There’s something timeless (and a little chaotic) about a South African road trip. Windows down, a cooler box full of Simba chips and questionable yoghurt drinks and a playlist swinging from Freshlyground to Jack Parow. Whether you’re heading coastward or squeezing in a long-weekend safari, locals know: getting there is half the fun, if you stop in the right places.
At BON Hotels, we get it. Our properties are strategically positioned along South Africa’s busiest routes, not just as crash pads, but as pit stops worth pulling over for. Because when the road is calling, a well-placed hotel can mean the difference between a flat white and a flat tyre in the middle of nowhere.
BON Hotel Empangeni: Gateway to Mozambique & Northern KZN
Empangeni is sneakily brilliant. Close enough to the beach without sand getting everywhere and perfectly positioned for detours into the iSimangaliso wetlands, Hluhluwe, or even Mozambique. Also, it’s far enough from Durban to avoid post-beach traffic meltdowns and family singalongs that have gone one chorus too long.
BON Hotel Empangeni puts you in the mix with minimal fuss. Urban enough for convenience, quiet enough to hear actual birdsong. Rooms are comfortable, gardens peaceful and the food – block off time; you won’t want to rush it.
Perfect for: Durbanites taking the scenic route north, safari seekers, or anyone keen for a swim on Saturday and a lion sighting by Sunday.
Queen’s Hotel by BON Hotels: Old-School charm en route to the Garden Route
Before snapping Knysna forest selfies or queuing for oysters, make a pit stop at Queen’s Hotel in Oudtshoorn.
One of South Africa’s oldest and most photogenic hotels, Queen’s is an institution – not in the dusty museum way. History meets cocktail hour, with a Karoo backdrop and famously warm hospitality. Rooms are stylish, the food proper comfort fare and the staff’s local knowledge is worth listening to.
Perfect for: Cape Town families heading east, group trips through the Karoo, or travellers who enjoy a bit of flair with a farm-fresh breakfast.
Final thoughts
Great road trips aren’t just about getting from A to B. They’re about pit stops, unexpected detours and the surprise of finding fluffy towels exactly when you need them most.
With BON Hotels placed halfway to pretty much anywhere worth a picture, the journey becomes as memorable as the destination.
Plan your next road trip today, book online at www.bonhotels.com
