Best hotels in South Africa

For a really romantic experience in the wild, book a night at Tinyeleti Treehouse. Set high up in the indigenous woodland overlooking the Sabie River in Lion Sands Reserve, this getaway sets the bar high. Lion Sands lies on the unfenced southern boundary of Kruger National Park, and the treehouse perches in an area known as one the busiest and most wildlife-dense in the country. Predators are especially prolific, with frequent leopard and lion sightings. But the real treat is the chance to break away from the clutter with your loved one, and to interact with nature at its purest.

The pretty town of Knysna is a highlight of any Garden Route trip, and, if you're looking for somewhere to stay that isn't quite in the hubbub of the town, try Belvidere Manor Hotel. Situated in a quiet, upmarket suburb on the outskirts of Knysna, the 28 pretty cottages are surrounded by lush gardens and the most beautiful views of the lagoon. It's a laid-back sort of place, and the historic manor house (dating back to 1834), has kept its gracious Georgian style and luxurious yet homely feel, whilst the cottages are modern and stylish. The perfect combination, really.

This small safari lodge is situated in an exclusive concession of the vast Madikwe Game Reserve, which spans a staggering 75,000 hectares in the remote northern reaches of South Africa. The reserve is known for its rugged scenery, permanent waterways and pockets of lush indigenous forests, with open plains and a truly isolated wilderness feel. Makanyane lies on the banks of the Marico River, and this beautiful bush retreat has a natural feeling of laid-back luxury, with clever eco-friendly designs that make the most of its wild riverine setting.

The Marine Hotel is a fabulous landmark on the clifftops of Hermanus, a popular coastal holiday town about an hour and a half’s scenic drive from Cape Town. Hermanus is renowned for being one of the best land-based whale-watching locations in the world, and The Marine, in its spectacular setting overlooking the Indian Ocean, puts you right in the heart of the action during the winter season. Its origins date back to 1902, and since its modest beginnings, the hotel has blossomed into an elegant boutique hotel renowned for its classy design and excellent hospitality, and definitely the best views in town.

Set in Thornybush Private Game Reserve on the western edge of the Kruger Park, family-run Tangala Safari Camp's rustic charms have been augmented by the addition of a solar farm, which powers the lodge. It's an intimate camp that focuses on solid game viewing (great Big Five sightings!) and good hosting. And, despite the fact that Tangala is one of 12 lodges on this mid-sized (14,000-hectare) reserve, the landscape feels satisfyingly uncrowded and authentically wild. Just a five-hour drive from Johannesburg, Tangala is an easy weekend getaway for locals, or a good option for international travellers looking for a well-rounded safari experience.

RockFig Safari Lodge is the product of a long romance, conceived over two decades. It is the expression of family's love affair with South Africa's Lowveld region, specifically the 530-square-kilometre Timbavati Private Nature Reserve on Kruger Park's western edge. The absence of fences separating this reserve from the national park means that wildlife roams freely between them, and that guests reap the rich rewards. You'll see all the Big Five here, including Timbavati's famed white lions. Round it all off with exceptional guides and superb staff to care for you in camp, and you have a thoroughly good safari.

Built around a 200-year-old Jackalberry tree, right on the banks of the Sabie River, Lion Sands Tinga Lodge is tucked away in the Lion Sands Game Reserve in the infamous Greater Kruger National Park - an area known for its breathtaking bushveld flora and fauna. Falling inside the bounds of the Greater Kruger National Park, the reserve is one of the oldest private reserves in South Africa, and a pristine natural environment known for its spectacular wildlife sightings. Slow down and unwind in a romantic bubble of bush and natural beauty; a perfect escape.

It may take pride of place in Cape Town's Church Square, surrounded by the views that make the city famous, but it's the attention to detail that will make you fall in love with Labotessa. Beyond the hotel's 17th century facade, it has history woven into its design and you'll find a space infused with elegance, comfort and a feeling of homeliness quite unexpected in a hotel with such an aristocratic flair. Feature walls and intriguing artworks join forces with plush furniture and a tour-de-force of hospitality to create a hotel that leaves the word 'immaculate' hanging in the air - along with the scent of their fabulous all-day breakfast.