Top Boutique Hotels in South Africa (2026)

In the heart of the Franschhoek village, the elegant Chapter House Boutique Hotel offers an outdoor pool overlooking the Franschhoek Mountains. Built in 1888, it blends a colonial style with old-time chic. The individually decorated rooms at Chapter House Boutique Hotel come with air conditioning and DVD players. Each has an inviting seating area and a safety deposit box. Guests can rest on the veranda, enjoying the scent of Chapter House Boutique Hotel's rose and lavender garden. The stylish lounge with a fireplace provides a pleasant setting for reading, while its bar serves a variety of drinks. Free WiFi and complimentary private parking are available at the property. Cape Town International Airport is 30 mi away.

- "Fantastic hotel, with friendly and very helpful staff only too happy to help. Rooms were spacious with an impressive choice at breakfast every morning. Perfect location just off the main street, with all shops and restaurants within easy walking distance. At 3pm every day, a freshly made (and always delicious) cake was laid out for residents to enjoy." - "Boutique hotel with BIG hotel service, friendly attentive and helpful personnel. Would not hesitate to book another stay."

Hippomoon lodge game reserve in Hoedspruit provides accommodations with an outdoor swimming pool, a garden, and barbecue facilities. The air-conditioned accommodations are 7.7 miles from Kinyonga Reptile Centre. The accommodation offers free Wifi, as well as a terrace and a modern restaurant. The guest house offers a seating area with a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with bathrobes, a hair dryer, and bath. A toaster and fridge are also featured, as well as a kettle. At the guest house, each unit comes with bed linen and towels. A selection of options including fresh pastries, juice, and cheese are served for the continental breakfast. There is a coffee shop, and packed lunches are also available. Guests can also warm up near the outdoor fireplace after a day of walking tours. Drakensig Golf Club is 10 miles from hippomoon lodge game reserve, while Olifants West Game Reserve is 24 miles away. The nearest airport is Air Force Base Hoedspruit, 14 miles from the accommodation, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.

- "What a place! Something you see very rarely! Xavier is one of the best guest person I ever met, he has done everything we wished for. Location, Animals, his dogs, everything was een experience never to forget" - "It was wild and beautiful. Xavier has created unique spaces that blend with and enhance the natural landscape. His passion is evident in the health and diversity of the wild animals that live in his refuge. He is an excellent chef, loves to entertain and it is clear that he is living his dream. You will not be disappointed."

Located in Hoedspruit and with Leading Edge Flight School reachable within 16 mi, Nyala Safari Lodge features express check-in and check-out, nonsmoking rooms, an outdoor swimming pool, free WiFi and a garden. Featuring a restaurant, the property also has a bar and a shared lounge. At the lodge, the units are equipped with a patio with a mountain view. At Nyala Safari Lodge amenities include a private bathroom with a hair dryer and free toiletries. Guests at the accommodations can enjoy a buffet breakfast. All meals and 2 daily game drives are included in the rate. Greater Kruger National Park College and A Bush Break is 16 mi from Nyala Safari Lodge, while Jessica the Hippo is 26 mi from the property. The nearest airport is Hoedspruit Airport - Eastgate Airporta, 16 mi from the hotel, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.

- "Nyala Safari Lodge was superb - the Guide, Christelle, was knowledgeable and attentive to her guests. The Managers, Dave and Nicki, were also amazing! It was a great way to spend a wedding anniversary." - "The property is beautiful. You don’t see a lot of other cars around which makes the game drives very special. We had some really amazing sightings (thanks Hannes!) including leopards, lions and a herd of buffalo moving to water whilst we waited for them in the watch tower with beers in hand. Thanks everyone for an amazing stay!"

With a pool and outdoor Jacuzzi, this boutique hotel is located just a 2-minute walk from the restaurants and shops in Kloof Street. Derwent House offers free fiber-optic WiFi and the property is not affected by frequent power outages as we have a full solar back-up system in place that powers the hotel.. Each air-conditioned room at Derwent House comes equipped with a flat-screen TV with a DVD player. The rooms have a private bathroom with a bathrobe, slippers and amenities. There is also a self-catering studio available in the adjacent building. Guests can watch streaming services on device or ask the 24-hour reception staff to book a massage. The staff can also arrange shuttle services to Cape Town International Airport, a 20-minute drive away. Free tea, coffee and cake are available throughout the day on the sun deck or in the bar. When weather is chilly, guests can relax by the fireplace with a complimentary glass of port or sherry. Derwent House is located an 8-minute drive away from the Table Mountain cable car. The V&A Waterfront, the Convention Center and the beaches are a 15-minute drive away.

- "The location was great, the staff were all amazing. They made us feel like we were in a home away from home, and couldn't do enough for you, planning a trip where to eat everything. Beautiful hotel" - "This place was amazing! The staff were so friendly and helpful. The breakfasts were amazing and the afternoon cake was to die for!! There was a great honesty bar with a good selection of wines. The location was ideal, close enough within easy drives of all major attractions in Cape Town and plenty of parking at the property. Beds were super comfortable and rooms were lovely and clean. Turn down service was also a lovely touch too. Thanks so much 🤩"

Located within the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, Ivory Wilderness River Rock Lodge features a viewing deck, lounge and splash pool overlooking the Klaserie River. The thatched accommodations at Ivory Wilderness is equipped with a wardrobe, bedside lamps, mosquito nets and an private bathroom with a bath and a shower. They all offer either river or pool views. All meals are included in the rates at Ivory Wilderness River Rock Lodge. Ivory Wilderness River Rock lodge specializes in guided walking safaris and game drives. The lodge also provides free WiFi, an ironing service, as well as business facilities like fax and photocopying. Eastgate Airport is 50 mi from the lodge.

- "Had a fantastic stay with my brother for 4 nights. The staff was amazing and the game drives were fantastic. really loved the camp and would highly recommend" - "Fantastic location with observation terrasse. On 10 safaris, the best guide ever (Wynant): he really knows what he is talking about, calm,…." - "Our stay at Ivory Wilderness River Rock Lodge was the highlight of the holiday. Danell and Wienand were wonderful guides and hosts and made us feel very welcome at this beautiful Lodge. Andrew and Siphiwe looked after us at the Lodge and we enjoyed every meal. The team at Ivory Wilderness work well together and make sure that you are well looked after."

Located within a Big Five Game Reserve in the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, Misava Safari Camp offers a traditionally decorated accommodations with African bush surroundings. There is an outdoor pool, 2 terraces and a garden. All 6 air-conditioned rooms feature a bush theme. Each has a private entrance and an private bathroom. Guests can relax and enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner on the outdoor patio, sun terrace or in the dining room, all featuring traditional décor, wooden furnishings and loungers. The Misava Safari Camp has game viewing and offers game drives and walking safaris. During the day guests can sunbathe poolside or enjoy a picnic in the open garden, by night relax with a drink by the boma. Klaserie River is 1.2 mi away and the closest airport is the Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport, 23 mi away. An airport shuttle is available on request and free private parking is available on site.

- "- Amazing room and view from the pool - World class food - all personal are exceptional (Don‘t forget to generously tip in the end as they well deserve it) - 2x safari drives were amazing (saw all big 5) - Everything was just perfect Thank you very much for this unforgettable experience" - "My wife and I stayed 5 nights. It surpassed my expectations in all aspects of our stay. The game drives are amazing. The private nature preserve experience, while a bit expensive, turned out to be a good value. This preserve is adjacent to the park and the wildlife has unfettered access to both. The level of intimacy in the wildlife viewing just cannot be appreciated until you experience it. I do not think you could get this in a simple excursion into Krueger Park itself where you are limited to the public roads. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and personable. The food, accommodations, and service were all excellent. One afternoon the elephants dug up the water lines from the well. The staff worked thru the night to restore service by morning. Even this added to the adventure."

Just 984 feet from the Franschhoek monument, in the heart of the Franschhoek Wine Valley, Akademie Street Boutique Hotel offers luxurious suites and traditional cottages, some with their own private swimming pools. All of the accommodations at Akademie Street is set in lush gardens and many have views of the mountains of the Cape Winelands. Each suite or cottage has its own theme and the property features with wood fired hot tubs and fragrant landscaped gardens. Gelatenheid Oortuiging and Vreugde each have their own sun-kissed swimming pool and shady, private garden. The fourth building, Uitsig is a separate, large, luxurious upstairs suite with balcony and lovely views. The fifth building, Twyfeling is a gracious Cape Dutch style house with large living rooms and two large bedroom suites. Uitsig and Twyfeling share a large, heated pool and garden. A full English breakfast is served each morning and the hotel’s concierge desk is open 24/7 to help you with restaurants, wine tours, hikes and advice on what to see and do. Akademie Street Boutique Hotel is just 30 minutes drive from Stellenbosch and hour from Cape Town.

- "The Host “Declan” was very professional and in touch with us about every aspect of our stay It is a World Class Boutique Hotel" - "We had the perfect stay at Akademie. The staff could not do anything more for you, always offering drinks and making sure you had everything you needed. The breakfast was probably one of the best hotel breakfasts I have had. And the setting is just stunning by the pool and in the orangerie. Also great location being able to walk to the local restaurants and attractions. Rooms are also very quiet and spacious and we slept very well."

Located in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve home of the ‘Big Five’, Inyati Game Lodge offers an outdoor swimming pool, restaurant and bar. Inyati is located on the scenic banks of the Sand River. The elegant, African themed units come fitted with air conditioning, a mosquito net draped over the bed, a seating area and feature an private bathroom with a bath, shower and free toiletries. At Inyati Game Lodge the restaurant serves a variety of dishes and overlooks the Sand River. Guests can enjoy a drink in the bar on the terrace while enjoying views of the African bushveld. There is a 24-hour front desk, and activities range from morning and evening game drives, fishing and bird watching. An airport shuttle can be arranged upon request and the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport is 65 mi away.

- "Cannot say enough praises about Inyati game lodge. The rooms are ultimate luxury. Every evening you arrive back from a safari game drive and a hot water bottle is placed under the sheets of the bed to just warm you through enough at night time. The bedding and bed itself are also one of the best I’ve stayed in ever. My wife even mentioned it may be comfier than what we have at home. The rooms are stocked with numerous types of tea, coffee and hot chocolate. Snacks of Pringles and chocolate are also given to guest in the room. The food at the lodge is a real treat. Throughout the day from pre drive light breakfast, brunch, afternoon snacks and to main evening meals. The quality of all produce is of extremely high standards. Everything tasted amazing (especially the fillet steaks) and the service is that what you’d find in Michelin star restaurants. Game drives are the main reason we picked Inyati for our safari as it’s mainly about the animals and having the best chance to see them. It did not disappoint at all. Being in Sabi Sands is a perfect location and drives are with a set driver and tracker for your complete stay which allows a real bond to be built (Request Diff & Lucas). The drivers will do their best to get guests in a position to see what they aspire to most. Highlights of our drives were a mother leopard and her two cubs, who we were told all lodges had been looking for since their birth 7 weeks prior. A pack of lions feasting after their hunt of a zebra. Hearts of elephants on numerous occasions and 5 Lionesses with their 9 cubs. Throw in the daily sightings of Giraffes, Hippos, Impala, various birds and the odd rhino I don’t think there is a lot we didn’t see. Another nice feature is that there are only a small amount of rooms (11, I believe) this means that the accommodation would never feel overcrowded."

Set between 2 streams in a lush bush land, this 5-star lodge is located within the Lalibela Game Reserve. It offers secluded suites with private heated plunge pools and terraces. The stone and thatch suites at Lalibela Game Reserve - Kichaka Lodge are equipped with air conditioning, fully-stocked mini-bars and free Wi-Fi. Included in the rates are 2 game drives per night stayed, all meals and drinks. Visitors can choose between indoor and outdoor dining areas or just relax by the pool with their favorite drink. Kichaka Game Lodge is located just over 1-hour drive from Port Elizabeth Airport. The center of Grahamstown is 22 mi away. Airport transfers can be booked at an additional cost.

- "Peaceful, beautiful, well organised, amazing staff" - "Beautiful accommodation with wonderful staff attending to our every need. Outstanding service from a hardworking team who made us feel like Royalty. Wonderful game drives!" - "The staff and facilities were amazing. The location is lovely. The safari drives were wonderful. We saw lions, elephant, giraffes, hippopotamus and so much more." - "Staff, facilities, food, animals, rangers knowledge and attitude, all excellent."

Located between the Outeniqua Mountains and Mossel Bay, Garden Route Safari Camp boutique-style accommodations in a malaria-free area. Each of the luxury units at Garden Route Safari camp features a private wooden deck with views. They have have an private bathroom, and some units also have an outdoor shower. The property has a restaurant and bar onsite. Various activities are available at Garden Route Safari Camp, such as guided game drives and bush walks. Guests can also cool down in the outdoor swimming pool. George Airport is 29 mi from the property, while Mossel Bay is 12 mi away.

- "Everything was above my expectation. very quite place and very safe and all stuff are very kind and helpful" - "Our whole stay felt very warm. The staff, the room, and the food exceeded all of our expectations. We had a great time doing the game drives. The reserve is so beautiful, with great animals roaming around happily. I think the highlight of the stay was the staff and the service so much warmth and love. Definitely the peak of our honeymoon trip. Oh yeah and the food is so so good!!!"