Where to stay, eat and what to do on holiday in East London

Areena Riverside Resort

East London is the perfect winter destination with its extremely moderate climate… days with a cool start but warming up to temperatures in the low 20’s and clear blue skies. This winter season why not take advantage of the school holidays and bring the whole family to our beautiful city to enjoy everything we have to offer.

ACCOMMODATION

When it comes to where to stay, there are accommodation options to suit every budget from beautiful Guest Houses to top class Hotels. Whether you are looking for somewhere in the city, amidst the hustle and bustle of metropolitan life or you want make an escape to the country… whether you want an all-inclusive holiday or prefer to have a home away from home experience with a self-catering option, we guarantee you will find it here…

Starting in central East London, Thirty-Six on Bonza is a luxurious Boutique Guest House situated in Beacon Bay. Possessing an elegant earthiness and contemporary out-of-Africa ambiance, Thirty-Six on Bonza is a custom-designed two-story building comprising ten luxury rooms, each individually furnished with the utmost care.

Thirty Six on Bonza

Staying in the Beacon Bay area, we have The Thatch Luxury Guest House, a modern 4-star purpose-built establishment which offers luxury and tranquility. Located in the quiet and tranquil suburb of Bonza Bay, The Thatch Luxury Guest House is just 10 minutes walk from the beach.

The Thatch Guesthouse & The Hotel Osner

Located on East London’s main beachfront in Quigney, the Hotel Osner is a refurbished 3-star hotel, ideally located close to top class restaurants and many of the tourist attractions in the city. It is the

Southern Sun Hemingways Hotel

perfect destination for leisure and business travellers with second-to-none views of the Indian Ocean.

Southern Sun Hemingways Hotel is a beautiful and stylish full service hotel, conveniently located adjacent to the Hemingways Casino and Entertainment Centre. This hotel serves as the perfect base from which to explore East London and its surrounds and you will simply love its striking architecture and décor, inspired by the home of author Ernest Hemingway.

Park Place Boutique Guesthouse

Located in Belgravia, conveniently close to the East London city centre and the Ann Bryant Art Gallery is the beautiful and sophisticated Park Place Boutique Guesthouse.

The classic Victorian manor, Park Place has 19 beautifully crafted bedrooms, each with its own unique character.

If you are looking for upmarket elegance that harks back to simpler times, the beautifully restored and luxurious Park Place Boutique Guesthouse should be your destination of choice.

Along East London’s esplanade, only 15 minutes from the airport, you will find the Kennaway Hotel. An elegant and spacious 3-star hotel, the Kennaway offers panoramic views of the Indian Ocean and the East London harbour and is ideally situated, close to the East London Aquarium and the Orient and beach.

Jemimas Bunker on Bailie Guest House

In Bunkers Hill, a quiet suburb of East London, you can enjoy luxury accommodation at Jemima’s Bunker on Bailie Guest House. Possessing a unique French boutique style experience, you will just love the distinctive ambiance of Jemima’s.

For self-catering options, we have The Reef Apartments, a stones throw away from Nahoon Beach and river mouth. Awaken to the sound of the ocean and visit restaurants and other nearby amenities at this beautiful accommodation.

Reef Apartments and 14 on Beach

For more self-catering options, 14 on Beach in Nahoon offers beautiful, executive, full-equipped suites. Situated in close proximity to fantastic restaurants, Nahoon Beach and the city’s malls, 14 on Beach is new on the market and extremely convenient.

Santo Paloma Guest Farm and Eco Centre

Moving away from the city and out into the beautiful countryside, stunning accommodation options are numerous. The Santa Paloma Guest Farm and Eco Centre has a choice of accommodation for backpackers, individuals, groups and families and really is a unique outdoor experience. Nestled in the coastal forest of our beautiful province, Santa Paloma has tastefully decorated en-suite rooms and possesses a charm like no other.

Umnenga Lodge

Situated in the rolling hills of the Wild Coast, just 500 metres from the beautiful and wild Glen Eden beach, is Umnenga Lodge. The perfect getaway for both couples and families, the lodge is located in the heart of the famous Jikeleza Route and gives guests the opportunity  to relax at the lodge or venture out and explore the beautiful and numerous attractions nearby.

Hogsback Arminel Hotel

Located in the beautiful and charming Hogsback away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life is The Hogsback Arminel Hotel. Completely renovated to recapture its original charm, the hotel is the perfect luxury family getaway and offers sumptuous hotel accommodation plus the recently opened Arminel Luxury Forest Cottages.

Areena Riverside Resort

Situated on the banks of the Kwelera tidal river at the beginning of the Cape Wild Coast is Areena Riverside Resort. A favourite destination for many, Areena is 23 kilometres from East London’s city centre and is a beautiful 4-star self-catering resort, offering unsurpassed views of the river and a wide range of water sports and wildlife.

Katberg Eco Golf Estate

Set on a spectacular 400-hectare estate in the Winterberg Mountains is the Katberg Eco Golf Estate. A tranquil mountain retreat that combines comfortable accommodation coupled with an 18-hole championship golf course, the estate has it all. With Settler-style self catering golf villas, you will definitely relax and unwind at the Katberg Eco Golf Estate.

EATING OUT

No matter what your budget is, East London offers something for everybody when it comes to eating out and you are sure to find that perfect coffee shop/restaurant among our city’s options.

PineCreek Restaurant & Toast Deli

Situated on the Old Gonubie Road at Holm Hill is PineCreek Restaurant. In the evening, this beautiful venue offers a mouth-watering fine dining menu with beautifully crafted dishes and during the day, PineCreek offers an extensive coffee shop style menu. In good weather, why not sit outside in the protected courtyard under the trees, in the tea garden behind the restaurant, or on the patio overlooking the courtyard? You also have the option to sit inside the main restaurant if the weather is not at its best.

Toast Deli, a unique restaurant and coffee shop in Selborne, is situated in a lovely garden nursery and offers both indoor and al fresco dining. Toast Deli caters for all and is a firm favourite for both locals and visitors with its delicious food and light, airy atmosphere.

Cafe Bella

Located in both Beacon Bay and Hemingways Mall, Café Bella is loved by the health conscious for light meals and salads and equally loved by the not so health conscious for decadent and authentic Italian desserts!

The perfect place for a breakfast, light lunch, kids treat or supper, there is something for everyone at Café Bella.

La Vida Restaurant

On East London’s main beachfront, you can find the Atlantis Beachfront Centre, housing both La Vida Restaurant and The Tuscan Room. Perched above the waves overlooking the bay, La Vida Restaurant holds prime position on the main beachfront and this is a dining experience you won’t want to miss.

La Vida is the main restaurant at the heart of the centre, catering for families and those who enjoy a lovely light atmosphere, while The Tuscan Room is the more sophisticated fine dining area, discreetly separated from the main restaurant and suited to those who wish to experience a quiet, more romantic setting.

Key Largo Restaurant

At the popular Hemingways, there are a number of options when it comes to eating out, starting with the stunning Key Largo situated inside the hotel. The restaurant has beautiful views of the gardens and offers a choice of fine dining with a grill buffet and a la carte menu. Inside Hemingways Casino, you can find Latitudes Action bar, offering diners delicious burgers, steaks and ribs (not to mention the largest selection of world-renowned beers!). Enjoy light meals, gourmet pizzas and burgers at the Felix Bar and Restaurant, located opposite The Venue@Hemingways. Possessing a rustic charm, the Felix Bar has beautiful garden views and is a favourite for young and old.

The Scarlet Ibis Restaurant in Belgravia, located inside the secluded and private grounds of the Park Place Boutique Guest House is a fine-dining experience not to be missed. On Fridays you can enjoy themed dinners with mouth-watering cuisine from India, Morocco, The Caribbean, Thailand and Lebanon, along with live entertainment.

Scarlet Ibis Restaurant & Umnenga Lodge’s Lighthouse Restaurant

Situated inside Umnenga Lodge in Glen Eden is The Lighthouse Restaurant, offering a relaxed nautical-style atmosphere. A firm favourite with both locals and visitors alike, it is a wonderful dining experience not to be missed.

Emerald Vale Brewery

A visit to the Emerald Vale Brewing Company is an absolute must when visiting East London. Situated in the unspoilt natural beauty of the Wild Coast, on a farm between Chintsa and Cefani, the Emerald Vale Brewing Company is a boutique craft brewery specialising in hand crafted beers and offering pub-style meals in the brewery restaurant or overlooking the rolling hills surrounding it.

WHAT TO DO IN EAST LONDON

There is so much to do in the beautiful city of East London and to keep abreast of it all, we advise you to keep a check on our events and entertainment guide! We cover all events ranging from markets and sporting events to live shows and theatre productions and we also feature a very comprehensive guide to what’s on and when at Hemingways Cinema, located inside the popular Hemingways Mall. Visit our Tourism page for information on day trips, popular tourist attractions and travel services.

What more could you ask for? East London really does offer it all and we know that, aside from the stunning weather that we are blessed with and that you are going to simply love during the winter, you will find exactly what you are looking for in our fair city.