Soak away the mid-year stresses or the winter blues in a hot bath with a view. We’re highlighting a few of our favourite South Africa accommodation venues that all boast an irresistible Bath With A View that will soothe, uplift and inspire.
Here are our favourite spots where you can #BathWithAView
Wild & Free Game Lodge – Waterberg
Wild & Free takes bathing to the next level, with its outdoor baths that are perched right in the wild heart of the Waterberg bushveld. Sip on a glass of cold bubbly or a hot chocolate as you feel the strain of everyday life melting into the clean mountain air. The chalets are exclusive and inviting, and the lodge offers prime Big Five game viewing.
Shepherd’s Tree Game Lodge Pilanesberg
Let bath salts or bubbles do the work while you lie back and watch the life in the Pilanesberg bushveld below. This five-star game lodge has made use of plenty of glass around the ” Bath With A View” to maximise the fantastic vistas. Beautifully appointed suites and world-class game viewing making this an ideal spot for a revitalising retreat.
Prana Lodge – Wild Coast
This five-star hotel in Cintsa is all about luxury and spoils. So, it’s no surprise that the bath invites you to lay back and soak up gorgeous views for the ultimate in relaxation. There are also two private spa pavilions on site, as well as opulent features in the suites. The area has stunning trails through the indigenous bush and unspoilt beaches for the ultimate retreat.
RockFig Safari Lodge
A very special getaway awaits guests of RockFig Safari Lodge, adjacent to the Kruger National Park. World-class game drives and dining are all part of the experience. After a full day of exploring or making the most of the amenities, settle into a steaming bubble bath that overlooks nothing but the raw wonderland of the African bush.
Grootbos Private Nature Reserve
After a day spent exploring the utter beauty of Gansbaai and its private beaches, come back to Grootbos and revitalise mind and body in a steaming bath. The views of the blue Atlantic Ocean and the verdant vegetation of the Overberg are exquisite. Time your bath right to experience one of the impressive sunsets over the ocean. You may even spot the whales during the second half of the year.
Ant’s Hill – Waterberg
Bathe beneath the clear blue skies of Africa with only the fresh smell of the Waterberg bush to clear your mind. This is the perfect bush retreat for the whole family. Because it’s been built right on the cliff, the views are particularly incredible. To make the most of them, the bath is perched right on the very edge.
Buffelsdrift Game Lodge
Glamp in style just outside Oudtshoorn when you stay in one of these luxurious tents, which are perched right on the water. Although the bath is inside the tent, it is placed right in front of a flap that can be opened to reveal lovely views of the dam. There is an on-site restaurant and an open-air bar to make the best use of the pristine Karoo views.
Jock Safari Lodge – Kruger National Park
The Kruger National Park is special for so many reasons. But, Jock Safari Lodge adds a new dimension to how special it is by inviting guests to bath under the stars. The ball-and-claw bath is on a private thatched viewing deck, along with a plunge pool and outdoor shower. After a day spent on safari, unwind in this gorgeous setting in a Bath With A View.
Dover on Sea B&B
This B & B makes the most of its prime positioning on the Garden Route by using plenty of glass. And the bath is no exception. It stands in the corner, from where the views of the Indian Ocean are spectacular. Watch out for whales between May and December while you soak away the worries of the world.
Magoebaskloof Birders Cottages
When you can tear yourself away from the cosy suites, retreat to the bathtub nestled in the greenery of the Magoebaskloof for the ultimate in tranquillity. Sharing your company only with the resident bird life (which is particularly impressive), this is the perfect way to relax and take in the tranquillity.
Sani Valley Lodge
It’s hard to beat a gorgeous game lodge in the Drakensberg, and Sani Valley Lodge certainly doesn’t disappoint. In addition to its elegant suites and spectacular views, the tub is conveniently located right at a massive bath-level window so that these views can be enjoyed from the bubbles.
Pezulu Tree House Lodge
Relish all of the luxury of an exclusive tree house lodge, right in the heart of Limpopo’s Valley of the Olifants. The Honeymoon Suite has a sunken bath with a view of the bush, while other suites have outdoor showers for a rustic African experience. Head to the bush for an authentic African safari in the mornings and late afternoons, and then soak off the dust in an irresistible hot bath or shower.
Mamagalie Mountain Lodge
A bath at Mamagalie is less about immersing your body in hot water and more about immersing yourself in the African bushveld. This mountain lodge has spectacular views of the Buffelspoort Valley and these are best enjoyed from the double bath, which is surrounded by glass.
Nambiti Plains Private Game Lodge
The bath at Nambiti Plains Private Game Lodge claims a prime spot – right in front of massive glass doors that open up (concertina-style) onto views of the KwaZulu-Natal landscape. Wrap-around decking overlooks the watering hole and the fantastic wildlife that frequents it.
Star of the Sea Villa
This villa in Wilderness is all about celebrating breath-taking seascapes, and bath-time is no exception. The bathtub has been put right below a large window so that the crashing of the waves onto the biscuit-coloured sands can be enjoyed in peace. There is also a plunge pool, small garden, indoor fireplace, and braai facilities at this gorgeous retreat.
Zvakanaka Farm
If bathing to the backing track of the Limpopo bushveld appeals to you, Zvakanaka Farm may just be the perfect escape. The bath is irresistibly nestled beneath the trees and the African sky. The lodging is authentically African and the farm is surrounded by trails that range from easy walks to steeper climbs to the top of the surrounding cliffs.
Thornwood
Set amongst the stunning greenery of Zululand, this four-star private retreat has made a feature of its bath – positioning it right at a massive window overlooking the natural bush. At night, sit around the fire pit outside and listen to the sounds of Zululand before heading back in for a bath set against the star-speckled night sky.
Ellerman House Villas
Bantry Bay is known for two things – opulent homes and a near-perfect setting. Ellerman House is a testimony to both of these. After a day spent exploring the Mother City or tanning on the beaches, sink into a hot bath and savour the views.
Tanagra Wine and Guest Farm
Enjoy the ultimate in tranquillity deep in the Breede River Valley when you visit the beautiful Tanagra Wine and Guest Farm. Surrounded by fynbos, vineyards and mountains, some of the units offer a bath with majestic views. The extensive use of glass in the bathroom has achieved a seamless natural experience.
Impodimo Game Lodge
Perched on a rocky ridge over the Madikwe Game Reserve, Impodimo really relishes in the beauty of the African countryside. The bath is right at the doors to the patio, which extends over the bush to allow you to savour a view that is both serene and dramatic.
Etali Safari Lodge
The Etali Safari Lodge offers visitors an authentic African safari with lashings of luxury. Each suite has an en-suite bathroom and the bath is conveniently situated below the window. From here, the sound of the birds and the fresh air of the bushveld are a fantastic accompaniment to a long bath.
Tau Game Lodge
After an afternoon spent spotting the Big Five on game drives, run a hot bath and unwind to the backing track of the veld. This lodge also has a communal game viewing lounge, from where guests can watch as countless species pass by. Tau is situated in the Madikwe Game Lodge in the North West Province.
Madikwe Safari Lodge
The Madikwe Safari Lodge is where opulent accommodation and the wildest of African wildlife converge. The bath is cleverly located to make the most out of the views of the rolling plains and the impressive hills all around. There is also a private deck and plunge pool for visitors to get a real taste of this memorable destination.
Makumu Private Game Lodge
This spectacular game lodge in the Klaserie Nature Reserve is very special; not only for its wildlife, but also for its chic accommodation. What’s more, the spacious bath is separated from the bush only by a seamless wall of glass. Can you feel that? That’s the feeling of all your stress melting away.
Cederberg Ridge Wilderness Lodge
The Cederberg promises dramatic landscapes that root themselves firmly in your heart and memories. The Cederberg Wilderness Lodge in Clanwilliam offers bedrooms and baths with breath-taking views of this magical place. With its modern African look and feel, it is an inviting spoil.
Ghost Mountain Inn
This intimate hotel enjoys a beautiful setting – right at the foot of Ghost Mountain, rich in its legendary reputation. And, to make the most of this glorious beauty, the bath sits right in front of concertina glass doors, which open to allow for spectacularly uninterrupted views of the Elephant Coast vegetation.
Oubaai Hotel Golf & Spa
There are few better ways to recover from a day spent on the award-winning greens and fairways of Oubaai than by relaxing in the warm water of an indulgent bath. Oubaai Hotel has placed its guests’ baths in front of floor-to-ceiling glass panels to let the views do all the hard work.
Willinga Lodge
With its distinctly tropical paradise setting, it’s no wonder that the bath at Willinga Lodge is almost right in the garden itself. There is, in fact, a wall between the bath and the garden, but you wouldn’t know it from the spectacular views. The Luxury Suites have outdoor showers too.
Headlands House Guest Lodge
For absolutely extraordinary views of the Indian Ocean, there are few better vantage points than The Heads in Knysna. Headlands House is perched high up on the mountain, and the views from the bath rival some of the finest anywhere else along the Garden Route. This four-star B & B also has a cliff-edge swimming pool for hot summer days.
Forest Valley Cottages
Knysna is all about mountains and forests, and the comfortable Forest Valley Cottages are perched right amidst all of this splendour. Some cottages have baths with an elevated view of the valley and vegetation; the perfect place to unwind after a day exploring the Garden Route.
Galagos Lodge
Whether you’re after a bath in the garden or one overlooking Hartbeespoort Dam from the spacious bathroom, Galagos Lodge has a suite to suit you. This lodge is a secluded getaway from the fast pace of the big city and boasts pretty vistas of the Magaliesberg Mountains and the dam.
On the Beach Guesthouse
The double showers and centre bath of some of the suites in this four-star beach house all have spectacular views of the beaches that are acclaimed worldwide for their excellent surfing conditions. There is direct beach access and a spot to enjoy sundowners with the sand on your toes.
Auberge du Cap
Surrounded by Camps Bay, the Atlantic Ocean, and the iconic mountains of Cape Town, there is no doubt that the baths in some of the guest rooms here are world-class. They have been placed to take full advantage of the uninterrupted vistas. All of this luxury is only minutes away from major attractions that include Table Mountain and the V & A Waterfront.
umVangati House
umVangati House is perfectly nestled in the Blyde River Canyon on the Panorama Route. This area is renowned for its absolutely gorgeous setting, and this elegant hotel takes full advantage by using light and space to celebrate these surrounds. The spacious corner bathtub is surrounded by glass panels to ensure the best views during your soak.
The Gorge Private Game Lodge & Spa
This five-star game lodge sits above the Oribi Gorge and celebrates its untouched beauty and its impressive scale. The double-volume glass promises unhindered views; and the big bath is ideally placed right at the edge of the room, giving anyone that’s indulging in a hot bath the feeling of being on top of the world.
Elandela Lodge
Outdoor showers and spa baths in front of massive glass panels are just part of the Elandela Lodge magic. This lodge is set in the gorgeous African bushveld of Hoedspruit in the greater Kruger National Park area, this is the ultimate place to unwind and enjoy the wild serenity of South Africa.
Lazuli Bush Lodge
This discreet lodge is a wonderful testimony to the tranquillity of the bushveld. It is perched right amongst the trees, and two massive glass doors next to the bath can open onto this countryside for an outdoors-indoors effect. There are walking trails through the bush, as well as a private swimming pool and a fireplace.
Timamoon Lodge
Sabie is an exquisite part of South Africa, and Timamoon Lodge enjoys its prime location right in the heart of the forest. The Many Moons suite has a stunning corner bath with views of the trees and plants that make this such a scenic retreat for anyone that needs time away from the big city. Sabie promises incredible sightseeing and safari packages for those that are looking for adventure.
Kanonkop House
Nestled right in the indigenous forests of Knysna, Kanonkop also boasts lovely views of The Heads and the Knysna Lagoon. The bedrooms, living areas and bathrooms have been designed to make the most of these views, set in front of sprawling glass doors and walls to let the outside right in.
Garden Route Game Lodge
Come to a game lodge where the biggest decision you’ll have to make is whether to bath in the tub with a magnificent view of the bush or in a bath that is nestled in the bush itself. With the Langeberg Mountain Range as your backdrop, you’ll be hard pressed to remember the stresses of city living. This lodge is less than an hour from Mossel Bay and about four hours from Cape Town.
Settlers Drift Lodge
Deep in the Kariega wilderness is this exclusive lodge, which is committed to bringing all of the raw, untouched beauty of the landscape into the luxury of the suites. The free-standing bath is situated right on the doorstep of the bushveld. For those that want an even closer encounter with the outdoors, there is a shower outside.
