Best Design Hotels in South Africa

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

As the name would suggest, this boutique establishment has strong French connections, as seen in the classic, fresh approach to the rooms’ decor. Its restaurant, Protégé, offers an on-trend dining experience, with small plates calling on Asian, French and Italian influences. Diners can watch the chefs at work via the interior’s central show kitchen, or take advantage of the balmy South African evenings with a meal on the terrace. Guests can also enjoy a meal at the intimate Épice. Leeu Spa by Healing Earth provides wellness treatments using local natural resources, such as the Pinotage grape, which contains many therapeutic properties.

Found in the Morningside district of the city, Fairlawns (once a manor house) places guests a little further away from the centre, in a leafy, residential area. The 42 suites and large villa make up the guest accommodation, with a homely meets contemporary-grand look. Meanwhile, the spa area has a Balinese theme, with Asian-inspired treatments. Outside, a pool area is flanked by plush loungers and tropical-style foliage. And when it comes to dining, guests can choose from the fine dining Amuse-Bouche, Manor House Bistro, Into the Woods and the Muse Champagne Room, the latter created in association with the French Champagne house, Perrier-Jouët.

Labotessa, opened in Cape Town in 2019 and has firmly positioned itself as one of the region’s leading boutique hotels. The hotel comprises just eight suites, and perfectly encapsulates European charm. Guests are presented with an elegant blend of its 17th Century heritage along with sleek modern design showcased in large open plan living spaces whilst impeccable service and exceptional attention to detail form part of the hotel’s many finest attributes. Labotessa is also home to the largest Presidential Suite in the city, which spans 310 square metres and delivers unrivalled views of the historic setting and mountain backdrop. Located in Church Square, adjacent to the historic Groote Kerk, the oldest Christian church in South Africa, the hotel offers easy access to Cape Town’s endless attractions and hotspots; including the city’s creative bars and restaurants, the vibrant V&A Waterfront, the extraordinary cultural attractions including Iziko South African Museum and Zeitz MOCAA (Museum of Contemporary Art Africa), and the famous African sunsets at the city’s beaches.

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.