Best hotels in South Africa

Experience warm hospitality, free uncapped WiFi, spa, gym, outdoor pool, steak-house dining, business amenities, and service excellence at the Southern Sun Rosebank hotel. Perfectly positioned just two blocks away from The Rosebank Mall and Gautrain station our hotel is as equipped for business as it is for a leisure break in the city.

Hidden in Morningside's leafy streets, Fairlawns delivers old-world grandeur without the stuffiness that often comes with it. This former private residence has morphed into something rather special – 35 suites that hop between design themes from French provincial to Far Eastern, all wrapped up in manicured gardens that make you forget you're 20 minutes from Africa's financial heartbeat. The Balinese-inspired spa sits tucked amongst bamboo gardens, while Amuse-Bouche restaurant takes French-African fusion seriously enough to win awards but not so seriously that you can't rock up in smart-casual attire.

Step off the bustling streets and into a world where vintage charm meets contemporary cool in the leafy northern suburbs. This architectural gem in the Art Deco district offers a delightful respite from city madness without sacrificing an ounce of urban sophistication. The earthy design elements drawn from the African savannah create a space that feels both grounded and stylish – perfect for the discerning traveller who wants substance with their style. With the Gautrain Station a stone's throw away and the Sandton Convention Centre just a 10-minute ride, you're ideally positioned to explore all the Big Smoke has to offer. When you're done adventuring, retreat to the all-day eatery, Proud Mary, or tap away on your laptop in the premium co-working space.

Despite what the map apps might suggest, this isn't Durban - it's Shaka's Rock, a quiet fold of coastline about forty-five minutes north, where French Mauritian sugar farmers once planted cane and Zulu history runs just as deep. Sala Beach House sits above Thompson's Bay with its ten rooms trained on the horizon, run by a family who've been in Zululand hospitality since 1962 and clearly know the difference between quiet and boring. The pace here is set entirely by the guest: yoga on the deck, a spa using African botanicals, sundowners by the fire pit, or simply the hammock and whatever's passing on the water that day (whales in season, dolphins most of the year). Durban's Zulu and Indian Ocean heritage makes an easy add-on either side of a stay. It's adults-focused throughout the main house, and all the better for it.

The hotel in uMhlanga is your gateway to golden beaches, lush surroundings and the exhilaration of holidaying in an idyllic part of Durban. If you want stunning views overlooking the KwaZulu-Natal coast, look no further than Protea Hotel uMhlanga. The hotel in centrally located in the heart of uMhlanga Rocks, situated 18 km from King Shaka International Airport, just a few minutes from the beach and 10 minutes to Durban city center. The hotel offers friendly service and comfortable accommodations that are all elegantly and stylishly furnished. Most of the hotel's 260 modern rooms feature breath-taking partial sea views, and is the ideal place to stay for that perfect family getaway.