Dating back to 1936, when this remote part of the central Drakensberg was almost inaccessible, Cathedral Peak Hotel is now a beloved family-friendly hotel renowned as a maker of great holidays. Within its beautiful setting beneath the mountains' blue-grey jagged peaks, the hotel is at the heart of all sorts of outdoor adventures, including some of the country's best hiking and mountaineering. The four-star hotel offers accommodation for everyone, good buffet-style food and warm service.
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Ninety rooms range from standard singles to family rooms, honeymoon and presidential suites. Though their size and furnishings vary considerably, each has twin or king-sized beds, a carpeted floor, en-suite bathroom, coffee-making facilities, TV, fan, heater, and a private veranda, and some are under thatch. The larger suites have electric fireplaces, underfloor heating, spa baths and breathtaking mountain views. Rates include dinner, and breakfast plus mid-morning and afternoon tea. Decor varies from slightly old-fashioned (although more than comfortable) to modern.
Eighteen walks and hikes leave directly from the hotel door - everything from gentle riverside strolls to a full-day summit attempt on Cathedral Peak itself. You won't find a Drakensberg property with better access to the mountains.
The hotel is affiliated with BirdLife South Africa, and with over 200 species in the valley, it's a quiet paradise for birders. Early morning on the golf course is particularly rewarding before the hikers get going.
This is a proper old-school resort hotel — 104 rooms, buffet meals, a bowling green, a golf course — rather than an intimate boutique lodge. It's brilliant for families who want endless activities and don't mind a larger, busier atmosphere.
Start with a recommended trip or create one from scratch
Cathedral Peak Hotel can be booked with Timbuktu as part of a tailor-made South Africa trip, rather than as a standalone room reservation. Start online, customising one of our recommended South Africa trips featuring Cathedral Peak Hotel or get advice and suggestions from one of our South Africa specialists who will design the trip around your dates, check availability and handle every booking for you.
Stays at Cathedral Peak Hotel start from around $150, or US$150, per person per night as part of a tailor-made trip. The exact price depends on your travel dates, room type and the shape of the rest of your itinerary. A Timbuktu travel specialist can give you an accurate quote for your dates.
Hiking or walking, driving or climbing, enjoy the country’s most dramatic, soaring scenery.
