Celebrate South Africa’s heritage at these historic luxury hotels
South African hospitality has a beautiful heritage with the oldest licensed hotel being built as early as 1779 in the Western Cape.
Over the last couple of years, the country’s travel and tourism industry took a knock during the pandemic due to travel restrictions. Many hotels and tourism business almost closed their doors with some not surviving the negative impact of the pandemic.
However, it’s been two years since the world of travel has been back to normal and this is a cause for celebration.
September marks Heritage Month, Tourism Month, and a new season. As we head into the month and get ready for peak travel season, Mzansi has plenty of reasons to celebrate.
Some hotels and establishments that have stood the test of time and survived in an ever-evolving travel landscape.
As we commemorate our heritage and tourism industry, these hotels deserve to be celebrated.
So let’s take a trip back in time and visit some of South Africa’s old luxury hotels.
Champagne Castle Hotel
Champagne Castle Hotel in the Drakensberg in KwaZulu-Natal, is one of the oldest establishments in the region worth celebrating. The hotel began as a simple farmhouse in 1928.
The owner started by hosting the Natal Mountain Club on their annual climb and after realising its potential, he built a few rondavels and, in 1934, named it Champagne Castle Hostel.
The hotel has since grown and been refurbished. It takes its name after a flat mountain peak which is part of the Central Drakensberg Range.
The hotel is a popular place to stay due to its proximity to a diversity of plant, bird and insect life and the richest collection of San rock paintings in Africa.
It is a premier place to stay when visiting the Drakensberg, boasting 58 rooms and 7 luxuriously appointed self-catering chalets.
A stay at the 4-star hotel starts from R3 240 a night for 2.
The Oyster Box
With its dramatic location on the KwaZulu-Natal coastline, just metres from the golden sands of Umhlanga Beach, The Oyster Box has for generations been hailed as one of South Africa’s finest seaside hotels.
A member of The Red Carnation Hotel Collection, The Oyster Box offers timeless elegance and five-star luxury, blending the charm and nostalgia of a bygone era with contemporary comforts.
Alongside 86 rooms, suites and villas, The Oyster Box offers an array of restaurants, an award-winning spa, two swimming pools, extensive events facilities, and an intimate private movie theatre.
The original cottage, called the The Oyster Lodge was built on the grounds in 1863 and over the years, the lodge evolved into the hotel that we know today.
A stay at The Oyster Box starts from R25 651 a night for 2.
Houw Hoek Hotel
The child-friendly Houw Hoek Hotel is situated in the heart of the Kogelberg Nature Reserve, a leisurely 80 km from Cape Town, just off the N2 freeway.
The hotel at Houw Hoek was built in 1779 in the days of the Dutch East India Company. Back then it was called the Houw Hoek Inn. It was originally the site of a toll gate on the wagon road to the eastern interior.
A second floor was added in 1861. The hotel was licensed in 1834 and has been in continuous operation for longer than any hotel in the country.
It has seen many expansions and improvements over the years and, in one form or another, the Houw Hoek Hotel has offered hospitality to travellers for more than two centuries.
The hotel’s exquisite location makes this the perfect place to relax and unwind and most of its rooms have balconies with magnificent views of the surrounding mountains.
A stay at the historical gem starts from R1 830 a night for 2.
Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, Cape Town
In 2024, Mount Nelson celebrated its 125th birthday. Known as the Nellie, the hotel opened on Monday, March 6, 1899.
It was the first hotel in South Africa to offer hot and cold running water and received rave reviews. Today, the hotel is a 5-star luxury establishment and is a tranquil oasis in the bustling Cape Town city centre.
Each of the Mount Nelson's accommodation wings has its own character, with private gardens and facilities.
Guests can also enjoy the hotel’s famous afternoon tea on the terrace or swim in one of the pools. The hotel also boasts extensive wellness facilities, including a tennis court.
You can order room service while taking in the elegance of your room. Marble bathrooms and specially designed furniture make each unit an exclusive retreat after a long day.
A stay at the “Nellie” starts from R18 300 a night for 2.
Holiday Inn Johannesburg Sunnyside Park, an IHG Hotel
Holiday Inn Johannesburg Sunnyside Park Hotel, is a Victorian-style national monument a stone's throw from Johannesburg and Sandton's business centres.
It was built in 1895 and has many features complimenting the picturesque property; a fitness centre, outdoor pool and business centre.
The hotel’s most beautiful feature, its garden, covers four acres and includes tranquil Koi ponds that cascade through flowing fountains beside 150-year old trees, reminding guests of Johannesburg’s rich history.
The hotel offers 152 well-appointed bedrooms, including a variety of suites. The décor combines old world charm with modern amenities, offering a taste of the past with a blend of new era architecture.
Wooden panelling and pressed ceilings form part of the lounge area where guests can unwind over a crackling fire.
A stay at the 4-star hotel starts from R759 a night for 2.
10 2nd Avenue Houghton Estate Luxury Boutique Hotel
Centrally located to all the main business hubs, 10 2nd Avenue Houghton Estate is a luxury boutique hotel in Houghton Estate, Johannesburg.
It exudes superb luxury and effortless charm and is nestled in lush landscaped gardens.
The hotel was built in 1932 on 10 000 m2 of land and the original house was used as a convalescent home for injured soldiers during World War 2.
Many families went on to own the upmarket property, enjoying its surroundings, the tennis court and the lavish lifestyle offered by the suburb in the 70's and 80's.
Years later, it is completely renovated, converted and fully refurbished to create a property that can withstand the challenges of the 21 century.
The hotel is in a secure upmarket location with all the necessary state-of-the-art boardroom facilities, and offers guests gourmet cuisine and warm South African hospitality.
A stay at the boutique hotel starts from R1 750 a night for 2.