Luxury in South Africa ~ Some of The Best Luxury Hotels, Guest Houses and Lodges in South Africa … Go on – treat yourself!
Prana Lodge ~ Cintsa East, Wild Coast
This private beach lodge and spa lies on 21 km of unspoilt beachfront on the Wild Coast, your immediate surrounds a series of indigenous gardens, whilst a walkway takes you down to the beach.
Think supping on local oysters whilst sipping champagne as you watch the sun set, your nights spent in suites that feature Persian rugs, luxury linens and oversize bathrooms.
Thonga Beach Lodge ~Lake Sibaya, Elephant Coast
This intimate coastal lodge, nestled into a coastal sand dune, lies within the iSimangaliso World Heritage Park with access to wilderness beaches, coastal forests and lakes.
It’s snorkelling and scuba diving heaven. Sleeps 38 in 12 thatched units in amongst dune forest on raised wooden stilts based on traditional Thonga fishing villages.
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge ~ Hluhluwe, Zululand
This contemporary lodge is part-owned by the local Mpembeni community and the first private facility in the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Reserve, established to protect the once endangered white rhino.
It’s a wildlife enthusiast’s heaven. Sleeps 44 in 18 rooms high up on a ridge with views out over the reserve. Two of these are honeymoon suites.
Harbour Bridge Hotel ~ Roggebaai Canal, V&A Waterfront
Set on the fringe of the V&A Waterfront in the heart of Cape Town, the Harbour Bridge Hotel has a fresh water canal running through it and 360 degree views of Cape Town, its mountain and harbour.
Details: 40 luxury rooms and 19 suites, a 6th floor pool and sundeck, and cocktail bar and lounge.
Ibis House ~ Constantia, Cape Town
Situated in a seven acre garden paradise in Constantia, Ibis House offers understated colonial-style luxury just moments from the Constantia Wine Route’s estates, and Steenberg golf course.
Details: sleeps 20 guests in a luxury suite, king room, garden room, a cottage, studio and various bedrooms suites.
Klein Bosheuwel Guest House ~ Constantia, Cape Town
This beautiful guest house lies just outside Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens on the slopes of Table Mountain in a 2.5 acre garden of its own, with towering oaks, camphors and silver trees.
It’s the views from the bedrooms, and the garden’s birds, that steal the show. Details: sleeps 10 in various en-suite bedrooms.
The Peech Hotel ~ Melrose, Johannesburg
This small hotel in Johannesburg describes itself as ‘swish and sexy’ and we couldn’t agree more. It’s aimed at trendy travellers after a contemporary style space, so don’t expect frills and fluff.
Do expect iPod docking stations and a bistro restaurant. Details: 13 bedrooms and 3 suites, a champagne bar, and access to Planet Fitness gym.
The Munro Hotel ~ Houghton Estate, Johannesburg
You’re right in the heart of Sandton and overlooking one of the world’s largest urban forests. The Hotel is surrounded by waterfalls, exotic plants and panoramic views of the garden city.
Details: With only five luxurious suites sleeping a maximum of ten guests, 5 star service and gourmet cuisine, you’re guaranteed to feel indulged and very spoilt ~ Luxury in South Africa.
Sandbona Wildlife Reserve ~ Barrydale, Karoo
This Karoo wildlife reserve is 54 000 hectares of mountains, plains, rock formations and rock art. Its stark beauty, and promise of a complete escape from it all, is made all the more tantalising by the presence of the only free self sustaining white lions in the world.
Details: a tented lodge in a horseshoe bend, a lodge with views over the Anysberg Mountains, and Tilney Manor sleep 66 guests in 33 units.
Dawsons Game Lodge ~ Barberton, Mpumalanga
This game and trout lodge lies where the last remnant of the Great Rift Valley forms an escarpment, separating highveld and lowveld from one another. It’s an area of mountains, streams and waterfalls.
Details: sleeps 16 in 8 en-suite luxury rooms with Victorian-style bathrooms. There is a spa and fishing, bird watching, hikes and walks.
L’Ermitage ~ Franschhoek, Cape Winelands
Set in amongst the fynbos of the slopes of the Franschhoek Pass, L’ermitage is a combination of 36 private villas and the five-star boutique hotel, Chateau de Pré.
Details: the villas are either one-bedroom or two-bedroom, each with its own kitchen, although the village includes its own restaurant.
Grand Dédale ~ Wellington, Cape Winelands
This estate lies in the long valley below Bainskloof Pass in a series of landscaped gardens.
Details: the manor house includes 6 spacious rooms with all the elements you’ve come to expect from a luxury stay, and there is a restored thatched stone cottage that dates back to 1707. Cap Classique breakfasts are standard.
Kanonkop House, Knysna, Garden Route
This 5-star guest house lies in an indigenous forest with views of the Knysna lagoon and Heads. It’s Paradise room was rated the ‘best room in Knysna’ in Frommer’s, Luxury in South Africa.
Sleeps 12 in 5 bedrooms, each furnished by an award-winning local designer. The penthouse suite has a private wooden deck and view of the forest.
Hog Hollow Country Lodge ~ Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route
You will feel a little as if you’ve died and gone to heaven in this private nature reserve on the edge of indigenous forest, with incredible views over the Tsitsikamma Mountains and surrounding valleys.
Details: sleeps 44 in 16 different African themed suites accented with bright fabrics, African artifacts and local wood. The Villa lies on the edge of a forest verge.
Lairds Lodge ~ Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route
This Cape Dutch homestead lies on a 24-acre estate with mountain views, koi ponds, verandas and courtyards.
Details: sleeps 34 in 17 en-suite rooms – four of them through a small courtyard, and two in the original stables. They plan daily outings along the Garden Route for you.
Shumbalala Game Lodge ~ Thornybush Game Reserve
Think soft leather couches, warm fireside evenings in winter, a unique underground cellar in full view of the waterhole – come home to the welcome of this luxurious lodge after an uplifting experience in the bush, your senses inspired by all that is nature.
Details: Only 12 guests in 5 luxury suites, all in a setting designed by nature and pampering designed by man. This is the ultimate in Luxury in South Africa.
