here.

We could not fault them at all.

Update October 2006: We (for old times sake) visited the Manor and saw that they have torn down our gorgeous reception room (it was set apart from the hotel itself) and are undergoing further refurbishment and building. I look forward to seeing what they are doing!

Unique Qualities: Nestled at the foot of the Constantiaberg Mountains, this historic Manor was built in 1871. A National Monument, it has recently been restored to its traditional Cape Colonial Heritage.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$80-120  » Currency Converter
Phone: +27 (21) 790 0116
Address: Baviaanskloof Road, , Cape Town, Western Cape
Directions: Drive down the Main Road in Hout Bay, and the Manor will be on your left prior to reaching the beach
Website: www.houtbaymanor.co.za
Other Contact: reservations@houtbaymanor.co.za

The Addo Elephant Game Park is in the Eastern Cape, on the South Coast of South Africa. It's closest city is Port Elizabeth, which is 72kms away.

We came here on honeymoon and absolutely loved it!!!!

We stayed in a thatch-roofed Dutch-colonial styled bungalow, were the last in a row, so we had extra privacy, which was wonderful. We were so close to the animals (fenced off).

It sleeps four, so with just the two of us, it was so spacious!

It has a bathroom (where I made my husband a lovely petal bath), and an open plan living are and kitchen, which led onto the veranda.

Everything was very comfortable, clean and inviting. It was serviced daily with fresh bedding and towels.

They do have a campground area where you can stay too, as well as rondavels which cater for different amounts of people..

For a further look at Addo Elephant Cottages in the Addo Elephant Game Park, look at the link.


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Theme: Other
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$40-80  » Currency Converter
Phone: +27 (0)42 23300556
Directions: Addo Elephant National Park, Eastern Cape
Website: www.addoelephantpark.com

The resorts of Sun City and Lost city are one and the same, and are about a two hour drive out of Johannesburg.

There are shuttle buses that go to and fro Sun City and Johannesburg (these usually pick you up at central hotels in Johannesburg, for example the Sandton Sun Intercontinental Hotel.

There are four hotels in the resort you can stay in, The Cabanas, The Cascades, Sun City Hotel and Lost City Palace. The least expensive is The Cabanas, the most expensive, by far, is the Palace.

Included in your hotel cost is a very generous buffet breakfast, with the highest quality fruit laid on. One thing that South Africa has plenty supply of is excellent quality, succulent fruit :)

Each hotel is fully equipped with all types of facilities. The Cabanas is the least expensive and the one that my brother and his wife's family stay in most often. They go annually.

Of the 3 hotels in Sun City, this is the least formal, and the most relaxed. They have all the facilities you would expect a hotel of this standard to have: Digital TV, television in the rooms, air conditioning (VERY important for this part of the world! The bushveld in South Africa is hot and dry)

It has 380 rooms and leads down to Waterworld.

The Lost City Palace is far more luxurious and has everything you could possibly need at hand for your pleasure.

For more information on Sun City & Lost City Hotels and other leisure activities at the Lost City and Sun City, please look at the link.


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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$120-180  » Currency Converter
Phone: 27.14.557-1000
Address: Sun City Resort
Website: http://www.suninternational.com/resorts/suncity/