Hotels
Best hotels in South Africa: where to stay, from Cape Town to the Winelands
When the cloud settles over Table Mountain like a tablecloth, Cape Town goes quiet for a moment, then the sun breaks through again over the harbour. An hour away the Winelands spread out, white gabled farms between the mountains, and along the coast whales come close to shore in winter. South Africa has some of the world's best hotels, and most of them are in and around Cape Town.
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South Africa is a big country, and most trips are built around three areas: Cape Town and the Winelands, the Garden Route coastal road heading east, and safari in the north-east around Kruger. You fly or drive long stretches between them. Durban on the east coast has warm sea, and Johannesburg is the gateway to the north.
We have chosen ten hotels across five areas, from the pink classic below Table Mountain to a farm stay among the vines, and we say who each one suits. All score highly with guests on Hotels.com. Our links go there, and the hotel is always chosen before the link. The safari lodges around Kruger have too few reviews on Hotels.com to meet our standard, so we cover them in a separate safari article.
Short answer: where to stay in South Africa
Spend three or four nights in Cape Town, at the V&A Waterfront or in Gardens below Table Mountain, and add two nights in the Winelands at Stellenbosch or Franschhoek. For safari, fly on to the Kruger area.
Best for romance: Delaire Graff Lodges & Spa
Best for families: One&Only Cape Town
Best for first-timers: Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel
Best for food and wine: Babylonstoren
Best for nature: Tintswalo Atlantic
How to choose the right hotel in South Africa
Cape Town: the V&A Waterfront is convenient and safe, with restaurants and boats. Gardens and the City Bowl sit below Table Mountain, and Camps Bay and Hout Bay are the Atlantic beaches.
The Winelands: Stellenbosch and Franschhoek are under an hour from Cape Town. Book a driver or a tour so you don't have to drive after tastings.
The Garden Route: the coastal road east from Mossel Bay to Plettenberg Bay. Knysna sits halfway, with its lagoon and forests.
Driving: cars drive on the left and roads are good. Avoid driving after dark outside the cities.
Power cuts: scheduled load-shedding can happen. Large hotels have their own generators, so you will barely notice.
Wind: the south-easterly, known as the Cape Doctor, often blows hard in Cape Town in summer. Hotels with sheltered pools and indoor spas make windy days easier.
The garden and pool
The garden and pool at Mount Nelson.
Cape Town: beneath Table Mountain
Cape Town lies between Table Mountain and the sea, with the V&A Waterfront by the harbour and the beaches along the Atlantic coast. It is the natural starting point for most visitors.
Mount Nelson: the pink classic
Mount Nelson opened in 1899 and stands in large gardens in the Gardens district, right below Table Mountain. Its pink facade is famous across the country, and afternoon tea in its lounges is an institution.
This is our first-timer pick, with history, gardens and a pool in the middle of the city. The style is classic and a little formal. From the garden you can walk to the restaurants on Kloof Street in minutes.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel
The view
The view of Table Mountain from One&Only Cape Town.
One&Only Cape Town: the island at the Waterfront
One&Only sits beside the canals of the V&A Waterfront, with Table Mountain views from many rooms. The spa is on its own small island, and there is a large pool and a kids' club.
This is our family pick, with space, a pool and the Waterfront on the doorstep. It is a large, modern hotel with plenty of guests. Boats to Robben Island leave from the harbour nearby.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at One&Only Cape Town
The harbour
The marina in front of Cape Grace with Table Mountain behind.
Cape Grace: a private quay in the harbour
Cape Grace stands on its own quay between the marina and the yacht basin at the Waterfront, with boats right outside the windows. The hotel has been recently refurbished, with colours and patterns drawn from the Cape.
It suits couples who want to be at the Waterfront but a little apart. It is smaller and quieter than One&Only. Walk along the harbour in the evening as the lights come on in the boats.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Cape Grace
The pool
The pool facing the ocean at Tintswalo Atlantic.
Tintswalo Atlantic: suites on the rocks at Hout Bay
Tintswalo Atlantic stands alone by the sea below Chapman's Peak, inside the Table Mountain National Park. The suites are on terraces above the rocks, with the waves breaking right below.
This is our nature pick, for couples who want to fall asleep to the sea. The road down is steep and winding, and there is no beach, only rocks. In winter you may spot whales from the deck.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Tintswalo Atlantic
The estate
The hotel at Steenberg with the mountains behind.
Steenberg Hotel & Spa: a wine estate in Constantia
Steenberg is on one of the oldest farms in the Cape, in Constantia south of the centre. It has vineyards, a golf course and a spa, and the buildings are in Cape Dutch style with white gables.
It suits travellers who want wine tasting without driving far from the city. The Waterfront is half an hour away, and the False Bay beaches are closer. The estate restaurant is worth a visit in its own right.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Steenberg Hotel & Spa
A lodge pool
A private pool at one of the lodges at Delaire Graff.
The Winelands: Stellenbosch and Franschhoek
East of Cape Town lie valleys of vineyards, mountains and old farmhouses. Stellenbosch is the university town, and Franschhoek is the small town with a big restaurant scene.
Delaire Graff Lodges & Spa: lodges above the valley
Delaire Graff sits high on the Helshoogte Pass between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, with lodges that have their own pools and views over the vines. The estate is full of art and has two restaurants.
This is our romantic pick, for a special occasion. It is among the most expensive hotels in the country. Sit on the terrace at sunset, when the mountains turn red.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Delaire Graff Lodges & Spa
The cottages
The whitewashed cottages at Babylonstoren at dusk.
Babylonstoren: cottages in the garden
Babylonstoren is an old farm in the Franschhoek valley with a huge garden growing fruit, vegetables and herbs. Guests stay in whitewashed cottages, and the restaurant cooks with produce from the garden.
It suits food lovers who want a rural stay. The garden draws many day visitors, but guests have their own areas. Walk the garden early, before the visitors arrive.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Babylonstoren
The main building
The main building and reflecting pool at Pezula.
The Garden Route: Knysna
The Garden Route is the coastal road heading east from Cape Town, with lagoons, forests and long beaches. Knysna is about halfway along.
Pezula Nature Retreat: on the cliffs at Knysna
Pezula sits on the cliffs east of the Knysna lagoon, surrounded by a golf course and a nature reserve. Rooms are spacious and look out over the sea or the forest.
It suits travellers driving the Garden Route who want a couple of quiet nights on the way. It is some distance from town. The beaches below the cliffs are lovely to walk at low tide.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Pezula Nature Retreat
The lighthouse
The terrace by the lighthouse outside The Oyster Box.
Durban and Johannesburg: the east coast and the city in the north
Durban has the warm Indian Ocean all year, and Johannesburg is the country's largest city and the gateway to safari in the north-east.
The Oyster Box: the lighthouse at Umhlanga
The Oyster Box sits on the beach at Umhlanga north of Durban, right beside the red and white lighthouse. It is known for its curry buffet and has pools facing the ocean.
It suits travellers who want warm water and a classic beach hotel. The surf can be big, but the beach has lifeguards. Walk the promenade in the morning.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at The Oyster Box
The pool
The pool at Saxon Hotel at dusk.
Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa: calm in Johannesburg
Saxon stands in large gardens in Sandhurst, a leafy suburb of Johannesburg. It was here that Nelson Mandela worked on his autobiography after his release, and the suites are large with private terraces.
It suits travellers heading on safari who want a couple of calm nights before or after. Johannesburg needs a car or driver. The Apartheid Museum is well worth a visit.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa
When to book
October to April: summer in Cape Town and high season. Christmas and New Year are the most expensive.
May to September: winter and rain in Cape Town, but low prices and whale season along the coast. The dry season brings the best safari in the north.
Durban: warm all year, best from May to September when it is drier.
Frequently asked questions about hotels in South Africa
Where should I stay in Cape Town?
The V&A Waterfront is safe and convenient. Gardens below Table Mountain is good for restaurants and city life, and Camps Bay for the beach.
How many nights should I spend in the Winelands?
Two nights is enough for a few wine estates and some good meals. Three makes for a slower trip.
Where are the safari lodges?
The best safari lodges are in the private reserves around Kruger. Read more in our article on safari in South Africa.
Is it safe to stay in hotels in South Africa?
The hotels on our list are in safe areas. Take a taxi or app after dark and keep valuables out of sight.
How long is the flight from the UK?
Direct flights from London to Cape Town take around eleven and a half hours, and there is little time difference.
Can I combine Cape Town and safari in one trip?
Yes, it is the most popular route. Flights from Cape Town to the Kruger area take about two and a half hours. Allow at least three nights on safari.