Where to Stay in South Africa

You could say we’ve been traveling the Pacific Northwest since our first footsteps. We love this part of the world, and  Traveling to the tip of the beautiful African continent promises adventure and beauty, discovery and delight. If you’re searching to find your own slice of paradise and wondering where to stay in South Africa, we invite you to check out our Seven Favorite Accommodations on the Cape. Happy planning & dreaming!



{Best Experience in Nature Award}
TENIQUA TREETOPS

Viv and Robyn Patz – Owners
queries@teniquatreetops.co.za
@teniquatreetops | Teniqua Treetops on Facebook 

Wifi: None at present
Breakfast: Self-catering, with the all-important French press (“coffee plunger”) provided.
Our Favorite Amenities: The beautiful indigenous forest walk down to the river at the base of the valley; down comforter and electric mattress pad for keeping toasty warm in the woods. Eco-friendly composting toilet and genuinely hot solar-heated water (with back-up gas-powered hot water as a second measure). Birdwatching books and more available in the common lounge.
Setting: A fifteen minutes’ drive from the N2, up in one of the remaining patches of legacy indigenous Knysna Forest.
{Full Teniqua Treetops feature and photo collection…}


{Best Hidden Secret Award}
TROGON HOUSE & FOREST SPA
Shannon Maclean – Proprietor, Manager
shannon@trogonhouse.co.za
Trogon House and Forest Spa on Facebook 

Wifi: None at present
Breakfast: Full service breakfast, beautifully presented and satisfyingly delicious.
Our Favorite Amenities: classy in-room tea and coffee setup, inviting bar, gorgeous pool, and raised wooden walkways through the forest – we get a little giddy over the mix of comfort and adventure.
Setting: Tucked away in the woods; birds chirping, sunshine filtering through the green canopy.
{Full Trogon House and Forest Spa feature and photo collection…}


{Best Breakfast Award}
PALMS WILDERNESS

Johann and Candice – Owners and Managers
info@palms-wildernes.com
Palms Wilderness on Facebook

 

Wifi: Free wireless available in the lobby and immediate lounge area
Breakfast: Johann and Candice, the owners, met in the restaurant industry, and it shows
Our Favorite Amenities: Gorgeous gardens, a tin of fresh little sugar cookies provided alongside the in-room tea-service (plus a generous stash in the big glass apothecary jar at the Honesty Bar), and the peaceful poolside setting.
Setting: in town, tucked away behind garden hedges and pretty fences; easy walking to Wilderness restaurants and beaches
{Full Palms Wilderness feature and photo collection…}


 {Best Place of Rest Award}
CARMEL BY THE SEA
reservations@carmel.co.za

Wifi: Data packaged available for purchase
Breakfast: Over and above! “Dinner, Bed, and Breakfast” is their line, and they deliver. Heaping portions, second helpings, dessert every night.
Our Favorite Amenities: Beginning-of-the-day tea and coffee service, delivered to straight to your door, optional 7:30pm evening devotions in the Fireside Lounge, hot water bottles for cold winter nights, near endless garden trails and hideaways.
Setting: Easy access from the N2 Highway, perched in the hills on a historical farm site just overlooking Victoria Bay and Ballots Bay with stunning views of the Indian Ocean nearly all day, every day.


{Best Wifi in South Africa Award}
AFRICAN OCEANS
info@africanoceans.co.za
@africanoceans | African Oceans on Facebook 

Wifi: Unlimited, fast, connected easily from the room. Best internet experience in the country.
Breakfast: Delicious, without a doubt. Self-serve fruit salad, granola, yogurt, juice; service pineapple puree and cream, and menu options including mince meat, French toast and bacon (with honey rather than maple syrup)
Our Favorite Amenities: Not to overstate the fact, but the zipping and unlimited wifi stole the show! The plush, fuzzy carpet, generous soaking bath, and cable movie channels didn’t hurt, either.
Setting: Just a few minutes from the mall in Mossel Bay in a quiet, residential neighborhood, overlooking the beautiful waters of the Indian Ocean.
{Full African Oceans feature and photo collection…}


{Best Feels-Like-Home Award}
LAWHILL LUXURY APARTMENTS

reservations@lawhillluxuryapartments.com
Lawhill Luxury Apartments on Facebook 

Wifi: 1000/MB month
Breakfast: Self-catering
Our Favorite Amenities: Secure car parking in the city, in-unit washer and dryer, full kitchen for home cooked meals, plus the easy-order take out menus and DVD borrowing library (not that we ordered tiramisu while watching Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon singing country music or anything…)
Setting: Easy walking to the V&A Waterfront and its shops, spas, and cafes; shared views of the private waterfront at the neighboring One & Only, and stunning backdrop against Table Mountain.
{Full Lawhill Luxury Apartments feature and photo collection…}


{Best Downtown Location Award}
GRAND DADDY HOTEL
reservations@granddaddy.co.za
@granddaddy | Grand Daddy on Facebook 

Wifi: 50MB/per person/per day
Breakfast: Included at their ground floor restaurant, L’Apero; available also as room service delivery to suites or Airstream trailers.
Our Favorite Amenities: We were pretty partial to the Ruby Slippers hanging out in our “Dorothy” Airstream trailer! The rooftop bar and twinkle lights made for a pleasant night out, just a few steps from bed, and shiny Apple computers in the lobby made quick browsing and printing a breeze.
Setting: Walking distance to favorite downtown meals, sights, and touring activities; Airstream trailers perched atop the downtown building and indoor rooms overlooking bustling Long Street, perfectly situated in the heart of Cape Town.
{Full Grand Daddy Hotel feature and photo collection…}


This article is part of our €œtwoOregonians Tour the Cape€ series featuring quintessential and offbeat South African experiences, one-of-a-kind accommodations and beautiful B&Bs, respectful wildlife programs, social service projects, and landscape photography from the South African Cape. As always, all opinions, photos, and stories are our own; many thanks to our kind hosts and partners along the way. It was our pleasure to experience such genuine kindness and hospitality!