3 Best Hotels in The Western Cape and Winelands, South Africa

Name: Grootbos Private Nature Reserve
Address: R43, Gansbaai, Western Cape, 7225, South Africa
Telephone: 028-384–8053
Price range: $$$$

The Cape Winelands are sufficiently compact that you can make one hotel your touring base. Stellenbosch and Paarl, situated close to dozens of wineries and restaurants as well as the major highways to Cape Town, offer the most flexibility. Here bed-and-breakfasts and self-catering (with cooking facilities) options are often less expensive than hotels and provide a better taste of life in the country. Franschhoek is comparatively isolated, which many visitors consider a blessing. The West Coast, the Cederberg, and the Overberg are much more spread out, so you'll want to stay in one place for a day or two and then move on. During the peak season of December–January, book well in advance and be prepared for mandatory two-night stays on weekends. Although the winter months of June–September are usually a lot quieter and bring negotiable rates, seaside towns get really busy (and booked up) when the whales arrive to calve. The same is true up the West Coast during flower season.

Grootbos Private Nature Reserve

$$$$ | R43, Gansbaai, 7225, South Africa Fodor's Choice

A 30-minute drive from Hermanus, this luxury lodging sits on 2,500 acres overlooking Walker Bay. Privacy is paramount in the soothing suites, which have fireplaces, sunken bathtubs, and private sundecks opening onto mountains as far as the eye can see. Rates include breakfast, three-course lunch, and a six-course dinner, plus activities such as horseback riding and trips to a nearby coastal cave. Children will delight in the playground, petting zoo, and treasure hunts at the reserve.

Kagga Kamma Nature Reserve

$$$$ | Kagga Kamma Nature Reserve, Citrusdal, South Africa

Located in the Swartruggens area of the Cederberg, Kagga Kamma offers well-appointed suites carved out of an unworldly red-sandstone outcrop—whoever thought sleeping in a rock cave could be luxurious? If caves aren’t your thing, there are also Hut suites that are designed to resemble Khoi and San dwellings. Rock-art tours, nature drives, and mountain biking await nearby.

Traveller's Rest

$$ | Off Pakhuis Pass, Clanwilliam, 8135, South Africa

If you're on a tight budget, this farm is the place to stay; there are no frills at the basic but comfortable cottages, but the surrounding mountain scenery is spectacular. It's also where all the climbers come to hang out when they've had enough of conquering the nearby rock faces and need to beef up with a burger. The best reason to stay though, is the Sevilla Rock Art Trail, which starts at Traveller's Rest. You can take a guided tour or explore on your own with a booklet that describes all the rock art on the farm. The restaurant is open daily and has a menu of traditional dishes like bobotie, eland stew, and chicken curry.

The Western Cape and Winelands

The Western Cape and Winelands

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