Types of holiday accommodation in South Africa,...click below on the subject of your choice.

QUALITY AND GRADING
HOTELS
BED AND BREAKFAST
GUEST HOUSES
LODGES
BACKPACKER HOSTELS
SELF-CATERING
CAMPING AND CARAVAN SITES
HOLIDAY RESORTS
NATIONAL PARK REST CAMPS

Melrose Arch hotel in Melrose, Johannesburg – Holiday accommodation in South Africa
copyright © South African tourism

Quality and grading,...

Apart from getting to South africa and getting around South africa, there is another important matter that needs to be addressed when planning your visit to our country and that is where to stay in South Africa. When making your way through the large number of choices and possibilities, it will be very helpful to determine first what your preferences are and whether the nature of your visit is either business or vacation, or maybe both.

Some of the questions you might want to ask yourself are:

• What degree of luxury do I want ?
• Do I want to stay in international standard hotels ?
• Do I prefer the more personal surroundings of a smaller and/or privately run establishment ?
• Or do I perhaps prefer to be closer to nature.
• Etc...

There are a myriad of places to stay in South Africa. From back-packer rooms, small bed and breakfast and country guest houses, right through to the most exclusive and luxury 5 star establishments. Every conceivable type of accommodation is catered for. South Africans are very proud of their country and they will do everything to make visitors enjoy their stay.

Fountain Villa, luxury country house estate hotel in Klerksdorp, Free State province - Holiday accommodation in South Africa
copyright © South African tourism

If you want to be assured of the quality of the accommodation you select, look for the number of stars granted by the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa. As the only government mandated and industry supported quality assurance body for accommodation establishments in South Africa, it evaluates and grades them from 1 to 5 stars according to type , quality and standard of accommodation and service provided.

The following is a brief description of what each star represents;

• Fair to good (acceptable / modest) quality in the overall standard of furnishings and service. Clean, comfortable and functional accommodation.
• Good quality in the overall standard of furnishings and service.
• Very good quality in the overall standard of furnishings and service.
• Superior (excellent) comfort and quality with a high standard of furnishings and service.
• Exceptional quality and luxurious accommodation (matching best international standards). Highest standard of furnishings and flawless service.

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Hotels,...

Falstaff Inn hotel in Sandton, Johannesburg - Holiday accommodation in South Africa
courtesy South African tourism, copyright © Three Cities group

South African hotels can be compared with the best in the world. Many of the leading world hotel chains (like for example Hilton, Holiday Inns, Sheraton, Hyatt, Inter Continental, Radiss and Relais), have hotels here in South Africa. They all have a high standard and you will find everything you need to enjoy your stay.

Hotels are the largest of all accommodation types. Some of the standard features are;

• A common reception area
• Rooms generally opening into hallways
• On-site restaurants and many other facilities
• Wide range of guest services (such as room service).

South African hotels cater for all tastes and preferences. Many people prefer modern hotels which are situated in the city centres, in the middle of vibrant and swinging night life. Others choose to enjoy the tranquillity and beautiful settings together with personalized service and attention of a country hotel.

For those who want nothing else then superlative luxury and pampering, an estate hotel or boutique hotel, often situated on a wine or golf estate might be a good choice. These are unique 5 star establishments, usually with less then 15 rooms. Absolutely exceptional standards, service excellence and sophistication are the hallmarks of these exclusive and elegant hotels.

Hotels to choose from >>>

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Bed and Breakfast,…

Bed and Breakfast accommodation with swimming pool and great view near Pretoria - Holiday accommodation in South Africa
copyright © South Africa tours and travel.com

Bed and Breakfast accommodation is usually provided in a private (family) home with usually no more then one or two guestrooms. If they have more then three guestrooms, we prefer to call them guest houses. Guests are accommodated at night in private bedrooms with bathrooms that may or may not be en-suite. A full English or Continental breakfast is normally included in the daily rate. Other meals are often available as optional extras. The owner or host lives in the house or on the premises, with or without family. In general, guests share the public areas with the host family.

There are a very large number of comfortable and convenient Bed and Breakfast establishments in South Africa. Ranging from luxurious to reasonably priced, from informal to formal, with each host putting his or her personal stamp on the service and character of their establishments, you will have no problem in finding a Bed and Breakfast that will suit your personal tastes and budget.

Staying in a South African Bed and Breakfast home and being in direct contact with local people is a unique and personalized experience. It is one of the nicest ways to enjoy South African hospitality - nothing like a home cooked meal or barbeque “braai” and a comfortable hearth to greet you after a long day’s worth of sight seeing.

Bed and Breakfast galore >>>

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Guest Houses,...

Guest House accommodation at the Drostdy hotel In Graaff Reinet in the Eastern Cape province - Holiday accommodation in South Africa
copyright © South Africa tours and travel.com

A Guest house is either a converted house or manor etc., adapted to accommodate overnight guests, or it may be a purpose built facility. It is run as a fully commercial operation, often owner managed. The public areas it has, are for the exclusive use of the guests. The owner or manager either lives off-site, or in a separate area within the property. Offering a wider range of services, nearly all of them have breakfast included in their rates.

Guest houses are almost like mini hotels, with the number of rooms averaging between something like 5 and 15. Character and atmosphere are a mix between the professionalism of a small hotel and the personal touch and individuality of a Bed and Breakfast establishment. Having said that, you will find that most guest houses in South Africa are extraordinary friendly, hospitable and personal, making you feel very much at home. Guest Houses,...make your choice

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Lodges,…

Chapungu Lodge in the Thornybush private game reserve, adjacent to the Kruger National Park - Holiday accommodation in South Africa
courtesy South African tourism, copyright © Thornybush private game reserve

A lodge is an accommodation facility that is located and designed to put its guests in contact with Africa’s nature and culture at grassroots level. Building style and design of a lodge generally feature materials such as wood, natural stone and thatch to make it blend perfectly with its surroundings and environment.

Most lodges in South Africa are game lodges, situated within private game reserves, national game parks or private game farms. Quality and costs ranges from rustic and reasonably priced for the budget conscious to unsurpassed luxury for those who wish to enjoy the wilds in style. Rates generally include all meals and nature experience activities.

Providing guests with an unforgettable Africa experience, while being accommodated and cared for in a unique, memorable and personal way, is the prime objective of South Africa’s game lodges. Guests are often hosted by game rangers who cater to every need and interest, assisting with the interpretation and explanation of African bush and wild life. Safari game drives and bush walks, together with great evening bush dinners under the open African night sky are bound to make their stay in a lodge an unforgettable experience.

Great Lodges,...many to choose from >>>

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Backpacker Hostels,…

Backpacker hostels are establishments that provide accommodation facilities aimed at the budget traveller. Bedrooms are in dormitory style and bathrooms are shared. In South Africa many backpacker hostels offer single and double bedrooms as well as private bathrooms. Guests generally prepare their own food and drinks in shared self-catering style kitchens, although in some establishments light meals may be available in addition to the room rate. Backpacker hostels in South Africa are clean, attractively priced, well run and generally fun.

For cost conscious, freedom loving and independent travellers, backpacking is a fantastic way to tour South Africa, a favourite destination for backpackers from all over the world. It has more then 180 backpacker hostels spread across the country. The best way to travel between them is on a special bus, generally known in South Africa as the Bazz bus. It provides a hop-on hop-off service between hostels especially for backpackers.

Backpacker Hostels,...check them out >>>

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Self-Catering,…

Self-catering chalet in Marloth Park, adjacent to the Kruger National Park - Holiday accommodation in South Africa
copyright © South Africa tours and travel.com

A self-catering establishment is usually a house, cottage, chalet, bungalow, flat, studio, apartment, villa, houseboat, tent or similar accommodation, where facilities and equipment are provided for guests to cater for themselves. For those that value privacy and independence together with attractive inexpensive rates, there are quite a number of these stablishments country wide.

Many South Africans are offering one of these self-catering facilities on their home premises as an extra form of income. You are staying with and between local South Africans, experiencing and living their way of life, a rare, unique and exciting experience. Price and quality of the accommodation will vary from inexpensive rebuilt garden cottages to luxury estate type getaways and villas.

Self-Catering,...a wide variety >>>

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Camping and Caravan sites,...

Lakeside caravan park in Magoebaskloof, Limpopo Province - Holiday accommodation in South Africa
copyright © South African tourism

Caravan and camping sites are facilities that provide ablution and toilet amenities and space for guests who bring their own accommodation such as a tent, motor-home, camper or caravan. There is a large and well-established network of over 700 excellent camping sites in South Africa, situated at popular holiday destinations, near national wildlife parks, at the coast and on popular tourism routes. Quality and standards of camping sites in South Africa can be compared with the best in the world.

For those opting for a self-drive tour and the freedom to explore the South African country side by themselves, camping is a convenient and inexpensive option. No better way and place to enjoy the outdoors. Cars, Caravans, Campers and Tents may be hired in all the major centres throughout the country. The best time of the year to go camping in South Africa is from October to march.

Camping and Caravan sites,...have a look >>>

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Holiday Resorts,…

Lost City wave pool at the Sun City resort in Northwest Province - Holiday accommodation in South Africa
copyright © South African tourism

Resorts are hotel and entertainment complexes offering a wide variety of accommodation, often in the form of free standing chalets and bungalows and including a wide selection of restaurants, bars, conference and entertainment facilities.

In addition to the standard hotel amenities, they offer entertainment and holiday experiences such as golf courses, casinos, water sport activities and wildlife to name but a few. Holiday resorts in South africa are particularly well-suited for family vacations.

Holiday Resorts,...different options available

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National Park Rest Camps,…

Shingwedzi rest camp chalet in the Kruger National Park - Holiday accommodation in South Africa
copyright © South African tourism

Rest camps are a type of accommodation usually found in South Africa’s National Wildlife Parks. The accommodation is comfortable and is offered to those who are on self-drive tours Inside the park. It consists of free standing rondavels, bungalows, chalets or guesthouses, from reasonably priced to luxurious. The rest camps generally have a good infrastructure, including restaurants, shops and filling stations.

National Park rest camps,...Great value for money >>>

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