From hideaways on the coast to aesthetic gems in the big cities, South Africa is a treasure trove of intimate properties. These are the sort of places where every detail has been hand-picked and you’ll leave feeling like family. And there’s something to please everyone on a family trip too, whether you’re looking for a bolthole in wine country, a lodge surrounded by iconic wildlife in the safari parks and reserves, or a ‘home’ of your own to return to after a day of exploring. So go on and have a nosey of our favourite boutique hotels in South Africa.
The Cape Cadogan
Cape Town
This Cape Town classic is truly a work of art. Inside, it’s all emerald accents and quirky wallpaper, patterned furnishings and gorgeous old fireplaces, and outside, the Victorian-esque façade fits right into the architecture of buzzy Kloof Street (which also happens to be home to some of the best bars and eateries in town). But despite its fabulous, central address, Cape Cadogan still manages to retain an air of calm and quiet. Think sparkling pools in the outdoor courtyards, inviting beds with velvety-green headboards and ensuites with matte-black tubs, all the perfect ‘welcome home’ after a day spent clambering up Table Mountain or getting to know Cape Town on foot. A recent addition is Upper Union, a brand-new on-property restaurant, open to both hotel guests and outside foodies. Helmed by one of the MORE Family Collection’s most beloved chefs, the winning menu is served potluck style, accompanied by South Africa’s finest wines – or the mixologist’s special.
Le Petite Ferme
The Cape Winelands
Nestled into the slopes of the Franschhoek mountains, La Petite Ferme (“The Little Farm”) offers the perfect base in the Cape Winelands. Set within a quaint vineyard, the views are fabulous and lead your eye to the mountains in the distance, as well as down to the village below. Spend your time admiring the sights from the secluded pool or pick a comfortable spot on the terrace and order a glass of something from the extensive menu. There are also cellar tours and wine tastings of the hotel’s own vineyards to enjoy, and scenic hikes into the surrounding reserves (perhaps in the reverse order!). The Farm also boasts a highly-praised restaurant, particularly famous its lunch menu served in the glass-walled, sunlit dining room. After tasting the delicacies, wander through the gardens abloom with flowers to your plush bedroom suite – and then do it all again the next day…
Kruger Shalati
Kruger National Park
Just when you think you’ve seen it all, step aboard the Kruger Shalati, a steam engine now permanently stationed metres above the flowing Sabie River in the famous Kruger. On the very bridge where the train bringing the Kruger National Park’s very first guests once parked, Shalati combines high luxury with an age-old sense of adventure – and some pretty spectacular views too. It’s accessed only by an external walkway, and the old cabins are now plush suites with floor-to-ceiling windows, plenty of little luxuries, and stylish bathrooms with a walk-in shower and huge tub with a view! While game drives to see the Kruger’s iconic wildlife are available, you might just want to spend all your time in the circular infinity pool, which enjoys a vertiginous perch overlooking the hippo-filled river below.
Emily Moon River Lodge
Plettenberg Bay
Eclectic, unique and tucked away from everything, Emily Moon is all you could want from a hidden gem in the countryside. As the story goes, the lodge was originally built as a home for the wife of a seafarer, and while she didn’t live to see it, everyone who visits tends to fall in love with it. With walls of packed stone, bleached wooden decks and worn, Zanzibari doors, the lodge has a rugged, natural feel – and the interiors are just as lovely, dotted with wooden carvings and exuding peace and tranquility. Scattered around are plenty of well-positioned nooks, where stacks of books provide a holiday read as you listen to the sound of the babbling Bitou River. Speaking of which, your day could begin with a bird-watching canoe ride, followed by a picturesque hike or stroll along the beach, and just might end with a hearty Karoo dinner and stargazing on cushions round the firepit.
Strandloper Ocean Boutique Hotel
Paternoster
Just a few steps away from miles of untouched, pristine beach, The Strandloper is seaside bliss personified. Here, relaxation comes easy and the bright, breezy interiors are the perfect peek into ocean-side life in the tiny village of Paternoster. A collection of whitewashed, A-frame cottages will be your home, each kitted out with white linens, bare beams and driftwood decor. Outside, you’ll have a terrace or courtyard all to yourself, the sound of the lapping surf in the air. The best rooms promise an ocean view without even getting out of bed. The restaurant is top-tier and their afternoon tea really can’t be skipped… But then again, neither can G&Ts as the sun sets over the bay, accompanied by the freshest West Coast oysters. Choose wisely. During the day, enjoy long strolls on the beach, kayak along the coast, keeping your eyes peeled for whales and dolphins, or while away the hours beside the pool.
The Robertson Small Hotel
Robertson
As charming as its name suggests, this ‘small’ hotel has become a well-loved favourite along South Africa’s meandering Route 62. Set in a garden of palms and scented Cape flora, the hotel feels like home as you step in the door, and the deliberate, careful hospitality takes it to the next level. Expect everything from cupcakes during evening turndown to first name service and a personalised coffee order. The interiors are refined and rooms are mostly decorated in shades of white, cream and taupe, punctuated by unique artwork, fynbos-inspired motifs, and handcrafted light fittings. In the garden, there are two pools and some of the suites have shuttered patios, which open straight onto the water. Throughout the property, there are secluded nooks to curl up with a good book or plot your activities for the day. On that note, the Robertson Wine Route happens to be one of the longest in the world, so cellar tours and tastings are definitely on the agenda.
Tintswalo Atlantic
Cape Town
Watching over a private, pebbled cove in Table Mountain National Park, the drive from Cape Town to Tintswalo takes you along the famous and supremely scenic Chapman’s Peak. Head down an almost-hidden path, and you’ll find yourself at the hotel – and the most glorious view of Hout Bay’s mountains. We guarantee you’ll spend many happy hours on the deck, tucking into delicious meals from the interactive kitchen (at the time of writing it was a Chef’s Warehouse – delicious) as the water laps just below you and the views change with the setting of the sun. Then again, a picnic on the beach doesn’t sound like a bad idea either… In the rooms, you’ll find velvet armchairs, richly patterned rugs, and signature touches like beaded lampshades, as well as shell-encrusted bathrooms with enormous tubs, views guaranteed! There’s also a heated main pool, a delightful oasis with beachfront loungers, hanging chairs and daybeds to laze upon.
Macaron Boutique Guest House
The Cape Winelands
Sitting in a garden fringed by giant oaks, the mountains rising beyond and Franschhoek’s main street just a stone’s throw away, Macaron is as picturesque as they come. A beautifully-restored Victorian home, the hotel is family-run and you can certainly feel it in the warmth and attentiveness. The rooms are thoughtfully and tastefully decorated with crafted wooden furniture and beds draped in luxurious linens, with most opening onto a private terrace. Start your day with one of Macaron’s superb breakfasts (just about everything is made on the property and the granola is to die for) and then head into the flower-filled gardens to swim in one of two pools, or enjoy a quiet moment on the deck. The hotel is also in a fantastic location for strolls through Franschhoek, stopping to sample the world-class cuisine or visit the art galleries, or take a more active tack with a day of hiking, biking or horse riding in a nearby nature reserve.
The Peech
Johannesburg
Tucked away from the bustle of Johannesburg, The Peech is a designer dream with an edgy, eye-popping style that runs like a fine thread throughout. From the ‘caged’ walls and floating roof to the funky wallpaper, one-of-a-kind wall hangings and vivid splashes of colour, The Peech was created with an artist’s eye. It is surrounded by immaculate gardens where (two!) pools and multiple shaded lounges await – just grab a new read from the library and settle in. The fabulous eateries of Melrose are just a few minutes away, however we rather like The Peech’s award-winning restaurant, Basalt, headed up by former Pot Luck Club chef, Freddie Dias. There’s also the Garden Restaurant for more relaxed fare, and a champagne bar for a glass of the good stuff at any time of day. The sights of the city are easy to reach too, whether you want to delve into South Africa’s history or get to know Joburg’s secret spots – and we can’t think of a better place to return to.
Birkenhead House
Hermanus
Mention Hermanus and incredible whale watching is likely to follow, and from its perch on the clifftops, Birkenhead House provides the perfect vantage point. And if you’d like to get a little closer, take the private stairway from the hotel and head down through the crags and straight to the beach for idyllic walks, or for the more adventurous, kayaking, scuba diving and horseback rides along the sand. Back at the hotel, a long, tiered pool sits at the centre, lined with collonaded pavilions for relaxing in, and at the cliff’s edge is an infinity pool with plump white loungers for ocean-gazing and sun-soaking. Beyond the sunshine-yellow exterior, Birkenhead House is all glamour with ankle-deep rugs, chi-chi chandeliers and gilded mirrors in the glass-walled lounge and dining room, and four-poster beds to fall into each evening. The perfect Hermanus perch if ever we saw one.
Drostdy Hotel
Graaff-Reinet
A slice of old-fashioned, homespun hospitality, Drostdy Hotel is truly a place to destress and forget about real life for a while. Homely and authentic, there are cow-skin rugs atop hardwood floors and plenty of vintage pieces dotted around, all of which fit right in with the fascinating Cape Dutch heritage. There’s plenty of relaxing to be had too, however, whether you choose the heavenly Africology Spa, a lounger beside the pool, or a seat in the lush, tranquil garden with a glass of wine from the cellar in hand. Should you choose to venture out, the historic town of Graaff-Reinet makes for a fascinating wander. You might feel like you’ve turned the clocks back a few years, but that’s exactly the beauty of it. Further afield is the spectacular Valley of Desolation, well worth a visit and perhaps a short hike to work up an appetite for Drostdy’s lip-smacking local menu on your return.
