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May 23, 2025

Three Of The Most High-End Hotels In South Africa You Should Try On Your Next Trip

South Africa often flies under the radar as a luxury destination, but we’ve got the low-down on all the luxury stays that you simply have to try to experience the best of this stunning country.

 

South Africa is known worldwide as one of the premier wildlife vacation destinations. Thanks to the abundance of protected areas in the country, safari tourism is what most people know it for, but South Africa has a lot to offer that doesn’t center solely on wildlife experiences, and that includes a wide selection of extremely high-end hotels.

Whether they come in the form of somewhere expected, like a safari lodge looking out over pale grasslands and rolling hills, or a refined, upmarket hotel complex well hidden near Cape Town’s illustrious Waterfront shopping district, South Africa’s best hotels will exceed all of your expectations, and then some.

Here are three of the most luxurious hotels in the country.

Phinda Private Game Reserve

Phinda Private Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal 3936

70,560 acres of pristine wilderness is what you’ll find inside Phinda Private Game Reserve. This truly is what “the middle of nowhere” feels like, and since the reserve is so remote, it’s a huge convenience that Phinda has a private airstrip perfect for a private jet. Your African experience begins from the second you enter the property or disembark from our jet: animal sightings galore await. Warthogs, zebras, giraffes, and sometimes even a member or two of the Big Five can be spotted before you even make it to the lodge.

This gorgeous game reserve accommodation is made up of six suites, each seeming to rise out of the very landscape and crafted in adobe and stone. Each of these suites has a private outdoor deck where guests can soak in the magnificent surroundings and a plunge pool that takes the edge off of the extremely hot late spring and summer months. Ensuite bathrooms are replete with everything you could need to feel cleansed and refreshed, but don’t ignore the outdoor shower for a one-of-a-kind experience. It’s not just about the surroundings and the high luxury that every suite offers, though: the meals and beverages at andBeyond are uniquely South African and something truly special. From the afternoon Amarulas (African cream and marula liquor) to lavish, multi-course dinners and biltong (dried meat) snacks, food and drink aren’t just sustenance here.

One of the main reasons to visit a location like this is, of course, the game drives. Thanks to the reserve’s proximity to both fresh and salt water, it gets coastal rain, which keeps the area lush except during the very hottest months of summer. The Big Five (elephant, buffalo, rhino, lion, and leopard) and other beautiful wildlife are on display for all to see, and that’s not something you’ll forget in a hurry.

Ellerman House

180 Kloof Rd, Cape Town 8005

The light in Bantry Bay seems a little bit different from the light in the rest of Cape Town- softer, more flattering, and infinitely more inviting. The exquisite views and the fresh sea air make it hardly surprising that Ellerman House, originally Florida House, was built there in 1906. This boutique hotel is elegance personified, so it’s not hard to imagine it as it once was: the heels of fine ladies clicking across the floors as their long dresses dampen the sound and the rich scent of expensive cigars clinging to the curtains in the gentleman’s smoking room. Though smoking is no longer allowed, Ellerman House has retained its glamor, much of which can be attributed to the now 1000-piece strong fine art collection, which is scattered around the venue, and to the tastefully modernized interiors.

The accommodations themselves are sumptuous, to say the least. There are 11 rooms and two suites, each decorated in an understated, welcoming manner. Blues and whites highlight the ocean’s proximity, and a collection of contemporary ceramics brings African design to the fore. Crisp linens, the softest towels, marble bathroom finishes: it’s the perfect oceanside retreat. Each suite has its own pool and kitchen, and the five-bedroom suite comes with full access to the property’s diminutive but delightful spa.

Eating and drinking at Ellerman House has a “relax and enjoy” kind of atmosphere. There’s a fully stocked “help yourself” pantry overflowing with snacks, the chefs craft local comfort food like classic Cape Malay curries and fresh, buttery lobsters, and fresh granola for breakfast. The house comes with an excellent wine and spirits collection, so put your feet up and have a drink.

One and Only Cape Town

Dock Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town, 8001

The One and Only Cape Town is a secluded but sprawling hotel and spa complex nestled between the mountains and the sea. Looking down on it from above, with its palm trees, gorgeously crafted, chic outdoor furniture, canals, and pools, you would be forgiven for thinking you were looking at a private island somewhere tropical. O&O is actually located in the very heart of Cape Town, but the experience is so exclusive that the above definition may still apply.

The rooms, suites, and penthouse have been crafted to be both bold and calming. Natural textures bring a stability to the design, blending African art with contemporary, minimal design. Each of the rooms has a private balcony offering gorgeous views of the city, Table Mountain, the marina, and the surroundings. The suites offer far more space, functioning more like small homes. The penthouse is luxury personified with four en suite bathrooms, indoor and outdoor living spaces, and unparalleled views.

One and Only is home to a private spa island within the complex: a haven of peace and rejuvenation for the discerning traveler. The treatments and “rituals” change with the seasons, so the offering is always something special and unique. Dining at the One and Only is an experience, not just a meal. Choose from Nobu, Rooi, Isola, or the Vista Bar and Lounge for culinary delights and beverages.

Luxury From Check-in to Check-out

These three vastly different but equally opulent hotel experiences across South Africa are perfect examples of the country’s understanding of true luxury. South Africa is waiting to welcome you from wherever you call home.