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4- and 5-star hotels in East London
A shortlist of 4- and 5-star hotels in East London, from beachfront addresses in the city to private game reserves and a lodge on the Chintsa Drive. It is for travellers weighing up a city stopover, a beach break or a bush stay near the Wild Coast gateway.
Staying in East London
East London grew up as a port and railway terminus, and the city centre near the river mouth still mixes older buildings with modern offices. The waterfront has been redeveloped with restaurants and a small craft harbour, and the East London Museum is known for its natural history collections, including the coelacanth specimen. Visitors come for the beaches and water sports, or use the city as a stopover on the Garden Route or on the way to the Wild Coast.
The listed hotels sit in different parts of the city and its surrounds. Hemingways Hotel, The Loerie Hide, Quarry Lake Inn and Palm Tree Manor are close to the centre, between 0.7 and 2.3 km away. Premier Hotel East London ICC is on the Esplanade beachfront, Mackenzies Accommodation is in Dorchester Heights, and Prana Lodge and Hotel Olivewood lie further out along the Chintsa Drive and Chintsa East. Inkwenkwezi and Mpongo private game reserves sit roughly 22 km from the centre. It suits couples, families and business travellers, and anyone wanting a short break with beach, city or reserve on the doorstep.
The shortlist
Ranked by hotel class, then guest rating and number of reviews.
Prana Lodge
Prana Lodge Chintsa Drive, East London, South Africa
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Outdoor pool
- Sauna
- Free car parking
Why stay hereA 5-star retreat on Chintsa Drive, Prana Lodge sits 25.1 km from the centre and pairs an outdoor pool and jacuzzi with direct access to the beach nearby. Golf, horse riding, diving and canoeing are all within reach, and a garden, lounge and fireplace make the quiet hours just as easy. With massage, a 24 hour front desk and free parking, it suits guests who want space and calm rather than a city address.
See Prana LodgeMackenzies Accommodation
8 North Bend Lane Dorchester Heights, East London, South Africa
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Spa
- Free car parking
- Breakfast
Why stay hereRated 4.8 out of 5 by 100 reviewers, Mackenzies Accommodation is a 4-star address on North Bend Lane in Dorchester Heights, 4.7 km from the centre. Apartments come with a kitchen or kitchenette, microwave, oven and washing machine, so longer stays and family groups are straightforward. A garden, patio, picnic area and spa round out the offering, with free wifi and free car parking included.
See Mackenzies AccommodationInkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve
Schafli Road, East London, South Africa
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Outdoor pool
- Free car parking
- Wheelchair accessible
Why stay hereInkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve is a 4-star reserve on Schafli Road, 22.1 km from the centre, and it leans into the outdoors: canoe, outdoor pool, garden and restaurant. A bar, meeting room, wedding services and shuttle service cover both leisure and occasion stays, and free wifi, free car parking and wheelchair access keep the practical side simple. Guests rate it 4.6 out of 5 across 479 reviews.
See Inkwenkwezi Private Game ReserveHotel Olivewood
P.O.Box 237 Chintsa East5275, East London, South Africa
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Outdoor pool
- Spa
- Free car parking
Why stay hereHotel Olivewood, a 4-star property on the Chintsa East road 22.1 km from the centre, pairs beach nearby and a golf course with an outdoor pool, spa and massage. A fitness centre, restaurant, bar and lounge handle the day-to-day, while family rooms, a fireplace and a picnic area suit mixed groups. Business centre, shuttle service and free parking add convenience, all with free wifi.
See Hotel OlivewoodQuarry Lake Inn
Quartzite Drive The Quarry, East London, South Africa
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Outdoor pool
- Sauna
- Free car parking
Why stay hereOn Quartzite Drive at The Quarry, Quarry Lake Inn is a 4-star hotel just 1.9 km from the centre, close enough for business and evenings out. Fitness centre, outdoor pool, sauna and swimming pool cover training and downtime, while a bar, restaurant, room service and kitchenette options make meals flexible. Family rooms, a garden and golf course nearby round it out, with free wifi and free parking.
See Quarry Lake InnPremier Resort Mpongo Private Game Reserve
N6 National Road, East London, South Africa
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Outdoor pool
- Free car parking
- Breakfast in room
Why stay herePremier Resort Mpongo Private Game Reserve, 4-star and 21.7 km from the centre on the N6 National Road, is built for families and slow days: playground, outdoor pool, garden, river and golf course. Restaurant, bar, buffet and special diets cater to different tastes, and a business centre, shuttle service and babysitting service handle the logistics. Free wifi and free car parking are included, and 455 reviews give it 4.4 out of 5.
See Premier Resort Mpongo Private Game ReserveHemingways Hotel
Corner Western Bypass & Two Rivers Drive, East London, South Africa
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Outdoor pool
- Free car parking
- Breakfast in room
Why stay hereHemingways Hotel is a 4-star option at the corner of Western Bypass and Two Rivers Drive, 2.0 km from the centre and backed by 2545 reviews. Casino, fitness centre, outdoor pool and playground cover very different kinds of evening, while a restaurant, bar, room service and buffet keep dining easy. Business centre, concierge, currency exchange are on hand, plus free wifi and free car parking for guests arriving by car.
See Hemingways HotelPremier Hotel East London ICC
22 Esplanade Beachfront, East London, South Africa
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Outdoor pool
- Spa
- Free car parking
Why stay hereOn 22 Esplanade Beachfront, Premier Hotel East London ICC is a 4-star hotel 4.2 km from the centre with beach nearby, canoe, diving and fishing on the doorstep. Fitness centre, outdoor pool, massage and garden balance the active side, and a restaurant, bar, room service and breakfast in room make the rest simple. Family rooms, business centre, babysitting service, free wifi and free parking are all part of the setup.
See Premier Hotel East London ICCThe Loerie Hide
2B Sheerness Road Bonnie Doon, East London, South Africa
Best for: Pool and spa
- Swimming pool
Why stay hereOf the hotels here, The Loerie Hide has the shortest hop to the middle of East London: a 4-star address on Sheerness Road in Bonnie Doon just 0.7 km from the centre. It keeps things deliberately simple with a restaurant and a swimming pool, which suits guests who plan to be out in the city and want an easy base. A 4.4 out of 5 rating comes from 87 reviews.
See The Loerie HidePalm Tree Manor
17 Botha Road, East London, South Africa
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Outdoor pool
- Free car parking
- Breakfast
Why stay herePalm Tree Manor on Botha Road is a 4-star house-style stay 2.3 km from the centre, with a kitchen, oven and microwave for guests who prefer to cook. Fireplace and garden give the indoor and outdoor spaces character, while a bar, outdoor pool and swimming pool plus free wifi and free car parking cover the essentials. Beach nearby, shuttle service and ATM add convenience for a short city visit.
See Palm Tree Manor
The shortlist side by side
| Hotel | Class | Guest rating | Reviews | Parking | Breakfast | Pool or spa | To the centre |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prana Lodge | ★★★★★ | – | – | Yes | Yes | Yes | 25.1 km |
| Mackenzies Accommodation | ★★★★ | 4.8 | 100 | Yes | Yes | Yes | 4.7 km |
| Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve | ★★★★ | 4.6 | 479 | Yes | – | Yes | 22.1 km |
| Hotel Olivewood | ★★★★ | 4.6 | 479 | Yes | Yes | Yes | 22.1 km |
| Quarry Lake Inn | ★★★★ | 4.6 | 245 | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1.9 km |
| Premier Resort Mpongo Private Game Reserve | ★★★★ | 4.4 | 455 | Yes | Yes | Yes | 21.7 km |
| Hemingways Hotel | ★★★★ | 4.3 | 2,545 | Yes | Yes | Yes | 2.0 km |
| Premier Hotel East London ICC | ★★★★ | 4.3 | 2,171 | Yes | Yes | Yes | 4.2 km |
| The Loerie Hide | ★★★★ | 4.4 | 87 | – | – | Yes | 0.7 km |
| Palm Tree Manor | ★★★★ | 4.4 | 58 | Yes | Yes | Yes | 2.3 km |
From each hotel's own listing on this site; a dash means it is not listed.
How to choose
For families
Quarry Lake Inn, Hemingways Hotel, Premier Hotel East London ICC and Premier Resort Mpongo Private Game Reserve all list family rooms, and Mpongo adds a playground and babysitting service. Hemingways and the ICC hotel also have outdoor pools, which helps when the beach is not on the plan.
Quarry Lake Inn · Hemingways Hotel · Premier Hotel East London ICC · Premier Resort Mpongo Private Game Reserve
For beach and water
Premier Hotel East London ICC sits on the Esplanade beachfront and lists canoeing, diving and fishing. Hotel Olivewood and Prana Lodge both note a beach nearby; Prana Lodge adds canoeing, diving, fishing and horse riding, while Olivewood has golf and horse riding on its list.
Premier Hotel East London ICC · Hotel Olivewood · Prana Lodge
Closest to the centre
The Loerie Hide is 0.7 km from the centre, Quarry Lake Inn 1.9 km, Hemingways Hotel 2.0 km and Palm Tree Manor 2.3 km. These four keep you within a short distance of the city centre, the harbour and the museum.
The Loerie Hide · Quarry Lake Inn · Hemingways Hotel · Palm Tree Manor
Top guest ratings
Mackenzies Accommodation scores 4.8 out of 5 from 100 reviews, the highest on this list. Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve and Hotel Olivewood follow at 4.6 from 479 reviews each, with Quarry Lake Inn also at 4.6 from 245 reviews.
Mackenzies Accommodation · Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve · Hotel Olivewood · Quarry Lake Inn
Where to stay in East London
Chintsa
Prana Lodge on Chintsa Drive and Hotel Olivewood in Chintsa East sit out along this coastal stretch, away from the city centre. Both list a beach nearby, and Olivewood adds golf and horse riding; Prana Lodge offers canoeing, diving, fishing and horse riding along with an outdoor pool and jacuzzi.
Our picks here: Prana Lodge · Hotel Olivewood
Dorchester Heights
Mackenzies Accommodation is on North Bend Lane in Dorchester Heights, 4.7 km from the centre. It is the highest-rated hotel on this shortlist at 4.8 out of 5, with apartments, family rooms, a kitchen and a spa among its facilities.
Our picks here: Mackenzies Accommodation
The Quarry
Quarry Lake Inn is on Quartzite Drive in The Quarry, 1.9 km from the centre. It lists family rooms, an outdoor pool, a sauna and a fitness centre, and sits close enough to the city centre for an easy base.
Our picks here: Quarry Lake Inn
Plan your stay
Getting there and around
East London is served by East London Airport (ELS), with flights from Johannesburg, Cape Town and other South African cities; the airport is about 10 kilometres from the city centre. By road the N2 highway passes near the city, connecting it to Port Elizabeth (now Gqeberha) to the west and Mthatha to the northeast. Intercity buses and trains also serve the city. Getting around is easiest by car, as public transport is limited; taxis and minibus taxis are available, but for visitors renting a car is recommended.
When to go
East London has a mild climate year-round, with warm summers from December to February and mild winters from June to August. Rain falls throughout the year with a slight peak in summer. Summer is best for beach activities, when water temperatures are warmer, but it is also the busiest period. Spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) offer pleasant weather with fewer crowds, and winter can be cool and wet but still suitable for sightseeing.
Questions, answered
Which of these hotels is closest to the centre of East London?
The Loerie Hide is 0.7 km from the centre, the shortest distance on this shortlist. Quarry Lake Inn is 1.9 km away, Hemingways Hotel 2.0 km and Palm Tree Manor 2.3 km.
Do the hotels have free parking?
Free car parking is listed at Prana Lodge, Mackenzies Accommodation, Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve, Hotel Olivewood, Quarry Lake Inn, Premier Resort Mpongo Private Game Reserve, Hemingways Hotel, Premier Hotel East London ICC and Palm Tree Manor.
Which hotel is best for families?
Quarry Lake Inn, Hemingways Hotel, Premier Hotel East London ICC and Premier Resort Mpongo Private Game Reserve all list family rooms. Mpongo also has a playground and babysitting service, while Hemingways and the ICC hotel have outdoor pools.
Are there hotels with a pool or spa?
Prana Lodge has an outdoor pool, jacuzzi and massage. Hotel Olivewood lists an outdoor pool, spa and massage; Quarry Lake Inn has an outdoor pool and sauna; Mackenzies Accommodation lists a spa; and Premier Hotel East London ICC, Hemingways Hotel and Premier Resort Mpongo have outdoor pools.
Which is the top-rated hotel on this list?
Mackenzies Accommodation has a guest rating of 4.8 out of 5 from 100 reviews, the highest here. Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve, Hotel Olivewood and Quarry Lake Inn are each rated 4.6.
Can I stay near the beach?
Premier Hotel East London ICC is on the Esplanade beachfront. Prana Lodge, Hotel Olivewood, Premier Resort Mpongo Private Game Reserve, Hemingways Hotel and Palm Tree Manor all list a beach nearby.
Do any of these hotels allow pets?
None of the hotels on this shortlist lists pets among its facilities, so you would need to confirm directly with the hotel before booking.
Which hotels are good for a business trip?
Hemingways Hotel, Premier Hotel East London ICC, Hotel Olivewood, Premier Resort Mpongo Private Game Reserve and Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve all list a business centre or meeting room, and several add shuttle service for getting around.