The best hotels in Port Elizabeth
Port Elizabeth has over 8,000+ places to stay and a coastline that makes choosing feel impossible. We reviewed the standouts. these 10 made the cut.
Our Top Picks in Port Elizabeth
Click any hotel to check availability and book at the best price.
Jikeleza Lodge
Central, Port Elizabeth
Free cancellation & Pay later
Ibhayi Guest Lodge
Newton Park, Port Elizabeth
Free cancellation & Pay later
The Windermere Hotel
Humewood, Port Elizabeth
Free cancellation & Pay later
Radisson Blu Hotel Port Elizabeth
Summerstrand, Port Elizabeth
Free cancellation & Pay later
Protea Hotel by Marriott King George
Central, Port Elizabeth
Free cancellation & Pay later
Boardwalk Hotel
Summerstrand, Port Elizabeth
Free cancellation & Pay later
Hacklewood Hill Country House
Walmer, Port Elizabeth
Free cancellation & Pay later
Beach Hotel Port Elizabeth
Humewood, Port Elizabeth
Free cancellation & Pay later
Lavanga Resort and Spa
Blue Water Bay, Port Elizabeth
Free cancellation & Pay later
The Woodlands at Woodall
Addo, Port Elizabeth
Free cancellation & Pay later
All Hotels Compared
Side-by-side comparison to help you pick the right hotel. Prices reflect shoulder season averages.
| # | Hotel | City & Area | Price/Night | Score | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jikeleza Lodge | Central, Port Elizabeth | $45–75/night | 7.6/10 | Budget Pick |
| 2 | Ibhayi Guest Lodge | Newton Park, Port Elizabeth | $65–90/night | 7.9/10 | Hidden Gem |
| 3 | The Windermere Hotel | Humewood, Port Elizabeth | $105–155/night | 8.3/10 | Best Location |
| 4 | Radisson Blu Hotel Port Elizabeth | Summerstrand, Port Elizabeth | $130–210/night | 8.7/10 | Most Popular |
| 5 | Protea Hotel by Marriott King George | Central, Port Elizabeth | $140–195/night | 8.2/10 | Business Pick |
| 6 | Boardwalk Hotel | Summerstrand, Port Elizabeth | $160–220/night | 8.5/10 | Family Friendly |
| 7 | Hacklewood Hill Country House | Walmer, Port Elizabeth | $175–240/night | 9/10 | Romantic Stay |
| 8 | Beach Hotel Port Elizabeth | Humewood, Port Elizabeth | $190–255/night | 8.4/10 | Best Value |
| 9 | Lavanga Resort and Spa | Blue Water Bay, Port Elizabeth | $260–370/night | 9.2/10 | Top Rated |
| 10 | The Woodlands at Woodall | Addo, Port Elizabeth | $320–480/night | 9.4/10 | Luxury Pick |
Why These Hotels Made Our List
Every hotel earned its spot. Here's exactly why we picked each one.
Jikeleza Lodge
A backpacker-friendly lodge on Prospect Hill Street in the heart of central Port Elizabeth. Rooms are basic but clean, with shared bathrooms that are kept in decent shape. The communal kitchen and lounge area make it easy to meet other travelers. Staff are helpful with local tips and arranging Eastern Cape day trips. Good value for solo travelers watching their budget.
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Ibhayi Guest Lodge
This small guesthouse sits in the quiet residential suburb of Newton Park, about ten minutes by car from Humewood Beach. Rooms are simply furnished but spotless, and each has its own bathroom. The owners cook a generous full breakfast every morning that sets you up well for the day. Parking is secure and free, which matters in this city. Not glamorous, but genuinely good value for the price.
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The Windermere Hotel
The Windermere is a historic building on Humewood Road, walking distance from Hobie Beach and the beachfront strip. The classic decor feels authentically old rather than run-down, and the sea-facing rooms are worth the small premium. The restaurant on-site is reliable for dinner and the bar sees a good local crowd on weekends. A great base for exploring the Boardwalk Casino complex nearby. Rooms fill up fast in December so book early.
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Radisson Blu Hotel Port Elizabeth
This Radisson sits directly on Marine Drive in Summerstrand, a short walk from Hobie Beach and the Boardwalk entertainment complex. Rooms are large, well-equipped, and many have direct ocean views. The pool area is one of the best hotel pools in the city and the breakfast buffet is genuinely impressive. Service is consistent across the board, as you would expect from a chain of this caliber. It fills up quickly during school holidays so plan ahead.
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Protea Hotel by Marriott King George
Located on Cuyler Street in the central business district, this Protea is the go-to choice for corporate travelers in Port Elizabeth. Rooms are modern and functional with decent desk space and reliable Wi-Fi. The hotel is close to the city hall and main government offices, making it convenient for business visits. The rooftop pool is a pleasant surprise after a long day. Not much for leisure travelers, but handles business stays very well.
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Boardwalk Hotel
The Boardwalk Hotel is part of the larger Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment World complex on Beach Road in Summerstrand. Families do well here with easy access to the casino entertainment area, restaurants, and the beach across the road. Rooms are spacious and well-maintained, and the pool complex keeps kids occupied. The location means noise can carry on busy evenings, so request a room away from the casino floor. Overall a solid and convenient family option.
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Hacklewood Hill Country House
Set in a restored Victorian manor house on Prospect Road in Walmer, Hacklewood Hill feels genuinely removed from the city despite being only minutes from the airport. The gardens are well-kept and the suites are elegantly decorated with antique furnishings. Dinner in the dining room is a proper occasion and the kitchen handles game and seafood equally well. This is the kind of place couples come back to for anniversaries. One of the most characterful properties in Port Elizabeth.
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Beach Hotel Port Elizabeth
The Beach Hotel sits right on the beachfront on Marine Drive, giving it one of the best positions of any hotel in the city. Rooms facing the ocean are the highlight and worth paying extra for the sunrise views over Humewood Beach. The building has been recently renovated and the interiors are clean and contemporary. The ground-floor restaurant serves good grilled seafood and draws in locals on weekends. A solid mid-to-upper option with a hard-to-beat location.
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Lavanga Resort and Spa
Lavanga sits on the beachfront at Blue Water Bay, about 25 kilometers north of the city center along the coast. The resort offers private beach access, a full-service spa, and beautifully appointed rooms with sea-facing terraces. The isolation from the city is both the main draw and the only real drawback since you need a car for everything. Food and beverage options on-site are high quality so most guests stay put. This is genuinely one of the finest resort experiences in the Eastern Cape.
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The Woodlands at Woodall
Technically part of the greater Port Elizabeth region, Woodall Country House sits on a private estate on the edge of the Addo Elephant National Park, about 70 kilometers from the city. The lodge has only a handful of suites, each with its own plunge pool and views over the bush. Game drives into Addo are arranged daily and the guiding quality is excellent. The kitchen produces refined multi-course dinners using local ingredients. If you are combining a city stay with a safari, this is the obvious and rewarding choice.
Check AvailabilityWhere to Stay in Port Elizabeth
The neighborhood you pick matters more than the hotel.
First time in Port Elizabeth? Start here.
Port Elizabeth. locals call it PE or Gqeberha, the official renamed version. is a beach city with one of South Africa's most accessible coastlines. The stretch from Humewood Beach up through King's Beach to Hobie Beach in Summerstrand is walkable, clean, and genuinely pleasant. Most first-timers are surprised it's not more famous.
Stay in Summerstrand or Humewood. Avoid anything described as 'central' if you care about walkability. The Radisson Blu on Marine Drive or The Windermere on Beach Road give you instant access to the water without needing a car for every single thing.
PE on a budget: how to do it right
You can stay in PE for $45-75/night at Jikeleza Lodge in Central without feeling like you're roughing it. The catch: Central is 10-12 minutes by Uber from the beach, so factor in R80-R120/day for ride costs if you're going back and forth. That still beats paying $105-130/night for a beachfront room.
Eat on Richmond Hill. it's a 10-minute drive from Central and the restaurant strip around Donkin Street has sit-down meals for R80-R150 per person. Skip the Boardwalk food court; it's overpriced and aimed at tourists who don't know better.
The Addo day trip: what your hotel won't tell you
Addo Elephant National Park is 72km from PE on the N2 and it's absolutely worth a full day. Gates open at 7am. get there early because the elephants are active in the morning around the Hapoor Dam waterhole, not at midday when it's hot. Most hotel concierges will quote you R900-R1,200 for a transfer; you can often book directly with local operators for R500-R700.
If Addo is the main reason you're visiting, just stay at The Woodlands at Woodall in Addo itself. It's $320-480/night but you wake up inside the ecosystem. Driving back to PE after a full game day in 35°C heat is no fun.
Beach guide: which stretch suits you?
Hobie Beach in Summerstrand is the social hub. kite surfers, beach volleyball, the Boardwalk a 3-minute walk away. King's Beach is busier and more family-oriented, right next to the harbour. Humewood Beach is quieter and slightly less manicured, which some people prefer.
Sardinia Bay, about 20km south of the city off the R102, is worth the trip if you want empty white sand. No facilities, no vendors, no crowds. Bring water and go early.
Romantic weekend in PE: where to actually go
Hacklewood Hill Country House in Walmer is the right call. it's in the leafy suburbs off Cape Road, away from the noise, with real garden grounds and a 9.0 rating. Candlelit dinners happen here without needing to explain what you want. Lavanga Resort in Blue Water Bay is the other option if you want spa treatments and private beach access to go with it.
For dinner out, Fushin on Pickering Street in Sbort is a short drive and completely worth it. PE's restaurant scene is better than people expect. don't default to the hotel restaurant on a Friday night.
Business travel in PE: skip the guesswork
Port Elizabeth Airport (PLZ) is 3km from Central and about 8km from Summerstrand. Uber from arrivals to Summerstrand costs R120-R160 and takes 15 minutes outside of morning rush hour. Don't bother with the metered taxis outside arrivals. they'll quote you double.
Protea Hotel by Marriott King George in Central is the go-to for business at $140-195/night. It's close to the PE City Hall, the courts on Cape Road, and the NMBM municipal offices. The Radisson Blu works if your meetings are out near the beachfront or Boardwalk precinct.
Port Elizabeth's best neighborhoods
Summerstrand and Humewood are where you want to be. beachfront access, walkable restaurant strips, and a genuine sense of place. Central has budget options, but go in with eyes open.
Summerstrand 2 vetted hotels PE's beachfront hub. marine Drive, Hobie Beach, and the Boardwalk in one strip.
PE's beachfront hub. marine Drive, Hobie Beach, and the Boardwalk in one strip.
Summerstrand is where most visitors end up, and with good reason. Marine Drive runs along the coast and connects Hobie Beach, Shark Rock Pier, and the Boardwalk Entertainment World within easy walking distance. It's the most convenient base in the city.
The Radisson Blu sits right on Marine Drive with direct views of King's Beach. It's the most booked hotel in PE for a reason: location, consistency, and a pool that actually gets sun. The Boardwalk Hotel connects directly to the casino and entertainment complex next door.
Peak season in December and January means prices climb and parking turns ugly. Book ahead and accept it. The rest of the year, Summerstrand is genuinely easy to navigate on foot.
Humewood 2 vetted hotels Quieter beachfront living. Beach Road, Bayworld, and better value than Summerstrand.
Quieter beachfront living. Beach Road, Bayworld, and better value than Summerstrand.
Humewood sits just south of Central, right on Beach Road with direct access to Humewood Beach and the Bayworld Museum complex. It's calmer than Summerstrand and slightly cheaper, which makes it the smart pick for anyone who wants the water without the Boardwalk crowds.
The Windermere Hotel on Beach Road is a solid mid-range option at $105-155/night with an 8.3 rating. Beach Hotel Port Elizabeth is also here, rated 8.4 and priced $190-255/night. the name is literal. You're steps from the sand.
Happy Valley Gardens is a 5-minute walk east along the beachfront and worth a morning stroll. The stretch of Beach Road between Humewood and King's Beach is one of the most pleasant walks in the city.
Walmer & Suburbs 1 vetted hotel Leafy, quiet, and close to the airport. a different side of PE entirely.
Leafy, quiet, and close to the airport. a different side of PE entirely.
Walmer is the upmarket residential suburb that sits between the airport and Central, off Cape Road heading east. It's green, quiet, and nothing like the beachfront areas. Hacklewood Hill Country House is here, set back in established gardens with a 9.0 rating.
You're 3km from PE Airport in Walmer, which matters for early flights. Cape Road connects you to Central in 8 minutes and the beachfront in about 15. It's not a walking neighbourhood. you need a car or Uber for everything.
This is the right base if your priority is peace and comfort over convenience. Settlers Park Nature Reserve is a 10-minute drive and worth an afternoon.
Central 2 vetted hotels Budget-friendly and close to offices, but not where you want to spend evenings.
Budget-friendly and close to offices, but not where you want to spend evenings.
Central PE is the commercial heart of the city: the Campanile, the Donkin Reserve, city hall, and the courts are all here. For budget travellers and business visitors with meetings in the CBD, it makes logistical sense. For everyone else, it's a 15-minute drive from the beach.
Jikeleza Lodge comes in at $45-75/night and does exactly what it promises at that price. Protea Hotel by Marriott King George is the business-grade option at $140-195/night, well-positioned for Govan Mbeki Avenue meetings. Neither is a destination in itself.
Avoid walking alone around Commercial Road and parts of Strand Street after dark. Richmond Hill, just east of Central, is where the good restaurants are. Oak Avenue and the surrounding streets have a dozen worth visiting.
Addo & Blue Water Bay 2 vetted hotels Safari country and private coastline. worth the drive out of the city.
Safari country and private coastline. worth the drive out of the city.
Blue Water Bay is 20km north of PE on the coast, past Dispatch. Lavanga Resort and Spa is here: $260-370/night, a 9.2 rating, and proper spa facilities with private beach access. This is where you go when you want to disappear.
Addo is another 50km north on the N2. The Woodlands at Woodall sits on the edge of Addo Elephant National Park and rates 9.4. the highest in our entire list. At $320-480/night, it's a serious commitment, but you're sleeping inside one of South Africa's great wildlife destinations.
Neither area is suited to city exploration. They're destinations in themselves. If you're splitting a week between PE and Addo, 3 nights in Summerstrand and 2 nights at Woodall is a very solid itinerary.
Best Areas by Vibe
Tell us how you travel and we'll point you to the right part of Port Elizabeth.
Romantic
Hacklewood Hill Country House in Walmer is the one. Established gardens, no noise, and a 9.0 rating. dinner here actually feels special.
Culture
Base yourself in Humewood. Bayworld Museum, the Campanile, and the Donkin Reserve are all within a 10-minute drive of Beach Road.
Family
Summerstrand wins on every count: the Boardwalk Hotel connects to the entertainment complex, Hobie Beach has lifeguards, and the whole strip is walkable.
Budget
Jikeleza Lodge in Central at $45-75/night is the honest budget pick. clean, reliable, and 12 minutes by Uber from the beach.
Beach
Marine Drive in Summerstrand puts you closest to Hobie Beach and Shark Rock Pier. the Radisson Blu is literally across the road from the sand.
Foodie
Richmond Hill is PE's best eating neighbourhood. the stretch around Oak Avenue and Donkin Street has quality restaurants for R80-R200 per head.
Location Quality
Is the neighborhood walkable? Are restaurants, shops, and attractions within 10 minutes on foot? How does it feel after dark? We evaluate safety, public transport access, and whether the area has genuine local character or just tourist traps. A hotel in the wrong neighborhood ruins a trip. That's why location carries the most weight.
Value for Money
We compare what you pay against what you get. A €150 hotel with a great location, clean rooms, and helpful staff can outscore a €500 hotel with fancy amenities in a bad area. We factor in seasonal pricing, cancellation policies, and hidden costs like tourist tax and breakfast surcharges. The goal is finding the best ratio, not the lowest price.
Guest Experience
We analyze thousands of verified guest reviews across multiple platforms, looking for patterns rather than individual complaints. Consistent praise for cleanliness, staff, and room quality counts. We also assess the intangibles: does the hotel have character? Would you recommend it to a friend? A soul-less chain hotel with perfect facilities still loses to a well-run boutique with personality.
When to Visit Port Elizabeth
When to visit Port Elizabeth and what to pay.
Summer (Dec-Feb)
South African school holidays hit in December and Summerstrand gets packed. The Boardwalk Entertainment World draws big crowds over Christmas week and New Year's Eve on Marine Drive is genuinely chaotic. Prices spike 30-40% above shoulder rates and availability tightens fast. book 6-8 weeks out or you'll be stuck in Central.
Autumn (Mar-May)
This is the window we'd point most visitors toward. School holidays are done, the sea temperature sits around 19-21°C. still swimmable. and hotels drop noticeably from December rates. The Addo bush is cooler and more comfortable for game drives in April and May.
Winter (Jun-Aug)
PE winters are mild compared to Johannesburg or Cape Town. you won't freeze, but the beach is cold and the ocean is not for swimming. Budget hotels like Jikeleza Lodge drop below $55/night in June. Good for business trips, Addo visits, and anyone who wants quiet streets.
Spring (Sep-Nov)
September and October see the city shake off winter fast. Temperatures climb back to 20-24°C by October and the first waves of domestic tourists start appearing on weekends. Prices are 15-25% lower than peak season but rooms go quickly in Summerstrand once the school October holiday hits.
Booking Tips for Port Elizabeth
Insider tips for booking hotels in Port Elizabeth.
Don't book 'beachfront' without checking the map
Several properties in PE use 'beachfront' loosely. always cross-reference the address against Google Maps. Anything north of Buffelsfontein Road or east of the N2 is not beach-adjacent regardless of what the listing says. A 2-minute walk to Hobie Beach is meaningfully different from a 20-minute walk through an industrial stretch.
Book Addo transfers before you arrive
The 72km drive to Addo Elephant National Park on the N2 takes about 55 minutes. Hotel concierges charge R900-R1,200 for transfers; pre-booked local operators like Calabash Tours in PE run R500-R700. If you're doing a day trip in December or January, book it the moment your hotel is confirmed. guides fill up.
Use Uber, not metered taxis
PE's metered taxi industry is unregulated in practice. From the airport to Summerstrand, a metered taxi driver may quote R350; Uber runs R120-R160 for the same 8km trip. Uber works reliably across Summerstrand, Humewood, Central, and Walmer. In Blue Water Bay or Addo, signal can be patchy. sort your transfer in advance.
December in PE means book 6-8 weeks ahead
The Boardwalk Hotel and Radisson Blu in Summerstrand are full by early November for the Christmas-New Year window. If you're travelling between December 15 and January 5, waiting for last-minute deals is a bad strategy in PE. Mid-range rooms that cost $130/night in October can hit $210/night in that window.
Ask about load-shedding schedules
South Africa's rolling power cuts (load-shedding) affect PE regularly, scheduled in 2-4 hour blocks. All vetted hotels here have generators, but smaller guesthouses outside our list may not. When booking anywhere not on this list, directly ask whether they have full generator backup. it's a legitimate question and a hotel that gets defensive about it is telling you something.
Eat on Richmond Hill, not the Boardwalk food court
The Boardwalk Entertainment World food options are convenient but overpriced for what they are. Richmond Hill. 10 minutes from Summerstrand on Cape Road. has Fushin, The Larder, and a dozen other quality options for R80-R200 a head. Locals eat there. Tourists eat at the Boardwalk. Choose accordingly.
Hotels in Port Elizabeth — FAQ
Everything you need to know before booking hotels in Port Elizabeth.
Which area of Port Elizabeth should I stay in?
Summerstrand is the obvious first choice. you're within 5 minutes walk of Hobie Beach and the Boardwalk casino strip on Marine Drive. Humewood is slightly quieter and a bit cheaper, with Beach Road running right along the waterfront. Both beat Central for most visitors.
What's the best budget hotel in Port Elizabeth?
Jikeleza Lodge in Central comes in at $45-75/night and it's genuinely good for the price. It's a 10-minute drive from Humewood Beach, so you'll need a taxi or Uber to get to the water. Budget roughly R15-R25 per Uber ride from Central to the beachfront.
Is Port Elizabeth safe for tourists?
The beachfront areas. Summerstrand, Humewood, and the Boardwalk precinct. are well-lit and busy with tourists in the evening. Central PE is a different story after dark: stay close to the Donkin Reserve area and avoid walking alone on Govan Mbeki Avenue at night. Use Uber rather than street taxis, and you'll be fine.
When is the best time to visit Port Elizabeth?
March-May is the sweet spot. Temperatures sit around 18-23°C, the school holiday crowds are gone, and hotel rates drop 20-30% from the December-January peak. The sea is still warm enough for swimming and the Addo day trips aren't baking hot.
How far is Port Elizabeth from Addo Elephant National Park?
It's about 72km from the city centre, which takes roughly 50-60 minutes on the N2 heading north. Most hotels can arrange transfers for R600-R900 return. If you're staying at The Woodlands at Woodall in Addo itself, you skip the drive entirely.
Is there public transport between hotels and the beach?
There's no metro or tram system in PE. The Algoa Bus Company runs a few routes, but they're inconsistent for tourists. Uber is the reliable option: a trip from Central to Hobie Beach in Summerstrand costs around R40-R60 and takes 12-15 minutes.
What is Port Elizabeth like in December and January?
December and January are peak season. South African school holidays drive prices up hard. the Boardwalk area hotels in Summerstrand can hit $160-220/night, and rooms sell out weeks in advance. Temperatures average 25-27°C, the beaches are packed, and parking on Marine Drive is a nightmare. Book 6-8 weeks ahead minimum.
Which Port Elizabeth hotels are best for families?
Boardwalk Hotel in Summerstrand is built for families. it connects directly to the Boardwalk Entertainment World complex, which keeps kids busy without needing a car. The beach at Hobie is 3 minutes walk from the lobby and there's a lifeguard presence most of the day. It runs $160-220/night, which is fair for what you get.
Are there luxury hotels in Port Elizabeth?
Lavanga Resort and Spa in Blue Water Bay leads the pack at $260-370/night. it's full spa territory with private beach access well away from the crowds. Hacklewood Hill Country House in Walmer ($175-240/night) is more intimate, set in gardens off Cape Road with a 9.0 rating. The Woodlands at Woodall near Addo goes highest at $320-480/night but it's a different category: bush lodge, not city hotel.
What's the most popular hotel in Port Elizabeth?
The Radisson Blu on Marine Drive in Summerstrand consistently ranks as the most-booked property in the city, rated 8.7 and priced at $130-210/night. It's directly across from King's Beach and within 5 minutes walk of the Boardwalk. Business travellers and leisure guests both use it, which tells you something about the consistency.
Is Humewood a good area to stay in Port Elizabeth?
Yes, and it's a bit more laid-back than Summerstrand. Beach Road connects you to Humewood Beach and the Bayworld Museum complex within a 5-minute walk. The Windermere Hotel here rates 8.3 and starts from $105/night, which makes it the best value beachfront option in the city.
What neighbourhoods should I avoid when booking a hotel?
North End and parts of Central around Commercial Road get sketchy at night and offer nothing useful to tourists. Some guesthouses in these areas market themselves with 'city centre' descriptions. check the actual address against Google Maps before you commit. You'd be paying mid-range prices for a location that requires a taxi just to get somewhere worth being.