Africa has hotels built into rocky landscapes, lodges surrounded by desert dunes, rooms suspended above the ocean and historic palaces transformed into luxury accommodation.
Some of these properties are famous for their architecture, while others have become widely photographed because of their extraordinary locations.
These 27 hotels stand out for their design, setting and distinctive architectural features.
1. The Manta Resort, Tanzania
Located off Pemba Island, The Manta Resort is known for its Underwater Room, a floating accommodation structure anchored in the Indian Ocean.
The structure has three levels, including a submerged bedroom with underwater views, a sea-level lounge and an upper deck.
Guests staying in the underwater room can observe marine life through windows beneath the ocean's surface.
The resort is situated near the northern coast of Pemba, part of Tanzania's Zanzibar archipelago.
2. Giraffe Manor, Kenya
Giraffe Manor is a boutique hotel in Nairobi's Lang'ata area, famous for its resident Rothschild's giraffes.
The manor was built in the 1930s and features a historic country-house architectural style.
Its most recognisable feature is the interaction between giraffes and guests around the building's windows and dining areas.
The property forms part of The Safari Collection's accommodation portfolio.
3. andBeyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge, Namibia
Located in the Namib Desert, andBeyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge is designed around its remote desert environment.
Its suites feature large glass panels, private terraces and skylights above the beds.
The lodge uses stone, glass and contemporary architectural elements to create uninterrupted views of the surrounding landscape.
The NamibRand Nature Reserve is also known for its exceptionally dark night skies.
4. La Mamounia, Morocco
La Mamounia is one of Morocco's most famous luxury hotels.
Opened in 1923, the property combines Moroccan decorative traditions with Art Deco influences.
Its architectural details include intricate tilework, carved plaster, ornamental ceilings, fountains and landscaped gardens.
The hotel is located near Marrakech's historic medina and has undergone major renovations during its history.
5. Royal Mansour Marrakech, Morocco
Royal Mansour Marrakech is designed as a traditional Moroccan medina rather than a conventional hotel building.
Its accommodation consists of individual private riads connected by narrow pathways and courtyards.
The property features Moroccan zellige tiles, carved wood, decorative plasterwork and traditional craftsmanship.
An underground network of service corridors allows staff to move through the property separately from guest pathways.
6. Kasbah Tamadot, Morocco
Kasbah Tamadot is located in the Atlas Mountains near Asni, southwest of Marrakech.
The property occupies a restored kasbah-style building surrounded by mountain scenery.
Its design includes traditional Moroccan architectural elements, landscaped terraces and richly decorated interiors.
The hotel is associated with Richard Branson's Virgin Limited Edition collection.
7. Anantara Sahara Tozeur Resort & Villas, Tunisia
Anantara Sahara Tozeur is located near Tunisia's Sahara Desert landscapes.
Its buildings use desert-inspired architectural forms, earthy colours and courtyards.
The resort includes private villas, pools and outdoor terraces overlooking the surrounding landscape.
The nearby Tozeur region is known for palm groves, desert scenery and distinctive traditional brick architecture.
8. Adrère Amellal, Egypt
Adrère Amellal is an eco-lodge near Siwa Oasis in Egypt's Western Desert.
Its architecture uses traditional materials associated with Siwan building practices, including salt-rich mud construction.
The buildings blend into the surrounding desert landscape through their colours and irregular forms.
The lodge is particularly known for its candlelit atmosphere and emphasis on traditional construction techniques.
9. Al Moudira Hotel, Egypt
Al Moudira is a boutique hotel on the west bank of the Nile near Luxor.
Its architecture draws on Egyptian and Middle Eastern decorative traditions.
The property features domed ceilings, arches, courtyards, painted walls and ornamental interiors.
Unlike conventional multistorey hotels, its buildings are arranged around gardens and interconnected outdoor spaces.
10. Oberoi Philae Nile Cruiser, Egypt
The Oberoi Philae is a luxury Nile cruise vessel operating between major archaeological destinations in Egypt.
Its architectural appeal comes from its floating hotel design, spacious suites and large viewing areas.
The vessel combines contemporary interiors with views of the Nile's riverbanks and historic monuments.
Its accommodation differs from land-based hotels because the surrounding scenery changes throughout the journey.
11. North Island, Seychelles
North Island is a private island resort in Seychelles.
Its villas use natural materials, timber structures and open architectural layouts.
The accommodation is positioned among tropical vegetation and granite rock formations.
The island's development incorporated environmental restoration work alongside the construction of luxury villas.
12. Six Senses Zil Pasyon, Seychelles
Six Senses Zil Pasyon is located on Félicité Island in Seychelles.
Its villas are built among the island's enormous granite boulders.
The resort uses contemporary architecture, timber finishes, glass and natural stone.
Private infinity pools and outdoor terraces form part of the villa designs.
13. Constance Prince Maurice, Mauritius
Constance Prince Maurice is located on the northeastern coast of Mauritius.
Its architecture combines timber, thatched roofs, tropical landscaping and lagoon-facing accommodation.
The property includes overwater structures and a floating restaurant.
Its design reflects the coastal environment, with buildings positioned around gardens, water and beaches.
14. One&Only Le Saint Géran, Mauritius
One&Only Le Saint Géran occupies a private peninsula on Mauritius's eastern coast.
The resort combines contemporary luxury architecture with landscaped tropical gardens.
Its buildings feature light-coloured finishes, large windows and outdoor terraces.
The property originally opened in 1975 and has undergone major renovations.
15. The Silo Hotel, South Africa
The Silo Hotel occupies the upper floors of a converted grain silo at Cape Town's V&A Waterfront.
The historic industrial structure was transformed into a hotel and cultural development.
Its most recognisable architectural feature is its large, bulging geometric glass windows.
The building also houses the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa in its lower sections.
16. POD Camps Bay, South Africa
POD Camps Bay is a boutique hotel in Cape Town's Camps Bay neighbourhood.
Its architecture combines glass, timber, stone and contemporary minimalist interiors.
The property overlooks the Atlantic coastline and is situated near the Twelve Apostles mountain range.
Large windows and outdoor terraces connect the accommodation with the surrounding landscape.
17. Singita Lebombo Lodge, South Africa
Singita Lebombo Lodge is located in a private concession within Kruger National Park.
Its suites are positioned along a rocky hillside overlooking the N'wanetsi River.
The architecture incorporates glass walls, steel structures and elevated accommodation.
The buildings are designed to provide extensive views of the surrounding wilderness.
18. Lion Sands Ivory Lodge, South Africa
Lion Sands Ivory Lodge is located in the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve.
Its suites combine contemporary architectural forms with natural materials and private plunge pools.
The lodge is known for its large glass surfaces and accommodation overlooking the surrounding bush.
Lion Sands also operates elevated treehouse sleeping experiences at designated locations.
19. The Palace of the Lost City, South Africa
The Palace of the Lost City opened in 1992 at the Sun City resort complex.
Its architecture draws on elaborate palace and fantasy-city design themes.
The property features towers, domes, decorative stonework, murals and large landscaped gardens.
It is one of South Africa's most recognisable resort buildings.
20. andBeyond Phinda Rock Lodge, South Africa
Phinda Rock Lodge is located within Phinda Private Game Reserve.
Its accommodation is built into a rocky hillside, with suites overlooking the surrounding wilderness.
The lodge uses stone, timber and glass in its architectural design.
Its elevated location creates panoramic views over the reserve.
21. Bisate Lodge. Rwanda
Bisate Lodge is located near Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
Its villas feature distinctive rounded forms inspired by traditional Rwandan royal architecture.
The structures have steeply pitched thatched roofs and large windows overlooking the volcanic landscape.
The lodge is also associated with reforestation initiatives in the surrounding area.
22. One&Only Gorilla's Nest, Rwanda
One&Only Gorilla's Nest is located near Volcanoes National Park.
Its accommodation is surrounded by eucalyptus trees and tropical vegetation.
The resort uses timber, natural stone and contemporary lodge architecture.
The property is associated with tourism activities around Rwanda's mountain gorilla habitat.
23. Singita Kwitonda Lodge, Rwanda
Singita Kwitonda Lodge is located on the edge of Volcanoes National Park.
Its architectural design uses volcanic stone, timber, glass and large outdoor terraces.
The lodge has eight suites and a four-bedroom villa.
Its buildings face the volcanic landscape and incorporate locally influenced design elements.
24. Saruni Samburu, Kenya
Saruni Samburu is located in Kalama Conservancy in northern Kenya.
Its villas are built among rocky outcrops overlooking the surrounding landscape.
The architecture combines open living spaces, natural materials and elevated viewing terraces.
The lodge's location provides expansive views of the Samburu region.
25. Ol Donyo Lodge, Kenya
Ol Donyo Lodge is located in the Chyulu Hills of southern Kenya.
Its suites use natural stone, timber and thatched architectural features.
Several suites include rooftop star beds designed for sleeping outdoors.
The lodge is situated within a landscape of volcanic hills, plains and views towards Mount Kilimanjaro.
26. Zannier Sonop, Namibia
Zannier Sonop is a luxury tented lodge in Namibia's desert landscape.
Its accommodation is designed around a 1920s expedition theme.
The property features elevated canvas tents, wooden flooring, antique-style furnishings and panoramic desert views.
Its tents are positioned among granite boulders overlooking the surrounding plains.
27. Shipwreck Lodge, Namibia
Shipwreck Lodge is located on Namibia's Skeleton Coast.
Its cabins are designed to resemble shipwrecks, reflecting the region's maritime history.
The structures feature curved timber forms and large windows overlooking the desert.
The lodge is situated within a remote landscape of dunes, coastline and desert plains.
What Makes These African Hotels Architecturally Distinctive?
Several properties incorporate traditional architectural techniques. Adrère Amellal uses construction methods associated with Siwa Oasis, while Royal Mansour Marrakech draws on Moroccan riad architecture.
Other hotels use contemporary structural design. The Silo Hotel preserves an industrial building while introducing modern geometric windows.
Properties such as The Manta Resort and Shipwreck Lodge are distinguished by unusual accommodation structures, including submerged rooms and shipwreck-inspired cabins.
Across these 27 properties, architectural styles range from historic Moroccan palaces to modern glass lodges, floating accommodation and desert structures.
