Best Luxury Hotels in South Africa

Located within the bushveld of northern KwaZulu-Natal, around a four-and-a-half-hour drive from Durban and 280 miles from Johannesburg, lies Vikela Safari Lodge, Club Med’s first-ever safari lodge and wilder half of its triumphant new South African holiday experience, Club Med South Africa Beach & Safari. Surrounded by an 18,000-hectare private game reserve exclusively for Club Med guests, 75 safari tents in couple and family configurations look out across savannah landscapes. Two game drives a day head out in search of the big five, and best of all, it’s all-inclusive, meaning food, drink, experiences and transfers are all combined. Unique to safari lodges, it also welcomes families with its own kids’ club and adults-only spaces. Enjoyed as part of a stay at Club Med’s main hotel just outside Durban, it combines two South African luxury holiday experiences into one trip.

Sitting on a curved sweep of pristine beach on the Dolphin Coast, half an hour north of Durban, you will find Club Med’s latest hotel opening, Club Med South Africa Beach & Safari. Set within a former sugarcane plantation, 411 rooms and suites sit across a 32-hectare oceanfront estate, along with four outdoor temperature-controlled pools, multiple bars and dining experiences, a Sothys spa, alongside the first Club Med surf school anywhere in the world, and best of all, it’s all-inclusive, so one fixed price covers your room, dining, drinks, and the vast majority of activities. And the very clever part? You can pair the experience with Vikela Safari Lodge, Club Med’s brand-new safari lodge set within an 18,000-hectare private game reserve, a four-and-a-half-hour drive inland, to combine two incredible South African experiences into one single luxury holiday.

Converted from an Edwardian era mansion, Ellerman House offers a pristine view of the Atlantic Ocean and littoral. It is right by Clifton beach, and only a few kilometres away from both Cape Town city centre and Table Mountain National Park. Every room offers you heated floors, a flat-screen TV and a minibar. The more premium rooms come with a balcony, antique furniture, and an ocean view, as well as a private lounge and dining areas. The villas include a private pool and your own staff. Free to every guest is parking, breakfast and a shuttle, as well as a pantry and cocktails in the evening. The restaurant offers food that comes straight from farm to table. You can also take advantage of the spa, art gallery and outdoor pool.

Set on 30 acres of private land, this five-star hotel is flanked by majestic mountains, with a backdrop of Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz vineyards, olive groves and plum orchards. The main building houses 11 suites designed for couples, while five further suites for families and groups are accommodated on the grounds. Each has been individually styled by Liz Biden, incorporating grand mirrors, chandeliers hung from beamed ceilings, exotic antiques and velvet and silk textiles. Meals are also lavish at La Residence, and are either formally served in the Great Hall or alfresco at the Persian Alley. The hotel has an award-winning spa too.

Famed as the property in which Nelson Mandela stayed following his release from prison, this was the place in which he put the finishing touches to his autobiography. It was then a private family home, now it’s a boutique hotel with 10 acres of grounds, an infinity pool and a spa. Even after this change in ownership, it was visited by the South African President – a suite has been named and designed in his honour. The hotel and spa have a strong, stylish modern African theme throughout. Guests receive 24-hour butler service and can dine in two restaurants, both serving authentic local cuisine.

Steyn City Hotel by Saxon is situated in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg within the lavish Steyn City lifestyle resort. The hotel is comprised of 50 luxurious one- and two-bedroom apartments in addition to the three-bedroom Penthouse and four-bedroom Presidential Suite. There is a range of dining venues throughout the resort to choose from, offering a variety of cuisines. Guests can take advantage of the hotel’s scenic rooftop pool and enjoy access to the rejuvenating Saxon Spa at Steyn City where you can indulge in unique treatments. There are plenty of leisure activities to keep you entertained throughout your stay including a Jack Nicklaus design championship golf course and a 300m lagoon, perfect for water sports. The Clubhouse Gym overlooks the golf course and the river while there are padel courts and walking routes available for you to keep active during your holiday.

Morea House is a luxurious hotel inspired by its picturesque surroundings and is the first Autograph Collection property in Cape Town. Set in a lively Camps Bay neighbourhood, on one of the city’s most iconic stretches of coastline, the hotel is located between the turquoise waters of the Atlantic and the impressive Twelve Apostles mountains. There are 90 lavishly appointed guestrooms and suites overlooking the ocean, mountains, and beaches. Guests can dine on site in any of the distinct dining venues including: OMRI where modern Lebanese cuisine is served with a South African twist on a beach-front terrace; Morea House Pool Restaurant where seasonal favourites are served poolside, overlooking the sea; The Courtyard for a tranquil afternoon tea; or The Wine Room for a bespoke private tasting. Wellness is a priority at Morea House with an array of daily rituals and curated activities to complement the state-of-the-art facilities including the indulgent spa. The spa offers signature treatments, a thermal circuit, and sound therapy to help guests completely unwind.

One & Only is a high-end option for the distinguished traveller. Located on the busy waterfront with views of Table Mountain, this hotel is only a short walk from the Cape Town Diamond Museum. Every room at The One & Only Cape Town has free WiFi, a flat-screen TV, and a private balcony, and some also offer kitchens, a fireplace and even a butler. One & Only Cape Town features a famed Japanese restaurant and also includes a pool, spa and fitness centre.

Westcliff village is an affluent district and it’s here that the Four Seasons established their hotel. Set on a hillside and surrounded by gardens, fountains and courtyards, the accommodation is stylish, with classic hints and nods to African culture. The restaurant, Flames, serves fine regionally inspired dishes (including braai food) and has a terrace offering far-reaching views. There’s also an alfresco spa lounge, where guests can order lighter bites and healthy dishes. The spa itself provides harmonising relaxation experiences, with a dreamy 25-metre adults-only lap pool. Families have their own pool area to enjoy, as well as excellent facilities catering to children.

The Silo is an option for those looking for something a little quirky and different, but equally luxurious: converted from an early 20th-century grain elevator, this hotel sits by the harbour with a panoramic mountain view. Each room offers its own unique decor and antique furniture, as well as a balcony, chandelier and free WiFi. Breakfast is free. Guests can enjoy the in house spa and gym, plus the rooftop restaurant and outdoor pool.

In the vein of a posh villa, this lovely hotel is only 15 minutes away from the middle of Cape Town. With gentle colours and marble fixtures in the bathrooms, the rooms at Belmont Mount Nelson offer a sumptuous experience. With some rooms, you can get a view of Table Top Mountain, a balcony, a 4 poster bed, a private kitchen, and even your own little courtyard. Diners can enjoy Mediterranean style dinner, or British style afternoon tea, as well as visit the gym, spa and two outdoor pools.

Leeu House is a sister hotel to Le Quartier Francais, benefiting from access to the same holistic wellness sanctuary and gym. It’s set in the village centre and has its own relaxed restaurant, The Conservatory – a light-filled, glass-ceilinged construction, with an additional alfresco terrace for mealtimes and drinks. The building looks and feels much like a contemporary country retreat, with a quaint white frontage, a roaring fire in the bar lounge, a convivial pool area and individually styled carpeted bedrooms in natural hues. It has just 12 bedrooms, ensuring a boutique, five-star experience.