House Rules
The Insect Hotel is a shared space. It runs on mutual respect between all who live here, whether insect, spider, or otherwise. To keep things running smoothly, we ask all guests to follow these rules.
1. Self-Catering Only
There is no room service. The fynbos, wildflowers, and garden plants around the hotel offer great foraging, but you'll need to find your own meals. We provide the habitat. You provide the effort.
Foraging tip
Seasonal menus change. Spring offers the widest variety. Winter is lean but manageable for species that overwinter. Adapt, explore, and vary your diet.
2. Share the Space
You are not the only guest. The hotel houses a wide range of species, including some that aren't insects at all. Spiders, woodlice, centipedes, and the occasional gecko may be your neighbours.
Coexistence is the policy. Settle disputes by avoidance, not aggression.
3. Housekeeping Happens
The hotel gets regular cleaning and maintenance. Old nesting material may be cleared, damaged sections repaired, and rooms freshened up. This helps prevent disease, mould, and parasite build-up.
- Cleaning usually happens in late winter, before spring arrivals.
- We don't give advance notice (we haven't figured out how to send you a memo).
- Please don't take it personally.
4. Weather Is Not Our Responsibility
The Insect Hotel is outdoors. Conditions include:
- Rain in winter, sometimes heavy, sometimes non-stop
- Wind year-round, sometimes fierce, especially the south-easter
- Heat in summer, with dry conditions and strong sun
- Cool nights in spring and autumn
We provide shelter, not climate control. Choose your room wisely.
5. Guests Must Be Able to Fly
The hotel is reached by air. Ground-dwelling species are valued members of the ecosystem, but the hotel's design favours flying insects. If you can't fly, you're welcome to try the Leaf Litter Lounge at ground level. Upper floors require wings.
6. Solitary Guests Preferred
This isn't a hive, a colony, or a swarm stop. We cater to the individual traveller: the lone bee, the solo wasp, the independent lacewing. If you're looking for a party, you're at the wrong hotel.
Social species are welcome in small numbers, as long as they keep things quiet.
7. Accept the Ecosystem
The hotel sits within a living, breathing ecosystem. That means:
- Predators exist (birds, spiders, lizards). We don't provide security.
- Plants flower and fade on their own schedule.
- Other organisms will share your space. Mites, fungi, and bacteria are part of the deal.
Nature is the landlord here. We're just the property managers.
8. Length of Stay
You're welcome to stay for:
- A single night, passing through on a journey or a foraging trip
- A season, nesting, spending winter, or just enjoying the area
- Forever. Some of our most loyal guests never leave, and that's perfectly fine
There is no checkout time. There is no check-in time either. Arrive when you're ready.
9. Respect the Neighbours
The wider community (birds, mammals, reptiles, and humans) shares this landscape. Most are friendly or don't care. A few will try their luck. Act wisely, and don't provoke anything larger than yourself.
10. No Guarantees
We offer shelter, not certainty. The natural world is hard to predict, and that's what makes it special. By choosing The Insect Hotel, you accept:
- Variable food supply
- Changing weather
- The odd disturbance
- The great uncertainty of being alive and very small
Looking for things to do?
Browse our Events & Activities page for seasonal happenings, adventure activities, and honest reports from past events.
The Insect Hotel Philosophy
"We don't promise luxury. We promise nature, wild, seasonal, and unapologetically real."