Hotels in Africa are part of the history and development of the continent. When it comes to breathtaking beauty, Africa tops the list. It has it all: vast savannas, gorgeous beaches, and majestic mountains. Add in spectacular canyons and dormant volcanoes, and then you’ve got an infinite source of new wonders to explore. Indeed, diverse landscapes, historical history, geographical marvels, and animated adventures abound on the continent.
While Africa does offer a rich cultural experience, there are so many other reasons to visit the continent. You’ll also encounter a vast range of beautiful and diverse hotels across the continent like a South African property built up of recycled train carriages, a chic boutique riad with a rooftop lounge in the heart of Marrakech, an Ivory Coast city hotel with a verdant secret garden; and a once-in-a-lifetime palace stay amid the desert. Superior service and thoughtful amenities are what bring these hotels together. At these hotels in Africa, there are many options for fun and grandeur.
Hotels often speak of a communities development as they are a place for travellers and new settlers to stay when they first visit a town. Many hotels are related to historical development, and some of these hotels have been welcoming guests for over 200 years. These hotel facts may surprise you but may also be a reason to visit them and explore another aspect of the continent.
Also read: 15 African Holiday Spots To Visit This Summer
Brackenhurst Hotel
Location: Kenya
It is the oldest established country hotel, built in 1828 amidst the beautiful scenery of the highlands of Kenya. With a keen and bracing air, it has its own dairy and fruit farm spread across 176 acres. It is known far and wide as a health resort. You can make delightful excursions to the great rift valley, bamboo, and cedar forests, and it is a good starting point for safaris. It has a 9-hole golf course, but it also boasts of tennis courts, squash racquets, riding, and trout fishing within a reasonable distance. This hotel has 87 rooms.
Hotel Continental
Location: Morocco
This Hotel Continental opened its doors in 1870. The 19th-century guestbook mentions renowned visitors such as Winston Churchill and Degas. Parts of the movie “Sheltering Sky” were filmed here too.
Hotel Continental is in the centre of the Médina, five minutes from the harbour. It offers spectacular views of the Mediterranean bay. Moroccan-style lounges with typical mosaic tiles decorate this 19th-century building, a National Heritage monument.
While savouring the buffet breakfast or Moroccan feasts, guests can take in the views via the restaurant’s arches. A hammam and a money exchange service are also available at Continental.
Sarova Stanley
Location: Kenya
Mayence Bent was the founder of The Sarova Stanley, and the hotel opened its doors in Nairobi in 1902. Also, the Bents were a major supplier of fresh food and dairy goods in town, thanks to their adjacent farm. The hotel quickly outgrew its original premises and relocated to a larger nearby cottage.
Earlier, guests could see Mount Kilimanjaro’s top from the veranda. It offers 212 modern rooms and suites. It is near the Nairobi National Park, Wilson Airport, and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). This one-of-a-kind experience includes indoor and outdoor restaurants, a rooftop pool, a courtyard, and a glitzy jazz bar.
Oude Werf
Location: South Africa
Built in 1687 in Stellenbosch, it is one of the oldest hotels in Africa. The Oude Werf Hotel has a fascinating history. The Petousis family owns it, and a team of 60 manage this luxurious outfit.
It is in the historic centre of Stellenbosch, the Cape Winelands’ ‘capital’. Its award-winning design mixes two-century-old period elements with modern elegance.
The air-conditioned bedrooms of the Oude Werf Hotel are in a contemporary Cape design with Victorian furnishings. Each room has a seating area, satellite TV, and internet access. The hotel arranges wine tours and tour guides in ancient Stellenbosch.
The Oude Werf Restaurant offers a mix of traditional, homemade, and modern gourmet cuisine.
Hotel El Djazair
Location: Algeria
The Hotel El Djazair is one of the few old African Hotels that was once a palace. El Djazair opened its doors in 1889. Its primary attraction is its outstanding variety of exotic Mediterranean trees outside the hotel.
It has 296 bedrooms, which feature plasma televisions and complimentary minibar items. Furnished balconies are available in each room. You can stay connected with complimentary wireless Internet access. Moreover, bathtubs with rainfall sprayers are there for your comfort.
Marriott Mena House
Location: Egypt
This 1886 retreat has held gatherings as massive as a tea party for Charlie Chaplin and a Big Three meeting during World War II. Marriott Mena House was a royal lodge turned into a hotel in Cairo, Egypt. Relax in one of the hotel’s 331 spacious rooms with plush beds, marble baths, and private balconies with views of the pool, gardens, or Pyramids.
Grand Holiday Villa Hotel
Location: Sudan
The Grand Holiday Villa is not only the biggest hotel in Sudan but also one of the oldest hotels in Africa, dating back to 1890. Besides, the bar is a hotspot for political party leaders. Free parking, free high-speed Internet (WiFi), a pool, a health centre with a gym, and a business centre with Internet access are all included in the property’s amenities with 150 guest rooms.
Hotel Des Thermes
Location: Madagascar
The ancient Hotel des Thermes, founded in 1896, is most known for sheltering Moroccan King Sultan Mohammad V during his exile in the 1950s. Hotel des Thermes is a good choice for travellers seeking a suitable family-friendly hotel in Antsirabe. Air conditioning, a minibar, and a desk are available in each room, and guests can use the complimentary WiFi to stay connected.
Taitu Hotel
Location: Ethiopia
This modest 30 en-suite room hotel was established in 1898. Not only does it offer a budget-friendly setting but also amenities geared for travellers. If you are looking for a blend of value, comfort, and convenience, the League Taitu Hotel offers air conditioning, a desk and an internet connection for visitors. The finer rooms are up a beautiful staircase from the restaurant in the main structure.
The How Hoek Hotel
Location: South Africa
Built in 1776, this spectacular hotel is one of the oldest hotels in Africa. 36-foot-wide blue gum trees surround it. The majority of the rooms feature balconies with breathtaking views of the mountains. In addition, it includes two refreshing swimming pools, two games rooms, and a variety of outdoor activities like golf to keep the whole family entertained. It has 81 well-decorated rooms, each with its en-suite bathroom.
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