Royal Hotel Pilgrims Rest Sabie & Surrounds

The Royal Hotel is set in the old and picturesque town of Pilgrim's Rest in South Africa's magnificent Mpumalanga Province. The ideal location of this old Victorian charm Hotel allows guests to explore the many sightseeing places and attractions which are located in this region of South Africa.

The Kruger National Park can be reached within 45 minutes by car from the Royal Hotel in Pilgrim's Rest. In Hoedspruit the Kapama Cheetah Breeding project as well as the Moholoholo Raptor Rehabilitation Centre await the visitor. Other attractions in close proximity to the Royal Hotel in Pilgrim's Rest include the beautiful waterfalls, Blyde River Canyon, Gods Window the towns of Sabi and Graskop.

The Royal Hotel in Pilgrim's Rest had been impeccably restored to reflect true late Victorian style. Composed of ten authentic buildings dating back to the latter part of the nineteenth century, the Royal Hotel Pilgrim's Rest offers 50 charming en-suite bedrooms. Declared a goldfield in 1873, Pilgrim's Rest became a cosmopolitan centre of activity in South Africa.

Trapped in a time warp, the lounge reflects an epoch of time honoured hospitality and elegance so typical of the late Victorian era. Upon entering the Royal Hotel Pilgrim's Resort, visitors are immediately taken on a nostalgia filled trip into the past. The reception walls are lined with interesting photographs and artefacts providing vivid glimpses of Pilgrim's Rest's history. This theme is carried forward into the lounge as well as the famous Church Bar.

Accommodation at the Royal Hotel Pilgrim's Rest , Mpumalanga

Fifty en-suite bedrooms are spread over a number of annexes to the Main Hotel all of which reflect the unique historical character of the Royal Hotel. Furnished with genuine antique brass beds, wash stands, wardrobes and other furniture, visitors cannot but be transported back into history. Rounding off this atmosphere are authentic Victorian baths and fixtures. In these surroundings, electric shavers, driers and other equipment will seem out of place.

History of Pilgrim's Rest in South Africa

Mining in this region of South Africa's Mpumalanga province dates back many centuries, when unknown miners worked quartz reefs in the area for gold. Proof of these diggings can still be found in this area.

The history of the small delightful village of Pilgrim's Rest dates back to 1873 when a miner, Alex Patterson, discovered alluvial gold on the farm named Ponieskrantz. He had left the Mac-Mac area to search for a place that was less congested. Though the discovery was kept as a secret, the inevitable happened when a second prospector William Trafford also discovered gold close by.

What they had found in this beautiful valley drew optimistic gold panners and prospectors from all over the country and the World. On 22nd September 1873 Pilgrim's Rest was officially proclaimed a gold field and the scatter of tents and rudimentary shacks soon grew into a flourishing little village complete with sturdy brick houses, church, shops, canteens, a newspaper and the well-known Royal Hotel in Pilgrim's Rest, Mpumalanga.

The diggers called this unique South African town Pilgrim's Rest because here, at last, after so many false trails and faded dreams they had truly found their home.

In due course the alluvial deposits were depleted and the locals turned to forestry, but their village, whose residents still number in the hundreds, has been painstakingly preserved as a "living museum" and major South African tourist venue.

Attractions in Pilgrim's Rest and nearby, Mpumalanga / Panorama Route

• Blyde River Canyon
• Gustav Klingbiel Nature Reserve
• Mount Sheba Nature Reserve
• Ohrigstad Dam Nature Reserve
• Alanglade House Museum
• Kruger National Park
• Sabi Sands Game Reserve
• Graskop
• Hazyview
• Sabie
• Kiepersol
• Ohrigstad
• Echo Caves
• Horse Shoe Falls
• Hot Air Balloon Flights
• Elephant Back Safaris
• Horse Back Riding
• God's Window
• Waterfalls
• Alanglade House Museum

Located just north of Pilgrim's Rest, built in 1915 by Transvaal Gold Mining Estates, Alanglade was the residence of the mine manager until 1972 when the last mine was finally closed. This large and graceful double story building contrasts sharply with most of the other corrugated iron buildings in the town of Pilgrim's Rest and is testimony to the high status that mine managers of the period enjoyed. Today Alanglade is a period house museum and furnished with items from the early 1900's.