Lonely Planet: Shop around for hotels in South Africa

Visitors to South Africa during the World Cup season in June have been advised by one travel expert to "shop around" for hotel deals and low rates.

Travel editor for the Lonely Planet Tom Hall suggested that while hotels might put their rates up during the tournament there are other options for holidaymakers to find a place to stay.

"Go for smaller, independent places, contact places directly, and keep your ear to the ground. You may find people offering things like house stays for example, which can be really fantastic value and offer you something a bit different," he said.

"There is a huge variety, and you don't have to go for four star hotels, which are going to be expensive."

According to the National Department of Tourism, 74 per cent of hotels are charging a premium of less than 50 per cent during the World Cup.

Matches are set to be played in a number of host cities throughout South Africa, including Johannesburg, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Durban.

Posted by Penny, 01 April 2010 15:58

News tags

• Cape Town
• Johannesburg
• Durban