Where to Stay in East London: South Africa's Hidden Coastal Accommodation Gems

If there's one thing East London does spectacularly well, it's beaches. And what's better than waking up to the sound of crashing waves and that salty ocean breeze? After trying three different beachfront spots, I'm officially declaring Nahoon Beach Lodge the winner for families. Their two-bedroom suites have these massive balconies where Lucas could spot dolphins while I sipped my morning coffee (parent win!).

For a slightly fancier option, Premier Hotel East London ICC offers those Instagram-worthy panoramic ocean views and—crucial for parents—an actual kiddie pool separate from the main one. No more apologizing to annoyed couples when your child decides to practice their 'whale calls' during someone else's relaxation time!

If you're like me and can't function without decent coffee, pack your portable espresso maker. The beachfront accommodations have kitchenettes, but the in-room coffee situation is... let's just say it's giving 1990s hotel vibes.

Who says you need to drop thousands on a safari lodge to get that authentic South African vibe? About 15 minutes inland from the coast, I discovered some amazing safari-inspired accommodations that gave us the bush experience without the premium price tag.

Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve offers these adorable tented lodges that had Lucas convinced we were actual explorers. The tents have proper beds, electricity, and—praise be—air conditioning. We fell asleep to distant sounds of wildlife and woke up to vervet monkeys playing outside our tent (keep your snacks secured unless you want to inadvertently host a monkey party).

Mpongo Private Game Reserve was our splurge night, but so worth it for their family chalets. We watched zebras and giraffes from our private deck while I enjoyed a much-needed glass of South African Pinotage. The staff arranged a special kid-friendly game drive where the guide let Lucas use his safari binoculars to spot animals and taught him to identify different tracks. He's still talking about the baby warthogs three months later!

Let's be real—traveling with kids means spending money on random ice creams, impromptu souvenir shops, and whatever that weird museum was that they HAD to visit. So saving on accommodation is always a win in my book.

Tu Casa B&B became our home-away-from-home midway through our East London stay. This family-run spot in the Selborne area has spacious family rooms with kitchenettes and the owner, Marietjie, treats every child like her own grandkid. She stocked our fridge with local snacks and even lent Lucas some beach toys when ours mysteriously disappeared (likely victim to the notorious beach sand monster).

For apartment-style accommodation, Jemima's Hospitality offers incredible value. We paid about $70 USD per night for a two-bedroom apartment with a full kitchen and laundry facilities. After a week of travel, being able to wash our increasingly questionable-smelling clothes was LIFE CHANGING. I used my travel laundry sheets which take up basically no suitcase space compared to liquid detergent.

If you're driving the Garden Route and just need a quick stopover, Road Lodge East London is basic but clean, includes breakfast, and has a small play area in the lobby that saved my sanity during check-in.

After years of traveling with a tiny human who somehow requires more stuff than I do, I've learned that self-catering apartments are often the holy grail of family accommodation. East London has some fantastic options that give you space to breathe without requiring a second mortgage.

The Terrace apartments in Quigney have become my go-to recommendation. These renovated historical buildings have character (those high ceilings! those wooden floors!) but also modern amenities like smart TVs with Netflix (essential for that parental sanity hour). Each apartment has a fully equipped kitchen where I could prepare Lucas's extremely specific meals (current phase: everything must be separated on the plate and nothing can touch).

For longer stays, Arum Guest House in Beacon Bay has these gorgeous garden cottages with private entrances and secure parking. The owner, Marilyn, is a former teacher and keeps a stash of books and games for kids of all ages. She also pointed us toward the local markets where we stocked up on fresh produce for our portable blender morning smoothies (my trick for sneaking vegetables into Lucas's diet while traveling).

One unexpected gem was The Hampton apartments near Nahoon Beach. They're marketed toward business travelers, but their one-bedroom units have pullout sofas in the living rooms, making them perfect for small families. The rooftop pool area became our evening hangout spot where Lucas could burn off energy while I chatted with other travelers over South African wine.

Let's be honest—kids don't care about thread count or bathroom amenities. They want the weird, the wonderful, and the story-worthy places that they can brag about to their friends.

The Treehouse Guest Lodge was Lucas's absolute favorite accommodation of our entire South Africa trip. As the name suggests, you literally sleep in luxury treehouses built around massive yellowwood trees. Each unit has a quirky design with rope bridges, wooden ladders, and observation decks. The owner is a former wildlife photographer who takes kids on mini 'safari walks' around the property each morning to look for small critters and birds.

For something completely different, Umnenga Lodge offers these adorable converted railway carriages as family rooms. Lucas was obsessed with the idea of sleeping in a 'real train' and spent hours creating elaborate conductor scenarios. The carriages are surprisingly spacious inside and have been updated with modern bathrooms and air conditioning. Pack a kids headlamp for nighttime reading—the kids love using them for 'train tunnel explorations' before bed.

If you're visiting during South Africa's warmer months (November-March), Areena Riverside Resort has safari tents perched right along the Kwelera River where you can fall asleep to the sounds of water and wildlife. Their family tents have proper beds and electricity but maintain that adventurous feeling that kids love. Lucas still talks about the bushbaby we spotted in the trees outside our tent during an evening nature walk.