Incredible Mpumalanga is the parent Province to Graskop and its superb accommodation. Mpumalanga means ‘where the sun rises,’ and Graskop finds itself in its central Panorama tourist region.

Graskop is a small forestry town on the edge of the Drakensberg escarpment and because of its location, Graskop is a captivating town. It is a neighbour to several local (and internationally recognised) attractions such as God’s Window, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, the Blyde River Canyon, and Three Rondawels.

Waterfalls such as the Lisbon Falls, the Berlyn Falls, and the Mac Mac Falls elevate the area to extraordinary heights of beauty.

Credit: Sun Safaris

Visitors to the area will also get a glimpse of the historic mining town of Pilgrim’s Rest, a tiny forestry town called Sabie, the Lowveld, and the Kruger National Park in the east.

What gives Graskop its mystical allure is its positioning at an altitude of 1,400 m above sea level. It has a moderate climate with high rainfall and is often misty in the summer months. The small town is known for its delectable pancakes and handmade trinkets.

The Best of Graskop Accommodation

As mentioned earlier, Graskop is ideally located amid the most spectacular scenery on the continent; the setting is luxurious enough on its own. Because of this, Graskop receives many tourists and native hosts have perfected the practice of hospitality. In this article, we will review the main types of accommodation to be found in Graskop as well as elaborate on ten of the best ones. The accommodation types to be discussed are Hotels, Bed & Breakfasts, and Lodges.

The difference between these types of lodging is the leisure they provide. If leisure were to be measured on a scale between zero and ten (ten being I’ve had a long year so I deserve all the sleep I can get), these property categories would range as follows:

Hotels

Since hotels are oriented around service, they get a leisure score of ten. Hotels guests have greater access to staff and can therefore enjoy room service and have many of their meets met readily.

Bed & Breakfasts

Bed & breakfasts earn themselves a leisure score of eight because they do not need to worry about their morning meals.

Lodges

Guests at a lodge must be self-sufficient and depending on the venue, will have the least amount of staff interaction. But they are allocated a leisure score of seven because their facilities and locations are, for the most part, incredible.

The properties chosen for this article are listed below. It was not difficult to put the list together because the magnificence of these venues speaks volumes. Read on to see what we mean…

Hotels

• Graskop Hotel
• Hoyohoyo Angels View Graskop

Lodges

• Crystal Springs Mountain Lodge
• Blue Mountain Luxury Lodge
• Tanamera Lodge
• Timamoon Lodge
• Dar Amane Guest Lodge

Bed & Breakfasts

• Westlodge at Graskop Bed & Breakfast
• Mosswood Bed & Breakfast
• Quaint Luxury Villas

For more of the legendary Mpumalanga, visit our post on Dullstroom here

Hotels

Graskop Hotel

The Graskop Hotel is a passionate refurbishment of a 70’s style property that existed in its place. It is now a quirky and interesting boutique art hotel offering luxurious accommodation in a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere. The structure has 37 en-suite bedrooms which have been divided into three categories: Artist Rooms, Garden Rooms, and Other Rooms. There are 22 upstairs units, 19 of which have been decorated by various contemporary South African artists (and named accordingly). The 15 garden suites each have a patio overlooking the lovely gardens. Unconventional art pieces are littered around the property.

Guests have the option of either twin or double bedrooms. There are also some family rooms. Per-person sharing prices begin from R900 a night.

Each room has the following facilities:

• Satellite TV
• Wi-Fi
• Bathroom
• Iron and board
• Lounge
• Lunch
• Patio
• Safe
• Shower

And outside amenities include:

• A Beach
• Parking on the premises
• 24hr Security
• A Bar/Lounge

Breakfast is included in the room rate and consists of a generous spread of cold and hot dishes to order. Dinner is from a daily set menu and includes three courses of delicious home-style food. The hotel straddles the renowned Panorama Route of the Kruger-Lowveld area.

Location:

The Graskop Hotel is 40 minutes away from the Blyde River Canyon, 7 kilometres from God’s window. The Phabeni gate to the Kruger National Park is a 45 min drive away.

Hoyohoyo Angels View Graskop

Hotel:

Hoyohoyo Angels View Graskop welcomes its guests to the experience of a 5-star hotel and self-catering accommodation. The property promises a lifestyle of luxurious leisure. Angels View lies on the breathtaking God’s Window escarpment; therefore, it has majestic views and inescapable tranquility. This destination establishment holds an array of accommodation selections including:

• Twelve Superior view-side and Classic Boutique Hotel Rooms.
• Four Superior Classic Suites including a superb Bridal/Honeymoon Suite.
• Ten luxury view-side “Grotto” earth units – these units are self-catering with optional in-room butler dining. The grotto units are architecturally unique because they have domed roofs and rammed earth walls reminiscent of the building style of Timbuktu. This architectural design ensures that the rooms are always cool in the summer. Our grotto units have phenomenal and grandiose panoramic views with outside showers and terraces. One of the units is wheelchair accessible with modern fixtures that ensure a comfortable stay for patrons living with disabilities.
• One fully furnished four-bedroomed family Villa unit affectionately referred to as “Khoza House”. The unit is ideal for family vacation use with en-suite bathrooms, an exclusive parking area, private access, unmatched panoramic views, and a private braai area. Khoza House has a spacious kitchen, lounge & dining areas well suited for self-catering for a group of up to 8 guests.
• Two one-bedroom semi-detached units; each unit incorporates a private patio, braai area, secure parking, private access, and a kitchenette for single or sharing options.

All the hotel’s guests have easy access to the hotel dining area, pool area, pool bar area, relaxation lounge, library lounge area, and outside dining at the hotel restaurant. Wi-Fi is accessible throughout the establishment. The private dining room for intimate dining and private functions for no more than 12 guests is also an available feature.

For the dining pleasure of guests and their small gatherings, or even a romantic lunch, outside dining is available at Mumsy’s Restaurant with its authentic African decor and striking “Xibelani” lights.

Angels View Graskop is the ideal location for a myriad of events. It has the mythical Evelyn’s Chapel and a glass marquee that can accommodate up to 400 guests and has an extended viewing deck. The venue is set up with the necessary facilities for conferences, anniversaries, birthdays, matric dances, or any other special functions.

The hotel’s conferencing amenities can host up to 500 guests with access to a large outside wooden deck for additional space. The conferencing space also has two adjacent breakaway rooms that seats up to 20 guests each.

Location:

The property has a full landing strip courtesy of the adjacent Graskop Airfield, part of the Ehlanzeni District of Mpumalanga, which makes all the difference upon arrival.

Angels View is surrounded by the Mpumalanga’s major places of interest like God’s Window, Graskop Gorge, Blyde River Canyon, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, Pilgrim’s Rest, and the Kruger National Park.

Bed & Breakfasts

Westlodge at Graskop Bed & Breakfast

Bed & Breakfast:

Westlodge is a 4-star Victorian house along the Panorama Route, with a beautiful rose garden. It has four accommodation options:

Garden Suites

The two comfortable Garden Suites are situated in a detached wing of the property. The bedrooms face north and overlook the rose garden.

First Floor Bedrooms

These are two, luxury, en-suite bedrooms situated on the first floor of the main house. Both face east, looking out onto the escarpment with Fairyland Rain Forest to the northeast. They share a private lounge, furnished in cane, which opens onto a balcony.

Rozen Luxury Bedroom

The Rozen is situated on the ground floor, at the end of a private balcony, and has an additional private entrance. The room has a king-sized bed, a Victorian cast iron bath, a separate shower, two vanity hand basins, and a separate bidet. The lounge area has a satellite TV and hospitality tray. The room is also equipped with an oil heater, fan, mini-bar, and an installed electric blanket.

The Martin Bedroom

The Martin is a ground-floor room in the building’s north wing. It is an en-suite lodging with an extra-length, queen-sized bed, a hospitality tray, a mini-bar, and a satellite TV. The bathroom comprises a shower only, a hand basin, and a bidet. Additionally, the bedroom is equipped with an electric heater, fan, mini-bar, and an installed electric blanket.

Location:

This bed & breakfast is perfectly located along the Panorama route, close to:

• Lisbon Falls (6km)
• Gods Window (12km)
• Berlin Falls (12km)
• Bourke’s Luck Potholes (38km)
• Blyde River Canyon and The Three Rondavels (58km)
• Sabie Waterfalls (28km)
• Pilgrim’s Rest (18km)

Westlodge is also less than an hour’s drive from the Kruger National Park.

Activities in and around the place include unrivaled hiking and mountain biking trails, trout fishing, The Big Swing (a very long cliff jump), and a 9-hole golf course at Pilgrim’s Rest.  Hazeyview is just 38km from Graskop where guests can find many other activities such as horse riding and The Elephant Sanctuary.

Mosswood Bed & Breakfast

Bed & Breakfast:

Mosswood Bed & Breakfast offers modern, country-style accommodation. The property combines modern conveniences with heartfelt country living for the leisure of guests. This inviting establishment is a quiet sanctuary on the outskirts of a village. The house boasts such a clear perspective of the escarpment that guests feel that they are on nature’s doorstep.

The guest house has Queen Suites with queen beds and a garden view looking out over a quiet neighbourhood in the village. It also has a Twin Suite with two ¾ beds that have a garden view.

Location:

The B&B gives outstanding oversight of the high plateau grasslands that stretch out for miles. The escarpment stretches from the Blyde River Canyon to Sabie, forming a boundary between the highveld plateau and the Lowveld. The Drakensberg range presides over the vast canyons, plantations, forests, rivers, waterfalls, and gorges in the surrounds.  

Quaint Luxury Villas

Bed & Breakfast:

The stunning Quaint Luxury Villas offer state-of-the-art accommodation with views of the Graskop valley and gigantic mountains. The creators of the villas were so obsessed with creating an unforgettable guest experience that they placed the bathtub right next to the windows. This allows for multi-sensory leisure.

Leon, the owner of Quaint Luxury Villas, built the little villas with his hands and Chantel personally managed the décor. They have been in the tourism business for more than five years.

In addition to glorious furnishings, guests have access to a garden, a terrace, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi.

One guest exclaimed about the villas:

Location:

The Blyde River Canyon, God’s Window, and The Kruger National Park are all just a short drive away from Quaint Luxury Villas.

Lodges

Crystal Springs Mountain Lodge

Lodge:

Crystal Springs Mountain Lodge is a 4-Star self-catering Resort that was built at the head of Robber’s Pass, on the historic old road to Pilgrim’s Rest. It has luscious gardens that spill onto an exquisite backdrop of cliffs and gorges, forests, and endless views. The Nature Reserve is inhabited by manifold birdlife and wild animals such as Zebra, Wildebeest, Giraffes, Antelope, and Leopards.

The Lodge’s architecture blends well with the natural environment and its facilities are sufficient to cater to the whole family.

Guests at Crystal Springs can choose between Club Suites, Apartments, and Lodges. The weather in the area fluctuates throughout the year and so, it is the lodge’s custom to provide guests with bundles of firewood and a pack of firelighters.

The accommodation’s amenities include:

• Club Suites where 15 – 34 persons can share the communal braai area)
• Daily Cleaning Service
• DSTV (Limited)
• Microwave
• Parking
• Safe
• Shower
• Stair Access
• Stove
• Towel Warmers

Location:

Crystal Springs is on the doorstep of Pilgrim’s Rest, the Blyde River Canyon, God’s Window, and the fascinating rock formations of the Bourke’s Luck Potholes. The Kruger National Park – home to the Big Five – is just an hour’s drive from the resort.

Blue Mountain Luxury Lodge

Lodge:

Blue Mountain Luxury Lodge is an exclusive 5-star luxury lodge settled on 200 hectares of indigenous greenery and is still a fully operational farm with macadamia nuts, bananas, litchis, and avocado orchards. The lodge is popular for its stunning accommodation, individually themed rooms, award-winning gourmet cuisine, and exceptional service. Great care has been taken by the hosts ensure that all suites are distinct; no suite is alike.  Each suite boasts of its own fireplace and en-suite bathroom. 

The Manor House is a distinguished getaway for royalty, statesmen, and celebrities (Nelson Mandela was a regular visitor). The house’s dining room has a reputation for creative cuisine, fine wines, and silver service. Meals are served beside a log fire.

There are four apartment types at the property:

Manor House (Villa)

Manor House is positioned between the lake and the native forestry of Blue Mountain Lodge. The ochre-washed Manor House is the newest addition to Blue Mountain and expresses the same attention to detail and classical interiors for which Blue Mountain Lodge is renowned. It has two suites with stone fireplaces, a sitting and dining area, marbled bathrooms, and polished Mahogany and leather-clad study.  The exterior has deep-set pillared verandas and spectacular views of the private swimming pool that cascades to the lake below. 

Ballentine (Presidential Suit)

The Ballentine suite or The Presidential Suite embodies a regal style. This suite has an imperially furnished and spacious lounge and bedroom and a private plunge pool.

Victorian

There are four Victorian suites, three with king-sized beds and one with two three-quarter beds. The furniture, the antiques an exception, has been designed by Valma Muir and custom-made for the Blue Mountain Lodge. The suites have a lounge, a bedroom, a bathroom with a freestanding slipper bath or roll-top bath, a custom shower, and a separate toilet.  Their entranceway is decorated with a sparkling fountain. Each suite is individually decorated with elegant furnishings.

Credit: Booking.com

Quadrants

The Provencal-styled Quadrants Suites are four suites established in a cobbled courtyard, with gallery bedrooms reminiscent of a castle. These duplex rooms have a lounge, bathroom with separate bath, shower, and toilet downstairs, and a gallery bedroom upstairs. The suites overlook some forestry.

The main complex comprises a reception and an elegant restaurant. The bar has a competition-size billiard table. Blue Mountain Lodge has spa facilities and guests can be treated to facials, body massages, manicures, and other treatments.

Location:

Blue Mountain Lodge is near to the Kruger National Park and other private game lodges, Blyde River Canyon, Pilgrim’s Rest, and Bourkes Luck Potholes.

There are gorgeous walking routes available on the two hundred hectares of lawns, forestry, and farmland but further walking trails are found within short driving distances along the Panorama Route. Guests can take Chauffeured or Self-Driven sightseeing trips or excursions into the Kruger National Park or private game lodges or night viewing safaris in an open vehicle with a highly trained game ranger.

Other On-Site Activities:

• Helicopter Flips
• Mountain biking

Off-Site Activities:

• Kruger Park Excursions
• Panorama Tours
• Quad Biking
• Hot Air Ballooning
• Mountain Biking
• Horse Riding
• Golfing

Tanamera Lodge

Lodge:

Tanamera is a distinctive boutique lodge providing romantic and indulgent chalet accommodations with spectacular views. Guests can revitalize themselves deep in the Lowveld Forest above the Sabie River Valley.

The seven thatched charming chalets were constructed with romance in mind, they each accept two adults and can accommodate a maximum of fourteen guests.

All chalets have:

In the bedrooms:

• A draped mosquito netting over the bed
• A king-sized bed (most chalets can be split to have two single-sized twin beds)
• A log fireplace
• An overhead fan
• An electric heater and spare winter blanket
• Tea & coffee making facility
• Small fridge with fresh milk & bottled water
• A discreet Room Safe
• A laundry bag
• Current Magazines
• Guest Directory – full of information & useful tips
• Room service

In the bathrooms:

• A lavish bath big enough for two
• A walk-in Waterfall Shower
• Large windows to see the Sabie River Valley

Credit: Africa Travel Resource

Outside:

• Private areas with a view – the River View chalets overlook the Sabie River Valley from a wooden deck
• Forest View chalet has an open spacious, private patio with a view of the distant hills.
• Unheated Plunge Pool
• Wooden loungers with cushions
• Shade Umbrella
• Table and chairs for two

Desired chalets should be booked in advance to avoid disappointment.

All the chalets have stair access and are within walking distance of the main building. Porters will assist with bringing luggage to guest chalets on arrival and departure. Honeymoon chalets are further away from the main building to allow for more solitude.

Guests can arrange for a special dinner prior to their arrival.

Location:

The Kruger National Park, Hazyview, Sabie, the Panorama Route and the Blyde River Canyon are proximate places to visit from the lodge.

Timamoon Lodge

Lodge:

As guests cross the Sabie River into the palms, bamboo, peacocks, and flawless views of Timamoon, they will sense the passion it has taken to bring together this gorgeous boutique lodge.

Timamoon is a privately-owned and family-run lodge in the Sabie Valley mountains. Its art and exotic artifacts are the Hammond family’s 30-year collection from all over the world and fill each villa with an eclectic atmosphere. The architects of the lodge have merged styles from Bali, Morocco, India, and Zanzibar with precision, enhancing the Moorish feel that is Timamoon.

All seven villas are secluded with tropical gardens, private pools, fireplaces, oversized baths, outdoor showers, and outside recliners so that guests can take in the spectacular views around the villas.

The activities at the property include:

• Intimate picnics on the banks of the Sabie River
• A 7-kilometre hiking trail
• An outdoor cinema
• Private dining upon request

Location:

Timamoon has several exciting attractions nearby, namely:

• The Kruger Park (where guests can participate in open vehicle safaris)
• The Panorama Route
• Quad Biking
• River Rafting
• Skyway Trail
• Microlight Flight (guests can fly in a single person aircraft)

Dar Amane Guest Lodge

Lodge:

Dar Amane is a guest lodge that resides high in the mountains of Mpumalanga, where on some days the landscape is drenched in clouds, and on others, visitors can be mesmerised by the sight of it. The guest lodge lies on the wonderful Panorama Route.

The structure is bordered by the serenity of a private garden with a private entrance and secure parking. It has an elegant African/Moroccan design and provides self-catering accommodation in a warm, opulent apartment with all the modern comforts for two.

Location:

Dar Amane is 14 kilometres from the historic mining town of Pilgrims Rest, 7 kilometres from Gods Window, near Mac Mac and other impressive waterfalls, and just a short drive from Bourkes Luck Potholes and the famous Blyde River Canyon.

Conclusion

It is surprising that Graskop accommodation is ever vacant; the town is heaven on earth. There is so much magic in this tiny place. It is home to humble locals, benevolent mountains, waterfalls, canyons, and amazing lookout points.

The most notable places to stay and visit in Graskop are along the exquisite Panorama Route, where all of nature meets. The area is especially pleasurable to tourists and holidaymakers who thoroughly enjoy the great outdoors. And whether it’s a hotel, bed & breakfast, or lodge, tourists to the area will only have one regret: that they did not visit sooner.

You cannot leave our website without finding out about the things to do at the Kruger National Park: https://www.travelleeto.com/things-to-do-in-kruger-national-park