Luxury through the looking glass: 10 of our favourite South African rooms with a view

“Our favourite collection of exclusive ‘rooms with a view’ guarantee that you will see and experience the splendour of South Africa from each possible angle.”

“Our favourite collection of exclusive ‘rooms with a view’ guarantee that you will see and experience the splendour of South Africa from each possible angle.”

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South Africa has the most spectacular scenic beauty and diverse landscapes that literally touch the heart and soul. From the rugged mountains, oceans and beautiful beaches, to the Winelands, bush, desert and vast wilderness, it really is a ‘world in one country’. Our favourite collection of exclusive rooms with a view guarantee that you will see and experience the complete splendour of South Africa from every possible angle.

Ellerman House – Bantry Bay, Cape Town

Settled high on the side of Lion’s Head peak, overlooking the ocean, we think Ellerman House defines the most exclusive Cape Town retreat.  In our opinion it is the epitome of elegance, style and refinement, with exceptional service standards and arguably the most stunning ocean views in South Africa.

Just a few minutes from Cape Town’s main attractions, whilst still hidden away from the hustle and bustle of the city, this boutique hotel has just 11 rooms, 2 suites and 2 three-bedroom private villas. With a combination of old world elegance, attention to detail and new contemporary touches we think it sets the standard in South African hospitality, all the while offering our favourite ocean view, across Bantry Bay.

Wow factor: The views from on high are peerless and the two-separate standing, three-bedroom villas take luxury to a new level. The property is also not open to the public thus offering a genuine level of privacy and exclusivity to guests.

ellerman house room with a viewellerman house bedroom view

The Silo Hotel – Waterfront District, Cape Town

The world of travel has been anticipating and talking about the opening of the Silo for a while and when you see it you will realize why. A truly stunning and unique architectural and design achievement on the edge of the Waterfront district, the hotel sits dramatically atop a redeveloped grain silo and above Cape Town’s hottest new attraction, the Zeitz MOCAA art gallery.

Offering 360-degree views of everything that is Cape Town, the bustling city, the mountains, the ocean and waterfront, it really is an iconic building and setting. The 28 rooms are all individually and colourfully designed in contrast with the industrial architecture and in reality, few words do this remarkable property justice. You really need to see it first-hand.

Wow factor: Everything, but having afternoon tea or early evening drinks on the roof top terrace, whilst taking in the scenery, the most contemporary of design and relaxed sophistication that is the hallmark of this amazing Royal Portfolio property.

bedroom view at the silorooftop balcony view the silogrand hotel views the silo hotel the royal portfolio

Rock Lodge – Ulusaba Private Safari Game Reserve

One of Richard Branson’s Virgin Ltd collection of boutique hotels, you will fly with eagles at Rock Lodge. Situated on a small granite outcrop 800 metres above the plains of the Sabi Sand reserve of the Kruger National Park, the 8 rooms and 2 suites are perched, and innovatively spaced, between huge boulders which form part of the unique design.

Wow factor:  Relax after your game drive, order a gin and tonic and sit in Sir Richard’s very favourite chair in the quiet corner of the lounge. It’s the place, when in residence, that he always sits for inspiration and you will see why. Grab binoculars and carry on your game viewing on the distant plains below and gaze out over 13,500 hectares of private reserve to the Mozambican border in the distance. Or just close your eyes, drift away and, like Sir Richard, see if your new business idea crystallizes before you!

rooms with a view rock lodge

Tintswalo Atlantic – Hout Bay, Cape Town

You wouldn’t realise that Tintswalo Atlantic is just 20 minutes from the centre of Cape Town, as this award-winning boutique lodge is isolation at its finest. It’s nestled out of site at the base of the ocean-facing Table Mountain National Park, on a steep incline just off the famous Chapmans Peak drive. All you see is the ocean laid out before you, and all you hear is the rustling of the wind in the surrounding fynbos vegetation and the chirping of the birdlife.

A complete hidden gem hideaway the 11 individually decorated and tasteful suites are all situated at the water’s edge, with panoramic views of the Sentinel mountain peak, Hout Bay harbour and the Atlantic Ocean beyond.

Wow factor: Close to the action of Camps Bay and Cape Town but perfect for silence, solitude and down time.

hanging chairs tintswalo atlantic tintswalo atlantic bedroom balcony

The Marine Hotel – Hermanus

The Marine is one of South Africa’s most spectacular seaside hotels. Located on Hermanus’ famous cliff path, overlooking the breath-taking Walker Bay in the Western Cape’s Overberg region, the hotel is the ultimate location for whale watching during whale season – often directly from the comfort of the sea view bedrooms.

A historic hotel of regal elegance, the Liz McGrath collection have added contemporary modern touches and brought the property back to life over the years. It still retains its style and sophistication though, and evening drinks in the sun lounge before seafood in the restaurant is a must.

Wow factor: Quite simply located in the most spectacular spot, and if you want to watch whales in South Africa, then this is the place to do it from dry land. You can sit at your hotel window and they literally come and put on a show for you. Or if you are feeling a bit more energetic you can stroll 50 yards though the garden onto the cliff top path and practically reach out and touch!

marine hotel loungemarine hotel view

Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff –  Johannesburg

A historic hotel reborn, in our view the old Westcliff hotel has always had the most magnificent and panoramic views across Johannesburg’s skyline. Elevated high on a hillside overlooking the affluent, afforested suburbs below, the exclusive Four Seasons hospitality brand have now taken it to a new level of luxury and redesigned the property into an exclusive hillside village amongst fountains, courtyards and manicured gardens. The views however remain and have been accentuated with new viewing decks and outside restaurants that bring the spectacular skyline to life.

Wow factor: Dinner outside on the terrace is a must and with Johannesburg zoo meandering through the forests below, you will probably catch a view of some of the big five from your dinner table.

luxury suite four seasons hotelroom view johannesburg urban junglejohannesburg landscape four seasons hotel

Clouds Estate – Stellenbosch, Winelands

An undiscovered gem on one of the country’s most beautiful mountain passes, Clouds Estate easily finds its place on our favourite rooms with a view list. Just a few minutes out of Stellenbosch and a drive up the Helgshoote pass, Clouds sits on the crest of the hill with the most dramatic views of zagged mountain tops on either side and the valley sweeping away beneath you.

Its a small and stylish boutique hotel that is family owned and you can feel the warmth of personality and service shining through at all times. The rooms have designer touches with all the mod cons and a real highlight are the floor to ceiling windows offering the most spectacular views down the valley. It’s a perfect place to spend a few days exploring the beauty and diversity of the Cape winelands.

Wow factor: If you think this spot couldn’t get any better, it’s also a working wine farm. This means you can sip on the fruit of their labour, while overlooking the beautiful Banghoek valley from the terrace.

clouds estate bedroombalcony clouds estateclouds estate garden with helshoogte mountain range

The White House Beach Villa – Yzerfontein, Cape West Coast

If you really want to get away from the crowds, but still want designer luxury then this white-cladded, four-bedroom private villa is our go-to beach house for a few days of relaxation.  Just an hour’s drive from Cape Town straight up the west coast, the White house is perfect for families or small groups and provides isolation and desolation in stylish surroundings. With the ocean on your doorstep and 16 miles of sandy beach stretching out as far as the eye can see, we think this is the perfect getaway retreat.

Wow factor: A long walk on the beach in season will more than likely guarantee catching a glimpse of pods of dolphins frolicking in the surf.

beach villa lounge and balconybeach villa and bathtub with a view

MannaBay – Oranjezicht, Cape Town

As close to Table mountain as you can get, sits Manna Bay, a luxury boutique hotel where you feel the mountain is watching over you and the views are unbeatable. High above the city with the Mountain as a backdrop, this small and intimate eight bed roomed “lap of luxury” hotel also gazes out over the Mother City, its working harbour and the Atlantic Ocean. Impeccable design, style and service are guaranteed and Manna Bay really is a work of art that inspires, delights and enlivens.

Wow factor: The combination of Table Mountain rising vertically and dramatically behind you, with the whole of Cape Town and Table Bay spread out below and before you.

balcony cape townMannaBay exterior lion's headflamingo bathroom and cape town view MannaBay

Marataba Safari Lodge – Marakele National Park, Limpopo

Overlooked by the stunning Waterberg Mountains of the Limpopo province, Marataba is one of our absolute favourite scenic destinations, the place where the plains touch the mountains. Flanked by the mountains towering overhead, the safari lodge resides in over 23,000 hectares of the most beautiful and peaceful bush landscape of rivers and rolling hills. Just over a three-hour drive from Johannesburg its easily driveable and the lodge takes “glamping” to new levels of luxury with fifteen canvas-and-stone tented suites tastefully furnished and decorated with a contemporary twist.

A big five reserve, at Marataba you will hear sounds of nature up-close and personal and from your private viewing deck overlooking the plains and rivers of Marakele Game Reserve, the scenery is both dramatic and spellbinding.

Wow Factor: Watching the sun going down on the Waterberg Mountains and seeing them change into different colours of orange and purple is something you won’t forget.

private villa marataba lodgebalcony view from marataba lodgetented camp maratab safari

If you are looking for the best luxury accommodation across Cape Town, Johannesburg and the rest of South Africa, get in touch with our team here.

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