Any visitor seeking guest houses in Bloemfontein will be privy to its robust historicity. It has the prestige of being the capital city of the Free State Province and the judicial capital of South Africa. When J.R.R Tolkien authored Lord of the Rings, his place of birth may have inspired him in some small way; this magical and dusty city called Bloemfontein. Its name, when translated literally, means ‘fountain of flowers.’

There is no shortage of things to do in and around the capital, it is a vast place with many legends to share through its culture, heritage, museums, architecture, and natural surroundings. Bloemfontein is in a serene and somewhat rural area of the country, so it is suitable for discerning travellers that are interested in having a deeply immersive and informative experience. You can read more about the latent tales of this wonderful city here.

The Best Guest Houses in Bloemfontein    

Given its reputation, quality accommodation in Bloemfontein is plentiful. It can be quite daunting if one has no idea where to start. This article seeks to make the process of selecting a guest house in particular easier by collating information about 15 of the city’s most luxurious guest houses.

We hope that by the end of this post, you will have had a tiny glimpse of Bloemfontein in all its rich glory.

Stonehill Villa

The Stonehill Villa is aesthetically pleasing; the structure is covered in muted colours that match its calming ambience. The rooms have their own entrances leading to a swimming pool, giving guests the privacy they need. There is also round-the-clock security surveillance and secure parking on the premises.    

The property has both bed and breakfast and self-catering options. The accommodation is fully equipped with amenities including a desk, a safety deposit box, and a toaster.

In terms of nearby attractions, the Oliewenhuis Art Gallery, the National Museum Bloemfontein, and the Gallery on Leviseur Bloemfontein are each under 10 kilometers away from Stonehill.

Couples are particularly fond of the guest house and recommend it highly.

Impala-Lala Country Estate

Impala-Lala Country Estate is an elegant property situated amid scenic greenery. Guests can enjoy the comforts of the Estate as well as some of Bloemfontein’s top attractions within proximity. Places of interest in the area include Orchid House (3.7 kilometres), Naval Hill (3.8 kilometres), an official building named Fourth Raadsaal, Mimosa Mall, Loch Logan Waterfront, Mega World, and New York Restaurant (famous for its ribs). There is a communal snack bar and Wi-Fi onsite. 

The property has made sure that the rooms are fitted to make every guest comfortable; there are air-conditioners and hair dryers in each.   

There is also a state-of-the-art conferencing facility at the venue for corporate guests.

Blue Rain Guest House

Blue Rain Guest House can be found just a couple of kilometres away from Woodland Hills Wildlife Estate. Its owners are Lizelle Venter and her husband, former Springbok, Andre Venter. They have used their extensive travels to create a home away from home that will meet all the holiday and leisure needs of their guests.

Blue Rain’s founders recognize the need for sophisticated recuperation and have made this possible with a beautiful guest house in the wilderness of Bloemfontein. The property’s design combines a modern country feel with technology so that guests can feel welcome as soon as they step through its doors.

Although the units are spacious and affordable, they uphold 5-star characteristics. Every room is classy and stylish, with various services to ensure guests’ complete satisfaction. The venue has ten guest rooms, a swimming pool, a gym, and a spacious Lapa dining area with a deck where visitors can recline to iconic Free State sunsets. Guests can also observe game such as Sable, Nyala, Springbuck, Impala, Donkeys, and Reedbuck on the premises. The dining area is available to be used as a conference facility.

Blue Rain is a pet-friendly establishment because the owners are avid animal lovers. The guesthouse is just a few minutes away from a few shopping centres, restaurants, and tourist attractions.

At the Villa Guest House

At the Villa is an up-market 4-Star Platinum Guest House. Guests are invited to exceptional service in this decadent property that has stunning en-suite rooms, vibrant facilities, and a fragrant garden in a tranquil setting. There is also secure parking, monitored by CCTV cameras.

The venue is situated in the northern suburbs of Bloemfontein with easy access to major attractions – the University of the Free State, Hospitals, Courts, Theatres, Stadiums, Conference Centres, Navel Hill – Franklin Game Reserve, Botanical Gardens, Art Museum, Restaurants, the CBD and Malls (the newly upgraded North Ridge Mall is 700m from the guesthouse) – and can therefore cater for every accommodation need including corporate, leisure, event, wedding, and conference requirements. The hosts can provide maps to guests for ease of reference.

Abiento Guest House

Abiènto Guest House is nestled in the serenity of Donald Murray Avenue, Park West. The name “Abiènto” is derived from French, it means ‘see you soon,’ and it inspired the ornate vintage French décor and personality of the house.

Heinrich and Caroline Brüssow, the owners, established the guest house by restoring the house to its original grandeur. Some of the rooms contain the indigenous wooden floors and fireplaces to recapture their grace.

The accommodation is an excellent choice for travelling businessmen, conference goers, academics, tourists, holidaymakers, sports enthusiasts, families, etc. It is in an ideal location, close to the University of the Free State and three shopping malls. The property has secured inside parking. Abiènto provides a continental and full English breakfast and can prepare dinner upon request in the comfort of a guest’s room.

The guesthouse’s housekeeping staff consists of two wonderful ladies named Grace and Keitumetse. Not only are they honest and diligent in their work, but they are also responsible for leaving guests smiling with their legendary omelettes.

Dias Guest House

Dias Guest House is a commercial guest house in Dan Pienaar, the northern suburbs of Bloemfontein. The property has been in business since 1995 and provides affordable but comfortable accommodation, great service, and a professional atmosphere. Rhyno and Mariëtte founded Dias to provide a memorable stay for business travellers, families, tourists, and sports teams. Outside facilities include an outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, a well-maintained garden, and barbecue facilities. To further solidify a family-friendly environment, Dias Guesthouse have a children’s playground on the premises.

The venue offers eight spacious, expertly, and individually decorated en-suite family rooms. They are furnished with the well-being of guests in mind and have a garden entrance to ensure privacy. The units have a kitchenette, DSTV, Wi-Fi access, and air conditioning. All the rooms are non-smoking, with hair dryers, ironing facilities, and safes inside each of them.

In addition to being just fifteen minutes away from Bloemfontein Airport, Dias is in an ideal location because there are various leisure facilities close by. There are a few good restaurants and a small shopping centre within a walking distance of the property.

30 on Whites Guest House

30 on Whites is a glamourous guest house in the Waverley area of Bloemfontein. This palatial structure earned a Trip Advisor Traveller’s Choice Award in 2022 for its striking design and services offered within it. The venue has a snack bar that is open from the morning until late in the evening.

Guests can book a single-person room, prices start from R1,000 per night or a family room that accepts six guests at a reasonable price of R1,500 per night. The guest house has a terrace and air-conditioned rooms that have a wardrobe, a coffee machine, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV, and a private bathroom with a shower. Selected rooms also offer a kitchenette with a microwave.

Guests may enjoy a continental breakfast before they go about their day.

The property is in a location that is drenched with the flavour of Bloemfontein, with sites like the Oliewenhuis Art Gallery, Preller Square, National Museum Bloemfontein, Gallery On Leviseur Bloemfontein, Schoeman Park Golf Club, and the Anglo Boer War Museum in convenient distances from it.

Parkhill Luxury Accommodation

Parkhill Luxury Accommodation is an impossible-to-forget, multi-award-winning guest house. It offers contemporary, expansive, and peaceful lodging without compromising on privacy and extravagance. Situated within mere minutes of a few shops, restaurants, banks, etc. and just ten minutes from the CBD, Parkhill consists of four large unique rooms. The property is set in a manicured garden with a swimming pool, braai facilities, garden furniture, and safe parking that is fitted with CCTV surveillance.

Each room has a king-size bed or twin beds with Egyptian cotton bedding, an en-suite bathroom with a bath and a shower, a mini kitchenette with a bar fridge, an honesty bar, a microwave, tea- and coffee-facilities including a plunger with ground coffee made from Uganda Bugisu beans. Facilities also include a 40-inch flat-screen TV, DSTV, high-speed Wi-Fi, workstations/dressing tables, hairdryers, air-conditioning, plenty of cupboard space, iron and ironing board, mini safes, swimming towels and a warm blanket. Every room has a remote entrance.

No smoking is allowed in the units.

INBLOEM Self-Catering Guest House

INBLOEM Self-Catering Guest House invites guests to holiday in its chic and tropically decorated walls. It has an inviting Lapa and barbeque area with an outdoor pool that is visible through large sliding doors; braai facilities are available for use. INBLOEM is in the upmarket suburb of Dan Pienaar Bloemfontein. The venue is most suitable for the legendary sports weekend in Bloemfontein.

The guest house features family rooms that have air conditioning, a TV with satellite channels, a microwave, a coffee machine, a shower, a hairdryer, and a desk. All units are equipped with a private bathroom. Some rooms come with a kitchenette, a microwave, and a toaster.

The establishment is around the corner from Preller Square and Mimosa Mall.

INBLOEM is committed to making guests’ stay extraordinary and does its utmost to accomplish this.

Crisp Guest Rooms

Crisp Guest Rooms, like its name, has an exquisite interior; making guests feel like they are spending the night at a property that rivals the best in the world. The accommodation does not have a website but comes highly recommended.

The guest house embodies a perfect blend of quaint charm, attentive service, and modern comforts in a central location, providing an obvious option for affordable accommodation.

The property provides accommodation in three guest rooms for tourists visiting the Motheo Region.

Crisp Guest Rooms offers the quintessential traveller experience in tastefully adorned, non-smoking, guest units. The rooms are fitted with either double, twin, or king-size beds and the facilities within include en-suite bathrooms with a shower, TV with DStv, Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, hairdryer, and tea/coffee supplies.

Breakfast is available upon request only.

Arista Guest House

Arista Guest House can be found in the heart of the green and tranquil Northern suburb of Dan Pienaar. It was created to provide guests with a space in which to recharge and to obtain a laid-back escape from today’s frenetic world. The family-owned business can proudly affirm that is has proven itself with every guest.

Arista’s focus is on personal service, and the team endeavours to re-create the sense of relief that guests can expect to find in spaces they love.

All units have private entrances, an en-suite bath or shower, a coffee and tea station, wireless Internet connectivity, selected DStv channels, and secure parking. Prices also include a scrumptious and hearty breakfast.

The guest house can meet every travel requirement. The Arista team can even communicate with guests in the following languages: English, Sesotho, Afrikaans, Greek, French, Russian, and Belarusian.

Bella Blue Guest House

The stunning Bella Blue Guest House offers special accommodation in one of the quietest areas in Bloemfontein; it is idyllic for busy business or burnt-out solo travellers. Guests can enjoy a drink at the snack bar upon arrival.

Bella Blue offers three lavish rooms located on the second level of a double-storey property to ensure exclusivity. The internal features of the rooms are air-conditioning, a TV with DStv, a bar fridge, Wi-Fi, and coffee- and tea-making facilities. External amenities are an outside balcony with a seating area.

The Bella Room 2 is spacious and well-equipped with a king-size bed or twin beds and other necessary amenities. The room has access to a lazy, furnished patio for a view of the landscape over the continental breakfast served in the mornings.

The Bagamoya Wildlife Estate and the Windmill Casino and Entertainment Centre are nearby attractions.

Primavera Guest House

Primavera is owned by Pieter and Lettie, and they always look forward to welcoming guests to their modern Bloemfontein Oasis. Primavera means ’Spring.’ The 4-star property is bordered by charming bird-filled gardens in the pristine suburb of Waverley. The guest house has easy access to the N1.

The property has lovely, air-conditioned bedrooms with DSTV, WiFi, tea trays. Guests are also treated to a plate of fresh fruit.  The venue serves a delicious English breakfast and dinner can be arranged at a traveller’s convenience.  Guests can recline with a good book in the communal lounge or the gardens. Primavera is close to many attractions and provides secure parking. The hosts speak German and can organise a sightseeing tour for guests that wish to explore the area.

Primavera’s proud motto is – experience something different, a charm to fill your memories, accompanied by service excellence. Pieter and Lettie assure guests that these words are no idle promise!

Akkerhuis Gaste Huis

Akkerhuis is a modest guest house filled with a familiar homely atmosphere. The accommodation is clean and roomy and leaves guests feeling taken care of.

The guest house features a few family rooms. All its units are equipped with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a microwave, a kettle, a shower, and a desk. Certain rooms in the premises include pool views, and every room is equipped with a private bathroom, a wardrobe, and a fridge.

Akkerhuis has an outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, free Wi-Fi, and a garden. The property is 7.8 kilometres from Oliewenhuis Art Gallery, about 3.9 kilometres from the Anglo-Boer War Museum, 6.5 kilometres away from National Museum Bloemfontein, 8 kilometres from Preller Square, and 10 kilometres away from Schoeman Park Golf Club.

Middelwater Farm Hotel

We are ending this list on a high note with the gorgeous Middelwater Farm Hotel. Jacques and Marica Strydom bought the Middelwater Farm in November 2017, anticipating the sharing of it and farm life with Bloemfonteiners and passers-by. Middelwater Farm Hotel is situated just off the N1 on the R30 Brandfort Road, approximately 30 km outside of Bloemfontein.

The property has three luxury rooms available, each with indescribable views.

The VIP room has a king-size bed, and en-suite bathroom with bath, shower, and double basin. It has a walk-in closet, balcony, television with DSTV access, tea- and coffee-making facilities, air conditioner & heating, hairdryer, and closet with hangers.

The double and twin rooms each have an en-suite bathroom with a shower. They also each have a balcony, television with DSTV, tea- and coffee-making facilities, air conditioner & heating, hairdryer, and closet with hangers.

Outside of impressive accommodation, the venue contains the following facilities:

  • Two function venues for birthday parties, kiddies’ parties, corporate functions, weddings, and live performances where needed.
  • A chapel for use, should a couple prefer to be married in a chapel instead of outdoors.
  • An outdoor and wedding venue with a built-in stage and bar area.
  • Plenty of parking as well as a bike park.

The activities available at the farm include:

  • Trails for running, walking, and cycling.
  • An Animal Farm where children can learn about animals such as donkeys, ponies, chickens, pigs, sheep etc. They will also get the opportunity to get close to them.
  • Tractor rides for the little ones.
  • Regular game drives where guests can gaze at a wide variety of wild animals such as Buffalo, Cheetahs, Leopards, Lions, Hyenas, Oryxes, Springboks, Giraffes, Zebras, Ostriches, and others.
  • A bar with craft beer and gin on tap.
  • An array of jungle gyms for children to tire themselves out with.
  • The Farm Deli that will bring together the whole family, fruit and vegetables from the community gardens, meat from the butchery, and freshly baked items and preserves.
  • The Be Human Family Market – hosted on Saturdays. Guests can gorge on the mouth-watering food sold from the stalls that includes freshly baked goods, and sip from overflowing cups at the craft beer and gin bars. Coffee is an option for non-alcoholics from the Bloemfontein Coffee Roasting Company. Stalls are open between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. and there will be live entertainment in the background. Guests should expect to find it difficult to leave.
  • Be Human Family Market – Credit: Be Human
  • The Middelwater Farm aims to be a place where…
  •     Families can both experience farm life and spend memorable moments together.
  •     Children can play, get dirty, and learn about fruit trees and other vegetation, and animals.
  •     Tired guests can rest, and enjoy live entertainment, good food, good coffee, and craft beer.
  •         Health enthusiasts can have a secluded and ample ground to walk, run, or cycle through.
  •         Travellers can experience nature and breathtakingly beautiful sunsets.
  •         And where guests can simply be happy, be entertained and BE HUMAN.

Conclusion

Slow and steady Bloemfontein is a part of South Africa that should not be neglected. It is far removed from tropical getaways, cruise ships, coastal walkways, safari excursions, and annual parades but it is no less adventurous. There are too many ancient and fascinating sites to take in, outside of the city’s quiet splendour.

Bloemfontein tourism stakeholders have made sure that travellers from all walks of life receive a package of rich native history, novel cultural exposure, and world-class hospitality. The guest houses highlighted in this article are apt representatives of this. Their primary goal is to make guests feel the accustomed peace and restfulness of home to keep them coming back. And we do not doubt that they have achieved this and will continue to do so.

For another out-of-the-ordinary but must-see South African location to visit, please navigate to our post on Guest Houses in Rustenburg here: https://www.travelleeto.com/guesthouses-in-rustenburg