Of course when it comes to accommodations, we all want a comfy bed, working television and hot showers. But imagine stepping outside of your hotel’s lobby to be surrounded by lush flowers and rich foliage? Africa is home to some of the most gorgeous garden hotels that will make anyone feel as if they’ve been transported to fairyland. Here are our picks for the top garden hotels of Africa.

Sofitel Jardin des Roses- Rabat

Let the smell of citrus and jasmine coax you inside. Once you step inside this five-star Sofitel, you’ll know you’re in for a real treat when you see a lavish indoor fountain covered in floating rose petals, already setting its garden theme in the lobby. Head out to the back and you’ll come across a stunning garden fit for a king. Orange trees, palm trees, jasmine and up to 3,000 roses coat the whole 17.3 acre-wide garden as visitors make their way to the luxury pool.

Grande Roche Hotel – Paarl

South Africa’s own Grande Roche Hotel is a boutique accommodation that is nestled in the foothills of mountains and is surrounded by vineyards. Each room has its own style reflecting its Colonial era history. However, you’ll want to check out the garden during your stay. The manicured garden is reminiscent of the English countryside where guests can admire the scenery before heading to its restaurant that serves award-winning fare.

Rosedale Organic Farm Bed & Breakfast – Addo

Walk through groves of orange, lemons and clementine trees in South Africa’s Eastern Cape at Rosedale Organic Farm Bed & Breakfast. At this inn, all of the plants are maintained the old fashioned way, without the use of pesticide or fertilizers with chemicals. In fact, the hotel’s facility reflects their values of taking care of the environment by keeping it eco-friendly. Building materials are repurposed and the plumbing system is altered in a way that water does not go to waste.

Babylonstoren – Simondium

At 8 acres wide, Babylonstoren is a one-of-a-kind boutique hotel with a stunning garden meant to reflect the gardens of Babylon. The inn has almost everything from apple trees, to vegetables, to citrus trees. Guests can stay in the Cape Dutch style farm hotel (that has been around since 1692!) with modern, minimalist touches. All of its restaurants on the premises (including its bakery) use locally sourced ingredients directly from the farm. In addition to its stunning farm, guests enjoy lounging by its pool to admire the mountains in the backdrop.

Gibb’s Farm – Karatu

This Tanzanian hotel has a philosophy and goal to act as a therapeutic escape for its guests. Since 1959, the hotel has focused on the wellness of its overnight guests by immersing them in idyllic landscape of flowers and herb gardens, which brings in a lot of wildlife such as a variety of birds and occasional monkeys. Guests will have the choice of choosing between staying in a farmhouse or a cottage (both overlooking the garden) at Gibb’s Farm. Come hungry, the hotel has its own farm-to-fork restaurant for visitors to sample all the local flavors the area has to offer.

Lavender Farm Guest House – Franschhoek

It’s advised to reserve your stay in advance as this place gets booked up quite fast, thanks to its pristine location in Western Cape, South Africa. Nestled in the winelands, Lavender Farm Guest House is surrounded by mountains, vineyards and of course, its own lavender field that its guests love to enjoy strolling through. The hotel reflects everything lavender theme with purple furnishing, paintings of lavenders, and even offers up lavender-scented toiletries. Try to book your room in the summer, that’s when lavenders are in peak season, giving guests a postcard-worthy garden they’ll never forget.

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