SAINT HELENA ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation options are limited on an island of 4400 inhabitants. There are a few local bed and breakfasts, but response times are slow, and generally the rooms dated and expensive for what they offer. However, there is one set of two-bedroom self-catering bungalows at Half-Tree Hollow, a five-minute drive down the hill to Jamestown, that we like as a budget option, starting at £75 (that's GBP) per night per unit with a rental vehicle included. We have a couple of good back up self-catering options too. There are also two hotels in Jamestown, the quaint but dated Consulate, and the flagship 4-star Mantis Hotel. We have an exclusive special at the Mantis.
Year round stays
7 nights with breakfasts at the Mantis Hotel, transfers, car rental, island 4x4 tour, marine wildlife tour from £702 on our low season special with 20% off regular rates, £1046 in high season. interactive itinerary here |
Whale Shark Special (January to March)
7 nights with breakfasts at the Mantis Hotel, pre and post tour nights on half-board in Johannesburg, transfers, car rental, island 4x4 tour, diving or snorkelling, £1695 interactive itinerary here |
Half-tree hollow bungalows
Five two-bedroom units with a splendid sea and sunset view, built in 2014, located above Jamestown with a magnificent view of the coast and the ocean. Each cottage has a small lounge, kitchen and a bathroom. Each bedroom has one double bed. There is a small supermarket in Half-tree Hollow and other food shops in Jamestown. Fresh fish can be purchased in Jamestown, a five-minute drive away. We provide a rental vehicle (Ford Fiesta or similar too). From £75 per night per bungalow with vehicle. There is also a three-bedroom unit for £85 per night.
The furniture in the bungalows was made locally by the owner himself. Some have kitchen units made from local timber, or some will have at least some piece of furniture made from local timber. Each lounge is equipped with a television screen, and deck chairs on the deck allow you to watch the sun go down and treat yourself to your own sundowner drinks.
The furniture in the bungalows was made locally by the owner himself. Some have kitchen units made from local timber, or some will have at least some piece of furniture made from local timber. Each lounge is equipped with a television screen, and deck chairs on the deck allow you to watch the sun go down and treat yourself to your own sundowner drinks.
THE MANTIS HOTEL
The 4-star Mantis Hotel is a combination of restored historic buildings dating from 1774 and a new contemporary building situated in the heart of Jamestown, a few minutes’ walk from the sea front, swimming pool, museum, Jacob’s Ladder, public library, archives, shops, and bars.
The buildings originally served as an officer’s barracks for the East India Company, who administered the island at the time. They served as military accommodation up until the last garrison left the island in the 1900’s. The original buildings were constructed from stone, bonded together with mud and mortar, pointed and rendered with lime which also formed the whitewash, with teak and iroko joinery and flooring. This 30-room boutique hotel has a large restaurant, the best on the island, bar and guest lounge and two outdoor terraces. All rooms have air-conditioning.
Contemporary rooms start at £105 pp per night with breakfast based on 2 sharing, Heritage Rooms £113 pppn and Heritage Suites £118 pppn with breakfast based on 2 sharing.
The buildings originally served as an officer’s barracks for the East India Company, who administered the island at the time. They served as military accommodation up until the last garrison left the island in the 1900’s. The original buildings were constructed from stone, bonded together with mud and mortar, pointed and rendered with lime which also formed the whitewash, with teak and iroko joinery and flooring. This 30-room boutique hotel has a large restaurant, the best on the island, bar and guest lounge and two outdoor terraces. All rooms have air-conditioning.
Contemporary rooms start at £105 pp per night with breakfast based on 2 sharing, Heritage Rooms £113 pppn and Heritage Suites £118 pppn with breakfast based on 2 sharing.
THE CONSULATE HOTEL
The Consulate Hotel is almost like a museum, with numerous reading rooms and lounges and the dining and breakfast rooms full of period pieces brought across the Atlantic from Africa. The bedrooms are cooled by moveable fans and natural ventilation. On the weekends, the street-facing rooms can be a bit noisy as two pubs are close by. Breakfast is provided, but he restaurant is not open for lunch and only occasionally for dinner.
Double and Twin rooms are £700 per week per person sharing, with breakfasts.
Double and Twin rooms are £700 per week per person sharing, with breakfasts.
Why book St Helena with us?
Unlike most travel companies selling St Helena, we have been there every year since 2018, spending two months on the island in total so far. We know the people who run the establishments and who provide the services you will use. We know them personally, and in most cases we know their families too and have taken the time to build strong relationships with them. We specialise in matching the right people with the right accommodation and service providers. We know the island and the activities, and we know South Africa, where you have to overnight either side of the St Helena trip, in great depth. You can see a sample dive and snorkel trip itinerary for set dates in 2021 here, but we can tailor trips to your requirements for other dates, subject to availability.
Unlike most travel companies selling St Helena, we have been there every year since 2018, spending two months on the island in total so far. We know the people who run the establishments and who provide the services you will use. We know them personally, and in most cases we know their families too and have taken the time to build strong relationships with them. We specialise in matching the right people with the right accommodation and service providers. We know the island and the activities, and we know South Africa, where you have to overnight either side of the St Helena trip, in great depth. You can see a sample dive and snorkel trip itinerary for set dates in 2021 here, but we can tailor trips to your requirements for other dates, subject to availability.
