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Hotels
The top end hotels are world class with excellent restaurants, and often a fitness room, spa and swimming pool. Stylish boutique hotels have become very prevalent in the last two years, and almost every town increased its accommodation options ready for the 2010 World Cup.
Grading: The Tourism Grading Council of South Africa runs a voluntary accommodation grading system. Establishments that join the scheme are awarded 1 to 5 stars. The type of accommodation is taken into account, so there are 5-star bed and breakfasts, and caravan parks, as well as 5-star hotels. Bed and Breakfast
Bed and breakfast accommodation is found everywhere, from rural villages to urban townships. The hosts may provide dinner on request. Advance bookings in the high season of October to April are becoming essential, especially in the Western Cape. Local tourist offices are the best source of information.
Guest Houses
These have a bit more charm than standard bed and breakfasts. Some are housed in historical buildings decorated with antiques, while others may be on a working farm where guests can get involved.
Lodges
Accommodation in the national parks ranges from luxurious to basic. Most have rondavels (thatched huts) or cottages clustered around facilities including a restaurant and shop, and sometimes, a swimming pool. Some have kitchens and air conditioning. Private reserves offer 5-star lodges with top notch catering and ranger-led game drives in prime game-viewing areas.
Self Catering
Holiday flats and chalets are available in all the main tourist areas. Some are located in resorts with spas and swimming pools, and some upmarket hotels also offer cheaper self-catering units.
Camping/Caravanning
Almost every town in the country has a municipal caravan and camping site (camping is not allowed outside of them) and they are found along all the tourist routes in South Africa. The standard is usually high with clean ablution and sometimes kitchen blocks and secure fencing. Many have additional simple self-catering chalets to rent, and a swimming pool. The national parks have campsites too. A number of car hire companies can arrange camper van hire, with a range of fully equipped vehicles.
Backpacker Hostels
Located all over the country, hostels are cheap, clean and well-run places to stay. Some offer beds in dorms with shared showers, others have private en suite rooms. Self-catering facilities are provided. Some rent out mountain bikes or surfboards. Most are listed in backpackers guide Coast to Coast (www.coastingafrica.com). A bus service known as the Baz Bus offers a door-to-door service for hostellers.
Accommodation Information
Guesthouse Association of South Africa
PO Box 18416, Wynberg, Cape Town, South Africa Tel: 021 762 0880. Website: www.ghasa.co.za Tourism Grading Council of South Africa Bojanala House, 90 Protea Road, Chislehurston, Sandton, South Africa Tel: 011 895 3000. Website: www.tourismgrading.co.za Bed and Breakfast Association of South Africa PO Box 1125, Wingate Park, South Africa Tel: 082 239 2111. Website: www.babasa.co.za |
