My favorite boutique hotels to stay in South Africa 

South Africa has an exceptional offer of charming hotels scattered throughout its territory. These are establishments that offer a standard similar to 4 or 5 star hotels but without the large complex that goes with it. Here the key word is exclusivity. The number of rooms is often reduced to less than 10 and they all have a different style. In addition, the quality of services is worthy of the largest hotels. In this selection of the best boutique hotels to stay in South Africa, all the accommodation we recommend is even better for us than traditional hotels. They have a character and a charm which offer you a unique experience. We invite you to discover these accommodations designed with great taste in the article below. If we were to recommend a place that is really worth it in South Africa to book one of these charming hotels, it is of course on the wine route between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek in the middle of the vineyards.   

NB : As we said earlier, these charming hotels have very few rooms. We therefore advise you to book your dream night well in advance to avoid disappointment.

Consulting : For more dream hotels, you will find a list of all the establishments we recommend here: The best dream hotels to stay in South Africa

And here you will find our articles on the different routes to visit the country if you are still unsure: The best routes to visit South Africa

The best boutique hotels in Cape Town to stay in South Africa

Cape Town has many charming hotels and you can quickly get lost in all these offers. To make your job easier, we recommend six that are for us Cape Town's best boutique hotels for lodging in South Africa.

1. Welgelegen: the prettiest boutique hotel in Cape Town

This charming Victorian-style hotel offers well-decorated rooms with views of Table Mountain and a beautiful terrace with swimming pool. Welgelegen Boutique Hotel is located on a street perpendicular to Kloof Street which is the busiest street in Cape Town. The hotel is therefore very central and close to all activities. We recommend you go for a drink at the Bombay Bicycle club just up the street and book a table at The Black Sheep restaurant (2min walk) which is one of the best addresses in the city.

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2. Ocean View House: the best boutique hotel in Camps Bay with the best view

If you prefer to sleep facing the ocean, in a haven of peace, at the foot of Table Mountain, then the charming hotel Ocean View House is made for you. Located in Bakoven just outside Camps Bay, you are only a 10 minute drive from Cape Town city center. In addition, you have many beaches nearby: Llandudno, Camps Bay or even Clifton. And you can walk to the Camps Bay waterfront bars and restaurants. It's perfect for a drink at sunset.

most : The hotel rooms and swimming pool have a magnificent view of the sea.

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3. Grenadine: the most peaceful boutique hotel in the middle of Cape Town in South Africa

Located in a dead end in downtown Cape Town and 50m from Kloof Street (the busiest street in Cape Town), the boutique hotel The Grenadine surprises as soon as you walk through its doors. You don't expect to step into a beautiful garden that gives access to a completely renovated 19th century farmhouse. This charming hotel is an island of calm in the middle of the city. It's quite extraordinary! The owners are very friendly French artists who will give you the best advice to make the most of the city. They have furnished and decorated the building with taste and the rooms are really top notch.

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4. Stock Exchange: Cape Town's trendiest boutique hotel in Woodstock

The best boutique hotel to sleep in Woodstock is without a doubt the Stock Exchange. This neighborhood adjacent to downtown Cape Town is artists' territory. It was a popular place with low rents that attracted a lot of painting studios, craft beer factories and young independent designers, but today gentrification is in full swing. Everyone wants to live in this trendy neighborhood whose graffiti you can explore. The Stock Exchange is the typical example of this gentrification. This boutique hotel itself is modernly decorated and the rooms are top notch. A few years ago tourists did not come to this area. Today it is the coolest in Cape Town and it is impossible to park on Saturdays between 9 a.m. and 13 p.m. Indeed, it is the opening day of the famous market of The Old Biscuit Mill (we highly recommend it and have your breakfast there or you will regret it!). Woodstock is also the district of the Test Kitchen, one of the 50 best restaurants in the world (reservations open 3 months in advance and leave in 5 minutes…).

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5. Rouge on Rose: Bo Kaap's chic boutique hotel in Cape Town, South Africa

If you want to sleep in the district of Bo Kaap and you want a chic boutique hotel, then we advise you Red on Pink. Its rooms are large and opulent. This charming hotel also has a geographical advantage: it is close to the center, in the most colorful part of Cape Town, next to many bars and restaurants and 5 minutes from De Waterkant.

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6. Winchester Mansions: the iconic boutique hotel on the Sea Point promenade in Cape Town

Winchester Mansions is a little more expensive than our other recommendations but it is the must-see boutique hotel on the seafront promenade of the Sea Point district.Whether you stay there or not, we recommend that you have a drink on their terrace to watch the sunset over the ocean. The location of this boutique hotel is just perfect: it combines magnificent sea views, quick access to Clifton and Camps Bay beaches while being a 5 minute drive from the town center. You will find many bars, cafes and restaurants on the main axis of the district behind the hotel. The Sea Point promenade, directly opposite, runs along the sea to the municipal swimming pool. We recommend that you do your morning jog there with the locals and like them end up with a jump in the pool at the end of the track. This charming hotel also offers a superb swimming pool and an open-air patio always full of flowers where you can have your breakfast (if you are there on a Sunday, breakfast turns into brunch with live jazz: we highly recommend it!) . The rooms are comfortable and those facing the sea have a fantastic view.

most : The red tourist buses that go around Cape Town have a stop right in front of the hotel.

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For further : Discover the other hotels we recommend in Cape Town in South Africa

To discover the region:

• Discover the most beautiful areas of Cape Town in South Africa
• Cape Town's must-see excursions in South Africa
• Best things to do in cape town

Thonga Beach Lodge: the best boutique hotel in Saint Lucia for accommodation in South Africa

Thonga Beach Lodge has the privilege of being located inside iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and main attraction of St Lucia (this privilege comes at a rather high price but all meals are included) . The place is quiet and isolated in nature. To get there, the only option is to take the hotel's 4 × 4 which picks you up and takes you to the heart of the national park along a superb sandy track next to the huge beach. Once you arrive, you discover a corner of paradise cut off from the modern world. This is the best boutique hotel in the region from very far away. And it is also part of the top accommodation in South Africa. These luxury cabins are extremely romantic. Perched in the trees, they all have a terrace with a magnificent view of the ocean from where you can observe whales. We would like to live there… In addition, their very wild and always deserted private beach is accessible in 30 seconds and you can snorkel there to admire the seabed filled with fish. The lucky ones may even see a turtle laying these eggs in the white sand. Here, it is not so rare! If you are a scuba diver, this boutique hotel offers sea trips to Sodwana Bay which is South Africa's best diving spot. It also offers many activities such as kayaking or 4 × 4 in the park. When you come back in the evening, don't miss out on a massage. They are just amazing!

Last tip : book quickly because there are only 12 rooms…

Most : if you are on a honeymoon or if you want to spend a romantic night, we recommend that you book one of their rooms with private pool and outdoor shower. The dream…

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Thanda Safari Lodge: take a safari in Hluhluwe-Umfolozi in the best boutique hotel in the park

If you chose to do the Kruger without a private reserve (or if you made a private reserve at the Kruger and loved it!), Then why not indulge in a private reserve at Hluhluwe-Umfolozi? We recommend you Thanda Safari Lodge. It's the best of the best (with the price that follows, of course…). The private reserve was even voted Africa's best luxury lodge at the World Travel Awards in 2013. The principle is the same as at the Kruger: the reserve has its own animals which live in total freedom in a large park of 14 hectares. You have a better chance of seeing the Big 000 here than in the national park. This is definitely the only way to see cheetahs unless you are extremely lucky… Plus the rangers are very informative and friendly. The price includes all meals with drinks (very good gastronomy with fine products morning, noon and night!) And two 5-hour jeep safaris (at dawn and late afternoon) with aperitif in the bush ! In the hottest of the day, you can lounge in your (huge) villa which has a private swimming pool and a free mini bar… In winter, the fireplace is lit in each villa and board games like Scrabble or Monopoly are available . In the evening you can relax in the spa with a massage or have a drink on the terrace in front of the small pond where many animals come to be satisfied. In short, the dream! After a day full of memories, you can recharge your batteries in your luxury room in the middle of nature and wake up in a magnificent setting with a view of the savannah in the early morning… Just unforgettable. Do we need to say more to convince you that this lodge is the best boutique hotel in the park ?

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For further: Discover the other hotels we recommend in Saint Lucia in South Africa

To discover the region:

• Guide to the best activities of St Lucia in South Africa
• Go on a safari at Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve in South Africa

Pablo's House: our crush for the best boutique hotel in Johannesburg, South Africa

Pablo's House is THE best boutique hotel in Johannesburg and even the best accommodation in town (for us). The hotel is located in the heart of Melville. This is our favorite neighborhood because it is trendy, safe and central (Constitution Hill, Apartheid Museum, Maboneng or Rosebank Mall are only a maximum of 15 minutes away). Next door to this boutique hotel you have access to plenty of delicious restaurants (we loved 'NCW' and 'the little house'), trendy bars, hipster cafes, vintage shops, etc. Plus, the boutique hotel is built on the highest point in Melville, offering magnificent panoramic views from your room's balcony or the restaurant terrace (which makes fantastic wood-fired pizzas). Tastefully decorated in a contemporary style, the design of the rooms is superb. We literally fell in love with this establishment. The photos speak for themselves… With a swimming pool surrounded by greenery, a bar, a restaurant and spa treatments, we are closer to a luxury hotel than to a boutique hotel… The best is that you pay a little more than a B&B, but much less than a hotel that offers the same quality of service. At these prices, it's a really good deal! The service is excellent, the staff very friendly, the atmosphere calm and the rooms nickels (they even have Netflix!).

P.S : Book quickly because they only have 8 rooms!

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The Winston Hotel: Johannesburg's best luxury boutique hotel in South Africa

The Winston Hotel is located in Melrose, an upscale area of ​​Johannesburg known for its boutiques and commercial streets. This is the perfect place for shopping! Inside this luxurious boutique hotel, everything is perfect: the swimming pool, the decor, the service, the restaurant on the patio… It is an oasis of calm in the middle of the city. During our visit, we were lucky: the manager gave us the room for the honeymoons without asking for anything! Suffice to say that we were surprised but above all very happy! Our three nights in this 5 star hotel were truly magical. It is for us the best luxury boutique hotel in Johannesburg and we highly recommend it to anyone who wants to have a special time.

The plus: the breakfast is excellent (especially their shakshuka).

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For further : Discover the other hotels we recommend in Johannesburg in South Africa

To discover the region:

• Cultural day in the Soweto district of South Africa
• Explore the vibrant neighborhoods of Johannesburg

Tintswalo at Boulders: the best boutique hotel on the Cape Peninsula in South Africa

Tintswalo at Boulders is located just minutes from the center of Simon's Town and directly above the penguin colony of Boulders National Park. This extremely advantageous location allows you to have the best possible view of these animals. We recommend that you do as we did and get up early for a chance to swim next to them on the adjacent beach before tourists arrive (it is considered one of the best beaches in Cape Town). It is an experience that you will not have elsewhere! As for accommodation, it is a charming hotel offering an exceptional quality of service. The rooms are very comfortable and tastefully decorated. In addition, they have a magnificent panoramic view of the ocean and the mountains. If the water in Cape Town is too cold, you will find a swimming pool on the roof top of this charming hotel. Of course to take advantage of all these advantages, the price is much more expensive than the rest of our recommendations near Muizenberg. But if it fits in your budget, then go ahead and sleep in the best boutique hotel on the Cape Peninsula.

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For further : Discover the other hotels we recommend in Muizenberg in South Africa

To discover the region:

• Visit of the Cape of Good Hope at the tip of South Africa
• The best coast stops between Muizenberg and Hermanus in South Africa

Oceans Wilderness and Views Boutique Hotel & Spa: the two best Wilderness boutique hotels in South Africa

Views Boutique Hotel & Spa et Oceans wilderness are two luxury boutique hotels that offer 5 star comfort. They are the best boutique hotels around the Wilderness in South Africa and are very popular for honeymoons. Their panoramic view of the Indian Ocean is spectacular and the rooms superb. You can enjoy their swimming pools, spa, jacuzzi and massages in front of a breathtaking view. In short, the dream! These are our two favorites that we recommend if you want spend a special time in this region of South Africa.

1. Views Boutique Hotel & Spa

Book in advance Views Boutique Hotel & Spa :

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2. Oceans wilderness 

Book in advance Oceans wilderness :

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For further : Discover the other hotels we recommend in Wilderness in South Africa

To discover the region: The best Wilderness activities on the Garden Route

Birkenhead House: The best boutique hotel to sleep in Hermanus, South Africa

Birkenhead House is the best in the region but also the most expensive. You can watch the whales in the bay, lying on your deckchair, while sipping a glass of white wine ... This charming hotel is very well located at the top of a promontory between the two most beautiful beaches of Hermanus. In addition, its excellent service, its infinity pool and its quality cuisine make it one of the best beach-side boutique hotels in all of South Africa.

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For further: Discover the other hotels we recommend in Hermanus in South Africa

To discover the region: See whales and dive in cages with white sharks at Hermanus

Coopmanhuijs Boutique Hotel & Spa: the best boutique hotel for accommodation in Stellenbosch, South Africa

Coopmanhuijs Boutique Hotel & Spa is the best boutique hotel in Stellenbosch in South Africa. It is perfect if you want to sleep in the historic center of Stellenbosch to enjoy its many activities. Located near the liveliest streets, you can walk to the best bars and restaurants in town. This boutique hotel itself is inside a historic 'Cape Dutch' building. These 5 stars guarantee you a quality service and a comfort without false notes. Among other things, it has a swimming pool and a spa. Here, everything is done to ensure that you have a pleasant stay on the South African wine route!

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Akademie Street Boutique Hotel: the best Franschhoek boutique hotel in South Africa

Franschhoek is a very French village surrounded by vineyards where everything is beautiful and good. This little corner of paradise in South Africa has a price and the same goes for its best boutique hotel : the Akademie Street Boutique Hotel. This is an exceptional luxury boutique hotel located in the heart of the village of Franschhoek in a historic building built by the Huguenots. You are a minute's walk from the main street where all the restaurants, bars and cafes are located. We recommend that you dine at 'La petite colombe' if you are celebrating a honeymoon or other (however book online one to two months in advance as it is one of the best restaurants in South Africa). Once you have passed the boutique hotel doors, you can admire its beautiful decoration with its patio and fireplace. You can swim in the heated swimming pool or in the large barrel which serves as a jacuzzi. As for the rooms, they are absolutely magnificent: large, comfortable and tastefully decorated all in a different style. The place is so French that you can even play pétanque! In short, the best of the best for a perfect stay in a magical place.

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Babylonstoren: our favorite boutique hotel in a vineyard on the South African wine route

A Babylon the Great, It's not only the best boutique hotel on the South African wine route that you offer yourself but a unique and incredible experience in an exceptional setting. Nestled in the middle of the South African wine route and surrounded by its vineyards, this charming hotel is considered the best and most beautiful in the region. Combining the period architecture of the buildings with a contemporary decoration, the design of the estate is magnificent. Many tourists make the trip to visit their gardens, their organic farm or to taste their wines as the place is fantastic. If you do not sleep there, we advise you to eat at noon in their brasserie 'Greenhouse' located in a greenhouse in the gardens. Here, everything is homemade with more than 300 products from their farm. The interior of the rooms can only please you with a huge bathroom and a soft bed. It is ideal for all lovers and those on their honeymoon ... In addition, guests can enjoy the indoor and outdoor swimming pools and the spa, always at the top of design and quality. In the evening, you can eat on site in their Babel restaurant which is one of the best in South Africa. However, reservations open two months in advance as there is so much demand ...

Consulting : If you want to treat yourself to a night in Babylonstoren, book quickly because despite the stratospheric prices, this boutique hotel is often full! We also advise you to book their Babel restaurant at the same time as your room if you want to eat there.

most : you have the right to pick and eat any fruit or vegetable you find in the gardens. We came across the fig season and we had a blast!

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For further : Discover the other hotels we recommend on the South African wine route

To discover the region: The best tour to visit the South African wine route

Buhala Lodge: the best boutique hotel in Kruger National Park in South Africa

The boutique hotel Buhala Lodge is an upscale boutique hotel near the Malelane gate of the Kruger National Park in South Africa. If you have not seen all the animals you wanted during your safari, you still have a chance to see them at sunset because they come to drink along the river that runs along this charming hotel. Guaranteed magic moment. If you can afford it, choose the rooms with a view of the river, you will not regret it. On site, you can relax in the spa of the charming hotel and if you haven't had enough with your day, their night safaris are not to be missed. You go back to the Kruger in a jeep with a guide when it is dark to try to see the felines hunting.

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The Lion Sands River Lodge private reserve: the top boutique hotels in Kruger National Park

Lion Sands River Lodge - Sabi Sand is part of the top 3 of the best boutique hotels offering luxury safaris of the Kruger National Park. We recommend it because it is cheaper than Royal Malewane for a service that is always very upscale: massage at the top of a tree with a panoramic view of the savannah, starred meal under the stars, room with bathtub overlooking the points of water where bush animals drink, etc. The list would be too long to finish. Also, it is located close to the Shukuza gate, so you can get there quickly from Graskop if you are coming from the Blyde river canyon.

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For further : Discover the other hotels we recommend at the Kruger National Park in South Africa

To discover the region: Discover the best route to visit Kruger National Park in 2 days

Gorah Elephant Camp: the best boutique hotel inside Addo Elephant Park in South Africa

If you want to spend an exceptional night on a honeymoon or other, then we recommend that you offer yourself the prestige of staying directly IN the Addo Elephant Park reserve at the end of the Garden Route . The best boutique hotel in the national park Addo Elephant in South Africa is straight out of the movie 'Souvenirs d'Afrique' (also known as 'Out of Africa'). Gorah Elephant Camp is simply magical: you sleep in a luxurious tent in the middle of the savannah near a water point very frequented by wild animals. When you wake up, elephants pass in front of you… You pinch yourself every 3 seconds because you are sure to be in a dream that takes place in 1900! If there is one lodge that looks like all the images we have of discovering Africa, this is it. If you can afford it, go for it. This will for sure be your best memory of the trip and you will keep memories of this unforgettable experience all your life!

Important info : The price is high but everything is included: meals, drinks and even trips in the lodge Jeeps with their guides who are mines of knowledge and who make you visit the reserve in VIP mode.

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For further : Discover the other hotels we recommend in Addo Elephant Park in South Africa

To discover the region: Go on a safari in the Addo Elephant park reserve

Days At Sea Beach Lodge: the best boutique hotel near the Oribi Gorge in South Africa

Days At Sea Beach Lodge is the best boutique hotel near the Oribi Gorge in South Africa. Located between Margate and Port Edward, its location is perfect if you want to go to the Drakensberg the next day. This charming hotel offers large, quality rooms in a very beautiful building. You have a magnificent view of the ocean from your terrace and you can relax in their superb infinity pool overlooking lush vegetation. The staff bends over backwards to ensure you have a great stay. Really the best of the best.

most : They even have a spa that offers great massages!

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For further : Discover the other hotels we recommend near the Oribi Gorge in South Africa

To discover the region: Hiking in the Oribi gorges in South Africa

The Hub Boutique Hotel: the best boutique hotel to sleep in Port Elizabeth in South Africa

The Hub Boutique Hotel is a good address. Even the best place to spend a night before flying. This charming hotel is close to the airport (5 minutes by car) and offers affordable prices for perfect service. No complaints about the cleanliness of the rooms or the pool or reception. It is a good choice for a short night.

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For further : Discover the other hotels we recommend in Port Elizabeth in South Africa

Favorite for Quarters Hotel: the best boutique hotel in Durban, South Africa

When we return to Durban, we always go to Quarters hotel. It is our favorite and it is considered by many locals as the best boutique hotel in Durban. It is ideally located on Florida Road, Durban's busiest street for eating and drinking, but once inside expect a cocoon of tranquility. In addition, the beach, promenade and shops are also very close. Its location and exceptional standing are its best assets. This boutique hotel is very beautiful with its Victorian architecture, comfortable bedrooms and elegant marble bathrooms. We have stayed here numerous times and have never been disappointed. The welcome is always excellent and the service perfect.

The + : If you are leaving early in the morning for the Drakensbergs, the airport or whatever, the Quarters Hotel cooks always prepare a very good breakfast to go for you. Don't forget to ask!

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For further : Discover the other hotels we recommend in Durban in South Africa

The best boutique hotels in central Plettenberg Bay South Africa

1. The Junction Boutique Hotel

The Junction Boutique Hotel is an affordable boutique hotel in the center of Plettenberg Bay. Recently renovated, it is modern and tastefully decorated. Even if it does not have a magnificent view, it is located on the most alive artery of the city. Small and full of charm, it is perfect for going out at night for a drink and eating.

NB: Their breakfast is really great.

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2. The Bungalow

The Bungalow is a very friendly boutique hotel located on the beach. It's a bit more expensive because of its prime location but it's worth getting up facing the ocean and having lunch on their terrace. Besides, even if you don't stay there, we recommend that you go there for brunch or lunch! The furniture is very beautiful and very designer. Here, everything is done to make you feel on vacation!

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Tsala Treetop Lodge: the best boutique hotel in Plettenberg Bay, South Africa

Located just outside of Plettenberg Bay, Tsala Treetop Lodge is lost in nature in the middle of the forest. All bedrooms are built on the treetops. They are extremely luxurious “cabins” with private infinity pools. They are equipped with a bathroom with a large bathtub, an indoor and outdoor shower and the terrace overlooks the jungle with often monkeys visiting you. It's just magic… We had the impression of being a luxury Robinson Crusoe! If you are on your honeymoon or just want to spend a unique night high in the trees, then Tsala Treetop Lodge is a must do. It's expensive but besides being the best boutique hotel in Plettenberg Bay it is one of the most beautiful and romantic hotels in South Africa. You will not regret it !

Consulting : Book the restaurant of this charming hotel for a candlelit dinner hanging at the top of the canopy.

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Hunter's Country House: The Best Alternative to Tsala Treetop Lodge Boutique Hotel

If Tsala Treetop Lodge is too expensive for your budget, then the boutique hotel Hunter's Country House is a good alternative. Much cheaper but not cheap either, this charming hotel is also a haven of peace in the middle of nature. Located at the exit of Plettenberg Bay, it offers a romantic setting in which to relax. The rooms are very beautiful, spacious and tastefully decorated in thatched-roofed houses. The garden and the swimming pool are often visited by many small monkeys. Candlelight dinner is served outside under the stars. The magnificent surroundings and the services offered by this charming hotel make it a good choice for a wedding anniversary. You never stop being pampered! A real piece of paradise.

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Emily Moon River Lodge: the top boutique hotels in Plettenberg Bay in South Africa

Known to all South Africans who spend their vacations at Plettenberg Bay, Emily Moon River Lodge is an institution. Many come there for a drink or dinner to enjoy the magnificent setting at sunset, for lack of being able to sleep there ... the best boutique hotel to stay in this region of South Africa (although much cheaper than Tsala Treetop Lodge). The charming hotel is perched on a hill overlooking the river and its lagoon. The decoration is magnificent. The rooms are all different and very comfortable. The restaurant is famous in the valley. We could not recommend better… But this charming hotel is often full! So book well in advance if you've fallen for this idyllic spot on the Garden Route.

The + : The lodge lends bikes and canoes for the day.

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For further : Discover the other hotels we recommend in Plettenberg Bay in South Africa

To discover the region:

• Plettenberg Bay and Robberg National Park
• The best activities Plettenberg Bay has to offer
• Guide to the best Garden Route stops in South Africa

To find out more about South Africa:

• Go on a circuit in South Africa
• Where to stay in South Africa?
• The best hotels to stay in South Africa by region
• The best accommodation for each type of hotel in South Africa