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Southern Africa

The 2025 hot list: the best new hotels in Southern Africa

Southern Africa • Stay • The 2025 hot list: the best new hotels in Southern Africa

The list of all-new 2025 hotels in Southern Africa

Do you want to know where to book a stay in Southern Africa, right now? Hotel aficionados want to know what’s new, what’s popular and where to go – and with a slew of highly anticipated debuts, there are more hotels to explore than ever before. We maintain a current list of all new hotels in Southern Africa that are set to open in 2025, conveniently divided down month by month so you can see exactly when they opened. Here is the complete guide to the African region’s newest, best and buzziest hotels, inns and guesthouses.

Got hot tips on new openings? Email us!

Top photography courtesy of Spier Hotel

April

1/4

Gorongosa Safaris

Gorongosa National Park, once nearly destroyed by decades of civil war, is now one of Africa’s most inspiring conservation success stories. Located in central Mozambique, this biodiverse paradise is buzzing with life once more – lions, elephants, wild dogs and more than 400 bird species roam its floodplains, forests and savannas. Now, with the launch of Gorongosa Safaris, you can experience this remarkable restoration firsthand. Gorongosa Safaris offers three stays, each designed for deep immersion in the park’s landscapes and communities. Muzimu Lodge, a classic tented safari camp, provides breathtaking riverfront views and guided game drives. Chicari Camp, a seasonal tented retreat, places you right in the heart of Gorongosa’s wilderness for an off-grid experience. For adventurers seeking something truly unique, Mount Gorongosa Community Camp offers fly camping on the slopes of this sacred mountain, where you can hike through rainforests and engage with local communities.

Gorongosa Safaris
Gorongosa National Park
Goinha
Mozambique

Photography courtesy of Gorongosa Safaris

March

1/3

Spier Hotel

Some places don’t just welcome you – they pull you in. The newly reimagined Spier Hotel, set within Spier Wine Farm in Stellenbosch, does exactly that. The hotel’s indigenous gardens – home to 39,000 newly planted fynbos – set the scene for a stay connected to nature. At its heart, an expansive wellness spa features a Cape Herbal Bath House, where healing botanicals are cultivated for therapeutic treatments. The hotel stays true to its roots with Fair Trade practices, farm-to-table dining and is committed to regenerative farming. You can also enjoy visiting three on-site bars including a rooftop sundowner bar and one of the largest heated pools in the Winelands. A feature we love is the wine library that showcases the farm’s award-winning vintages and the impressive 3,600-piece contemporary South African art collection curated throughout the spaces by the Spier Arts Trust.

Spier Hotel
R310 Baden Powell Dr
Stellenbosch
South Africa

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Photography courtesy of Spier Hotel

February

5/2

Blou

At Blou, eight self-catering cottages sit on a sea-facing strip of Keurboomstrand, just minutes from Plettenberg Bay, offering barefoot luxury on the edge of the Indian Ocean. Developed by the team behind Babylonstoren, Blou brings their signature farm-to-table ethos and sensory rewilding to the beach. The accommodation comprises three ocean-facing cottages, two courtyard cottages and three courtyard cottages featuring a kids’ loft. Courtyard cottages boast their own braai areas, while the sea-facing cottages come with gas braais for al fresco dinners as the sun dips below the horizon. In the central courtyard, you’ll find the sparkling pool flanked by a steam room, sauna and jacuzzi – a mini version of the Babylonstoren spa. A welcome house at the heart of the estate handles concierge services and grocery provisioning, making self-catering seamless. You can only book at Blou if you have previously stayed at Babylonstoren or The Newt, their property in Somerset, England.

Blou
52 Main Street
Keurboomstrand
South Africa

Photography courtesy of Blou

January

28/1

Radisson Collection Hotel Waterfront

At Radisson Collection Hotel Waterfront, the interiors are inspired by the meeting of land and sea – imagine timber, brass and stone alongside a palette of oceanic blues, sandy neutrals and earthy tones that echo Table Mountain’s rugged silhouette. We love the on-site bespoke art gallery featuring curated pieces showcasing local fashion and architecture, giving the hotel a contemporary edge while spotlighting African craftsmanship. Staying at Radisson Collection Hotel Waterfront also gives you access to an infinity pool overlooking the ocean and the Amani Spa. Also worth mentioning is the recently refurbished Tobago’s Restaurant Bar and Terrace and the newly opened Waveside Café, located in the west atrium, providing a luxurious deli and café experience.

Radisson Collection Hotel Waterfront
100 Beach Road
Granger Bay Blvd
Mouille Point
Cape Town
South Africa

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Photography courtesy of Radisson Collection Hotel Waterfront

24/1

Canopy by Hilton Cape Town Longkloof

In the heart of Cape Town’s Longkloof district, where colonial façades meet indie boutiques and the scent of espresso mingles with sea air, Canopy by Hilton Cape Town Longkloof emerges as a stylish nod to the city’s layered identity. Architects DHK, in collaboration with KM2K Interior Design, have transformed a 112-year-old tobacco warehouse into a 154-room hotel that fuses industrial heritage with contemporary flair . Inside, custom oak floors by Oggie and vibrant local artworks reflect the city’s creative pulse. At the helm is General Manager Mercia Horn, a Cape Town native whose journey from Mitchell’s Plain waitress to hospitality leader infuses the hotel with authentic local warmth . The on-site restaurant offers bold reinterpretations of traditional flavours . With its blend of history, design and local culture, Canopy by Hilton Cape Town Longkloof offers a fresh perspective on the Mother City’s charm.