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

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.

The edge of the spectacular Botrivier Lagoon is where you'll find the luxurious Arabella Hotel & Spa. Your private balcony gazes down on this birder’s paradise, and you just might spot rare species on the water’s edge. Rooms are crisp and modern, with huge windows letting in lots of light. The 18-hole golf course is among the best in South Africa, the spa is known for its soothing treatments, and the pool is surrounded by lush greenery. For all the luxury, the hotel is also very child-friendly.

One of the southern hemisphere's most spectacular seaside properties, The Marine has an incomparable clifftop setting. Perched on the cliffs overlooking Walker Bay, the sumptuously decorated rooms provide whale-watchers with grandstand views over the ocean. All rooms keep you toasty with underfloor heating, and some have private balconies. The two restaurants tempt you with sophisticated menus. The Marine is surprisingly child-friendly.

The ultimate luxury getaway, this renovated Victorian manor house—with original ceilings, wooden floors, and antique furnishings—manages to seamlessly combine five-star decadence with unpretentious family hospitality. Rooms are set in the lush gardens behind the main house and have king-size beds with goose-down bedding, wool carpets, and restored Victorian baths. The restaurant, in the conservatory of the main house, serves lavish three-course breakfasts and delicious dinners featuring dishes like saffron pasta with black garlic and cinnamon pork ragu.

The setting, a crescent of white dunes, has a lot to do with the Arniston Spa Hotel's appeal, so request a sea-facing room and enjoy the ever-changing colors of the horizon and the grandstand view of the whales swimming by between June and November. The beachfront hotel also strikes a fine balance between elegance and comfort. The restaurant’s à la carte menu offers substantial variety, with a strong focus on seafood. There is a kids' activity program and plenty to keep youngsters busy and happy.

On the banks of the Klein River, Blue Gum is a wonderful place to relax away from the hustle and bustle of Hermanus. The rooms are individually decorated in a style that's part English country house, part colonial outpost. Mosquito nets, crisp white linens, and handsome wood will make you feel a little like a 21st-century Karen Blixen of Out of Africa fame. It's a lovely family-run place with an emphasis on escaping the bustle of city life.

If you can't wait to hit the water, then this guesthouse is a great choice since it's bright, airy, and right on the beach. Rooms are, not surprisingly, decorated in beachy shades of blue and white and have an outside shower for wet suits, boards, and such. Sea-facing rooms are ideal for families, with two beds downstairs and two in a loft. To top it off, the property is connected to the Cape Sports Centre complex. Friday Island also has a lovely beachfront bar and restaurant, making it a good place to stay even if you don't take to water in a big way.

Based in an 1862 manor house, the bright rooms at Green Gables marry splashes of contemporary design with pieces of antique furniture. There's a lovely garden and a verandah that's popular for sundowner drinks. The on-site restaurant, Frida's, is a local hang out, which is always a good sign. You can eat dinner and catch up on all the small-town news.

Everyone who walks past this boutique hotel looks on enviously at the location; it sits on Harbour Road, affording marvelous views over False Bay, particularly from the pool. There are bright, airy rooms in the Manor House, one of which comes with a wood-fired hot tub on the deck. The new wing has studios with kitchenettes and balconies.

In the foothills of the Langeberg Mountains, A Hilltop Country Retreat offers spacious and luxurious self-catering accommodations. Decorated with furniture and finishes made by local artists and artisans, each suite is uniquely appointed. Rooms are modern and comfortable, with king-size beds decked out in Egyptian cotton sheets. There are also two fully equipped houses. There are two pools and a barbecue area for all to enjoy. You can self cater, or for an extra fee staff will deliver a DIY breakfast basket to your room.

There's a warm welcome waiting at this guesthouse close to Montagu's church, where rooms are simply decorated but have all the comforts you'll need. Most have a balcony or patio—opt for an upstairs room overlooking the street for optimal people-watching. The real star here is the restaurant, which serves excellent steaks (and a few non-carnivore dishes). Book ahead for dinner as it's also open to non-guests.

Resembling a Mediterranean village—albeit a very luxurious one—this lodging is made up of a collection of two-story buildings with their own swimming pools. Uncluttered and modern, rooms and suites are elegantly appointed with simple furnishings, gas fireplaces, and stylish detail evident in the cotton throws and wide choice of pillows. The surrounding orchards and shade trees make the complex and walkways both verdant and private. There's a kids' clubhouse offering a variety of activities including nature walks, treasure hunts, and visits to the on-site raptor rehabilitation center, so you can enjoy your wine tasting in peace.

Wooden chalets on stilts are set among trees at this romantic lodge near the Tulbagh wineries, complete with private spa baths and breakfast served to your room. There's a small game camp with antelope and zebra, and a large pool, which you'll be very glad of if you're visiting in summer when Tulbagh's temperatures can regularly top 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The spa offers the usual treatments as well as a very romantic moonlit hot tub experience.