The Champagne Castle Hotel and Resort is located in the central Drakensberg. It is nestled below the third highest peak in South Africa, Champagne Castle, which at 3377 m is part of the main escarpment within the Drakensberg mountain range, the highest mountain range in South Africa. Due to its diversity of plant, bird and insect life and the richest collection of sand rock paintings in Africa it has been declared a Mixed World heritage site.

Whilst, in its own charm, luxurious, we wouldn’t necessarily declare the resort luxury. However, of the choices faced in this region, it ranks as one of the best. There are daily guided hikes, a spa/wellness center, fishing, horse riding, tennis courts, veranda, and pool, and various activities in the pub on Friday and Saturday evenings.

The resort has various accommodation options: Deluxe Mountain View, Deluxe Mountain, Facing, various family rooms, a standard garden room, as well as self catering chalets.  Having stayed previously we chose Deluxe Mountain Facing, as it’s in the front row with unobstructed views of the mountains.

Rooms are well equipped, but are not air-conditioned. However, each has an expensive thatch roof, which provides great insulation. Readers should note that whilst there is Wi-Fi in the main buildings, there is none in the rooms, which helps guests to detach and fully relax.

All room rates are inclusive of accommodation, breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as morning and afternoon tea. Meals are hearty and prepared and served by attentive and friendly staff.

Since the hotel has no room service, it is ranked as four-star, perfect for families, but equally good for a couples retreat. It’s an easy three hour drive  from Durban on tolled highways. Non-South African residents should note that toll booths do not accept foreign credit cards, so make sure you have enough local cash to pay for tolls before you depart.