It takes an experienced, informed eye to design hotel rooms that are both hardworking and ravishing. Designer Sumari Krige transformed what was originally going to be her family's private residence into this ten-bedroom urban retreat in the heart of cosmopolitan Sandton. Decorated in a palette of cool white and smudgy grays, as if to soothe the senses after a frenetic day, the rooms are enormous with tranquil garden views, sitting areas, glamorously appointed bathrooms, and luxury home comforts (Frette linens, flattering lighting, underfloor heating). Most of the furnishings, a high-style mix of contemporary and antique, were sourced on buying trips for the owner's chic interior design store; African objects, glassware, and natural wood add textural interest. The hotel has a well-stocked library, a lounge cum dining room with an in-house chef, a large pool, and gardens just big enough to stroll in. Stay here if you want finely tuned advice on where to shop and what to do.

Set on a dramatic rocky bluff, this opulent boutique has views over Walker Bay—where southern right whales migrate between May and December and calve during the month of August. The property makes the most of the vantage point, with terraces and an infinity pool (one of three) overlooking the water, and huge windows in all 11 suites. The guest units are decorated with eclectic antiques from France, Russia, and China, and have especially wonderful baths—request Studio 5 for a Zen spa-like sunken tub, or Studio 3 for a claw-foot beauty in the center of the bedroom. The slew of nature-based activities range from the sedate (beach lounging, cheese-and-wine-tasting tours) to the exertive (kayaking, bird-watching hikes on the cliffs) to the heart-racing (cage diving among sharks). Refuel at the end of the day in the guests-only restaurant, which serves fresh-caught seafood, stellar sushi, and homemade focaccia.

"The scenery is amazing" at this colonial wellness retreat surrounded by sandstone rock formations in the Western Cape, 170 miles north of Cape Town. Rooms are in buildings in a garden setting, and are connected by pebble pathways. "The staff's friendliness is truly memorable," not least at Embers, where the menu focuses on contemporary Cape cuisine. "The hot-stone massage is phenomenal." Learn from the resident archaeologist about the reserve's numerous ancient rock-art sites.

(16 rooms)

Anxious about driving in Cape Town? This hotel's location on its own quay at the V&A Waterfront means guests have pedestrian access to the shops and restaurants there; in addition, a complimentary chauffeur service covers a five-mile radius—which will get you to the beach. Even better, request a packed picnic and get dropped at Clifton Beach in the morning. The 121-room hotel got a major refurb in 2008, with the rooms redecorated and the bathrooms updated. The Grace has a somewhat younger clientele than its main luxury competitor, the Mount Nelson, and prides itself on extremely personalized service. Hotel staff try to accommodate every request, so if you're keen on wine, the resident sommelier can accompany you to the winelands, for instance. Complimentary "Café Complet" (tea, coffee, juice, water, and pastries in the morning) as well as port and sherry in the evening are available to all guests in the library. The best views of the water are had from the fourth-floor terrace suites, also the location of the spa. Bascule, the hotel's happening bar, has the largest single-malt whiskey collection in the Southern Hemisphere, and is a great spot for a quayside drink.

It's location, location, location at this smart city inn overlooking the vibrant Victoria & Alfred waterfront. Excellent shopping, dining, and entertainment options are all within strolling distance, yet the city's famous natural beauty—Table Mountain and the Clifton beach scene—is equally accessible. Local interior guru François du Plessis retained the Victorian architectural features of what was the harbor engineer's residence in the mid-1800s, then added a cosseted, contemporary feel by using natural tones and sensuous fabrics. There are five guest rooms—three with balconies overlooking Table Bay—and a suite that opens onto its own private garden; and all have complimentary minibars. There is an elegant morning room for breakfast and lunch, but if bacon-and-eggs in close proximity to fellow guests sounds too cozy, staff will arrange to serve breakfast in your room or next to the pool. Guests have access to OneWellness, a top-notch gym and spa facility next door.

Many guests ask Mark Valentine if they can buy the objets d'art in the eight suites of this tastefully offbeat hotel, decorated in a funky amalgam of African sculptures, antlers, old photographs, and paintings. As of 2010, when Valentine opens an on-site gallery and shop, the answer will be yes. For now, the clean palette of the rooms—white-on-white textiles, sand-colored walls—keeps the bric-a-brac from feeling overdone. Huge leather sofas crowd the suites a bit, but they face onto a generous porch overlooking the winding Bitou River, about five miles from Plettenberg Bay. Guests can take complimentary kayaks out on the river to spot water birds and flocks of geese. Those who want to delve further into the region can book trips with the whale- and dolphin-watching company Ocean Blue, which Valentine co-owns. At night, locals mix with guests at the popular Emily's restaurant, and all are greeted by Oscar the dachshund, the hotel's friendly mascot.

Backed by the dramatic Twelve Apostles mountain range, Ezard House offers 11 suites, all with terraces and views of either the ocean or the lovely garden, complete with koi ponds. The interiors are spare, stylish, and soothing. The hotel also has a roof terrace with a hot tub, and a small pool. The pleasant restaurant is open only to residents and their guests; every table affords a fantastic view of the bay. Airport transfers and shopping trips can be arranged.

When Getty House is not being used as a vacation home by its owners Tara and Jessica Getty, it's an exclusive-use villa that comes with its own ranger, tracker, butler, and chef, thus allowing for choice in planning every aspect of your safari. Unlike Zuka Lodge, the other private retreat in the 44,400-acre Phinda Reserve, the entire Getty House—eat-in kitchen, living and dining rooms, study, and four bedrooms, each with a private bath—is under one roof. The decor is clean-lined and deliciously cool, with mosquito-proof sliding windows and doors. The elevation means that game sightings can be made from the infinity pool. After a lunch of chermoula-grilled prawns and homemade ice cream, go for an afternoon bush walk with your tracker. 

The Addo Elephant National Park—home to black rhinos, lions, Cape buffalo, antelope, and the world's densest elephant population—is also home to this luxury tented camp, part of a private game reserve. The 11 thatch-roofed, permanent tents are creamy, cavernous, and cool (though not air-conditioned), with open-plan bathrooms, polished wood floors, and colonial four-poster beds. An impeccably restored 1850s farmhouse with deep wraparound verandas has views over lawns and a sun-drenched watering hole where animals gather to drink. There's also a rock pool for swimming, and a boma—an outdoor firepit and eating area for dining under the stars.

The name of this central Plett spot may call to mind some sprawling, past-prime behemoth of a hotel. Instead, you'll find a quirky eight-room B&B attached to a boho bistro. The bookshelf-lined reception desk is in the restaurant, which overlooks the sea and what used to be Lookout Beach (until it was ruined by floods in 2007). The decor nods to 1920s café culture with ornate mirrors and chandeliers. Polished concrete floors and high four-poster beds modernize the look. Each room leads to an intimate courtyard, some with plunge pools or water features. The friendly staff often double as tour guides, directing you toward the best after-hours bars and local boutiques.

"One of the most romantic hotels in the world," this property secures a perfect location score for its mountain backdrop in the Western Cape wine region. The restored eighteenth-century estate has perfect-scoring "stunningly appointed suites," which are decorated in Cape Dutch style. Housed in the T-shaped manor house, Bosman's serves seared foie gras and pan-fried white stumpnose—"the food is so good and so unique." Hot-air ballooning and horseback riding are available nearby. "Sunsets over the vineyards hypnotize your soul and demand that you return to this magical retreat."

(34 rooms)

Londolozi owner and big-time conservationist Dave Varty has, after a long stint at CC Africa, returned to this game reserve—famous for its leopards—with his family to run it full-time. Joining the four existing lodges (which have all undergone glamorous makeovers without diluting their original identity) are the brand-new Granite Suites: three spacious sanctuaries that look out on a stretch of smooth granite extrusions along the Sand River, where breeding herds of elephants come to bathe. The suites are understated and contemporary, done in bold textures and sophisticated silver, charcoal, and gray. Luxury comes in the form of space, light, and extreme privacy—in each suite, the living room, bedroom, and enormous bathroom extend outdoors onto a veranda with a pool overlooking the iconic rocks. But it's not about the size of the bathrooms or the champagne served under the stars—features that anyone can duplicate. Londolozi's magic is a combination of the exciting twice-daily game drives, the delightful Shangaan staff (it's hard not to adore someone called Cry with a mile-wide smile and a knack for remembering exactly how you take your coffee), and the Vartys' philosophy of a deep engagement with nature. When you've had your fill of the big five, the wellness center offers a soul safari of massage therapies and open-air yoga classes.

Ten of Kurland's 12 suites have the words "Paddock" or "Rose Garden" in their name, which tells you a lot about the hotel's twin obsessions: flowers and horses. Hyacinth candles and roses freshly plucked from the stately gardens scent the baronial rooms in the 120-year-old main house, which is furnished with large settees and oil paintings. The palatial Relais & Châteaux property, set on more than 1,700 acres, has become one of the prime venues for international polo events, with four fields and a gorgeous white pavilion. Guests can ride 12 of the horses boarded on-site, but the other 100 are reserved for polo players. A wide porch where tea and cake can be taken overlooks the main lawn and pool, one of many water features that dot the property. The hotel sells itself as a family destination with en-suite playrooms and special activities (cooking lessons, pony rides), but those traveling sans little ones will be happy to know that younger children dine in a separate room.

The 63-room Franschhoek is an impressive renovation of one of this wine-growing valley's original country retreats. Not only is it a desirable base for vineyard touring but there are plenty of on-the-premises pastimes: wine-tastings, tennis, and unwinding in the big pool. Interiors are sophisticated and uncluttered, with an all-white palette accented by metallic shades—a bit monotonous but the perfect foil to the dramatic mountain scenery. The grand main restaurant is reminiscent of a silver-service hotel dining room, and the outdoor restaurant, Le Verger, is enchantingly set amid lemon, apple, and pear trees.

A short drive from both the city center and the beaches, this stylish guest house is located in the chic residential area of Bantry Bay, on the Atlantic. There are rooms in two buildings: six in the main lodge and four in the villa just down the hill. Three gorgeous, black-slate swimming pools are built on different levels between the two houses. The interiors have recently been updated, doing away with the colonial teak furniture for a more modern, European look. The hotel's chauffeured BMW is available for airport pickup, taxi service, and guided day tours.

Built on the banks of the Sabie River, this property comprising two lodges and a family camp has "outstanding food and service." Rooms with fireplaces, plunge pools, and large tubs overlook the river and are "modern with every conceivable amenity." Take breakfast on the wooden decks or in the bush after a morning game drive with "trackers and guides that are so knowledgeable." The spa offers Vichy shower treatments.

(28 rooms)

"Animals were in abundance" at this five-camp reserve. Private Granite Suites, the newest accommodations, done in a palette of silver, charcoal, and gray, have private heated plunge pools. Enjoy a "huge breakfast spread" on the deck, while watching elephants stroll below, and "excellent courses and service" at dinner in the boma, taken by candlelight on white linens. "Wildlife come so close on game drives, it's thrilling."

(29 rooms)

Encounter the Big Five at this "special place" in the North West Province. "Particularly elegant, private rooms" have woven copper screens, plunge pools, and outdoor showers; three suites are in a tree camp. Served both indoors and on a deck, the "delicious pan-African cuisine" is accompanied by specialty drinks such as ginger and plum cordials. "Staff go out of their way to accommodate your every wish."

(20 suites)

"It's a real version of Disney's Animal Kingdom." The property recorded Big Five sightings on all but 21 days in 2007, meaning "you see every animal that you want to see, almost all the time." African-colonial rooms are "a perfect blend of comfort, quality, and authenticity." Food may be "mediocre in selection and taste, but staff are consistently superb."

(27 rooms)

Part of "The Collection," a group of five-star hotels in the Cape Province from proprietor Liz McGrath (which includes The Cellars-Hohenhort and The Plettenberg), the Marine has a spectacular location above Walker Bay—which makes for some great land-based whale-watching between May and December. The upscale property also has a small but opulent heated saltwater pool, surrounded by a white-arched courtyard, three restaurants, and 43 rooms and suites. These are comfortable, and most have ocean views, but the decor is a bit matronly (blame the heavy use of patterned curtains and matching pillows).

Big cats are the draw at this "intimate and isolated camp" whose name, appropriately, means "lion" in Shangaan. Savanna, marula and mopane trees, leadwoods, and the Timbavati River set the scene for the accommodations, a mix of thatched-roof chalets and tented suites replete with sofas, safari memorabilia, and private viewing decks. "They are more luxurious than you anticipate." Pan-African meals are taken in a courtyard lit by lanterns or by the boma campfire.

(26 rooms)

Pezula's 78 rooms are scattered in groups of four across a headland that overlooks the Knysna lagoon to one side and the Indian Ocean on the other. Bordering the property are 2,500 acres, with a golf course, an estate for million-dollar homes, and a "field of dreams" specially constructed to attract 2010 World Cup soccer teams. The excellent Zachary's Restaurant serves what might be called pan-African cuisine, and the nine-room spa, which also offers Pezula's own rooibos tea–based Maruwa products, is a must, even if only for the post-treatment room with hot water beds. The only downside is that the property isn't on the beach. Anyone wanting to laze on the sand will have to take a shuttle to get down to Noetzie Beach, which is dotted with old castles built at the turn of the century for use as vacation homes. The hotel recently renovated two such castles and turned them into ultraluxurious suites (the larger one's first guest was Nelson Mandela).

"Eco" and "Reserve" fail to fully capture the richness of the experience at Phantom Forest, a hilltop resort that peeks through the trees to the Knysna River below. The 14 rooms are split between cozy wood-and-glass chalets and newer Moroccan-themed tree suites reached by winding wooden walkways, from which you can also access trails for a hike into the game-filled property. The hotel was constructed with renewable materials like bamboo and thatch in order to reduce its environmental impact. But Phantom doesn't skimp on comfort, with the best African cottons, plump beds, and sumptuous meals often made with organic ingredients. All rooms have massive glass-front baths with sunken tubs overlooking the forest. The vibe is romantic, with intimate treatments at the Body Boma spa, a private hot tub for two in between the trees, a Moroccan restaurant amusingly called Chutzpah and lit by candelight and lanterns, and a nightly fire perfect for post-dinner cuddling.

This book-it-all-or-nothing camp that accommodates up to eight people in four thatched cottages is in the western corner of the 43,000-acre Phinda Private Game Reserve in Kwazulu-Natal Province. The reserve adjoins the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park, a World Heritage Site, and is 19 miles west of the Indian Ocean's white-sand beaches. One of five affiliated small-scale lodges in the reserve, Phinda Zuka is ideal for family gatherings and for travelers who don't like to follow the herd (or to cozy up to strangers at boma dinners). A private ranger, tracker, butler, and chef—plus your own 4x4—means you can make your own plans, whether for game drives and canoe trips or bush walks and scuba-diving safaris. Guests can view cheetahs, dolphins, elephants, rhinos, turtles, and whale sharks—all in one action-packed day. While meals can be taken anywhere, it's fun to gather in the café-style kitchen, which lies at the heart of a communal relaxation area that has Internet access, a library, and a pool.

Imagine a California hotel—beiges and pale blues, clean lines, massive windows onto the sea—crossed with an English manor house, and you've got the Plettenberg. Owner Liz McGrath, whose collection of hotels in the region also includes the Marine Hermanus, has put a Laura Ashley stamp on the 37 rooms, which are split between the main building and the Blue Wing. McGrath attempts to make guests feel at home by scattering public sitting areas throughout the property—perfect spots to gather for sherry before dinner at the intimate Sand restaurant. Treatments at the Carchele Spa are a bargain at $140 for day-long packages.

Casitas—in sand and cement, or with slate floors—have outdoor showers and "a glass wall for animal viewing," and are furnished in African decor. The game drives are led by guides who are "friendly and courteous and keep you safe." Try local favorites like venison kebabs at the buffet. At the Earth Lodge, an uprooted tree serves as a bar.

(52 suites)

This reserve has seven lodges spread over more than 40,000 acres, each with a different habitat and architectural design. "My suite at Phinda Forest Lodge was a raised glass house on stilts in the forest." The 25 suites at the refurbished Mountain Lodge come with plunge pools. On daily game drives, "lions walk right next to you on the road." "Spectacular pan-African food" such as minted harissa chicken salad or flatbread with Mozambican sirloin can be served almost anywhere. "We saw zebras, deer, and wildebeests during breakfast."

(61 suites)

Located in the remote Great Karoo, Samara Private Game Reserve comprises 69,000 dramatic acres, much of it reclaimed farmland that's been restored to its former glory and restocked with cheetahs, white rhinos, zebras, giraffes, springbok, black wildebeests, and other species. Its six-room luxury lodge has beautifully appointed suites (three of them larger and set apart from the main lodge), all with wide verandas and decorated with antiques, nineteenth-century lithographs from South African artists, zebra skins, and indigenous-wood four-poster beds. The lodge is a stylish interpretation of the original Karoo farmhouse, complemented by gracious service and delicious cuisine—dinner of rack of lamb or venison matched to local red wines and followed the next day by a picnic-style feast in the bush. The usual safari activities are on offer, but in such a remote and exclusive setting, they are light years away from the hyped-up, goal-oriented safaris often associated with top lodges in the overpopulated reserves farther north.

These lodges, situated where the N'wanetsi and Sweni rivers meet, debuted in 2003. The 15 glass, steel, and wood suites of Lebombo are elevated above the river and "hidden in the trees so you barely notice them"; the 6 riverside suites at Sweni Lodge have an earthy palette and thatched roofs to blend into the habitat. Each lodge has its own bar and dining room, where guests dine on prawn curry or ostrich in jerk sauce. Afternoon drives spotlight the Big Five, and lodge guides lead morning bush walks.

(21 suites)

"It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience." Surrounded by groves of acacia thornveld and marula trees on the Sabi Sand River, this two-lodge camp overlooks "a savanna where the movement of animals is constant." Suites are "like small luxurious homes" and come with footed tubs and decks with private plunge pools—"the vaulted bedroom with sheer nets was very romantic." "Staff are always there when you need them." The cellar has the "most extensive selection of South African wines I have ever seen."

(24 suites)

A lobby with plants, waterfalls, and man-made boulders is a hallmark of this property in the Sun City complex, surrounded by a 62-acre botanical garden. Rooms are done in reds and browns and chrome. Asian-inspired dishes at Orchid include sushi and spring rolls. The adjacency of Pilanesberg National Park, which offers elephant riding and safaris, is the "best thing about Sun City." Golfers think twice about retrieving a ball from the water hazard on the Lost City Golf Course—it's home to 38 crocodiles.

(340 rooms)

This 11-year-old hotel blends Victorian and contemporary design and has "a magnificent presence on the wharf." Rooms have contemporary art and large windows with harbor or ocean views, and the "service is exceptional throughout." The Atlantic Restaurant's breakfast buffet "has everything you can imagine." French treatments are available at the Camelot Spa.

(329 rooms)

Perched on stilts between ancient milkwood trees, the ten wood-and-glass suites and two-bedroom presidential suite are so close to the pounding waves that it's possible to toss pebbles into the rock pools from your private deck. Each room is inspired by an island around the world; yet given the breathtaking views, themed rooms seem like an unnecessary distraction. Beds are vast, and sea-view tubs and huge showers provide an illusion of spaciousness. Although there isn't a pool big enough to swim in or a private beach directly below the lodge, guests will enjoy whale watching, romantic dinners, and outdoor massages. If you tire of that, a complimentary car service can whisk you to Cape Town.

Tsala's stone-and-wood suites are built on stilts at the end of a gorge some five miles from Plettenberg Bay. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook a canopy of trees that is filled with birdsong in the mornings, and each suite sprawls from bedroom to sitting room to deck. Private fireplaces, plenty of in-room nibbles (such as fruit kebabs and local cheeses), a plunge pool on the doorstep, and complimentary Tsala wine made by the Villiera estate are only the beginning of the indulgence. A large wine cellar that includes excellent labels like Morgenhof, Cape Point, and Hamilton Russell balance out a sometimes uneven set menu. The hotel is part of the Hunter group, so you can combine your stay with time at the Gorah game lodge or the colonial Hunter's Country House.

This smart hotel is poised above the Atlantic rollers on the beach road between Camps Bay and Llandudno. The rooms, a modern take on colonial decor done in earth tones, are in four low-slung wings, two on each side of the main house. The 24-hour café dishes up a light California-influenced menu around the clock (so jet-lagged new arrivals can enjoy breakfast any time). The Azure Restaurant serves excellent food using local organic ingredients, and the spa has state-of-the-art treatment rooms. The hotel's 16-seat cinema shows movies five times a day, and you can access nature trails around the base of Table Mountain and picnic spots from the hotel grounds. Complimentary shuttle service is available from the airport.

The hotel's former incarnation as a warehouse is evident in the brickwork and iron support beams visible at this waterfront property "a few steps from shops and restaurants galore." Guest rooms with orange and red accents have bay windows overlooking Table Mountain, the harbor, or a piazza frequented by street performers. OYO Restaurant pairs "absolutely first-rate seafood with fine views." "It's fun to watch the boats as you eat breakfast."

(94 rooms)

The tower opened next to the International Convention Center in 2003, allowing "easy access to the city, waterfront, and airport." The aluminum-and-glass exterior allows floor-to-ceiling views of Table Mountain and the harbor. Local art in the lobby and common areas "adds warmth and character to an otherwise standard interior." Rooms are "contemporary, uncluttered, and quite masculine," with neutral colors. The brasserie-style Thirty7 has a show kitchen.

(483 rooms)