What’s New at Drostdy Hotel this Spring?
Winter has come and gone, and we’ve been busy putting together new experiences for you in time for spring! As the days get longer and our beloved jacarandas dust the roads in purple blossoms, there is an energy to this time of year that is contagious! It calls us all outside – to the pool, the garden and the parks. Luckily, Graaff-Reinet has plenty of nature to go around, and Drostdy Hotel is perfectly positioned to place you at the heart of all this season has to offer. Including the many treats that await you inside our historic walls. If your last visit to Drostdy Hotel feels like a while ago, this is your sign to book a return trip. A Tasting Experience Designed for the Little Ones We are excited to present our brand new Kids Tasting Experiences this season – and judging by their reactions so far, the little ones are excited too. Three themed tastings, each designed to make dining at Drostdy Hotel a proper event for younger guests. The Summer Tasting (R140) brings biscuits, milkshakes and lawn games. The Luxury Tasting (R160) steps it up with mini pizza, hot chocolate and face painting. The Karoo Tasting (R175) goes full Karoo with kudu strips, a Wagyu burger and a colouring book to take home with you. For families looking for things to do in Graaff-Reinet with children, this one is worth booking. Find out more here. Lunch by the Pool: The Poolside Menu at De Camdeboo Nothing says spring time like lunch by the pool. We are always updating our poolside offerings, and this season’s menu is made up of light, easy bites designed to tide you over between breakfast and dinner – without having to give up your lounger or put down your book. And then there are the cocktails. From spritzes to sangrias, order a round for yourself and your friends! Platters and refreshments are available outside too, which means a full, lazy afternoon by the pool is yours to enjoy. Something Unexpected: The Rocco Torro Agave Tasting Not many hotels can say that a world-class agave spirit is made right on their doorstep. We can. Rocco Torro is a 100% premium agave distillery based in Graaff-Reinet, and this spring we are hosting an in-hotel tasting experience. Three expressions – a Blanco, a Reposado aged in French Oak, and a Reposado aged in American Oak – each poured in order and all accompanied by a small food pairing plate to keep things interesting between sips. This is a proper, considered tasting, not a party trick. If you have ever wanted to understand what makes a great agave spirit, this is a great place to start! The De Camdeboo Wijnkamer: Now Online If you have ever left Drostdy Hotel wishing you had bought another bottle from the Wijnkamer, we have good news. The De Camdeboo Wijnkamer is now online at wine.drostdy.co.za, the same curated selection of South Africa’s finest wines, including bottles from the Rupert family estates, available to browse and order from wherever you are. For guests staying with us, the online shop is a natural extension of the in-person tasting experience. For everyone else, it is a direct line to one of the Karoo’s best-stocked wine collections without leaving the couch. Subscribe for 10% off your first order. Africology Spa: Treatments for Spring After a long winter, your skin deserves a little attention. Our onsite Africology Spa is built around South Africa’s leading natural skincare brand, using indigenous ingredients like Rooibos, Aloe Ferox, Marula and African Potato. Three treatments we think are particularly well-suited to spring: The Rose Quartz Facial (R1100 | 1 hour) is for anyone whose skin has had enough of winter. Rose quartz, Africology’s award-winning rose serum, and a bit of time is all it takes to get your glow back. The Full Body Polish (R650 | 45 minutes) is spring cleaning for your skin. A full body exfoliation that leaves you feeling lighter and brighter. A great starting point, or pair it with a massage and make an afternoon of it. The Signature Soul of the Karoo Experience (R1 690 | 90 minutes) is our favourite on the menu and the one most worth travelling for. A back exfoliation, heated aromatic mud, and a full body massage – named for this landscape, and true to it. All of the above can be paired with time spent in our Himalayan Salt Sauna, either before or after your treatment, as a complimentary extra. You do not need to be staying with us to book a treatment. Send an email to africology@drostdy.co.za or browse the full spa menu here. Plan Your Spring Visit If any of the above has caught your attention, our reservations team would be glad to help you put something together. Whether you are planning a full stay or just coming in for a tasting or a treatment, Graaff-Reinet in spring is worth the trip. Get in touch at reservations@drostdy.co.za or browse our rooms and packages here. We look forward to welcoming you to Graaff-Reinet this season! FAQs 1. What is there to do in Graaff-Reinet in spring? Graaff-Reinet comes into its own in spring. The jacarandas are in bloom, the days are warm, and the Camdeboo National Park is at its most active for game viewing. At Drostdy Hotel specifically, spring brings a poolside lunch menu, kids’ tasting experiences, a Rocco Torro agave tasting, Africology Spa treatments, and the De Camdeboo Wijnkamer’s online wine shop. The Valley of Desolation, the town’s museums and galleries, and the surrounding Karoo landscape are all on the doorstep. 2. Is Drostdy Hotel suitable for families with young children? Yes, very much so. The hotel has wide lawns, a pool, and room service. This spring, we have introduced three themed Kids Tasting Experiences — the Summer, Luxury and Karoo tastings — each designed to keep younger guests entertained with child-friendly food, drinks and activities including face painting, puzzle building and lawn games. The
Karoo Getaways: Embrace Wellness at Drostdy Hotel
Wellness: (Noun) The state of being in good health, especially as an actively pursued goal. As we settle into the new year, there’s no better time to reset, recharge and embrace the serenity of a slower pace of life. Overall, we like to think of this pursuit as ‘wellness’ – something that is simultaneously practiced and pursued. Nestled in the heart of the Eastern Cape, Graaff-Reinet offers the perfect backdrop for this kind of rejuvenation. From the clean, crisp air of the Karoo to indulgent spa treatments and nourishing local cuisine, a stay at Drostdy Hotel promises an escape into a world where time slows down, allowing you to truly reconnect with yourself and the natural beauty around you. Let’s explore your wellness Karoo getaway together! The Gift Of Clean Karoo Air One of the most immediate benefits of a visit to Graaff-Reinet is the crisp, clean Karoo air. Back in the day, this arid region with its dry air was often the chosen destination for those recovering from chest illnesses in need of a place to convalesce. Furthermore, the vastness of the Karoo sky and its expansive horizons, unmarred by any man-made structures – save for the odd windmill – allows for deep breaths and mental clarity. Breathing in the purity of the Karoo air and allowing your eyes to train themselves on the distant horizon is not just refreshing; it’s healing. A walk through the quaint streets of Graaff-Reinet or a peaceful moment spent in our hotel’s beautifully kept gardens provides the perfect opportunity to slow down and pay attention to your own well-deserved relaxation. A Slower Pace, A Calmer Mind In today’s fast-paced world, slowing down can feel like a luxury. At Drostdy Hotel, however, embracing a more peaceful rhythm is an intrinsic part of the experience we aim to offer our guests. Graaff-Reinet, with its historic charm and natural beauty, invites you to take your time, whether you’re sipping on a cup of coffee in a cool and tranquil courtyard, enjoying a peaceful sunset or taking a leisurely stroll to view our little town’s historic landmarks. This slower pace allows time to savour life’s simple pleasures – like the smile of a stranger or a beautiful window display – that often go unnoticed in the hustle and bustle of daily life. Food To Nourish The Body & Soul In keeping with our ethos of authentic, intentional living, the meals we serve at Drostdy Hotel’s De Camdeboo Restaurant are the opposite of ‘fast food’. Start your day with a nourishing breakfast, where fresh fruit, yogurt and artisanal bread provide the perfect fuel for a day of exploration. Lunch and dinner options range from light and healthy to indulgent, yet balanced, with dishes like Karoo lamb and seasonal vegetables. After dinner, why not treat yourself to a traditional South African dessert like malva pudding or milk tart? Traditional Karoo cooking is all about using seasonal ingredients and preparing them with love over time. It’s then that you get lamb that falls off the bone and rich stews imbued with deep and rich flavour. With an emphasis on wholesome, tasty meals, dining at Drostdy Hotel is an integral part of the wellness experience during your Karoo getaway. If you’d like to sample the finest Karoo ingredients in one dining experience, De Camdeboo Restaurant has put together a 3-course Taste of the Karoo Menu precisely for that purpose! Deep Rest & Rejuvenation Sleep is, in our humble opinion, one of the most underrated pillars of health. A good night’s rest is essential to feeling your best and here at the Drostdy Hotel, we offer a tranquil environment to facilitate exactly that. Whether you’re staying in a standard room or a more spacious suite, every corner of the hotel is designed with your comfort in mind. The sound of birds chirping in the morning and the soft whisper of the wind through the trees encourages a natural rhythm that is far removed from the demands of modern life. With us, we hope you’ll enjoy a deep, restorative rest that leaves you feeling refreshed and ready to take on the world with a renewed sense of energy. Soothing Spa Treatments What better way to complement the healing power of the Karoo air and the calming atmosphere of Drostdy Hotel than with a luxurious treatment at our Africology Spa? Imagine sinking into a deep tissue massage that eases the tension from months of working full-tilt, or enjoying a calming aromatherapy treatment that transports you to a place of complete relaxation. Our menu of treatments can be tailored to your individual needs, ensuring that each experience leaves you feeling revitalised and deeply at peace. We also invite guests to make use of our sauna, either after your treatment or as a relaxing way to unwind on its own! Saunas are known to promote relaxation, improve circulation, detoxify the body and boost skin health. View our full spa wellness menu here. Experience The Karoo Landscape The beauty of the Karoo is to be experienced up close, just as it is to be admired from afar. The landscape, with its rugged mountains, sweeping plains, and unique flora and fauna, offers a profound sense of connection to nature. One of the best places to experience the diversity of the Karoo’s beauty is in the Sanparks-run Camdeboo National Park, the entrance gate to which is a short 4,2 km drive away from our hotel. We highly recommend driving to the Valley of Desolation once in the park, which is at the highest point of the mountain. (Just ask the guard at the gate to point you in the right direction.) Park your car and make the short 5 – 10 minute walk to the viewpoint overlooking the plains. It truly is breathtaking – especially at sunset. If you’d like to prolong the moment, pack a picnic to take with you or carry along a flask of coffee. You’ll be glad you did when you’re sitting there, with