Explore the Top 8 Beach Hotels in South Africa
This guide to the best luxury, 5-star, and design-forward hotels in South Africa is manually curated by our editorial team based on first-hand research, verified guest reviews, location analysis, and overall service quality. Each hotel is selected to meet high standards of comfort, authenticity, and guest experience.
Overlooking the iconic Umhlanga Lighthouse and Indian Ocean, The Oyster Box is a 5-star hotel offering timeless luxury and comfort as part of the Red Carnation Hotel Collection. Guests can enjoy elegantly appointed rooms, suites, and villas—some with private patios or plunge pools—each with handcrafted furnishings, complimentary Wi-Fi, and thoughtful amenities. Dining includes The Ocean Terrace, known for its famous curry and seafood buffets; The Grill Room, offering fine dining in a classic setting; and three distinctive bars: The Oyster Bar, the vintage-style Chukka Bar, and the rooftop Lighthouse Bar with panoramic ocean views. With two swimming pools, a serene spa, a private cinema, and a well-equipped gym, the hotel is ideal for both relaxation and celebration. Just steps from Umhlanga Village and the beach, the hotel is family-friendly, pet-friendly, and perfectly suited for honeymoons, group getaways, and memorable occasions. Free private parking is available.
Guest Reviews:
- "Very good getaway for a couple of days but very expensive." - "Baie dankie Sereesha, Callum en die hele personeel vir julle uitstekende diens, vriendelikheid en professionele diens! O" - "Fantastic hotel and awesome Team!" - "Great stay at Oyster Box." - "From 15 to 85 years old - everyone loved the stay!" - "Always a pleasure to stay at the Oyster Box." - "Magnificent property with old world charm!" - "Our stay was spectacular"
Superb
992 reviews
The Plettenberg is a 5-star hotel, located on a rocky headland in the heart of The Garden Route. It offers 2 infinity pools and the stylish The Plettenberg Restaurant. All 37 individually decorated guest rooms are equipped with a spacious private bathroom and smart TV. In addition, every room offers a refrigerator, a hairdryer and a telephone. Guests can spot dolphins and whales, and enjoy breathtaking views of the sea and mountains. The Plettenberg offers a wide range of treatments at Fresh Wellness Spa as well as a gym with complimentary water. There are several golf courses within 1.9 mi of the hotel. Sandbar, an informal yet sophisticated cocktail bar, is a relaxing spot for an evening drink and The Plettenberg restaurant serves progressive South African cuisine, while providing panoramic views of Formosa Bay.
Guest Reviews:
- "I'm going back!" - "Stunning property with top end services" - "Amazing Plett Kingdom" - "Another delightful stay in this little gem of a luxury hotel." - "Absolutely fabulous place to stay" - "Absolutely top class hotel; wonderful staff; very comfortable and tastefully decorated room: bar and dining areas." - "Excellent in every aspect - beautiful hotel" - "Excellent friendly service in a stunning location. Only sorry we couldn’t stay longer"
Superb
747 reviews
Nestled at the eastern head of Knysna, this luxurious, pet-friendly hotel features a championship golf course, a restaurant and a spa. Free WiFi is provided. "All suites feature private bathrooms, fireplaces, smart TVs, and free WiFi. Our Nature Hot Tub suites offer a relaxing experience of wood-fired hot tubs surrounded by natural beauty, while our Sky Suites offer stunning views of the lagoon, ocean, or golf course. As a retreat, Pezula Nature Retreat places wellness as a priority and features a top-class wellness center and spa that includes a fully equipped gym, heated pool, sauna, steam room, invigorating rainforest showers, and exceptional treatment facilities Zachary’s Grill Room Restaurant, provides a delightful dining experience with a menu crafted for family dining, offering sustainable meal choices that support local farmers and businesses For outdoor enthusiasts, there are ample opportunities for adventure, from scenic hikes along the resident Fisherman's trail to exclusive trips to Noetzie Beach, a private beach on the Estate." "Central Knysna is is within 15 minutes' drive and George is 43 mi from Pezula Hotel.
Guest Reviews:
- "It was marvelous." - "I enjoyed everything about the trip" - "Take a break from life and connect with yourself in a relaxing and enjoyable surrounding." - "The best anniversary ever(32 years)" - "It was exceptionally good." - "Staff went above n beyond, we got 7 star quality service" - "We had an absolute amazing stay and experience!" - "Would definitely rebook if in the area" - "perfect weekend get away" - "An amazing experience in my beautiful south Africa ... felt like I was in Monaco ..."
Superb
1128 reviews
Nestled in indigenous, sub-tropical foliage and where the Nahoon River meets the warm Indian Ocean, the Blue Lagoon offers tranquility and seclusion just outside East London. It features an outdoor pool, a separate children’s pool, and a BBQ area. At Blue Lagoon Hotel and Conference Center you will find stylish, garden-facing rooms or modern luxury two bedroom lagoon facing suites. They are air conditioned, feature a private bathroom and are equipped with tea and coffee making facilities, satellite TV and mini-bar. Complimentary breakfast gives you a great start to your day. After having as active or relaxing a time as you wish, excellent dining and drinks while admiring the sunset await you. The “Upstairs On Blue” cocktail lounge serves various cocktails and alcoholic beverages. Blue Lagoon Hotel and Conference Center faces Nahoon Reef, a surfer’s paradise. Many other beautiful Eastern Cape beaches are nearby. Squash and tennis courts are available at the country club, and the East London Golf Course is also very close. "Big 5" game reserves, horse trails and forest walks are all within a couple of hours’ drive.
Guest Reviews:
- "It was amazing" - "The family apartment style rooms were extremely comfortable with lovely views, short walk to beach." - "Lovely"
Good
1141 reviews
Located in Knysna, 3.8 miles from Simola Golf and Country Estate, Knysna Hollow Country Estate provides accommodations with free bikes, free private parking, an outdoor swimming pool and a garden. Featuring a shared lounge, this property also provides guests with a playground. The hotel has a terrace and pool views, and guests can enjoy a meal at the restaurant or a drink at the bar. At the hotel every room has air conditioning, a seating area, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a safety deposit box and a private bathroom with a shower, free toiletries and a hairdryer. The rooms are equipped with a coffee machine, while certain rooms here will provide you with a balcony and others also provide guests with garden views. All guest rooms will provide guests with a desk and an electric tea pot. The breakfast offers buffet, à la carte or continental options. Guests at Knysna Hollow Country Estate will be able to enjoy activities in and around Knysna, like cycling. Knysna Forest is 4 miles from the accommodation, while Knysna the Heads is 6.3 miles from the property. Plettenberg Bay Airport is 21 miles away, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.
Guest Reviews:
- "The experience was beyond excellence. The workers were so kind and attentive. My wife and I were in knysna for the first" - "Exceeded my expectation" - "Amazing staff, amazing facilities" - "A home away from home. We will definitely be back." - "It was a great experience, luxury and incredible staff." - "Perfect stay" - "Amazing place, amazing staff!" - "Stunning place to stay" - "Enjoyable" - "Fabulous place to stay"
Superb
612 reviews
Located just 656 feet from the beach, along Durban’s Golden Mile, Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani overlooks the Indian Ocean. The hotel also offers 3 swimming pools and 4 restaurants serving a variety of dishes. Certain modern, air-conditioned rooms offer ocean views and come with tea-and-coffee making facilities. The private bathrooms include a bath or shower. On-site parking, an airport shuttle service and WiFi are available for a surcharge. This family-friendly hotel provides a full English breakfast buffet daily and guests can make use of the gym, spa facilities and room service. Popular spots within the local area include Kingsmead Stadium, Durban ICC and Greyville Racecourse. Suncoast Casino is just 0.9 mi from the hotel, and uShaka Marine World is 1.9 mi away. Durban Botanical Gardens are 3.1 mi away and King Shaka International Airport is 19 mi away.
Guest Reviews:
- "Amazing 🤩" - "It was an enjoyable stay, My family and I would definitely be back." - "Awesome" - "Lovely as usual, we always return; was our wedding venue!" - "We truly enjoyed our stay." - "Great stay for our little holiday. Staff are really excellent with everyone we dealt with, especially ZIPHO on check in" - "Little kitchen" - "Aircon doesn’t work properly, staff didn’t bring stuff what was requested" - "It’s was fine"
Very Good
6894 reviews
This 4-star guest lodge is located on the foothills of the Swartberg Mountains and is home to a working ostrich farm. Old Mill Lodge offers air-conditioned rooms, some of which features a balcony overlooking the garden, river and mountain. Freshly-prepared meals can be savored in Old Mill Lodge’s restaurant, offering picturesque views of Grobelaars River. A range of activities are featured at Old Mill Lodge, Seasonal Working Ostrich Farm & Restaurant, Oudtshoorn including hiking, fishing and bird watching. There are 3 swimming pools, a trampoline, zipline, bunny and pony park, as well as boats on the dam. The impressive Cango Caves are just a 10-minute drive away.
Guest Reviews:
- "Great stay in a tent by the river" - "A beautiful stay in an excellent location. this place is perfect for a family holiday." - "Wonderful stay at Old Mill." - "Awesome place and great value for money" - "It was brief, but wonderful" - "Calmness" - "Ideal location for visiting attractions in Oudtshoorn. Fantastic restaurant for dinner. Friendly and helpful staff." - "Good vallue for money" - "Excellent farm and location"
Very Good
3064 reviews
Located only a 5-minute walk from the Old Harbor of Hermanus, the Whale Coast All-Suite-Hotel - DCC Hotel Group offers luxurious apartments with full hotel services. The beach is 3.1 mi away and beach towels are provided. The apartments feature elegant design in neutral colors and include a lounge with a flat-screen, satellite TV and free WiFi. The bathrooms come with free toiletries and contain a bath, shower and heated towel racks. The fully-equipped kitchens have granite bench tops and open out onto a dining area with a mountainous view. Barbecue facilities are provided for outdoor dining on a private patio. With the addition of our Old Harbor Cafe, guests can enjoy a delicious breakfast before starting a day exploring Hermanus. Guests can enjoy a game of golf on the Hermanus Golf Course, only 0.9 mi away, or whale watching from the coast. The tour desk can help organize other activities, including sea kayaking and wine tours. Free undercover parking is provided at the Whale Coast All-Suite-Hotel - DCC Hotel Group, and Cape Town International Airport is a 65 mi drive away.
Guest Reviews:
- "not sure of facilities that would be available but all exceeded expectations" - "Great." - "fantastic - really enjoyed it." - "Great location, clean, super comfy & spacious!" - "Clean, convenient, friendly" - "Enjoyable it is our 4 th short stay in the last year" - "If we go to Margaret River again, we will definitely try to book again." - "Like the prelate's egg good in parts" - "Nice accommodation but could have been great with a bit more attention to the details."
Fabulous
825 reviews
