Winter is the perfect time of year for a romantic retreat. 

The Drostdy Hotel, with its Cape Dutch architecture, old-world atmosphere and cosy interior, paints a charming picture; perfect for a weekend escape with your other half.

Though nighttime temperatures can dwindle below zero in the Karoo, our beautifully appointed rooms are equipped with every amenity to keep you snug. Think: Wooden floors, heated bathrooms, plush duvets, in-suite coffee machines and slow mornings watching your favourite TV show together as frost tinges the window panes.

Below you’ll find our suggested weekend itinerary for couples in Graaff-Reinet, from check-in to check-out.

Day 1
Morning

After being checked-in by our friendly front desk team, enjoy settling into your plush accommodations.

All of our rooms are spacious and blend traditional Karoo décor with contemporary comforts. The result is the perfect balance between chic and cosy, with thoughtful extras like rusks to accompany your morning coffee.

You might like to spend some time wandering around our common areas after your arrival, browsing the various artwork on the walls and noting some of the interesting historical artifacts.

Graaff-Reinet is home to many museums and monuments. The Drostdy Hotel itself was built in 1805 and has many interesting stories to tell – feel free to ask our knowledgeable staff as many questions as you like!

Lunch

Now that you’ve settled in, why not put on a comfortable pair of walking shoes and head out to find a lunch spot in our town’s beautiful and bustling centre?

Note the architecture of Graaff-Reinet’s famous Cape Dutch Church on your way to one of these wonderful eateries: Our Yard, The Gather, Hello You or Die Kliphuis.

These are but a few of many available options! Discover a coffee shop that suits you best and settle in for a delicious lunch.

Afternoon

Now that you’ve fueled up on hearty Karoo food, the next item on your romantic itinerary could be one of two things: Return to the hotel for a post-lunch nap or head over to The Old Library Museum for a break-down of all the sites in Graaff-Reinet.

Spend the rest of the afternoon leisurely exploring our historic town’s many museums, monuments and sites. A few noteworthy mentions are:

• The War Memorial
• The Old Powder Magazine
• San & Khoi Memorial
• Robert Sibukwe’s Birthplace

You could also shop for pantry staples at Ouma’s Country Store or head over to the Afrikanis Rum Tasting Room to sample some fine, fiery, craft rum distilled right here in the heart of the Karoo. A bottle of Afrikanis Rum also makes the perfect gift to take your loved ones back home!

Evening

Return to The Drostdy Hotel for a romantic candlelit dinner in our very own De Camdeboo Restaurant.

Order elegantly prepared classic Karoo fare from our la carte dinner menu. To browse all your options, click here.

The intimate setting of our dining hall is both cosy and luxurious – the perfect place for your first date night in town.

As you walk back to your room later, note the starry skies above. Karoo winters might be chilly, but there’s no beating them when it comes to clear night skies. 

We hope the Milky Way will be shining extra bright for your romantic weekend escape!

Day 2
Morning

Depending on whether or not you and your partner are morning people, your morning could go one of two ways.

1. Wake up slowly, enjoying your comfortable King-sized bed, in-room television and coffee machine. You’re on holiday, after all, and there’s nothing to rush you!
2. Wake up early, put on your warmest clothes and take a flask of coffee along with you to watch the sunrise over the Valley of Desolation in the Camdeboo National Park. You’ll never forget this spectacular sight!

(If you are a couple more likely to adhere to option one, fear not! Sunset at The Valley of Desolation is equally beautiful.)

Return to the hotel for a hearty breakfast.

Mid-Morning

Embrace both romance and relaxation with a soothing couple’s treatment at our fabulous on-site spa.

Allow our talented therapists to work their magic as you and your partner sink into a state of bliss!

For our full spa treatment menu, click here.

Post Lunch

After lunch, you might like to get to the activities you didn’t have time for yesterday.

A few more options to add to your list are a visit to the extraordinary Obesa Nursery, driving over to Nieu-Bethesda to check out The Owl House or keeping it local and spending time in our De Camdeboo Wjinkamer – a place where you can sample some of South Africa’s best wines while enjoying local art from Graaff-Reinet and surrounds.

Cold winter temperatures are the perfect excuse to indulge in a little wine tasting. Arrange a tasting with our team and we would be more than happy to accommodate you. An added bonus? Our guests can buy bottles of wine at cellar-door prices!

Evening

Before heading home, we suggest soaking up your surroundings by spending an evening cosied up indoors. After all, you’ve opted to stay at The Drostdy Hotel and should make the most of every moment!

Perhaps a final romantic weekend away indulgence could be ordering room service for dinner while resting up for the journey home.

Stay With Us

Winter is a magical season to explore Graaff-Reinet and The Drostdy Hotel is the perfect place to base yourself for the duration of your romantic getaway.

With a historic feel and warm, cosy interiors, our hotel blends heritage and luxury in a way that remains authentic to our Karoo surroundings.

Explore our accommodation options and make your booking by emailing us at info@drostdy.co.za.

Alternatively, secure your own dates by using our seamless online booking platform.

We look forward to hosting you for some well-deserved R&R!