Potchefstroom is an academic city in the North West Province of South Africa. It’s less than 30 miles from Johannesburg – South Africa’s largest city – and is home to five postsecondary education institutions.
Referred to as Potch by the locals, it’s one of the oldest towns in the North West Province and has a historical charm that shines through. There are plenty of museums and art galleries to discover and college sports matches to watch while visiting.
If you’re planning a trip here, guesthouses in Potchefstroom (or gastehuise as the locals call them) are the best choice for accommodation. This unique type of lodging provides vacationers with a local experience and offers all of your standard home features.
If you’ve never stayed in a guesthouse before, you might not know what to expect. Don’t worry, we’ve broken down all the typical inclusions you can expect. To make things easier, we’ve also selected the ten best guesthouses in Potchefstroom!
In a Hurry? Here’s Where to Stay in Potchefstroom for One Night
Opstal Guestfarm
This guesthouse in Potchefstroom is quaint and comfortable. Each room has a kitchenette, giving it even more value to travelers trying to save money. It can accommodate all group sizes, from solo travelers to families!
- Mooirivier Mall
- North-West University Botanical Garden
- President Pretorius Museum
Is this amazing Potchefstroom Guesthouse booked for your dates? We’ve got your back with our other favorite properties below!
Unlock Our GREATEST Travel Secrets!
Sign up for our newsletter and get the best travel tips delivered right to your inbox.
Staying in a Guesthouse in Potchefstroom
When traveling through South Africa you’ll come across many accommodations, especially guesthouses. Guesthouses in Potchefstroom are excellent value for money. Expect to pay an affordable price and stay in comfortable accommodation with all your typical hotel amenities.
You might be thinking, but why choose a guesthouse over a hotel? Well, unlike hotels, which often lack personality and local influence, guesthouses are in actual homes in Potchefstroom. They’re locally owned and come with all your typical home comforts.
They’re different from homestays too. Although your host will most likely live on the property, you’ll rarely see them. Privacy is a top priority – your private space is exactly that!
The house is usually quite large, with between 4 and 25 private rooms. Most also have private bathrooms.
This type of accommodation is popular with visitors to Potchefstroom because they offer the same stand of hotels, but with a local twist. This will make your whole experience more personable.
What to Look For in a Guesthouse
Each guesthouse will vary slightly, but there are certain conveniences that most offer.
Guests will usually have an area to prepare food, like an in-room kitchenette, or a shared kitchen on the property. If no food prep amenities are available, you’ll most likely receive breakfast from the host.
Some sort of social space for guests to hang out is another common trait. This is usually a shared lounge, outdoor terrace, or garden with outside furniture.
Seeing as South Africa has a warm, sunny climate, some guesthouses in Potchefstroom have outdoor swimming pools and BBQ areas. There’s nothing better than a social BBQ (called a braai in South Africa) and a refreshing swim on a hot day!
All these shared amenities may make guesthouses sound similar to a hostel. Just remember that guesthouses have private rooms, whereas hostels mostly offer shared dorms.
The best online sites to use for finding this type of accommodation are booking.com and Airbnb.com. We’ve filtered through all the guesthouses found on both of these platforms and found the best options!
Opstal Guestfarm
- > $
- > 2 Guests
- > High-speed Wi-Fi
- > Near the Botanical Garden
River View
- > $
- > 2 Guests
- > Bike rental available
- > Most rooms offer river views
Sunset Manor Guest House
- > $$
- > 2 Guests
- > Pool access
- > BBQ spot
Graceland Guesthouse
- > $$
- > 2 – 4 Guests
- > Breakfast offered for a fee
- > Spacious rooms and bathrooms
Ancient Emperor Guest Estate
- > $$$
- > 1 – 2 Guests
- > Breakfast included
- > Close to PUK Oval and Ibbies Oval
Kleinplaas Guest Farm
- > $$$
- > 2 – 7 Guests
- > Pool access
- > Near OPM Prozesky Bird Sanctuary
A Touch of Grace
- > $
- > 1 – 2 Guests
- > Fully-equipped kitchenette
- > In a quiet neighborhood
The 10 Top Guesthouses in Potchefstroom
Time to jump into our list! These Potchefstroom guesthouses will add so much value to your trip – and they’re an option for every type of traveler. To make things easier, we’ve categorized your choices and highlighted all the best features.
Overall Best Value Guesthouse in Potchefstroom – Opstal Guestfarm
- $
- 2 Guests
- High-speed Wi-Fi
- Near the Botanical Garden
This charming and cheap accommodation in Potchefstroom is the perfect option for budget-conscious travelers!
The newly renovated guesthouse is super stylish and modern. Each unit features a microwave oven and a refrigerator. Save even more money by preparing light meals in your room – there’s even a table to enjoy them at.
Wake up in the morning with a hot cup of tea/coffee and enjoy a wander around the communal garden. You’ll also be able to take part in your other morning ritual – social media checking, using the fast and free Wi-Fi.
Best Budget Guesthouse in Potchefstroom – River View
- $
- 2 Guests
- Bike rental available
- Most rooms offer river views
The name says it all, River View Guesthouse is in a peaceful suburb of Potchefstroom, set along the quiet Mooi River.
Relax outside on your private patio with a few snacks and drinks from your refrigerator. When the sun sets, Netflix and chill inside. If you need to do a little work, each unit also features a desk, and free Wi-Fi runs throughout the property.
The guesthouse is in a popular area for cycling. Hire a bike from the host and take a ride to the North-West University Botanical Garden, it’s less than one mile away.
Best Guesthouse For Couples in Potchefstroom – Sunset Manor Guest House
- $$
- 2 Guests
- Pool access
- BBQ spot
This guesthouse gets its name from the captivating sunsets viewable from the property. After a busy day out, relax on the sun terrace and watch the sunlight fade to dark. Can you think of anything more romantic?
Looking for a place to enjoy date night? Mike’s Kitchen Potchefstroom is about 1.5 miles from the property. They specialize in classic South African cuisine and are open late.
When it’s time to retreat to your room, lounge with your lover on the cozy bed and watch a cheesy rom-com on the satellite flat-screen TV. Wake up to a full English/Irish breakfast in the morning!
Best Guesthouse For a Group of Friends in Potchefstroom – Graceland Guesthouse
- $$
- 2 – 4 Guests
- Breakfast offered for a fee
- Spacious rooms and bathrooms
This is the best guesthouse Potchefstroom offers groups of friends. Their family room sleeps up to four guests and comes with a private patio or balcony. It’s the perfect place to enjoy even more social time.
End your day with a casual night in. Grab some cold drinks from your refrigerator, make some popcorn in the microwave and you’ll be all set for movie night! Wake up to a continental breakfast for just USD $6.00.
Two popular Potchefstroom attractions, Mooirivier Mall and the President Pretorius Museum are both less than two miles from the property.
We’ve tested countless backpacks over the years, but there’s one that has always been the best and remains the best buy for adventurers: the broke backpacker-approved Osprey Aether and Ariel series.
Want more deetz on why these packs are so damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!
View on Osprey View on REIOver-the-Top Luxury Guesthouse in Potchefstroom – Ancient Emperor Guest Estate
- $$$
- 1 – 2 Guests
- Breakfast included
- Close to PUK Oval and Ibbies Oval
Potchefstroom doesn’t offer many high-end properties, and this guesthouse definitely sets the bar high when it comes to living large. Want to know the best part? Booking a room won’t break the bank and you can enjoy luxury at a more affordable price.
After a busy day out, the spacious and secluded gardens will be a relaxing place to return to. For an evening activity, take a dip in the outdoor swimming pool, or relax with a good book on the outside terrace.
When you retire to your room at night, wind down with a nice bath and a hot cup of tea. Your bathrobe, slippers, and flat-screen TV will be waiting for you when you’ve finished!
Enjoy a full English/Irish (with halal options) every morning.
Best Guesthouse for Families Visiting Potchefstroom – Kleinplaas Guest Farm
- $$$
- 2 – 7 Guests
- Pool access
- Near OPM Prozesky Bird Sanctuary
This Potchefstroom guesthouse caters amazingly well to families. For large groups, the family studio or the three-bedroom apartment will fit everyone comfortably – and, you’ll feel right at home!
Use your kitchen to get creative with the local produce and whip up a new dish. Thanks to your dining room table, you’ll be able to enjoy family dinner time even while on vacation.
Afterward, curl with on the couch watching a movie or, take the kids to the pool to burn off that last bit of energy!
Best Guesthouse For Backpackers in Potchefstroom – A Touch of Grace
- $
- 1 – 2 Guests
- Fully-equipped kitchenette
- In a quiet neighborhood
Similar to backpacker accommodation, A Touch of Grace Guesthouse is very affordable. However, it adds an extra little touch of comfort and convenience.
Like a hostel, you’ll have access to money-saving amenities. Use the fully-equipped kitchenette to make your own meals and skip eating out at overpriced restaurants. Don’t worry about finding a coffee shop either, your host supplies you with complimentary coffee, tea, and rusks!
There are only five units on the property, which might be a bit of a culture shock to hardcore hostelers.
The neighborhood is quiet, but you’ll be close to plenty of attractions. The Goetz Fleischack Museum and the Potchefstroom Museum are both less than one mile away!
Most Beautiful Guesthouse in Potchefstroom – A Tapestry Garden Guest House
- $$
- 1 – 2 Guests
- Pool access
- Close to Potchefstroom Museum
Nestled in a gorgeous garden, this guesthouse provides a restful vacation. You’ll find the cushioned sun loungers next to the pool hard to resist. The lush garden with shaded outside seating makes a great place to chill out with a good book – or a glass of wine.
Back in your room, large windows fill all corners with sunlight and offer lovely views of the scenic grounds.
For breakfast, enjoy a continental or an à la carte meal with plenty of options for just USD $8.00!
Guesthouse With an Epic Location in Potchefstroom – Huys ten Bosch
- $$
- 1 – 2 Guests
- Seasonal outdoor pool
- Bike rental available
This guesthouse is in a great central location of Potchefstroom. You’ll find lots of local bars and restaurants nearby. Try out Ocean Basket Potchefstroom for awesome seafood, and Texas Rock Bar for drinks.
Prefer to eat in? Make a meal using the BBQ equipment. You can eat next to the pool under the shaded seating area, or on your private patio.
North-West University Botanical Garden is also less than one mile away. Rent a bike from your host and cycle there!
Best Guesthouse for Honeymooners in Potchefstroom – Adato Guesthouse
- $$
- 1 – 5 Guests
- Breakfast included
- Outdoor fireplace
If you’re a newlywed couple, this is the ideal place to base your honeymoon. You’ll find three popular museums, President Pretorius Museum, Potchefstroom Museum, and Goetz Fleischack Museum less than one mile away.
The superior king room is great for a romantic vacation. With a fully-equipped kitchenette, comfy bed, cozy sofa, and satellite TV, it has everything you need to enjoy some alone time.
At night, draw a relaxing couples bath, then pop open a bottle of South African wine on your patio!
Check out these other great resources
We have loads more information to help you plan your trip.
- South Africa Adventure Stops
- Where to stay in South Africa
FAQ about Guesthouses in Potchefstroom
Here’s what people usually ask us when they look for vacation homes in Potchefstroom.
Don’t Forget Your Potchefstroom Travel Insurance
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
Final Thought on Guesthouses in Potchefstroom
As this list has shown, guesthouses in Potchefstroom are so much more than just a place to spend the night. The extra amenities offered easily trump staying in a generic hotel. You’ll be able to live like a local and a vacationer at the same time.
Plus, if you’re looking for unique accommodation in Potchefstroom, some of these options are a bit out-of-the-box and will add even more excitement to your trip.
And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!
