In the heart of a town with a rich history and immense character, Drostdy Hotel, the finest Karoo gem, is found.
This town, Graaff-Reinet, was established in 1786 and has matured into a charming destination that is well-known for its blend of Cape Dutch, Victorian and Karoo architecture. Uniquely, the town is surrounded almost entirely by the Camdeboo National Park which boasts spectacular wildlife and natural scenery.
Just as pleasing to the eye, Drostdy Hotel was initially built in the early 1800s and has its own fascinating story, having been refined over the years into one of South Africa’s top 10 hotels. Although it bears modern touches and a contemporary atmosphere, it remains true to its roots with furnishings and antiques that point to the past.
Guests will find this understated grande dame a comfortable retreat in the expansive Great Karoo.
Accommodation
Drostdy Hotel comprises forty-eight stylish rooms, which have been decorated with crisp whites, wooden elements, bold Karoo art and décor reminiscent of a bygone era. Stretch’s Court includes thirty-one of these rooms, the Ferreira Precinct hosts seven and Kromm’s Court, ten. Select room types offer private verandahs.
Dining
Guests can look forward to dining in style at De Camdeboo Restaurant, or to enjoying laid-back dining at Coldstream Restaurant.
Swimming Pools
Three crystal clear swimming pools, one main pool, one at the Ferreira Suites and another at the Kromm Cottages, invite guests to cool down or unwind. Guests are welcome to make use of the sun loungers, umbrellas and towels provided. The pools light up at night, offering the opportunity for an atmospheric dip under the stars.
Africology Spa
Complete relaxation awaits at this classic and sophisticated spa. Natural, eco-friendly products and a selection of rejuvenating treatments make the Africology experience an authentic delight.
Wine Shop
South Africa is known for its excellent wines. The newly opened wine shop at the Drostdy Hotel proudly carries wines, among the country’s best, produced by the Rupert family’s estates and sells most of these at cellar door prices. Although contemporary, the shop complements the historic setting in which it is located.
Meetings & Conferences
Outstanding conferencing facilities, equipped with modern amenities, are available at Drostdy Hotel and the affiliated SA College for Tourism, which is conveniently located only one kilometre away from Drostdy Hotel.
Weddings & Events
Magical moments await in the perfect wedding destination, located in the heart of the Karoo. Bridal couples can look forward to turning their dreams into a reality at Drostdy Hotel, which hosts weddings on the basis that all hotel rooms are booked exclusively for the event.
Experiences
Drostdy Hotel offers guests a wonderful array of amenities that ensure complete relaxation and delightful cultural experience.
Check-in and Check-out Times:
Check-in: 14H00
Check-out: 11H00
Distances:
141 km from Cradock
224 km from Port Elizabeth
665 km from Cape Town
821 km from Johannesburg
Flights:
Direct flights to Graaff-Reinet from Plettenberg Bay, to stay at the Drostdy Hotel, are available with Plett Air Safaris.
The reservations team will gladly assist with these flight arrangements, via reservations@newmarkhotels.com.
Flights from Graaff-Reinet directly to popular game reserves in the area are also available.
Physical Address
Entrance on Parliament Street
30 Church Street
Graaff-Reinet
6280
South Africa
Average Day Temperatures:
30 ˚C (December to March)
23 ˚C (April to May)
21 ˚C (June to September)
27 ˚C (October to November)
Electricity:
220 V
All rooms have international adaptors.
Currency:
South African Rand (ZAR)
All credit cards are accepted.
No cheques are accepted.
Graaff-Reinet, surrounded by Camdeboo National Park, is classified as a malaria-free area. It is, however, recommended that guests contact their local travel clinic for advice on the necessary precautionary measures for visits to this region.
Not only does Drostdy Hotel carry a special story from the past but it further has a vision for the future, ensuring a brighter one for those in surrounding communities. A wholly owned subsidiary and operational training partner of SA College for Tourism, Drostdy Hotel participates annually in the training and development of young, marginalised women from underprivileged rural families accross Southern Africa in hospitality service skills.
Nestled in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, Graaff-Reinet is the country’s fourth oldest magisterial district. It is home to over 220 heritage sites, including various houses, buildings and farms, which reveal the town’s journey through time. The town is situated within the Great Karoo and is thus surrounded by natural beauty, rich in fauna and flora.
Graaff-Reinet experiences little rainfall as the Great Karoo is considered a semi-desert region. Arid air and cloudless skies are typical of this area, as are great heat and frosts. Daytime is typically warm, while nighttime and early mornings can become cool, even in summer months. This climate results in a very particular landscape, dotted with xerophytic vegetation.
Drostdy Hotel comprises forty-eight stylish rooms, which have been decorated with crisp whites, wooden elements, bold Karoo art and décor reminiscent of a bygone era. Stretch’s Court includes thirty-one of these rooms, the Ferreira Precinct hosts seven and Kromm’s Court, ten. Select room types offer private verandahs.
Bachelor Rooms
The eight Bachelor Rooms are ideally suited to corporate travellers and accommodate a maximum of two guests.
Standard Rooms
The seventeen Standard Rooms are comfortably spacious and accommodate a maximum of two guests.
Executive Rooms
The fifteen Executive Rooms differ in size, but each is spacious and luxurious. Four Ferreira Executive Rooms, located in a private precinct, can be sold together with three Bachelor Rooms for an exclusive area with a pool, ideal for families or friends travelling together.
Suites
The eight Suites are likewise spacious and offer the ultimate level of luxury at Drostdy Hotel. Each suite accommodates a maximum of two guests.
Services & Facilities
Guests can look forward to dining in style at De Camdeboo Restaurant, or to enjoying laid-back dining at Coldstream Restaurant.
De Camdeboo Restaurant
De Camdeboo Restaurant boasts a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Local and international guests alike will be delighted by this fine dining establishment that bears a hint of traditional flair. Breakfasts, lunches and dinners are served.
Coldstream Restaurant
Coldstream Restaurant, an extension of the Drostdy Hotel’s dining offering, is an inviting establishment that serves a selection of pizzas, pastas and other tasty meals, as well as ice-cold draught beers and the best of the Western Cape’s wines. This family-friendly, 80-seater restaurant is nestled in a convenient location in Graaff-Reinet, within walking distance from Drostdy Hotel. Lunches and dinners are served. A selection of cakes is served from 10H30 onwards on Sundays.
A wonderful array of amenities in proximity to Drostdy Hotel offer guests the opportunity for relaxation, discovery and cultural experiences.
Camdeboo National Park
The Camdeboo National Park almost completely surrounds the town of Graaff-Reinet, stretching from the south of the Sneeuberg mountain range to Pearston and Murraysburg. The word “Camdeboo” is derived from the Khoi language and means “green pool”. Appropriately, the reserve lives up to its name with its wonderful scenic beauty. It is home to a broad spectrum of wildlife and birdlife, including 43 mammal species and 250 bird species. Animals that are regularly sighted include the steenbok, springbok, blesbok and black wildebeest, among others.
Interestingly, a number of fossils have been discovered in the area. The reserve is also well-known for its night skies which offer some of the best stargazing in the world.
Valley of Desolation
The Valley of Desolation, 14 kilometres from Graaff-Reinet, is an exquisite geological phenomenon which is characterised by sheer cliffs and columns of dolerite that rise up to 120 metres from the valley floor. This is the result of many years of volcanic and erosive forces. This breathtaking attraction can be absorbed by car, during hikes along marked trails or at picnic sites.
Helicopter Tours
FlyKaroo Air Services is Graaff-Reinet’s first helicopter charter service which takes guests on unforgettable journeys in the sky, offering a bird’s eye view of the town and its stunning natural surroundings. Various scenic and charter flight options are available, including half-day trips, destination picnics and round trips.
Town Tours
One of the best ways to explore South Africa’s fourth oldest town, the daily guided walking tour allows visitors to explore the most fascinating highlights of Graaff-Reinet, including a number of national monuments, in an hour and a half. The tour commences at the Graaff-Reinet Tourism Office, situated in the Old Library Museum, on the corner of Church Street and Somerset Street. It offers excellent photo opportunities and the chance to gain insight from a knowledgeable guide.
Relish in limited promotions.
A glimpse of Drostdy Hotel in all its glory can be discovered here.
Tel: +27 49 892 2161
Fax: +27 49 892 4583
info@drostdy.co.za
Tel: +27 21 427 5900
reservations@newmarkhotels.com
Entrance on Parliament Street
30 Church Street
Graaff-Reinet
6280
South Africa
-32.2522222 | 24.540555
P.O. Box 400
Graaff-Reinet
6280
South Africa
