Hotels in East London

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East London, or 'Buffalo City,' is a friendly, coastal city in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, known for its superb beaches, warm Indian Ocean waters, and a laid-back atmosphere. It’s one of the few places in the world where a river, the Buffalo River, meets the sea at a major port. The city is a fantastic starting point for exploring the rugged beauty of the Wild Coast.

Visitors can spend hours on the wide, sandy beaches like Nahoon Beach or Gonubie Beach, which is famous for its boardwalk. For a touch of history, the East London Museum is a fascinating stop, home to the preserved specimen of a coelacanth, a 'living fossil' fish thought to have been extinct for 70 million years. Whether you're interested in surfing the famous Nahoon Reef or exploring the local history, East London offers a blend of adventure and relaxation.

East London offers varied accommodation areas, with the most desirable spots being along the beachfront for holidaymakers, and the central areas for business and ease of transport. The key is securing a hotel that gives you the best of the city's beautiful coastline.

The most popular area for visitors is the stretch of coast around Nahoon and Gonubie. Nahoon is close to the famed surfing reef and the Nahoon Point Nature Reserve, offering stunning walks and great dining. Gonubie, a short drive north of the city centre, is known for its beautiful beach, tranquil river mouth, and a lovely boardwalk, perfect for a peaceful coastal retreat.

For those who prefer a more central and commercial location, the area around the East London Waterfront and the City Centre provides hotels close to the harbour, the East London Museum, and the main business district, Oxford Street. The large Hemingways Mall area also offers plenty of entertainment and dining options, making it a comfortable base.

East London is served by East London Airport (ELS), which is approximately 6 miles from the city centre. The main transport option from the airport to central and coastal hotels is via pre-booked shuttle services or taxis. Within the city, local transport relies mainly on taxis and the local bus network, which can be less frequent. If you plan on exploring the Wild Coast or hiking in nearby areas like Hogsback, arranging transportation or hiring a car is recommended, making a hotel with secure parking a good choice.

Hotel prices in East London are at their highest during the South African peak summer holiday season, particularly from mid-December through to mid-January. This is when the local schools close, and many domestic tourists flock to the coast, driving up accommodation costs significantly.

For the best value, consider visiting during the shoulder seasons of March to May and September to November, when the weather is still very pleasant but prices have moderated. The absolute cheapest time is during the South African winter, from June to August. A unique tip for East London is to look for accommodation that is a little further from the Nahoon Beach area, which is consistently the most popular. Booking a hotel in the Gonubie area or in a quieter, less tourist-centric part of the city can often secure better rates without sacrificing beach access or quality.