There are places you’ll go that will leave you filled with memories to last a lifetime, places that seem like home from the minute you arrive and that you long to return to after you’ve left.
That is honestly how I felt about Cathedral Peak Hotel in the Southern Drakensberg, where we stayed a few months ago as a family of 4. Set in an isolated, picturesque valley overlooking the uKhahlamba Drakensberg mountains, this resort has been a popular destination for thousands of visitors over the past 79 years.
And for good reason. I was so impressed by the genuine hospitality – which is honestly so rare these days – from everyone we encountered during our stay, as well as the bounty of activities and myriad facilities available.
Families can stay together in a wing dedicated to the convenience of travelling with kids. The interleading suites are ample with a room for the kids with a single bed each and another room separated by a sliding door with a king-sized bed for adults, leading out to a private patio. They are equipped with tea and coffee trays, a small fridge, a safe, large wardrobe, a dressing table and an en-suite bathroom with a bath and a shower – everything you need for a comfortable getaway.
A short walk from the family wing is the children’s entertainment and dining room, where kids can eat and watch tv, or play games, with a daily roster of activities to keep them entertained from morning till night – there’s even a giant chess board which you play standing up – such fun.
Your day revolves around food – flip it is amazing! Breakfast is a buffet of gargantuan proportions with everything and anything you could possibly want to eat. Even if you go with the intention of being healthy, you’ll end up veering off down the path toward hollandaise eggs and french toast – it is all just far too tempting – and delicious!
Head off for a walk or a horse ride after that – you’ll need to, to walk off the calories!
Walks and hikes can be taken on your own or with a guide and all leave directly from the hotel gardens. If you’re not feeling energetic, head to the spa for a variety of treatments – that’s where I ended up for a divine treatment which had me feeling like a new person.
Tea is served mid-morning and includes scones and biscuits, served on the terrace with a beautiful view over the well-manicured gardens.
Work that off on the tennis court, bowling green, climbing wall or pool – it’s even heated to ensure that guests can use it all-year-round! Our kids had a ball!
There really is no shortage of opportunities to enjoy time as a family, or just relax and soak up the fresh South African air. Staff bend over backwards to make sure your stay is comfortable and are always close by, making this a truly relaxing experience, as you’re left to just work on your tan or read a book – bliss.
We played putt-putt under the stars on both evenings, enjoyed a game of scrabble and worked on our bird knowledge too, spotting a few magnificent birds of prey circling the sky above us.
Honestly, it was a tonic for the soul and our time there was so appreciated.
Thank you so much to the team at Cathedral Peak for such a wonderful stay, but also for providing such a beautiful hotel to escape to – it really is the most wonderful piece of paradise in our beautiful country. If it’s not on your bucket list, it definitely should be x
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