Whether you are seeking an iconic city hotel in the gateway cities of Johannesburg or Cape Town, an idyllic beach retreat in Plettenberg Bay or an impressive hotel and golf resort, with fantastic family facilities, in pretty Kynsna, South Africa has a treasure trove of luxurious safari lodges, chic city hotels and stunning private villas, just waiting to be discovered. Renowned for its privately owned boutique properties, guests to South Africa are expertly spoilt with superb service, sumptuous suites and luscious local cuisine.
Within many of these remarkable lodges and sleek city pads are enticing interiors boasting rich natural textures and eclectic art collections, but it is, perhaps the passionately designed dining menus, that cannot fail to be a highlight of a stay in South Africa. Created using wonderfully fresh, local organic produce, guests are thrilled with the sheer variety of fine dining and delectable delights available. With lodge interiors offering so much to admire and savour inside, it can perhaps be forgivable to forget the spectacular natural scenery and wildlife outside!
Inside the city retreats such as the historic Saxon Hotel in Johannesburg, Art Deco gem, The Oyster Box, in Durban or iconic Belmond Mount Nelson in Cape Town, couples can relax by the pool, surrounded by manicured gardens, or indulge in decadent Afternoon Teas on the terrace. Alternatively, families may choose to experience a truly modern, resort-style hotel, such as One&Only Cape Town, in the heart of the bustling Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. Here, guests can be perfectly pampered within its own private spa island, before dining within the celebrity restaurant, ‘Nobu’ — a fantastic hotel to stay in, whatever the season.
Beyond popular Cape Town, visitors can take to the coastal road and enjoy the beach life in trendy Camps Bay, retreat to the flora and fauna of Gansbaai, or stay in a grand Manor House, such as La Residence, set graciously within the picturesque vineyards of Franschhoek in the Cape Winelands. Those seeking a little more adventure, can perhaps drive the Garden Route, staying in a collection of private residences before reaching the luxurious Eagles Crag safari Lodge in the Eastern Cape. Alternatively, head north of Cape Town to the remote sanctuary of Bushman’s Kloof, or fly to the vast and arid Kalahari region, for a conservation-based stay at the incredibly unique haven, Tswalu.