Your Winter Stay At The Drostdy Hotel
Your Winter Stay At The Drostdy Hotel Winter getaways are all about indulging in life’s little comforts – beautiful views, good wine, generous portions of food, plush interiors and cosy amenities. Keep reading to discover what you can expect from your winter stay at The Drostdy Hotel in Graaff-Reinet! (Snow-covered mountains and all!) Your Graaff-Reinet Accommodation The Drostdy Hotel idyllically lends itself to a cosy winter escape. Our historic building, built in 1805, carves a picturesque image with its Cape Dutch architecture and thatched roof. While accommodation options vary, each room is spacious and boasts beautiful wooden floors. (We don’t have to tell you what a difference this makes when temperatures drop.) The bathrooms have underfloor heating and heated towel rails to ensure your comfort and the beds are fitted with warm, luxurious bedding to keep you toasty on cold winter nights. Furthermore, you can adjust the AC to suit your ideal temperature and look forward to slow mornings in bed sipping on a steaming cup of coffee. (With a rusk, of course!) You may also be excited to learn that some of our suites are pet-friendly, meaning that your favourite four-legged friend can be a part of your holiday, too! (Request our full pet policy when making your reservation.) *** Be among the first to book our exciting new package in collaboration with Samara Karoo Reserve – a premier wildlife destination unlike any other. Save 20% on your 5-night journey combining two luxurious Karoo gems. Discover more here. Delicious Karoo Food A big part of any winter getaway is, of course, the food and The Drostdy Hotel’s very own De Camdeboo Restaurant is one of the hottest tickets in town! Settle into the comfort of our handsome dining room, with nods to our Karoo heritage in every corner. The interior is filled with dark wood furniture and crisp white linens – all adding to the old-world charm of our hotel. The menu itself is an ode to traditional Karoo ingredients, combined in elegant and innovative ways to bring forth the generosity and warm hospitality of the region. Those joining us soon will be among the first to sample our newly launched winter menu created by The Drostdy Hotel’s newly appointed head chef, Chef Vivian. [INSERT QUOTE FROM CHEF VIVIAN – TEBELLO TO ARRANGE] Tuck into generous portions of Ouma’s Bean Broth, Double Karoo Lamb Chops or Malva Pudding, among many other mouth-watering options. We are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, meaning our in-house guests always have an ample selection of wonderful dishes right on their doorstep! You can view all of our menus here. Sample Our Wines One of The Drostdy Hotel’s unique attributes is that we take our wine seriously. We have our very own wine-tasting facility, De Camdeboo Wjinkamer, in the hotel, which doubles as an art gallery, showcasing unique and beautiful works by local South African artists. Winter is the perfect time to indulge in wine tasting. Come and sample award-winning wines from some of our country’s most prestigious vineyards while perusing the gallery. Private tastings can be arranged upon request and, as an added bonus to guests, you will be able to purchase fabulous wines at cellar door prices. Extra Pampering Winter conditions can take a toll on our skin. Luckily, our tranquil, in-house Africology Spa provides guests with the unique opportunity to pamper themselves with an indulgent treatment. We use products from Africology, a range that sources its ingredients from our country’s bounty of minerals and plants. Whether you’d like a relaxing massage to bolster that cosy winter feeling or a replenishing facial to treat your skin, simply browse our extensive spa menu and select the perfect treatment to suit your needs. Be sure to enquire after any specials or winter promotions we might be running when booking your treatment. *** All spa guests (and hotel guests staying in executive rooms or suites) receive complimentary access to the Salt Himalayan Sauna, the perfect way to purify your skin and warm up in the heart of winter. In Town Having resolved the chilly morning and evening temperatures with some clever packing on your part (don’t forget extra warm socks), you will find that the clean Karoo air is even more crisp and delightful in winter – not to mention the beautiful stars that come out at night and shine even brighter given the lack of cloud cover. During the day, you will find plenty to occupy yourself with in town. Graaff-Reinet is home to many museums, galleries, coffee shops, bakeries, eateries, historical buildings, monuments and shops selling local wares for your pantry, home and wardrobe. Of course, we are also surrounded by vast natural spaces, ideal for outdoor lovers and nature enthusiasts. Below is a brief list of destinations we recommend you investigate and add to your Graaff-Reinet itinerary. – Valley of Desolation– The Old Library Museum– Dutch Reformed Church– Camdeboo National Park– Day Trip to Nieu-Bethesda– Afrikanis Rum Tasting Room– Obesa Nursery– Samara Karoo Reserve Stay With Us Winter is a magical time of year to explore Graaff-Reinet and The Drostdy Hotel is the perfect place to base yourself for your 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 reservations@drostdy.co.za. Alternatively, secure your own dates by using our seamless online booking platform. We look forward to showing you all that Graaff-Reinet has to offer!
Your Romantic Weekend Escape to Graaff-Reinet
Your Romantic Weekend Escape to Graaff-Reinet 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 1Morning 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 2Morning Depending on whether or not you and your partner are morning people, your morning could go one of two ways. 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! 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!
Tranquility & Wildlife: A Classic Karoo Package
Tranquility & Wildlife: A Classic Karoo Package The Karoo is calling you… Be among the first to book the brand new Classic Karoo Package, an exclusive collaboration where guests are invited to experience the best of our country’s timeless heartland – from the old-world elegance of Drostdy Hotel in Graaff-Reinet to the untamed wilderness of Samara Karoo Reserve in the Great Karoo. Whether you’re drawn in by history, captivated by wildlife, or are simply seeking serenity, this offering promises an array of enriching experiences to fill your cup. Let’s take a closer look at the details together. What does this package entail? By purchasing this package, you will save 20% on 5 nights’ accommodation in the Karoo; 2 nights at Drostdy Hotel and 3 nights at Samara Karoo Reserve. Samara Karoo Reserve: 3 nights’ accommodation in a Karoo Suite at Karoo Lodge Private Samara signature wilderness picnic On-foot cheetah tracking Spekboom planting experience Drostdy Hotel: 2 nights’ accommodation in an Executive Room or higher room category Dinner for 2 on one of the evenings at De Camdeboo Restaurant Wine tasting for 2 at De Camdeboo Wijnkamer Couples’ massage at Africology Spa, plus use of the Himalayan Salt Sauna Note: South African Resident Rates are available. A road transfer between the two properties can also be arranged at an additional fee. (The driving time is approximately 45 minutes.) T’s and C’s apply. Unveiling Graaff-Reinet: The Jewel of the Karoo Now that you have the “what” of it, let’s explore the “why,” starting with our beloved town of Graaff-Reinet. Graaff-Reinet, South Africa’s fourth oldest magisterial district, is a town of picturesque streets and warm-hearted locals. Dating back to 1804, Drostdy Hotel stands as a testament to Graaff-Reinet’s rich history and offers 48 impeccably furnished rooms, each a blend of comfort and classic elegance. Make the most of your stay by enjoying our region’s famous hearty cuisine at De Camdeboo Restaurant or by booking a rejuvenating treatment at the Africology Spa. You’ll also find that our hotel is perfectly located for exploring Graaff-Reinet on foot. Explore the town’s myriad museums, quaint shops, charming eateries, art galleries and historical sites – each offering a glimpse into the hospitality and heritage of the Karoo. Into the Wilderness: Samara Karoo Reserve After two nights of indulgence at Drostdy Hotel, your journey continues into the rugged beauty of the hinterland at Samara Karoo Reserve, a mere 45-minute drive away. (If you’d like us to organise the transfer on your behalf, simply let us know and we’d be delighted to help.) Here you will experience the open country of the Karoo stretching towards the horizon in uninterrupted plains broken up by rocky outcrops and ancient camel thorn trees. Samara Karoo Reserve is not just a destination; it’s a conservation success story with incredible heart. Established in 1997, Samara has led efforts to reintroduce wildlife to this semi-arid but incredibly diverse landscape. Today, over 60 mammal species reside on the reserve, including the majestic lion, graceful cheetah, towering elephant and gentle giraffe. Just imagine – an effort that has reintroduced the Big Five to the Karoo! At Samara your days will be filled with exhilarating game drives, guided bush walks and immersive conservation activities like spekboom-planting. The overall experience offers guests a deeper understanding of the delicate balance between man and nature. Samara Karoo Lodge Image Credits: Instagram | honestwork_maike Book Your Journey Today Whether you seek a romantic getaway, a family adventure or a solo retreat, the Classic Karoo Package promises an unforgettable experience designed to showcase the very best of what our region has to offer. From the quaint streets of Graaff-Reinet and the historic atmosphere of our ‘Grande Dame’, to the vast open spaces of the veld and the extraordinary wildlife experiences cultivated by Samara Karoo Reserve, we hope you’ll agree that this package is unique among hospitality offerings in South Africa. To learn more, or to book your escape, simply email our friendly team at reservations@drostdy.co.za. Alternatively, fill out our online enquiry form and get ready for an authentic, Karoo-inspired vacation to cherish forever. We can’t wait to share in this experience with you!