Tucked away in the heart of the Karoo, Graaff-Reinet offers more than just scenic charm and open skies; it offers stories in a countryside where memories are like currency.
At the centre of Graaff-Reinet’s historic quarter stands the Drostdy Hotel, a luxury Karoo retreat that is as much a time capsule as it is a sanctuary for your Karoo holiday! With its rich past and considered modern comforts, our hotel invites guests to explore the deeper narrative of our town through the lens of a cosy getaway. Here, the history of Graaff-Reinet and the history of the Drostdy are inseparable, each shaping and reflecting the other over more than two centuries.
During your stay, we invite you to walk in the footsteps of those who came before us, while enjoying the best of the present with our Heritage & Horizons Package – a thoughtfully curated escape designed to honour the history and natural beauty of Graaff-Reinet.
Exploring Our Town’s Many Layers
To fully appreciate Graaff-Reinet’s history, one must step beyond the hotel’s elegant walls into the streets of South Africa’s fourth-oldest town, home to more than 200 heritage sites. A morning stroll reveals beautifully preserved Cape Dutch and Victorian architecture, with Reinet House (1812) offering insight into early colonial life.
Yet, our town’s roots run far deeper than the 1700s. Long before European settlers arrived, the region was home to the Khoisan people, South Africa’s First Peoples. Their traditions, beliefs, and artistry are woven into the land itself, visible in ancient rock paintings and echoed in oral histories. A visit to the Bushman Heritage Museum in nearby Nieu Bethesda offers a moving introduction to the |Xam storytellers who tell the histories and legends of their people with passion and pride.
Graaff-Reinet also occupies a proud place in our country’s political history. It is the birthplace of Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe, founder of the Pan Africanist Congress and a key figure in the anti-apartheid struggle. His life and work serve as a reminder that history is not just about buildings and dates, but mostly about the people whose courage shapes our present-day lives.
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
Graaff-Reinet, founded in 1786, takes its name from Cornelis Jacob van de Graaff, then Governor of the Cape Colony, and his wife, Cornelia Reinet. The combination honoured both the colonial administrator and his spouse, reflecting a common practice of the era to link place names with prominent figures.
Art, Cuisine & Culture
Graaff-Reinet may be steeped in history, but it is also alive with creativity. The Drostdy Hotel’s own Imibala Gallery showcases thought-provoking works by local artists, while galleries across town draw inspiration from the Karoo’s textured landscapes and stories.
No visit would be complete without a taste of the region’s culinary heritage. At our hotel’s De Camdeboo Restaurant, guests can savour traditional Karoo flavours like slow-cooked lamb, braised springbok shanks, root vegetables, and baked treats fresh from the oven. These tried and true recipes embody the region’s ethos surrounding food: Simple, honest and deeply nourishing. (In our case, we like to add, ‘Prepared with love.’)
Behind The Drostdy Hotel
Zooming into our beautiful hotel’s own story, it begins more than 200 years ago in 1804, when the original Drostdy building, designed by renowned architect Louis Thibault, was built as the official residence of the town’s local magistrate. It stood at the heart of Graaff-Reinet, already an important frontier settlement of the Cape Colony.
Between 1819 and 1847, the Drostdy served as the magistrate’s residence. Within its walls, notable figures like Lord Charles Somerset and Sir Rufane Donkin discussed matters and made decisions that rippled across the countryside. As Graaff-Reinet expanded with churches, schools, and market squares, the Drostdy evolved alongside it, mirroring the town’s shifting fortunes.
In 1878, the building took on a new role as Kromm’s Drostdy Hotel, welcoming travellers who arrived by ox-wagon, carriage, and, later, railway. Around the turn of the century, it embraced an architectural transformation, adopting the elegant Victorian façade visitors see today. Through droughts, celebrations, and times of change, the hotel remained a fixture in the life of the Graaff-Reinet community; a gathering place where locals and visitors shared news, meals and moments of frivolity.
By 1975, our hotel’s historical significance was formally recognised when Historical Homes of South Africa undertook a careful restoration of the building, safeguarding both its beauty and its place in Graaff-Reinet’s history.
In 2012, a new chapter began under the ownership of the South African College for Tourism (SACT), whose learnership programme empowers young women from rural communities with world-class hospitality training.
That brings us to today, where the Drostdy Hotel stands as a beacon of history, opportunity, and timeless Karoo charm, on top of its 5-star luxury status.
What You Can Expect From The Heritage & Horizons Package
The Drostdy Hotel’s Heritage & Horizons Package offers guests a way to connect with both our hotel and Graaff-Reinet’s history, all while enjoying the comfort of a luxury stay.
It includes:
- Entrance for 2 into Graaff-Reinet’s historic museum
- Access to the Valley of Desolation in Camdeboo National Park
- A specially curated picnic box and a bottle of wine
- Wine tasting for 2 in the Wjinkamer
Whether you are a history enthusiast, a nature-lover, or simply someone seeking serene surroundings, this experience blends culture, cuisine, and the Karoo’s vast natural beauty into an unforgettable journey.
Stay With Us
The Drostdy Hotel is more than luxury Karoo accommodation, it is a living link between past and present; a place where the story of Graaff-Reinet continues to unfold. In this season of renewal, allow its walls, walkways, and warm hospitality to carry you through time.
To book the Heritage & Horizons Package, contact our reception desk at reservations@drostdy.co.za or fill out our online enquiry form.
