Think of hotels in Africa and you might jump straight to a safari lodge and the tented escapes of the Serengeti, Okavango, Masai Mara and Karoo. But, as the world’s second largest continent, Africa is about far more than game reserves and savannahs. From thriving cities in the Arab north to sandy Indian Ocean islands, the locations and styles of the region’s finest hotels are as varied as its topography. Here are eight outstanding hotels across the continent where camping is off the menu
Kisawa Sanctuary
Arrival at Mozambique's Kisawa Sanctuary starts with a free 60-minute welcome massage
Kisawa Sanctuary is the epitome of rugged-luxe escapism – a 300-hectare tapestry of beach, forest and windswept dunes on Mozambique’s Benguerra Island, home to one of the least explored subtropical ecosystems in the Indian Ocean. The baby of stylish VistaJet scion Nina Flohr (also unofficial Princess of Greece and Denmark), this is a property made for flying and flopping. Upon arrival, each traveller is greeted with a free 60-minute welcome massage and jet-lag defeater before checking into their own island hideaway. You might see other guests or you might not as you surf, paddleboard or partake of the daily sundowner hour; after all, there are only 11 one, two and three-bedroom residences on site. Residences are fabulous and earthy with natural wood, limewash walls, organic materials and African art and antiques – with private pools and terraces backing onto the beach.
Benguerra Island, Inhambane,1304, Mozambique
@kisawasanctuary
Sofitel Legend of the Old Cataract
Follow in the footsteps of Agatha Christie at this legendary location on the Nile
The word ‘icon’ gets thrown around a lot, but Sofitel Legend of the Old Cataract is just that. Built on a cliff on Aswan’s Elephantine Island in 1899, the property is a time warp of colonial-era Egypt with 76 gilded rooms with Hermès toiletries and genteel Nile views. To stay at this hotel is to experience a heavy dose of history and nostalgia: Agatha Christie penned Death on The Nile here and the aptly named Agatha Christie suite is still bookable today. That said, a recent buyout by luxury French brand Sofitel has upped its contemporary appeal and facilities. What’s wonderful is the sense of occasion – dressing up for dinner in a tuxedo or evening gown is welcomed. A restored 1902 restaurant, modelled after Cairo’s Ibn Tulun Mosque, transports you straight to Christie’s novel, plus there’s a coveted Sofitel spa.
Abtal El Tahrir Street, Sheyakhah Oula, Aswan 1, Aswan Governorate 81511, Egypt
@sofitellegendoldcataract
Babylonstoren
Explore over 200 acres of South Africa's wine country at Babylonstoren
A historic working farm turned winery, boutique hotel and global lifestyle brand (thanks to sister UK property The Newt and partnerships with Chelsea Flower Show), Babylonstoren is an ode to the beauty of rural South Africa. It doesn't really feel like a hotel at all – spread across 200 hectares in the foothills of the Simonsberg mountain and encompassing a farm, restaurants, ice cream parlour, winery and charming Cape Dutch cottages. The cottages were once home to farm workers and have since been transformed into luxe escapes with rolltop baths, four-poster beds, terraces and goodie-stocked kitchens. Guests can cycle around the grounds to three pools – some natural and secluded, some steaming and state-of-the-art – or enjoy an interesting roster of tastings and talks, themed dining nights, garden tours and more. Food and wine take centre stage here and breakfast is the star of the show with a colourful harvest smorgasbord of local produce to pick from.
Klapmuts Simondium Rd, Simondium, Cape Winelands District, Western Cape, 7670
@babylonstoren
Kilindi Elewana Collection (3).jpg)
Watch the golden sunset from Kilindi's 25-metre infinity pool
Kilindi Zanzibar cuts a unique shape amongst the thatched beach resorts of Zanzibar. That’s because, while now owned by Elewana Collection, it was originally designed as the holiday escape of ABBA’s Benny Andersson. The almost space-age-looking property sits in the northwest of the island – a popular honeymoon spot – and is home to 15 private, curving cream villas set in 35 acres of tropical gardens. A striking architectural masterpiece, Andersson’s Scandi minimalism touch still prevails, with Middle Eastern elements tastefully woven in. Each whitewashed villa has its own thick tropical garden, a blue plunge pool and butler service while the main hotel has one restaurant (with an ever-changing menu) and a 25-metre infinity pool overlooking the ocean. Kilindi is all about connecting with nature and guests are encouraged to go barefoot, enjoy activities like birdwatching and dine al fresco on the sugar-soft white beach.
Zanzibar, Kendwa, Tanzania
@elwanacollection
La Mamounia
This historic Marrakech location was named one of The World's 50 Best Hotels in 2023
A microcosm of Marrakech’s bohemian energy and enigmatic glamour, seductive La Mamounia is the Red City’s grande dame and stands as a fabulous display of Moorish design that’s as regal as the royal family that still part owns it. An icon of the city since the early 1900s, when it opened as a hotel, La Mamounia has had many dalliances with celebrity, first sparked by playing host to the filming of Alfred Hitchcock’s The Man Who Knew Too Much in 1956. In 2009, the 55-room palatial property was given a glossy makeover by Hotel Costes designer Jacques Garcia and now merges modern design with Moroccan heritage. From the liveried guards at the entrance to the manicured private gardens, which are home to lemon trees and beekeepers, everything makes guests feel like royalty. Accommodation is colourful, opulent and eclectic, spanning rooms and suites with views over the city's Koutoubia Mosque as well as three palm-shaded riad-style cottages.
Avenue Bab Jdid, Marrakech, 40040
@lamamouniamarrakech
Jannah
Kenyan and Swahili motifs are intertwined throughout Jannah's design
From designer-turned hotelier Anna Trzebinski comes Jannah – a love letter to the Lamu of her Kenyan childhood and the Swahili culture. Her second property after Eden Nairobi, newly opened Jannah sits in Shela village at the tip of Lamu island, the capital island of the Islamic Lamu Archipelago east off the northern Kenya coast, a region shaped by centuries of Arab trade. Swahili art and heritage have been mixed with Trzebinski’s signature contemporary flair – a highlight is Jannah’s fragrant ‘Contemplative Scented Garden’, which is inspired by traditional Arabian gardens. Phase two will open soon: seven rooms in an old palace, which, Trzebinski professes, will let the old beauty shine. Four traditional wooden dhow boats are available for day trips and excursions and plans include a hangout in the estuaries for languid lunches and sultry sundowners.
Shela, Lamu, Kenya
@jannahlamu
Mount Nelson
Cape Town's 'pink lady' has been a VIP hotspot since it opened in 1899
The pink facade (its very own Pantone shade) instantly makes a visit to Cape Town’s Mount Nelson – or 'the Nellie' – feel like stepping into a Wes Anderson movie. That and the towering Canary Island palms, the colonnaded entrance, the top-hatted doormen, pink rose bushes, frolicking Egyptian geese and the genteel afternoon tea – featuring the very best leaves from around the world. Over its 125 years, the Mount Nelson has welcomed everyone from Lord Kitchener to Ed Sheeran to its storied corridors. While steeped in history and grandeur, there's no stuffiness and staff and spaces are brimming with personality. A new restaurant with the city's coolest chef, Liam Tomlins, and a collaboration with Norval Art Foundation has seen the hotel become a social hotspot that’s attracting a new cosmopolitan crowd.
Gardens, Cape Town, 8001
@belmondmountnelsonhotel
One&Only Le Saint Géran
Le Saint Géran sits within a stone's throw of the island's best beach
Born as Le Saint Géran in 1975, this is Sol Kerzner's first property outside of South Africa and is considered a true style icon. It’s built on 60 acres of tropical gardens on the island of Saint Géran’s best beach and, since its conception, has hosted everyone from Charlize Theron to Prince William. In 2017, it underwent a $55m facelift, emerging slicker and sexier than ever before. Suites have been reimagined with typically Creole crispy whites and woods, making the cerulean Indian Ocean pop just that little bit more, while chic families in oversized sunglasses, linen and Vilebrequin enjoy tennis matches, aerial yoga, water sports and island feasts (breakfast is a tropical spread of note).
Pointe de Flacq, Poste de Flacq 41518, Mauritius
@oolesaintgeran
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