Accommodation
Every room at The Insect Hotel is made from natural materials and designed with a specific guest in mind. Whether you prefer a snug tunnel, a cosy gap, or an airy bundle of hollow stems, we have something for you.
Room Types
The Bamboo Suite
Solitary bees · small wasps
Bundles of hollow bamboo canes, from pin-thin to pencil-width. North-facing for morning warmth. Each tube is a private, single-occupancy chamber, perfect for nesting or simply resting between flights.
- Private entrance
- Naturally ventilated
- Seasonal sun exposure
The Pine Cone Loft
Ladybirds · lacewings · earwigs
Stacked pine cones create a maze of cosy gaps and crannies. Sheltered from wind, insulated against cold nights, and just complex enough to feel like an adventure.
- Multiple entry points
- Excellent insulation
- Communal yet private
The Bark Hideaway
Beetles · woodlice · spiders
Layers of loose bark provide dark, sheltered retreats for guests who prefer life on the quiet side. Damp-friendly and naturally textured.
- Low-light environment
- Holds moisture
- Ground-level access available
The Straw Gallery
Solitary bees · helpful wasps
Tightly packed straw and dried grass stems offer a warm, golden-coloured retreat. Excellent for spending winter and early-season nesting.
- Warm and dry
- Varied tube widths
- Sheltered from the main winds
The Leaf Litter Lounge
Ground beetles · centipedes · wintering butterflies
A generous layer of dried leaves, twigs, and moss at the base of the hotel. It's not glamorous, but it's honest, and very popular in the cooler months.
- Natural insulation
- Rich mini-ecosystem
- Available all year
The Drilled Log Rooms
Solitary bees · most popular
Hardwood logs with carefully drilled holes of different depths and widths. Smooth inside, no splinters. Our most popular rooms.
- Hand-finished chambers
- Ideal nesting depth
- Premium sun exposure
The Bee Hotel
Solitary bees · standalone annexe
Our newest addition. A standalone, purpose-built shelter from Tutus Loco, mounted on a garden fence among flowering herbs. Drilled wood rooms in a range of widths, south-facing, with no other species in the building. For bees who want a place of their own.
- Dedicated solitary bee accommodation
- Handmade from untreated wood
- Separate from the main hotel
- Close to foraging plants
See the full Bee Hotel page for photos and details.
The Bug House Kit
Solitary bees · small wasps · DIY
A flat-pack wing for the main estate, assembled in about fifteen minutes. A compact vertical shelter packed with bamboo tubes of different widths, with a bag of basil seeds tucked in the box to draw guests with scent.
- Bamboo tube rooms in a range of widths
- Untreated wood frame, built to last
- Basil companion planting to attract guests
- Tool-free assembly
See the full Bug House Kit page for the build and photos.
Facilities
All guests enjoy access to:
- Open-air foraging grounds, including fynbos, wildflowers, and seasonal blooms within easy flying distance
- Fresh water sources, shallow dishes with pebble landing pads, refilled by rain or by management
- Shelter from predators: the hotel's design includes overhangs and set-back areas to reduce exposure
- Shade trees nearby, for those hot summer days when even an insect needs a break
A note on availability
Rooms are given out on a first-come, first-served basis. We don't take bookings; just arrive and find your spot. Peak season is spring and early summer, so early arrivals get the best choice. Not sure which room suits your species? Meet our guests to find your match.