Surrounded by beautiful mountains, forests, rivers, lagoons and long sandy beaches, South Africa's Garden Route is one of the most stunning stretches of coastline in the world. And its list of accommodation options and things to do can seem never-ending! But luckily for you, we’ve taken this epic road trip so many times that we can, well, write a book about it! But, first, let’s start with the best places to stay on the Garden Route…
The Garden Route is the ultimate holiday destination, Image Credit: The Old Rectory
Most Scenic Garden Route Road Trip
Near Knysna and Plettenberg Bay, the heart of the Garden Route, there’s a large collection of hiking trails and spectacular places to stay. There are also ocean safaris, world-class golf courses, tree canopy tours and a whopping 216-metre bungee jump all waiting for you. If you prefer less vigorous activities, then maybe a spot of wine tasting at one of the wine farms in the area is more your style.
After all that gallivanting, you'll be eager to rest your head at some quality accommodation, which is bountiful in this pretty part of the world. There are incredible hotels, guest houses and lodges waiting to take you in, pamper you and get you ready for the next stunning day. These, in no particular order, are our tried-and-tested best places to stay on the Garden Route.
Enjoy views over the ocean from The Plettenberg Hotel
1. Kanonkop House
Kanonkop House is a luxury guest house in Knysna with palatial rooms and spectacular views over the forests, lagoon, and Indian Ocean. This is not just another hotel. Instead, it’s your very own home, owned and operated by the Conyers family.
You’ll feel like you’re invited as their personal guest, and there’s certainly enough to keep you busy! Use their boat for skiing, fishing or scenic sundowner cruises on the lagoon, jump on a kayak for a morning workout paddle, or head into the forests on a mountain bike.
Your home on the Garden Route, Image Credit: Kanonkop Guest House
2. Turbine Hotel and Spa
What was once Knysna’s wood-fired power station is today The Turbine Hotel and Spa, is a unique boutique hotel on Thesen Island and one of our personal best places to stay on the Garden Route. The Turbine Hotel and Spa now has a modern, industrial mystique that distinguishes it from other properties. Plus, not many hotels can say they used to be power stations!
As you might imagine, it has adopted a slightly more luxurious feel along the way, too. Guests can indulge in delicious cuisine at Island Café, Gastro Pub or Pool Deck, lounge in the inside courtyard, delve into a book from the library, browse the wine cellar, cool down in the rim-flow pool or enjoy a treatment at the Turbine Spa.
We love the pool deck, Image Credit: Turbine Hotel & Spa
3. Tsala Treetop Lodge
Want to live out your childhood dream of staying in a treehouse? Lying between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay, say hello to Tsala Treetop Lodge! With suites and villas tucked away among the leaves, about six metres above the forest floor and interconnected by wooden walkways winding through the treetops, this is a dream for children and adults alike.
Tsala welcomes children of 10 years and older, making the two-bedroomed Treetop Villas perfect for a family retreat. Both the suites and the villas feature a private deck with an infinity plunge pool overlooking the treetops and the valley below. Plus, it's super cosy in winter as each suite has a ceramic fireplace.
Feel like you're staying in a treehouse, Image Credit: Tsala Treetop Lodge
4. The Plettenberg Hotel
Oh, the views! This boutique hotel is famous for its stunning vantage point overlooking Lookout Beach. Our favourite is the two pools, also perched to overlook this view. And in whale season, it’s even more impressive when you can admire these massive marine mammals breaching in the ocean.
Celebrated for its fine cuisine and high standards, The Plettenberg Hotel's restaurant sustainably incorporates the flavours and natural ingredients of the Garden Route. Other highlights include the award-winning wine cellar, the trendy Sandbar cocktail lounge, and the Fresh Wellness Spa.
The Plettenberg Hotel is one of the best places to stay on the Garden Route
5. Hog Hollow Country Lodge
The first time you step onto the boma deck at Hog Hollow Country Lodge overlooking the Tsitsikamma mountains, Matjies River Gorge and verdant forests, it will steal your heart. In winter, huddle around the fire as you take in the views, and on sunny days, lounge on the pool deck. Come rain or shine, this is one of our best places to stay on the Garden Route.
Hog Hollow is located just outside of Plettenberg Bay, making it a perfect base from which to explore the surrounding treasures of the Garden Route. Enjoy a day cruising in a boat up the Keurbooms River, or take a marine tour of Plettenberg Bay, a glider flight, or walk through the surrounding nature reserves.
Sit back and enjoy the view at Hog Hollow
6. Emily Moon
For the traveller who loves eclectic creative spaces, Emily Moon set on the banks of the Bitou River is for you. We love how it feels like you’re wandering through an art gallery, with the owners’ attention to detail reflected in the décor of the 10 rooms. African artwork from as far afield as Somalia and Kenya has all been personally collected and incorporated with precision.
Sip your coffee or cocktail from your private balcony with uninterrupted views, coupled with the seclusion of your own lodge. Emily's Restaurant is renowned for exceptional cuisine, and Simon's Bar, with its viewing deck, is the perfect place to take in the sunset and enjoy glass or two before dining.
A haven on the Garden Route, Image Credit: Emily Moon
7. The Old Rectory
What about staying in a restored National Monument? The Old Rectory is a charming hotel located in Plettenberg Bay, with 18 suites, some pool-facing and others with access to their own sun-soaked gardens.
In summer, we enjoy spending lazy days on the pool deck shaded by ancient milkwood trees, booking ourselves in at the onsite spa for some much-needed R&R, and dining at the onsite Restaurant 1777. Did we mention that the hotel is a quick two-minute walk away from the beach? This is beach-meets-garden bliss at its best.
Historic building with modern touches, Image Credit: The Old Rectory
7. Schoone Oordt
Feel like you step back in time at this fairytale setting set in the historical farming town of Swellendam. As it’s about two hours from Cape Town, Schoone Oordt is a good stopover before continuing on your Garden Route trip. Accommodation is distinctly Victorian and consists of Standard Rooms, Luxury Rooms, a Family Room and a Honeymoon Suite.
With the Langeberg Mountains as its backdrop, hikers might want to add a couple of days to their itinerary to explore the Marloth Nature Reserve, Bontebok National Park, and the De Hoop Nature Reserve a little bit further afield. Furthermore, the food deserves praise, with traditional South African food meeting gourmet cuisine.
Victorian glamour on the Garden Route, Image Credit: Schoone Oordt
8. Simbavati Fynbos on Sea
As the name suggests, Fynbos on Sea treats you to our Cape Floral Kingdom's splendour as well as ocean views! With nine rooms and an exclusive-use cottage all built on the dunes for the best vistas from sunrise to sunset, it's one of our favourite places for "slow travel".
Not only is the fynbos vegetation fascinating, but the area is also home to many different plains game like zebra, bushbuck, eland, waterbuck, and more. Whether on foot or mountain bike, you'll love leisurely exploring the natural beauty of this area. And on days you feel a bit more adventurous, you can see the world from a bird's-eye view by going paragliding, kayaking on the lagoons, or exploring underwater by snorkelling in the rockpools.
Wrap-around fynbos views Image Credit: Simbavati Fynbos on Sea
Visit The Best Places to Stay on the Garden Route
If you'd like to explore the Garden Route where you are able to stay at one of these amazing places, drop us a message and we'll arrange it all for you. As a teaser, here's a tour idea from Cape Town to the Eastern Cape where you can experience the Garden Route along the way.
Our Travel Experts love the Garden Route, and will recommend not only the best places to stay and things to do (based on your personal preferences!), but will also suggest other destinations you can add on to your African holiday. Let's start planning!
