Top 5-Star Hotels in Grahamstown

Well, where do you start. This was a bucket list trip for my wife's 60th birthday and what a trip. Firstly, top marks to Trailfinders who organised an exceptional trip, which literally went without fault, from start to finish with many parts to organise, thank you to the team in Belfast. Pumba... it's magical ! Its more than what you expect.. .... luxurious, private, personal... more like moving in to your own world of luxury. The pictures on their web site do it justice, the staff are without exception, wonderful. The accommodation is.... breathtaking... the food divine... but the main reason you come here is to see the wildlife.. and boy... do you see it! Lions, lion cubs, white lions, elephants, rhino, hippo, giraffe, cheetah, monkeys and of course, Zebra and Impala. But what makes the safari special is your driver...Mzi was ours, what a gentleman, so much knowledge, expertly delivered as he drove our Land Rover around to places that I didn't think even Land Rovers could go.... and then in the middle of nowhere, he produces a bar and serves a mean G&T and aperitifs (hot chocolate, coffee and muffins on the morning drive). Back at the lodge you relax on your own balcony, with plunge pool and outside shower while you look down on the lake and the elephants and Hippos. A special thank you also to the ladies in the restaurant and reception who are expertly guided by Hannes, a real life Safari star. We hope to see you all soon again.

When you stay at Shamwari Eagles Crag in Paterson, you'll be on a river and within a 5-minute drive of Shamwari Game Reserve. This luxury lodge is 9.3 mi (15 km) from Bushman Sands Golf Club and 11.2 mi (18 km) from Amakhala Game Reserve.Relax at the full-service spa, where you can enjoy massages, body treatments, and facials. Encounter the local wildlife with a safari, then enjoy recreational amenities including a sauna and a fitness center. This Baroque lodge also features complimentary wireless internet access and a fireplace in the lobby.This lodge is all inclusive. Rates include meals and beverages at onsite dining establishments. Charges may be applied for dining at some restaurants, special dinners and dishes, some beverages, and other amenities. Enjoy a satisfying meal at Eagles Crag serving guests of Shamwari Eagles Crag. Quench your thirst with your favorite drink at the bar/lounge. A complimentary full breakfast is served daily from 7 AM to 10 AM.Featured amenities include multilingual staff, laundry facilities, and a safe deposit box at the front desk. A roundtrip airport shuttle is provided for a surcharge (available 24 hours), and free self parking is available onsite.Make yourself at home in one of the 9 air-conditioned rooms featuring private plunge pools. Your Tempur-Pedic bed comes with premium bedding. Rooms have private balconies. Complimentary wireless internet access is available to keep you connected. Private bathrooms with separate bathtubs and showers feature deep soaking bathtubs and designer toiletries.

Located in Makhanda, 1 on Ross is in the suburbs, within a 5-minute drive of St Andrew's College and Cathedral of St. Michael and St. George. This hotel is 0.9 mi (1.5 km) from Observatory Museum and 0.9 mi (1.5 km) from Diocesan School for Girls.Enjoy recreation amenities such as an outdoor pool or take in the view from a garden. This hotel also features complimentary wireless internet access and barbecue grills.Full breakfasts are available daily from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM for a fee.Featured amenities include laundry facilities and a safe deposit box at the front desk. Free self parking is available onsite.Make yourself at home in one of the 3 air-conditioned rooms featuring microwaves and flat-screen televisions. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and satellite programming is available for your entertainment. Conveniences include coffee/tea makers and irons/ironing boards, and housekeeping is provided daily.

Located in Makhanda, Jenny's Guest House is in the historical district, within a 5-minute drive of St Andrew's College and Cathedral of St. Michael and St. George. This upscale guesthouse is 1.1 mi (1.8 km) from Diocesan School for Girls and 1.2 mi (1.9 km) from St Patrick's Catholic Church.Take advantage of recreation opportunities such as a seasonal outdoor pool or take in the view from a terrace and a garden. Additional amenities at this guesthouse include complimentary wireless internet access, tour/ticket assistance, and a picnic area.Take advantage of the guesthouse's room service (during limited hours). A complimentary English breakfast is served daily from 7 AM to 9 AM.Featured amenities include luggage storage, laundry facilities, and coffee/tea in a common area. Guests may use a roundtrip airport shuttle for a surcharge, and free self parking is available onsite.Make yourself at home in one of the 7 guestrooms. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Conveniences include safes and desks, and housekeeping is provided daily.

With a stay at The Milner in Makhanda, you'll be within a 10-minute walk of St Andrew's College and Diocesan School for Girls. This upscale bed & breakfast is 0.5 mi (0.8 km) from Cathedral of St. Michael and St. George and 0.5 mi (0.9 km) from St Patrick's Catholic Church.Take advantage of recreation opportunities such as an outdoor pool or take in the view from a terrace and a garden. This bed & breakfast also features complimentary wireless internet access, a fireplace in the lobby, and barbecue grills.Grab a bite from the snack bar/deli serving guests of The Milner. Quench your thirst with your favorite drink at the bar/lounge. Breakfast is available for a fee.Featured amenities include dry cleaning/laundry services, luggage storage, and laundry facilities. Free self parking is available onsite.Make yourself at home in one of the 6 guestrooms. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and satellite programming is available for your entertainment. Private bathrooms with showers feature hair dryers and bathrobes. Conveniences include safes and desks.

Located in Makhanda, 8A Grahamstown is within a 15-minute walk of St Andrew's College and Diocesan School for Girls. This upscale guesthouse is 0.9 mi (1.5 km) from Cathedral of St. Michael and St. George and 0.9 mi (1.5 km) from St Patrick's Catholic Church.Take advantage of recreation opportunities such as an outdoor pool or take in the view from a terrace and a garden. Additional amenities at this guesthouse include complimentary wireless internet access, babysitting (surcharge), and a fireplace in the lobby.Grab a bite from the snack bar/deli serving guests of 8A Grahamstown. Need to unwind? Take a break with a tasty beverage at one of the 2 bars/lounges. Full breakfasts are available daily for a fee.Featured amenities include complimentary newspapers in the lobby, dry cleaning/laundry services, and laundry facilities. Free self parking is available onsite.Make yourself at home in one of the 6 guestrooms. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and satellite programming is available for your entertainment. Bathrooms have hair dryers and bathrobes. Conveniences include desks and electric kettles, and housekeeping is provided daily.

When you stay at AppleBee Guest Cottages in Makhanda, you'll be in the suburbs, within a 10-minute walk of St Andrew's College and Diocesan School for Girls. This hotel is 0.4 mi (0.7 km) from Amazwi South African Museum of Literature and 0.8 mi (1.3 km) from Albany History Museum Complex.Take advantage of recreation opportunities such as an outdoor pool or take in the view from a terrace and a garden. This hotel also features complimentary wireless internet access, a picnic area, and barbecue grills.Cooked-to-order breakfasts are available daily from 7 AM to 9:30 AM for a fee.Featured amenities include dry cleaning/laundry services and laundry facilities. A shuttle from the airport to the hotel is provided for a surcharge (available 24 hours), and free self parking is available onsite.Make yourself at home in one of the 2 air-conditioned rooms featuring refrigerators and microwaves. 32-inch flat-screen televisions with satellite programming provide entertainment, while complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected. Bathrooms feature showers with rainfall showerheads and complimentary toiletries. Conveniences include desks and coffee/tea makers, and housekeeping is provided daily.

With a stay at Woodbury Lodge - Amakhala Game Reserve in Sidbury, you'll be 0.1 mi (0.1 km) from Amakhala Game Reserve and 26.1 mi (42.1 km) from Sundays River Dunes. This upscale lodge is 28 mi (45.1 km) from Matyholweni Gate.Spend the day on a safari adventure, then dip into one of the 2 outdoor swimming pools. This lodge also features complimentary wireless internet access, concierge services, and gift shops/newsstands.This lodge is all inclusive. Rates include meals and beverages at onsite dining establishments. Charges may be applied for dining at some restaurants, special dinners and dishes, some beverages, and other amenities. At Woodbury Lodge - Amakhala Game Reserve, enjoy a satisfying meal at the restaurant. Wrap up your day with a drink at the bar/lounge. A complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast is served daily from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM.Featured amenities include a computer station, dry cleaning/laundry services, and luggage storage. Guests may use a roundtrip airport shuttle for a surcharge, and free self parking is available onsite.Make yourself at home in one of the 7 air-conditioned rooms featuring refrigerators and minibars. Rooms have private furnished balconies or patios. Private bathrooms with separate bathtubs and showers feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include safes and coffee/tea makers, and housekeeping is provided daily.

With a stay at African Safari Lodge in Makhanda, you'll be on a river, and 11.2 mi (18 km) from 1820 Settlers National Monument and 11.2 mi (18.1 km) from Settlers Garden 1820. This lodge is 11.6 mi (18.7 km) from Rhodes University and 11.6 mi (18.7 km) from South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity.Take in the views from a terrace and a garden and make use of amenities such as complimentary wireless internet access. Additional features at this lodge include a fireplace in the lobby, a picnic area, and barbecue grills.Take advantage of the lodge's room service (during limited hours). Mingle with other guests at the complimentary reception, held daily. English breakfasts are available daily from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM for a fee.Featured amenities include dry cleaning/laundry services, laundry facilities, and a safe deposit box at the front desk. Free self parking is available onsite.Make yourself at home in one of the 7 individually decorated guestrooms. Complimentary wireless internet access is available to keep you connected. Conveniences include complimentary bottled water and ceiling fans, and housekeeping is provided daily.

The rooms are average. The cleaners obviously only clean around everything - extremely dusty under the bed. The room was not fully set up when I arrived. I would not label the room as self-catering as there is only a microwave for heating. The fridge freezes everything. ALthough I requested breakfast to be served at 7:30 a.m. as my shuttle to the conference I attended picked me up around that time, I never had breakfast. The first morning the kitchen staff only arrived at 7:45 and by 7:50 my shuttle came around a second time to pick me up (the first time he was there to pick me up, the front manager on duty told him that he could not call me as he would not be able to find me and that all guests were asleep... even though I had been awake since 5:45) The second morning we had a similar scenario. I will not recommend this place.