The Royal Hotel Pilgrims Rest

Name: The Royal Hotel Pilgrims Rest
Address: Main Road, Pilgrimʼs Rest, za

Location: Main Road, Pilgrimʼs Rest, za

Star Rating: 3 Stars

Property Type: Hotels

About this Property

Victorian Style Complex and Spacious Garden
Experience a touch of Victorian elegance at The Royal Hotel Pilgrims Rest, set in a complex of 10 annexes surrounded by a spacious garden. Each room features late Victorian decor and some even offer a private patio or balcony for a charming stay.

Delicious Breakfast and South African Cuisine
Start your day right with a scrumptious breakfast served daily in the breakfast room, offering a variety of hot beverages, sweet pastries, and savoury snacks. Indulge in authentic South African cuisine at The Peachtree & Diggers Restaurant for a memorable dining experience.

Convenient Location for Sightseeing
Conveniently located just 2.5 km from Pilgrimsrest, The Royal Hotel is the perfect base for exploring nearby attractions such as the Mac-Mac Falls and God’s Window. Book your stay now and immerse yourself in luxury and history.

Important Information

Please inform The Royal Hotel Pilgrims Rest in advance of your expected arrival time. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly with the contact details provided in your confirmation. Payment before arrival via bank transfer is required. The property will contact you after you book to provide instructions.

Policies

Check-in: 02:00 PM - 12:00 AM

Check-out: 10:30 AM

Amenities & Facilities

Offsite parking discounted rates available
Guest education on local ecosystems and culture
Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Restaurant
Terrace
Family rooms
BBQ facilities
Luggage storage
Safety deposit box
Fax/photocopying
Tour desk
Facilities for disabled guests
Ironing service
Car hire
Packed lunches
Chapel/shrine
Non-smoking throughout
Private check-in/check-out
Shared lounge/TV area
Board games/puzzles
Shuttle service (additional charge)
Wheelchair accessible
Kid meals
Shared kitchen
Evening entertainment
Entertainment staff
Outdoor furniture
Coffee Shop on site
Visual aids: Braille
Staff adhere to local safety protocols
Guest rooms disinfected between stays
Cleaning standards that are effective against Coronavirus
Physical distancing rules followed
Hand sanitizer in guest room and key areas
Cashless payment available
Fire extinguishers
First aid kit available
Sanitized tableware & silverware
Contactless check-in/check-out
Invoice provided
Guests can opt-out any cleaning services during stay
Guest room sealed after cleaning
Property cleaned by professional cleaning companies
Physical distancing in dining areas
Key access
Process in place to check health of guests
Access to health care professionals
Screens / Barriers between staff and guests for safety
24-hour security
Delivered food - securely covered
Thermometers for guests provided by property
Pub crawls
Happy hour
Supervised childcare/activities
Television in common areas
Front desk (limited hours)
Free wired internet
Snack bar/deli
Golfing on site
Self parking (surcharge)
Beach umbrellas
Offsite parking discounted rates available
Internet access
Games
Housekeeping on request
Private picnics
Wine release events
Reception hall
Japanese garden
Secured parking
Fishing nearby
Bicycle-friendly property
Charcoal grill
Guest education on local ecosystems and culture
Vegetarian menu options available
Bulk dispenser for toiletries
Accessible shuttle
No accessible shuttle

Rooms Available

House (Bank B2)

1 Double Bed
Relax - Fireplace
Food & Drink - Coffee/tea maker
Bathroom - Private bathroom, bathtub, free toiletries, and towels
Practical - Safe and wardrobe or closet; cribs (free) available on request
Comfort - Daily housekeeping, heating, and ceiling fan
Non-Smoking

Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- Safety deposit box
- Private bathroom
- Heating
- Fireplace
- Wardrobe or closet
- Daily housekeeping
- Ceiling fan
- Free cribs/infant beds
Royal Cottage

1 Double Bed and 1 Twin Bed
Layout - Separate sitting area
Food & Drink - Coffee/tea maker
Bathroom - Private bathroom, bathtub, free toiletries, and towels
Practical - Safe and wardrobe or closet; cribs (free) available on request
Comfort - Daily housekeeping, heating, and ceiling fan
Non-Smoking

Max Occupancy: 4 (4 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- Safety deposit box
- Private bathroom
- Heating
- Wardrobe or closet
- Daily housekeeping
- Ceiling fan
- Separate sitting area
- Free cribs/infant beds
House (Bank B3)

2 Twin Beds
Food & Drink - Coffee/tea maker
Bathroom - Private bathroom, bathtub, free toiletries, and towels
Practical - Safe and wardrobe or closet; cribs (free) available on request
Comfort - Daily housekeeping, heating, and ceiling fan
Non-Smoking

Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- Safety deposit box
- Private bathroom
- Heating
- Wardrobe or closet
- Daily housekeeping
- Ceiling fan
- Free cribs/infant beds
House (Bank B1)

1 Double Bed
Layout - Separate sitting area
Food & Drink - Coffee/tea maker
Bathroom - Private bathroom, bathtub, free toiletries, and towels
Practical - Safe and wardrobe or closet; cribs (free) available on request
Comfort - Daily housekeeping, heating, and ceiling fan
Non-Smoking

Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- Safety deposit box
- Private bathroom
- Heating
- Wardrobe or closet
- Daily housekeeping
- Ceiling fan
- Separate sitting area
- Free cribs/infant beds
Twin/Double Room

This cottage with terrace with mountain views has a late Victorian decor, parquet floors and a private bathroom with a bath.

Max Occupancy: 4 (4 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- Desk
- Fan
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Sofa
- Wardrobe or closet
- Additional bathroom
Double Room

This double room with patio has a late Victorian decor, parquet floors and a private bathroom with a bath.

Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- Safety deposit box
- Desk
- Fan
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Wardrobe or closet
- Linen
Twin Room

This twin room with patio has a late Victorian decor, parquet floors and a private bathroom with a bath.

Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- Fan
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Wardrobe or closet
- Linen
Suite

This suite room has a late Victorian decor, parquet floors and a private bathroom with a bath.

Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- Seating Area
- Fan
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Wardrobe or closet
- Linen
Suite

This suite room with fireplace has a late Victorian decor, parquet floors and a private bathroom with a bath.

Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- Fan
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Fireplace
- Private entrance
- Sofa
- Wardrobe or closet
- Linen
Twin Room

This twin room has a late Victorian decor, parquet floors and a private bathroom with a bath.

Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- Fan
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Private entrance
- Wardrobe or closet
- Linen
Double Room

This double room has a late Victorian decor, parquet floors and a private bathroom with a bath.

Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- Fan
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Private entrance
- Wardrobe or closet
- Linen
Twin Room

This twin room has a late Victorian decor, parquet floors and a private bathroom with a bath.

Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- Fan
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Private entrance
- Wardrobe or closet
- Linen
Twin Room

This twin room has a late Victorian decor, parquet floors and a private bathroom with a bath.

Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- Fan
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Private entrance
- Wardrobe or closet
- Linen
Double Room

This double room has a late Victorian decor, parquet floors and a private bathroom with a bath.

Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- Fan
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Wardrobe or closet
- Linen

Guest Reviews

Verified traveler (2/5): Closed for refurbishment!! - Your response is unacceptable. The Royal Hotel was closed for refurbishment at the time of my booking — a fact that should have been known to Hotels.com before confirming any reservations. It is embarrassing that such a booking was confirmed in the first place, and the stress caused is entirely due to your company’s failure to ensure the property was operational. I will be taking this matter up with my travel insurance provider and expect Hotels.com to review its internal processes to prevent this from happening to other customers.
Marie (10/5): Jolie étape - Ancien hôtel plein de charme. Personel efficace et à l'ecoute.
Berit (8/5): Historisk stad i område med mer sevärd natur. - Anlände dit från Johannesburg via långa sträckor med pågående vägarbeten. Dåligt utmärkta vägar men m gps lyckades det försås. Staden liten, lugn och gammaldags, hotellet likaså. Finns ej mycket annat intressant att se än byggnaderna från guldruschtiden. Närheten till Blyde river canyon osv motiverar den lilla omvägen till Pilgrim,s rest
E (10/5): Highly recommended - Lovely accommodation, room nicely appointed and comfortable!
Nick (8/5): - Great historic location with real character, hotel needs some TLC
Wil (8/5): Hôtel très correct pour une nuit - Lieu atypique (ancien village de mineurs) Hôtel conservé comme en 1920, propre Personnel accueillant, nous avons même eu chacun une boîte bien remplie pour le petit déjeuner que nous ne pouvions prendre sur place car nous reprenions la route à 6h00 Très bon rapport qualité prix Arrêt recommandé à cet endroit Restauration possible pour le dîner en réservant
Anna (10/5): Lovely place! - We stayed in one of the cottages across the street and it was a delight!
Mitja (8/5): Wie in Goldgräber-Zeiten - Ort und Hotel bieten sich an für einen Zwischenstop zwischen Jo'burg und Krüger Park. Vom Airport ca. 4,5 Stunden Fahrtzeit, bis Krüger via Panorama Road mit Fotostops nochmals ca. 5,5 Stunden. Das Hotel vermittelt wunderbar die alte Goldgräber-Atmosphäre, sehr stimmungsvoll sind die Details wie Kerzen.
Verified traveler (8/5): Great place to visit!! - We were not sure what to expect, but it is a great little place to spend a night.
Dianne (10/5): A haven in Pilgrim's Rest - To put this review in context, I lived in Pilgrims Rest for a couple of months in 1979 and have returned for holidays many times since. The village has had negative reviews over the last couple of years so I was very pleasantly surprised. The Royal Hotel is just as it has always been and staying the Royal Cottage was great, it made me want to live there again! The cottage has two bedrooms, a lounge and a bathroom with an authentic ball-and-claw bath; its own private garden with wrap around decks and awesome views. There's safe parking in a field at the gate and the hotel gives you a notice to put on your dashboard so that you don't get an unsolicited car wash. The staff were friendly, efficient, informative and professional. Free wifi is available in the hotel lounge (again, decked out in period furniture and just as I remembered it) and the complimentary breakfast really good. Negatives - which are not the hotel's fault - include being hassled to buy souvenirs by street vendors, have your car washed etc. so that you don't feel comfortable to walk around too much. The Royal Cottage is a haven, apart from the odd tourist wondering in to take photos! Just remember to lock your doors and close your windows when you do go out - there really are monkeys around (see my photos).
David (4/5): Beware of the car wash thieves - Be very careful when you book the Royal Hotel as we were sent up the street to the Annex or Pilgrims Hotel...not at all what we booked for. Really disappointing from my last visit to this place.
Alice (6/5): Séjour court mais agréable - Nous avons passé la nuit dans cet hôtel un peu par hasard puisque c'est Expedia qui nous y a relogés suite à un souci de réservation dans l'hôtel initialement prévu sur Graskop. Mais pour autant, nous n'avons pas été déçus. Le style de l'hôtel vaut franchement le détour, on se croit plus dans une maison de style colonial anglais que dans un hôtel sud-africain ! Il ne manque plus que les chercheurs d'or. Malgré une déco un peu désuette, la chambre était spacieuse, la literie confortable. Seul petit hic, la baignoire dans la salle de bain, sans rideau de douche et donc avec risque de mettre de l'eau partout... Le gros plus de cet hôtel est le petit-déjeuner : plusieurs buffets remplis de bonnes choses, diverses et variées, salées et sucrées ! On a mangé comme des rois et pris l'énergie nécessaire pour affronter la grosse journée qui nous attendait. En bref, un bonne expérience au Royal Hotel de Pilgrims Rest !
Zelda (6/5): Old world charm - old world hotel but very quaint.
Christopher (6/5): I am sure it was good once. - Stayed one night. Saw reviews but took a chance. Unfortunately they were correct. We had dinner (nowhere else to eat in PR) and breakfast. Both were cold, and poor quality. The highlight of the evening was the arrival of the kitchen staff, who imposed themselves on the 18 guests by singing (poorly and in an unco-ordinanted manner), and then demanding money by putting a basket on the table. Unwanted and embarrassing. Service was indifferent, especially breakfast, as staff were outside sunning themselves, with little interest in ensuring service. The bar should have been good (old church imported from Delagoa Bay, signs and scribbles from previous patrons etc), however some patrons smoked, and the barman made no effort to ask them to go outside. We went to the lounge, and witnessed the spectacle of the fire being lit. This involved lighting a cardboard box, putting burning gel on, and some thick logs. This went out in five minutes, and despite our efforts could not be relit. No further attention was given by the staff to reignite it. Management needs to take control, and get effective, well trained staff before this interesting piece of history goes down the pan for want of neglect. On the plus side, the rooms were good, fitted out with old furniture, plenty of hot water, and an excellent old bath. We all slept well in very comfortable beds. Won't be going back.
Felix (4/5): - Food was cold- supper as well as breakfast. Will not stay in this venue again.
burton k (8/5): Great Ambiance and Value! - This was my second time to stay at the Royal Hotel in the past couple of years. It's a great place to stopover for the night from Johannesburg to Kruger National Park. I would describe the property as a bit "rustic" in the good sense of the word. It has the feel of steeping back in time. There is a large lounge and dinning room. The bedrooms are very clean and comfortable. There was a great variety of menu items at breakfast which is provided with your stay. There was an entertaining troupe of Vervet Monkeys all over the road in the morning. The Royal Hotel is a great launching pad for enjoying the Blyde River Canyon, God's Window, and Kruger National Park!
Andrew (8/5): Pleased in Pilgrim's - We enjoyed our stay. The room was clean and comfortable, the bath was tremendous! The décor was quaint and it was enjoyable to stay in a national monument. The staff at reception were friendly and welcoming, other staff could have been a bit zippier, but not a major issue.
tasneem (8/5): Quaint, rustic gem - Lovely, rustic place. Great service and unexpected comfort in the middle of nowhere.
charlene (8/5): Perfect stay - It was very relaxing and we enjoyed every moment.
charlene (8/5): enjoy - Enjoyed it allot.
dan (8/5): Pilgrims Rest July 2015 - Staff were friendly and welcoming. It was a new experience to stay in a village where almost everything is maintained as it was 100 years ago. To stay in the former bank managers residence, with period furnishings was delightful.