From the sun-drenched vineyards of Franschhoek to the historic grandeur of Cape Town’s most renowned hotel, South Africa has long been a playground for the global elite. While these five-star properties all offer world-class service and top-notch amenities, it’s the whispered stories of the legends who have walked their halls that truly set them apart.
Here is a look at the most luxurious accommodations that have hosted major celebrities, from legendary rock stars to modern-day royalty.
The Mount Nelson Hotel, Cape Town: ‘Pink Lady’ of the Mother City
The sprawling nine-acre oasis, the Mount Nelson, has been painted in its distinctive pink hue since 1918, supposedly to relax guests (and perhaps to hide the dust). Known locally as “The Nellie”, it’s less a hotel and more a living museum of the jet set.
The guest list reads like a who’s who of the 20th and 21st centuries. Oprah Winfrey, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Charlize Theron are recent regulars. Historically, it housed Agatha Christie, Marlene Dietrich, and Queen Elizabeth II, who even celebrated her 21st birthday here. Nelson Mandela and Winston Churchill are also part of its storied history.
But it’s John Lennon’s disappearing act that remains one of the most intriguing. When the Beatle checked in under the pseudonym “Mr Greenwood”, he wasn’t there for a wild party. He visited South Africa solo for a brief holiday in May 1980, roughly six months before his tragic death. Lennon’s biographer later revealed that the musician was travelling under the advice of his personal numerologist, Takashi Yoshikawa, who had advised him to travel southeast from New York to escape negative energy, pointing him directly to Cape Town.
According to hotel lore, a guest once complained to management about a vagrant sitting on the manicured lawns. When staff investigated, they discovered it was actually John Lennon doing yoga and meditating.
Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa, Johannesburg: Historic Haven
The legendary Saxon is an ultra-private fortress tucked away in the wealthy Johannesburg suburb of Sandhurst. A member of Leading Hotels of the World, it’s designed for dignitaries and CEOs who want to disappear behind high walls and lush gardens. While it hosts a revolving door of billionaires and heads of state, its most famous “guest” was more of a resident.
Nelson Mandela chose the Saxon as the retreat where he recuperated and edited his iconic memoir, Long Walk to Freedom, immediately after his release from prison. Because the hotel was originally the private home of insurance magnate Douw Steyn, Mandela was never just a guest; he was a resident houseguest who lived there for six months. The property now features a dedicated Mandela Gallery.
Oprah Winfrey, a close friend of owner Douw Steyn, is such a regular that one of the hotel’s lounges is named after her. Her pencil portrait also hangs in the hallway. Other A-list guests who have stayed there include Bill Clinton, Prince William and Prince Harry, Bono, Will Smith, Justin Bieber, and Lady Gaga.
The Oyster Box, Durban: A Royal Favourite
Overlooking the iconic red-and-white lighthouse in Umhlanga, The Oyster Box is old-school colonial glamour meeting family-friendly warmth. And when it comes to A-list accommodations on the East Coast, this is undoubtedly the go-to destination for both royalty and pop royalty. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have stayed here, as have Bill Gates and Justin Bieber. Of course, Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco famously held their wedding reception at The Oyster Box.
But the real star was Skabenga, a stray tabby who wandered up from the Umhlanga Promenade over a decade ago and decided he was never leaving. The staff and guests loved him so much that he became a permanent resident and, arguably, the hotel’s most famous VIP. Skabenga had a resting grumpy face that gave the original Grumpy Cat a run for her money, but his real claim to fame was his attitude.
When the hotel rolled out the red carpet for VIPs and royalty, Skabenga had a habit of planting himself right in the middle of it just as guests arrived. Whether it was Princess Charlene or a visiting sports team like Manchester United, Skabenga made sure everyone knew who the real top cat was. The hotel’s general manager said they received Skabenga fan mail from around the world. Sadly, he died last year, aged 19.
La Residence, Franschhoek: Elton’s Personal Suite
Over in the Franschhoek Valley, La Residence is a riot of colour. Designed by owner and founder Liz Biden, it mixes heritage antiques with vibrant modern African art, all framed by the dramatic mountains of the Cape Winelands.
The hotel is famously a favourite of Sir Elton John. He and his husband, David Furnish, routinely stay in the Maharani Suite (Suite 11), where a framed photo sits on the desk bearing the inscription “To La Residence, with love, Elton John.” Rumour has it that Elton personally requested the over-the-top décor, including decorative peacocks and impalas, turning the hotel into a private zoo befitting the Rocket Man himself. Sir Elton is known to hire out the entire estate when he visits to ensure total privacy for himself and his entourage.
Interestingly, he has also contributed to the property’s landscaping. As a friend of the hotel’s owner, Elton once gifted several jacaranda trees to the estate. These trees, which famously bloom with purple flowers, are now a feature of the grounds.
Royal Malewane, Kruger National Park: Bushveld for the Bold
Known as the ultimate bush hideaway for Hollywood elites and rock royalty, Royal Malewane offers uncompromising security. In fact, staff routinely coordinate with private security teams to clear private airstrips before stars touch down. It has hosted the likes of Bono, Justin Bieber, and the Kardashians. Bill Gates spent his evenings dining under the stars at the lodge’s boma, while Nicolas Cage was thrilled to watch a massive bull elephant drink from the plunge pool just feet from his private wooden deck.
When U2 frontman Bono stayed in Africa House, the property’s massive private villa, he was so inspired by the pristine wilderness and the local staff that he treated the lodge team to an impromptu private acoustic performance in the main lounge.
Ellerman House, Cape Town: Art-Filled Seclusion
On the cliffs of Bantry Bay, Ellerman House functions more as a highly private mansion than a standard commercial hotel. Completely closed to the general public, it’s the top choice for celebrities looking to escape paparazzi and people entirely. The property features one of the most significant private collections of South African art in the world and has hosted George Clooney, Ellen DeGeneres, the Kardashians, Rafael Nadal, Denzel Washington, and Kylie Minogue.
During an extended film shoot and press cycle in Cape Town, Meryl Streep called Ellerman House “home”. Rather than secluding herself in her villa, however, she reportedly fell in love with the property’s legendary interactive kitchen. The hotel features a “guest pantry” fully stocked with freshly baked pastries, local charcuterie, and homemade ice cream. Staff fondly remember the actress wandering down in comfortable loungewear, making her own tea, and chatting with them about local South African recipes.
The Carlton Hotel, Johannesburg: The Ghost of Glamour
No list of celebrity stays would be complete without the ghost of the Carlton Hotel in downtown Johannesburg. The gold standard since opening in 1972, it featured more than 600 rooms and a lavish rooftop pool. Now an abandoned, eerie high-rise owned by Transnet, it was once the most prestigious address in Africa.
Mick Jagger, Whitney Houston, Hillary Clinton, and Margaret Thatcher all slept here. In 1994, during her first visit to South Africa, Whitney Houston made headlines for allegedly behaving badly towards hotel staff, though the Carlton’s general manager later described her as a “superb guest”.
In February 1995, Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones didn’t just stay at the Carlton; they used it as their base while performing the first major rock concert in South Africa.
The hotel closed its doors in 1998, a casualty of the declining central business district and a notorious incident in which two employees murdered a manager.
