"We were privileged to watch the hippos come up from the river and be a stones throw away from us."
Heather S from South Africa
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"Hippos are the nighty show walking up the drive to main rd."
Raymond from United Kingdom
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"I liked the location and that you could walk to all restaurants."
Gert from South Africa
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"The location of the hotel is just perfect"
Kunene from South Africa
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Rooms & Suites
Each air-conditioned room includes a balcony or patio with views of the St Lucia Estuary. Rooms come with a safety deposit box, tea-and-coffee making facilities, satellite TV, and an en-suite bathroom with a shower and complimentary toiletries.
Dining & Bar
The on-site restaurant serves African cuisine with garden views. Breakfast is included in many rates and features made-to-order eggs, fruit with Greek yoghurt and honey. The bar extends to a viewing deck where hippos can often be spotted.
Leisure & Activities
The outdoor pool is open year-round and surrounded by sun loungers. A children's playground keeps younger guests busy. Guests can book hippo and crocodile tours on the estuary, safaris into iSimangaliso Wetland Park and Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve, and walking tours through the hotel's in-house Go Safaris company.
Location & Transport
The hotel sits on the shores of the St Lucia Estuary within iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is within walking distance of restaurants and shops. King Shaka International Airport is 200 km away. Early morning and evening beach safaris are available.
Services & Facilities
The hotel offers a 24-hour front desk, daily housekeeping, laundry, luggage storage, and currency exchange. Concierge and tour desk assistance help plan excursions. A conference room accommodates up to 100 delegates. Free parking includes accessible spaces. Wheelchair-accessible rooms and facilities for disabled guests are available.
“It's the hippos that truly define this place, often making their appearance in the gardens and near the pool - a remarkable, wild spectacle. Beyond that, the staff consistently go above and beyond, ensuring a clean and comfortable stay, while the convenient location near restaurants is a definite plus.”
James DavidEditor-in-Chief at Zasouthafrica
Select your room type
Elephant Lake Hotel offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals
Double Room
2 persons
24 m²
2 Single beds
Air conditioning
Shower
room details
King Room Patio
2 persons
24 m²
1 King-size bed
Air conditioning
Shower
room details
Twin Room Interleading
2 persons
24 m²
2 Single beds
Air conditioning
Balcony
room details
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Price and Room Availability Calendar
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Facilities
Elephant Lake Hotel offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences
Facilities: Great
8.2/10Review score
General
No smoking on site
Parking
Safe deposit box
VIP check-in/ -out
Concierge desk
No pets allowed
Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
Wheelchair access
Security
Luggage storage
Currency exchange
Smoke detectors
Fire extinguishers
Key access
Sports & Fitness
Snorkelling
Hiking
Horseback riding
Cycling
Fishing
Guest Parking
Private parking is possible on site for free.
Services
Housekeeping
Laundry
Tours/Ticket assistance
Welcome drink
Dining
In-room breakfast
Restaurant
Bar/ Lounge area
Packed lunches
Special diet menus
Business
Meeting/ Banquet facilities
Fax/Photocopying
Children
Cots
Children's menu
Children's play area
Facilities for people with disabilities
Toilet for disabled
Spa & Leisure
Outdoor swimming pool
Sun loungers
Sun terrace
Garden area
Leisure/ TV room
Room features
Free Wi-Fi in rooms
Air conditioning
Sitting area
Patio
Terrace
Garden furniture
Tea and coffee facilities
Bathroom
Free toiletries
Self-catering
Electric kettle
Media
Flat-screen TV
AM/FM alarm clock
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Dining Onsite
At Elephant Lake Hotel, dining transforms into a delightful experience where African flavors come alive. The vibrant atmosphere welcomes families and travelers alike to indulge in authentic culinary offerings set against a backdrop of breathtaking nature and local wildlife.
Hippo Steakhouse
African cuisine with a focus on grilled meats
Ambiance
Family-friendly environment with a warm, inviting interior and outdoor seating overlooking the lake, perfect for spotting hippos.
Key Offerings
Savor a variety of grilled steaks and traditional African dishes. The open-air dining area allows guests to enjoy the surrounding natural beauty while dining.
Reservation
Not needed.
Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner; hours may vary.
Elephant Lake Hotel Location
3 Mullet Street, St Lucia, 3936,
Map view
City landmarks
Landmark
Saint Lucia Estuary
790 m
Zoo
Crocodile Centre St Lucia
2.03 km
Landmark
K Z N Wildlife
740 m
Landmark
Mpila Camp Hluhluwe Imfolozi Reserve
740 m
Beach
Beach
1.29 km
Landmark
Wild-Life Tours
630 m
Landmark
Zulu Sun Safaris
630 m
Landmark
SuperUber St. Lucia
630 m
Landmark
J and K Safaris
630 m
Landmark
Catholic church
740 m
Landmark
Fruit Market
740 m
Landmark
African Soivenirs
740 m
Beach
Cape Vidal
740 m
Landmark
Kosi Bay
790 m
Landmark
Hipo's View
790 m
Landmark
Boat Trip Jetty
920 m
Landmark
Jabula Beach
2.13 km
Landmark
Gwalagwala Trail
1.96 km
Landmark
Slipway
2 km
Landmark
Crocodile Centre
2.05 km
Landmark
Public Boat Slipway
2.05 km
Landmark
Wildside Safaris Tours and Stargazing
2.09 km
Landmark
Beach parking; Toilets
2.33 km
Landmark
Isiphaphalazi Butterfly Dome
3.42 km
Landmark
St. Lucia Estuary Beach
3.41 km
Landmark
Parking for Beach Access
3.64 km
Landmark
Day visitors parking
3.86 km
Landmark
Jetty
3.97 km
Landmark
Veyane Cultural Village
4.6 km
Nearby
Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park
Saint Lucia Estuary
480 m
Kosi Bay
480 m
Restaurants
Alfredo's Restaurant
110 m
54 McKenzie Street Saint Lucia
John Dory's St Lucia
90 m
166 McKenzi Street Lakeside Lodge
Thyme Square Coffee & Gift Shop
110 m
McKenzie Street
Reef and Dune
160 m
51 Mckenzie Street
Fishermans Restaurant & Pub
200 m
61 McKenzie St
Braza
310 m
73 Mckenzie Street Georgiou Centre
St Lucia Coffee Shop
330 m
73 Mckenzie Street Georgeou Centre
Explore St Lucia
Local Experiences
Top Attractions
Activities
Dining
Entertainment
Saint Lucia Estuary
10 minutes' walk
Rich biodiversity and a chance to see hippos and crocodiles. Ideal for leisurely boat tours and birdwatching.
K Z N Wildlife
9 minutes' walk
Home to diverse wildlife, perfect for guided tours and educational visits about local ecosystems.
Crocodile Centre St Lucia
5 minutes' drive
An interactive experience with crocodiles and other reptiles, includes informative daily talks.
Beach
5 minutes' drive
Pristine sandy shores perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and beach activities with beautiful scenery.
Wild-Life Tours
8 minutes' walk
Exciting guided tours through wildlife-rich areas, great for spotting animals in their natural habitat.
Boat Trips
12 minutes' walk
Relaxing boat trips on the estuary, best for birdwatching and viewing local wildlife, booking recommended.
Alfredo's Restaurant
2 minutes' walk
Casual dining with an array of delicious Italian dishes. Family-friendly atmosphere, popular among locals.
John Dory's St Lucia
2 minutes' walk
Seafood-centric restaurant known for its vibrant decor and fresh catch dishes, perfect for dinner outings.
Fishermans Restaurant & Pub
3 minutes' walk
A relaxed setting offering local cuisine and craft beers, great for evening socializing with live music.
Hipo's View
10 minutes' walk
A viewpoint perfect for sunset vistas and casual gatherings, popular for family-friendly events.
Zulu Sun Safaris
8 minutes' walk
Offers guided night safaris and educational events, great for adventurous spirits and wildlife enthusiasts.
Getting around
City Centre
St Lucia 3 min · 200 m
Airports
Richards Bay (RCB) 114 min · 75.4 km
Phinda (PZL) 148 min · 98.3 km
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Property information and rules
Check-in
from 14:00-23:30
Check-out
from 09:00-10:00
Guest Parking
Private parking is possible on site for free.
Internet
Wireless internet is available in the hotel rooms for free.
Breakfast
A full breakfast is served at the price of ZAR 165.0 per person.
Children & extra beds
There are no extra beds provided in a room.
Pets
Pets are not allowed.
Year renovated:
2008
Number of rooms:
41
Reviews and Ratings
Feedback about Elephant Lake Hotel from previous guests about their experience.
Cleanliness
8.7/10
Comfort
8.6/10
Facilities
8.2/10
Free Wi-Fi
6.5/10
Location
9.2/10
Staff
8.6/10
Value for money
8.4/10
Pros
Friendly staff
Good breakfast
Convenient location
Hippo sightings
Cons
Noise disturbances
Maintenance issues
Uncomfortable beds
Guest reviews
based on 548 reviews
8.2/10
No reviews yet on our siteUnfortunately, our guests have not yet left any reviews for this hotel, but you can read reviews from Booking.com.