Best Places to Stay Garden Route South Africa
From camping to luxury stays in national parks, South Africa offers a wide variety of accommodations. We opted for mid-range accommodations, often choosing B&Bs or hotels. If you’re traveling the Garden Route in South Africa and looking for the best places to stay, below you’ll find some of our top recommendations.
General Tips for an Accommodation Along the Garden Route South Africa
- Book early to secure great prices for hotels in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
- Choose accommodations that include breakfast! South African breakfasts are very well-prepared and will give you plenty of energy to start your day.
- Keep an eye on supermarkets along the way as sometimes they aren’t close to your accommodation, and you may need to do your shopping while traveling.
- Be aware of loadshedding: scheduled power outages. You can ask your host when this happens at your location or easily look it up online. In winter, accommodations can get chilly, so a thick jacket may come in handy!
- Book via Booking.com with free cancellation. This gives you flexibility if your plans change.
- Check out our free Google Maps South Africa for the exact location of the all our recommended accommodations.
Below are the accommodations we stayed at along the Garden Route, from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth (Addo Elephant Park) during our road trip South Africa.
Hotel Verde – Cape Town (1 Night)
After a long flight from the Netherlands (or wherever you may have transferred from), it’s nice not to travel far to your accommodation. Hotel Cape Verde is just 300 meters from the airport, and they offer a free shuttle service. When you book, you’ll receive all the information for this service in advance. The hotel rooms are spacious and well-equipped. It also offers various amenities such as a restaurant and a natural garden where you can stretch your legs after your journey.
16 On Bree Studio – Cape Town (3 Nights)
In Cape Town, we stayed at 16 On Bree, an apartment complex in the city center. We were able to park our car in a spacious garage. Upon check-in, we noticed the extensive security measures in place at the complex. It was necessary to scan our fingerprints to access the lifts and enter or exit the parking garage. Eventually, we didn’t need to do this as the parking attendant kindly helped us with entry and exit. There was always someone present at the entrance.
Because of the well-equipped kitchen, we could cook dinner each night, avoiding going out in the dark and saving money on meals!
16 On Bree Studio in Cape Town
Wildlife Retreat on a Winefarm – Stellenbosch (1 Night)
After the hustle and bustle of the city, it’s nice to relax in the wine country. A perfect base for this is the beautifully furnished accommodation at Remhoogte Farm. The property is somewhat secluded and overlooks fields with zebras and other animals. You even get a complimentary wine tasting for two. On the other side of the road is another large wine farm, making it easy to spend an afternoon wine-tasting. We also learned that you can take a bus or even a small train to visit several wineries in the area.
Wildlife Retreat on a Winefarm in Stellenbosch
Bergview Guesthouse – Swellendam (1 Night)
The guesthouse in Swellendam is well-equipped. If the weather permits, a swim in the pool is a great option. In the morning, they serve an extensive breakfast. What we appreciated most about this guesthouse was the host’s hospitality. She recommended a restaurant in town (Drostdy) and even made a reservation for us.
Bergview Guesthouse in Swellendam
Panoramic Blue B&B – Plettenberg Bay (1 Night)
This accommodation is in our top 3 of best places to stay along the garden route. Why? The room is very spacious, offers a fantastic view of Lookout Beach, and serves a delicious breakfast. We were warmly welcomed by the host, who also gave us helpful tips for things to do in the area. The breakfast is served at a nearby restaurant and was excellent! From the B&B, we easily drove to a lovely walk at the Robberg Peninsula.
Panoramic Blue B&B in Plettenberg Bay – The best accommodation along the Garden Route South Africa
Swallows Nest Country Cottages – Storms River (1 Night)
On a large enclosed field that feels a bit like a campground, you’ll find the Swallows Nest cottages. Each cottage is spacious and provides a real homey feel. There’s even a fireplace to heat things up, which is especially useful if you’re traveling in the winter months. The price also includes a standard South African breakfast, which was quite nice.
Swallows Nest Country Cottages in Storms River
Nine on Uys Street – Jeffrey’s Bay (1 Night)
The Nine on Uys Street accommodation is within walking distance of the beach. We chose to walk along the road to the more central beach in Jeffrey’s Bay, which is great for surfing! If you’re not in the mood to walk or surf, you can relax by the property’s pool with lounge chairs. They also offer a tasty breakfast.
Nine on Uys Street in Jeffrey’s Bay
Bydand B&B – Addo Elephant Park (2 nights)
Located near Addo Elephant Park, Bydand B&B is now under new ownership (since July 2023). The rooms are large and feature their own patio with views of the fruit orchards on the property. To get there, you’ll need to drive a short stretch on a bumpy, unpaved road. But, this is easily manageable, even with a smaller car. From the accommodation, you’ll be at the entrance to Addo Elephant Park in no time. Make sure to check the safest route if you’re coming from Port Elizabeth, as the shortest path may not always be the safest. Our tip is to ask the host for advice!
Bydand B&B in Addo Elephant Park
