Five South African boutique hotels

Farm 215, Overberg

This luxury retreat is in a vast nature reserve, overlooking the Agulhas Plains and the Atlantic Ocean on the Western Cape. There are just six rooms spread between the country house homestead and three freestanding suites: eye-catching design with wood-burning stoves, downy duvets and toiletries made from native fynbos plants. You can relax by the designer lap pool along a winding walkway, or go hiking with a local guide.

Farm 215, Hartebeeskloof & Koudeberg, Baardskeerdersbos, Overstrand, Overberg, Western Cape (00 27 28 388 09 20; farm215.co.za). Doubles from R1,580 (£114), including breakfast.

Ten Bompas, Johannesburg

A designer retreat in edgy Johannesburg, Ten Bompas is an all-suite hotel and haven of tranquillity in the heart of the business district. The architect and interior-designed suites each come with outside access via a balcony or terrace, a fireplace and separate lounge and bedroom and plenty of natural light. There is contemporary African art and sculpture throughout and an impressive two-storey glass-fronted wine cellar with over 4,000 vintages.

Ten Bompas, 10 Bompas Road, Dunkeld West, Johannesburg (00 27 11 341 0282; tenbompas. com). Suites from R3,100 (£225), including breakfast and complimentary mini-bar.

Le Quartier Francais, Franschhoek

This restaurant and charming auberge is in the centre of the picture-perfect village of Franschhoek. It's the perfect place from which to drift from gourmet restaurant to interiors shops and then through the 40 or so local vineyards.

Le Quartier Francais, 16 Huguenot Road, Franschhoek (00 27 21 876 2151; lequartier. co.za). Doubles from R3,900 (£282), including breakfast.

The Marine, Hermanus

This elegant whitewashed hotel dates back to 1902 and enjoys a spectacular cliff-top location in Hermanus, the self-proclaimed whale-watching capital of South Africa. Guests can enjoy the heated saltwater pool or explore the nearby 10km-cliff path to view the Southern Right whales which come here to calve in May.

The Marine, Marine Drive, Hermanus (00 27 28 313 1000; marine-hermanus.co.za). Doubles start at R2,000 (£145), including breakfast.

Colona Castle, Cape Town

The gabled Cape Dutch architecture is so prominent in the province that it's a surprise to find a hotel that looks like it's been uprooted from Tuscany. The grand, mustard-hued Colona Castle has panoramic views of Table Mountain, Constantia and the Atlantic Ocean. The interiors are elegant, with log fires and a scattering of antiques. Each room is themed, from Safari to Chinese, with a beamed ceiling and lacquer cabinets.

Colona Castle, 1 Verwood Street, Lakeside, Cape Town (00 27 21 788 8235; colonacastle.co.za). Doubles from R1,520 (£110), including breakfast.