The Best Hotels for First Time Visitors in South Africa

Where to Stay on Your First Trip to South Africa

Drakensberg Mountains, South Africa Drakensberg Mountains, South Africa

Visiting South Africa for the first time can be an exciting, yet overwhelming experience. With so many incredible hotels to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to stay. If you're deciding where to stay for your first visit to South Africa, we've compiled a list of the best hotels for first time visitors. We analyzed all of the hotels in South Africa based on price, location, amenities, guest ratings, and more to determine which would be the ideal places to stay for first timers. Whether you're here for just a few days or longer, these hotels offer the perfect combination of amenities, location, and price. For those visiting South Africa for the first time, it's important to choose a hotel in a safe and convenient area to make the most of your first visit. You'll want to be close to the activities, shopping, and dining options, of course. When looking for hotels, consider the amenities they offer. Some hotels may have a fitness center, a bar or restaurant, a pool, or even a spa. All of these features can add to your overall enjoyment if you've never been to South Africa before. Also, guest ratings and reviews are also important to consider when choosing a hotel. Whether you're visiting South Africa for the first time, or you're a seasoned traveler, the best hotels in South Africa for first-timers offer the perfect combination of comfort, convenience, and affordability. So, here's our list of suggestions for your next trip.

(Prices are listed in U.S. Dollars.)

Riversong Guest House

Cape Town, Western Cape
Guest House with prices starting at $72 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Among the Best Places to Stay for a First Visit to South Africa
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 4-star hotels.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Family-Friendly

Located at 14 and 54 Esme Road, Riversong Guest House has great rooms from $72 (before taxes). It offers an outdoor pool, room service, a water park, a restaurant, and scuba diving. It has a terrific 8.90 rating out of 10 from previous guests who have stayed here. Only a short distance from the city center, first time visitors will especially love snorkeling, a bar, a kid-friendly buffet, breakfast, and hiking at this relaxing hotel. Getting room service delivered is always a nice luxury. The price of this hotel is less than average for first time trip hotels, which makes it a great value.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Water park
  • Snorkeling
  • Breakfast included
  • Kitchen
  • Free breakfast
  • Horse riding
  • Family-Friendly
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Kid-friendly buffet
  • Hiking
  • Kitchenette
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Tennis
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Breakfast in the room


Cape Heritage Hotel

Cape Town, Western Cape
4-star Hotel with prices starting at $83 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect Hotel to Make the Most of Your First Visit
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 4-star hotels.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Family-Friendly

A great place to stay is Cape Heritage Hotel which has nice rooms starting at $83. Offering room service, a restaurant, a fitness center, scuba diving, and snorkeling, it also has a great guest rating of 9.80 out of 10 from many previous guests. It's located at 90 Bree Street. This convenient hotel is also nice because it offers a bar, parking, a kid-friendly buffet, hiking, and mountain views which visitors will enjoy. Also, it's just a short drive from the city center. The restaurant serves delicious food, too. It's also less than the average price for first time trip hotels, so it's a great value.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Room service
  • Snorkeling
  • Parking
  • Kitchen
  • Horse riding
  • Family-Friendly
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Kid-friendly buffet
  • Hiking
  • Kitchenette
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Hot tub
  • Bicycle rental
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Coffee shop
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Breakfast in the room
  • Luxury


Vredenburg Manor House

Stellenbosch, Western Cape
Guest House with prices starting at $66 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Great Hotel for First Time Visitors
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 4-star hotels.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Family-Friendly

We found Vredenburg Manor House to be a great place to stay, and the price starts at $66. We loved that is has an outdoor pool, a pool bar, a restaurant, a fitness center, and a bar, and it also has a terrific guest rating of 9.70 out of 10 from previous guests. It's located at Winery Road. You'll also find hiking, mountain views, rooms with kitchens, rooms with kitchenettes, and laundry services which travelers will love. And this fun hotel is just a quick trip from the center of town. The pool here was very nice, relaxing, and fun. It's a great value, too, because it's less than the average price for first time trip hotels.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Kitchen
  • Family-Friendly
More Great Amenities
  • Pool bar
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hiking
  • Kitchenette
  • Laundry service
  • Pets allowed
  • Game room
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Family rooms
  • Coffee shop
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Saltwater pool
  • Luxury


Cape Grace Hotel & Spa

Cape Town, Western Cape
5-star Hotel with prices starting at $343 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for Your First Visit to South Africa
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Family-Friendly
  • Heated pool

With terrific rooms from $343, Cape Grace Hotel & Spa, at West Quay Road provides an outdoor pool, a pool bar, room service, a restaurant, and a fitness center. Its terrific guest rating is 9.20 out of 10 from previous guests staying here. New visitors will really like this amazing hotel which also offers scuba diving, snorkeling, a bar, a kid-friendly buffet, and breakfast. It's located just a short distance from the city center, too. After a busy day, the heated pool is a nice place to unwind.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Snorkeling
  • Breakfast included
  • Kitchen
  • Free breakfast
  • Spa
  • Child pool
  • Horse riding
  • Family-Friendly
More Great Amenities
  • Pool bar
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Kid-friendly buffet
  • Hiking
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Heated pool
  • Tennis
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Breakfast in the room


One&Only Cape Town

Cape Town, Western Cape
5-star Hotel with prices starting at $510 (before taxes) - See All Prices
A Good Stay for Your First Trip
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Family-Friendly

One&Only Cape Town has a great guest rating of 9.10 out of 10, and offers an outdoor pool, room service, a restaurant, a fitness center, and a bar. The great rooms here start at $510 before taxes and depending on the season. It can be found at Dock Road Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. Furthermore, it also offers a kid-friendly buffet, mountain views, child care, laundry services, and golf, which is nice for first time visitors. Just a short drive from the city center, this fantastic hotel is a terrific choice.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Free breakfast
  • Spa
  • Family-Friendly
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Kid-friendly buffet
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Game room
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Family rooms
  • Playground
  • Breakfast in the room
  • Infinity pool
  • Kids' club


Asara Wine Estate & Hotel

Stellenbosch, Western Cape
5-star Hotel with prices starting at $215 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for Your First Time in South Africa
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Family-Friendly

The great guest rating of Asara Wine Estate & Hotel is 9.10 out of 10. This place has an outdoor pool, a pool bar, room service, a restaurant, and scuba diving. Prices for the terrific rooms are from $215, and it's located at Polkadraai Road. We also love the snorkeling, a bar, breakfast, hiking, and mountain views which are great for visitors. And since it's just a quick trip from the center of the town, the location is great, too. We always love having a pool, and the one here is really nice.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Snorkeling
  • Breakfast included
  • Free breakfast
  • Spa
  • Horse riding
  • Family-Friendly
More Great Amenities
  • Pool bar
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hiking
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Fishing
  • Coffee shop
  • Refrigerator
  • Breakfast in the room


AHA Harbour Bridge Hotel & Suites

Cape Town, Western Cape
4-star Hotel with prices starting at $79 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for First-Timers
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 4-star hotels.
  • Family-Friendly

A cool place is AHA Harbour Bridge Hotel & Suites because it has great rooms that start at $79. It has an outdoor pool, room service, a restaurant, scuba diving, and snorkeling, it also earned a great guest rating of 8.10 out of 10 from people who have stayed here before. It's found at Roggebaai Canal Lower Long Street. Only a short distance from the city center, travelers will especially love a bar, a kid-friendly buffet, hiking, mountain views, and rooms with kitchens at this convenient hotel. We always love being able to prepare simple meals in a hotel room, and the kitchenette here was teriffic. It's also less than the average price for first time trip hotels, so it's a great value.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Snorkeling
  • Kitchen
  • Horse riding
  • Family-Friendly
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Kid-friendly buffet
  • Hiking
  • Kitchenette
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Coffee shop
  • Refrigerator
  • Breakfast in the room


Somerset Sights B&B

Cape Town, Western Cape
Bed & Breakfast with prices starting at $91 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Among the Best Places to Stay for a First Visit to South Africa
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Heated pool

Somerset Sights B&B offers an outdoor pool, a water park, a restaurant, a fitness center, and scuba diving which we really like. The terrific rooms here start at $91 (before taxes). It's located at 1 Buchu Close and has earned a guest rating of 9.90/10. This fun hotel is also nice because it offers a bar, hiking, mountain views, rooms with kitchens, and laundry services which new visitors will enjoy. Also, it's just a short drive from the city center. Spending time at the water park is such a nice activity for kids and adults alike!

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Water park
  • Kitchen
  • Horse riding
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hiking
  • Laundry service
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Fishing
  • Heated pool
  • Private pool
  • Tennis
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Saltwater pool


Victoria & Alfred Hotel

Cape Town, Western Cape
4-star Hotel with prices starting at $142 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect Hotel to Make the Most of Your First Visit
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Family-Friendly

Located at On The Waterfront Pierhead, Victoria & Alfred Hotel has great rooms from $142 (before taxes). It offers an outdoor pool, room service, a restaurant, a fitness center, and a bar. It has a terrific 8.90 rating out of 10 from previous guests who have stayed here. You'll also find mountain views, child care, laundry services, golf, and city views which first time visitors will love. And this amazing hotel is just a quick trip from the center of town.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Spa
  • Family-Friendly
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Coffee shop
  • Breakfast in the room


GuBas De Hoek meet eat sleep

Robertson, Western Cape
Guest House with prices starting at $45 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Great Hotel for First Time Visitors
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 4-star hotels.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Family-Friendly

A great place to stay is GuBas De Hoek meet eat sleep which has nice rooms starting at $45. Offering an outdoor pool, a pool bar, room service, a restaurant, and a bar, it also has a great guest rating of 8.90 out of 10 from many previous guests. It's located at Route 62, Breede River Valley. Visitors will really like this fantastic hotel which also offers outdoor tennis, hiking, mountain views, rooms with kitchens, and rooms with kitchenettes. It's located just a short distance from the city center, too. Having a kitchen means that you'll be able to cook, which is very convenient when you're on the road. We found the price of this hotel to be a great value because the price is less than average for first time trip hotels.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Kitchen
  • Spa
  • Child pool
  • Horse riding
  • Family-Friendly
More Great Amenities
  • Pool bar
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hiking
  • Kitchenette
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Breakfast in the room
  • Saltwater pool


For more terrific hotel ideas in South Africa, make sure you also see Best Family-Friendly Hotels in South Africa, Best Beach Hotels in South Africa, Best Cheap Hotels in South Africa, Best Luxury Hotels in South Africa, Best Pet-Friendly Hotels in South Africa, Best Hotels for a Weekend Getaway in South Africa, Best Hotels for One Week in South Africa, Best Hotels for One Night in South Africa, Best Romantic Hotels for Couples in South Africa, Best Adults Only Hotels in South Africa, Best Party Hotels in South Africa, Best Hotels for Scuba Diving in South Africa, Best Hotels for Skiing in South Africa, or Best Business Hotels in South Africa.


How much do hotels for first-time visitors cost in South Africa?

South Africa Average First Time Trip Hotel Price
$89

Visitors will find a large range of terrific first time trip hotel choices when planning a visit to South Africa. The price of these first time trip hotels can vary according to location, type, and amenities. The average first time trip hotel price in South Africa based on data from 1610 hotels is an affordable $89. If you're interested in more information about hotels here, see our guide to hotel prices in South Africa.

The average prices of our suggested first time trip hotels by star rating:

  • 5-star hotels: $189
  • 4-star hotels: $87
  • 3-star hotels: $66
  • 2-star hotels: $45


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