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Where to Look

Visitors touring South Africa by car may be worried by the distances that separate cities and towns.  Fortunately hotels, bed-and-breakfasts, motels and self-catering cottages are fond in event the remotest villages.  Farm accommodation is also plentiful.
 
South Africa's cities offer a great variety of places to stay, whether you want family, luxury or business accommodation.  In well-visited country and resort areas, there is also accommodation to suit every taste and pocket:  many game parks, for example, offer luxurious lodges as well as basic camp sites, while most coastal resorts offer hotels, camp sites, B&B's and guest houses.  Enquire at the local tourist information office (usually well signposted) or contact on of the many umbrella associations such as the AA Travel Information Centre.  If you are traveling through the smaller towns without having made prior arrangements, ask at the post office, one of the local stores or police stations for accommodation advice.
 
If you are seeking quiet surroundings, try the smaller and more simple hostelries inland or away from the obvious attractions on the coast.  Most private game reserves offer superb safari lodges.
 
Hotel Prices

Prices tend to be per room rather than per person, but may be advertised as “per person sharing”.  Taxes (and sometimes gratuities) are usually included in the the rates, but tips are appreciated.  Ten to 15 per cent of the cost or value of goods or service received is the norm.
 
Where rates are stated as “dinner, bed and breakfast” or “bed and breakfast”,you are likely to be charged for these meals whether or not you take them.  If you advise the host in time, it may be possible to avoid payment for the advertised meals that are not taken.  Also notify the hosts in advance if you are vegetarian for example.  “Special offers” are seldom further negotiable.
 
Rooms with a shower are usually cheaper than those with a bath, and those with views are more expensive.
 
Prices vary slightly, outside of high season (Nov-Feb, Easter weekend and the mid-year school holidays).  But do ask your travel agent about possible special offers made by hotel groups, or contact them directly.  Hotels do not close during winter (May – Aug).
 
Hotel Grading

South African hotels are classified by a number of organizations, such as Satour, the national tourism authority, the Portfolio of Places.  Satour divides hotels into five categories, indicated by a plaque carrying from one to five stars.
 
A typical five-star hotel is luxurious, offering suites as well as rooms and a wide range of services, such as hair dressing, dry cleaning and room service.  In a country town, a one-star hotel may prove to be comfortable and entirely satisfactory, while in a city it may be little more than a liquor outlet or a noisy local rendezvous spot.
 
Many charming hotels have lower ratings, and some hotels with higher ratings – although they boast more than the required minimum of facilities and service – turn out to be impersonal business warrens.
 
Some self catering cottages and guest houses are also accredited by Satour.
 
Facilities

Facilities vary according to location and grading.  Parking is usually available, but is not always under cover or supervised by a guard.  Some hotels offer a daily car-wash, and may also have courtesy vehicles for hire, either with or without a driver.
 
Most hotels provide a telephone in the bedroom, but it is usually cheaper to use a public telephone.  Television sets in rooms (without cable channels) are fairly common, and there is almost always a guests' lounge.
 
Central heating in winter is not the norm, although most places of accommodation do provide portable heaters.  Many self-catering cottages, particularly those on farms, have indoor fireplaces.
 
Some more upmarket small guest houses and B&B's offer an “honesty bar” with cold beers, wine, soft drinks and mineral water.
 
In country towns, the hotel frontage may be on the main street.  If there is no bypass road, the noise level may be uncomfortable, especially at night.  Before asking to be moved to a room at the back, however, check that there are no large cooling units tucked away, as those are likely to be even more disturbing.
 
Hotels usually have a locked and secure safe where guests can deposit valuables.
 
Hotel Groups
Many of the better class hotels are controlled by one of the national hotel chains, offering incentives or package deals that include lower family rates or out-of-season tariffs.  Some, however, are graded lower than others, so have a different rate structure.
 
Children

Don't presume that your venue of choice will cater for children.  Many upmarket hotels, guest houses and safari lodges do not accept children under the age of ten.  Where children are accepted, families may be able to share a room at little extra cost, as tariffs are “per room” rather than “per person”.
 
Booking

If possible, confirm a telephone booking in writing or by fax.  It is likely that a deposit will be required, which you will forfeit if you cancel your booking at short notice. 
 
The hotel is legally obliged to inform you if there has been a tariff increase since you made your booking.  Even if you have reserved a specific room, ask to see it before you sign the register.  And if you require special arrangements, first ensure that these are satisfactory.
 
Unless otherwise stated, the occupation period generally extends from noon to noon.
 
Self-Catering & Serviced Apartments

This popular style of accommodation offers the ultimate flexibility and freedom. You can come and go as you please, get up when you like and eat when you want. Most establishments offer short and long term lets and some offer flexible daily rates.
 
Choice in style and price of self-catering accommodation in South Africa is vast, with cottages sometimes also referred to as chalets, bungalows or rondavel (if they are round and grass-thatched).
 
Many of the game parks have luxurious, East African-style safari tents with private outdoor kitchens, while farm style cottages in the vast Karoo feature large, indoor hearths to fend off the bitter cold on winter nights.  Municipal chalets in caravan parks may offer only the mere basics, while cottages in the wine estates of the Cape, for example, may even be equipped with microwaves  and satellite television.  The larger resorts and game reserves will usually have a selection of cottages.  These may be self-contained units or have shared kitchen, laundry and bathroom facilities.  Self-catering cottages usually have well-equipped kitchens, are comfortably furnished and may even include towels and bedding, although it is always advisable to ask before hand.
 
Upon arrival, a member of staff may check to ensure that all items on the inventory are supplied and intact.  You could also be asked to pay a small deposit (refundable at the end of your stay) to cover potential loss or breakage.
 
It is advisable to approach individual tourist information offices of towns or regions for the addresses and contact numbers of self-catering cottages.
 
County Cottages

Cottages on farms and in peaceful villages are to be found in Mpumalanga and Kwazulu Natal, and in the wine- and fruit farming areas around Cape Town.  A memorable aspect of a stay in the country is the hospitality and catering in true local style
 
Bed and Breakfast

Bed & Breakfasts provide a very different holiday experience from big hotels, and you're assured service with the truly personal touch. Whoever greets you at the door is likely to serve breakfast the next morning, and will be on hand with local knowledge, advice and assistance. B&B's are often located outside of the main city centre, giving you easy access to the city, countryside and beyond.  Accommodation in private homes has become very popular.  The hosts, who concentrate on a small number of guests staying only a night or two, take pride in being able to provide personal attention.
 
Guest houses

A guest house can be an existing home, a renovated home or a building that has been specifically designed to provide overnight accommodation. A guest house will have public areas for the exclusive use of its guests. A guest house is a commercial enterprise and as such the owner or manager may live on the property
 
Inns

These traditional pubs usually provide accommodation on a bed & breakfast basis. Many have fabulous restaurants. It is worth checking to see if you have to pre-book.
 
Guest Farms

Relatively inexpensive outdoor family holidays are provided by guest- or holiday farms all around the country.  Visitors stay in the farmhouse or in a nearby cottage.  Sometimes meals are eaten with the resident family, otherwise there are equipped kitchens.  Guests can also take part in daily activities such as collecting eggs and milking the cows.
 
Game Lodges

Game Lodges in most private reserves cater for affluent visitors.  They typically offer excellent cuisine, luxurious pseudo-rustic accommodation highly skilled staff and game rangers who ensure that guests see as much of the African wildlife as possible.  National parks are much more basic, yet very comfortable.

Budget Accommodation

The Hosteling Association provides accommodation in several hostels.  The YMCA and YWCA offer similar basic facilities.  No age limit is imposed on guests, although preference is usually given to the younger travelers.
 
Backpackers' lodges are more suited to young people, as facilities and meals are few and privacy in non-existent.  Staying in a youth hostel may be fairly accurately described as “roughing it”.
 
Caravan Parks

You don't have to tow a caravan to qualify for residence, as many caravan parks have caravans to let, along with prefabricated or rustic cottages.  Allocated sites are usually connected to water mains and electricity supplies.
 
Larger caravan parks have a shop, restaurant and swimming pool, and sometimes even tennis courts or a bowling green.
 
Most campers do their own cooking – the method of choice is the South African braaivleis or barbecue.  Cooking places or “braai sites” are provided – one per site – and good, dry firewood is usually available from the park office.
 
Camping can be noisy at night so choose a spot well away from the entrance gate, which usually also serves as the exit point.
 
Rest Camps

Rest camps are the “standard” version of the luxurious game lodge and are found in national parks and provisional game reserves.  Most of them offer a variety of facilities such as swimming pools, shops and communal dining areas, with accommodation options ranging from bungalows to bigger chalets.
 
Under Canvas

Numerous camping grounds are situated along South Africa's major rivers or at the sea.  Sites are separated from each other by calico screens or hedges.  Communal ablution blocks are provided.  Many of the camp sites are run as part of a local caravan park.
 
Mineral Springs

These are resorts at most of South African hot springs.  The attraction is the water itself, in swimming pools or in the form of medicinal baths.  Accommodation is in hotels or at camp sites.
 
Source:  Eyewitness Travel Guide: South Africa. P310 -313.  Struik New Holland Publishing (Pty) Ltd. ISBN 0-7513-6878-4