At a Glance
- Discover Africa’s grand hotels preserving colonial elegance and indigenous artistry across 15 iconic cities.
- Experience luxury stays in destinations like Marrakech, Cape Town, and Zanzibar’s storied heritage hotels.
- Explore cities where history meets hospitality through architecture, art, and enduring cultural traditions.
Africa’s great hotels are far more than places to sleep, they’re living archives of the continent’s layered histories, artistic traditions, and colonial-era elegance that still echo through modern skylines.
Each city on this list holds a story, of empire and independence, of culture and continuity. Their historic hotels keep that story alive, offering travelers not just a stay, but a passage through Africa’s timeless heart.
From the Moorish courtyards of Marrakech to the colonial charm of Cape Town, Shore Africa profiles 15 best African cities where history and hospitality meet in unforgettable ways.
1. Marrakech, Morocco — Moorish Grandeur in the Desert
A city of color and character, Marrakech remains one of Africa’s most enchanting destinations for travelers who crave both authenticity and indulgence. Hidden in its winding medina are storied riads such as La Mamounia and The Oberoi Marrakech, masterpieces of Moorish design with hand-carved stucco, tiled courtyards, and lantern-lit gardens where time seems to pause.
2. Cape Town, South Africa — Grace Beneath Table Mountain
At the foot of Table Mountain stands the Mount Nelson Hotel, affectionately called “The Pink Lady.” Since 1899, it has welcomed statesmen, artists, and explorers. With manicured gardens, high tea rituals, and a gentle blend of old-world charm and seaside vibrance, it captures Cape Town’s distinctive mix of history and modern allure.
3. Stone Town, Zanzibar — Swahili Splendor by the Sea
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Stone Town tells a story written in coral stone and carved wood. Hotels like Emerson Spice and the Park Hyatt Zanzibar preserve its Swahili soul, balconies draped with carved lattices, views of dhows drifting across the Indian Ocean, and the lingering scent of spices on warm sea air.
4. Cairo, Egypt — Ancient Majesty Along the Nile
Cairo is where history breathes. From the pyramids to the palaces on the Nile, every corner hums with echoes of ancient Egypt. The Four Seasons Cairo at Nile Plaza captures that sense of grandeur, offering panoramic river views and interiors that marry luxury with millennia-old legacy.
5. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — A Capital with Deep Roots
The cultural heart of the Horn of Africa, Addis Ababa blends imperial history with continental importance as the seat of the African Union. Overlooking the city, the Sheraton Addis pairs Ethiopian warmth with stately comfort, complete with traditional coffee ceremonies and views stretching toward the Entoto Hills.
6. Algiers, Algeria — The White City on the Mediterranean
Algiers shimmers with a mix of Ottoman grace and French colonial style. The Sofitel Algiers Hamma Garden, set among palm-fringed gardens and overlooking the sea, offers a serene escape from the bustle of the Casbah, where history whispers through whitewashed facades and domed rooftops.
7. Kigali, Rwanda — Renewal with Refinement
Kigali is one of Africa’s cleanest, calmest capitals—a city that carries its past with quiet dignity. The Kigali Serena Hotel embodies that spirit, blending modern African elegance with warm hospitality, set amid rolling hills that symbolize both healing and hope.
8. Lagos, Nigeria — Africa’s Beating Urban Heart
Lagos thrives on contrasts, colonial relics beside glass towers, heritage mingling with hustle. The Federal Palace Hotel and Eko Hotels & Suites reflect the city’s evolution from colonial port to cultural powerhouse. Step outside and you’ll find art galleries, lively markets, and a nightlife that never sleeps.
9. Tunis, Tunisia — Where the Medina Meets Modernity
In Tunis, the past and present coexist effortlessly. The Hotel Majestic Tunis, a restored Art Deco treasure, sits near the centuries-old medina and the famed Bardo Museum. Its nostalgic charm and graceful simplicity evoke a bygone era of North African sophistication.
10. Windhoek, Namibia — Colonial Calm in the Highlands
Windhoek carries traces of its German colonial heritage in its architecture and pace. The Windhoek Country Club Resort mirrors that blend—classic interiors framed by views of wide-open savannahs, offering guests tranquility and a touch of old-world refinement.
11. Luanda, Angola — Atlantic Elegance Reimagined
Once a Portuguese port, Luanda is now a thriving coastal capital. The Hotel Presidente Luanda, overlooking the Atlantic, combines colonial charm with modern Angolan flair. Sunset from its terraces paints the skyline in gold and nostalgia.
12. Nairobi, Kenya — Where Safari Meets City
Few capitals balance nature and modern life like Nairobi. The Nairobi Serena Hotel captures this duality—colonial-era décor set alongside contemporary African art, all within reach of Nairobi National Park, where lions roam just beyond the city skyline.
13. Port Louis, Mauritius — Island Heritage with a French Touch
Port Louis blends island life with colonial grace. The Labourdonnais Waterfront Hotel sits along the harbor, offering modern comfort infused with French Creole character. From here, the city’s historic landmarks, the Jummah Mosque and Caudan Waterfront, are just a stroll away.
14. Accra, Ghana — Coastal Culture and Charm
Accra’s pulse is unmistakable, vibrant, welcoming, and steeped in heritage. The Labadi Beach Hotel captures this perfectly, offering seaside serenity with touches of Ghanaian art and design that nod to the nation’s rich history and rhythm.
15. Johannesburg, South Africa — Heritage on the Horizon
Johannesburg tells a story of ambition and renewal. The Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff, perched above the city’s canopy, offers sweeping views and timeless sophistication. It’s a fitting finale to a journey across Africa’s historic hotels—where every stay is a step into living history.
