The Royal Hotel Pilgrims Rest Pilgrim's Rest, Pilgrim's Rest ➤ Reviews, Rooms & Prices 2025

Book on our site

Up to 10% cheaper

than Booking.com

Key details

About the Hotel

R533 Mpumalanga, Pilgrim's Rest, South Africa

The Royal Hotel Pilgrims Rest is situated in a historic gold mining village known for its scenic winding roads and mountain passes. This hotel reflects late Victorian decor and offers a unique glimpse into the area’s rich cultural heritage. Located 59 miles from Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, it provides easy access for travelers. Surrounded by natural beauty, attractions like Mac Mac Falls and Graskop Gorge Lift Company are nearby.

Location

Located in Pilgrims Rest, the hotel is within proximity to key natural attractions, enhancing outdoor explorations. Notable sites include Alanglade House Museum, which is only 1.5 miles away. The hotel is accessible via winding mountain roads, with Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport about 59 miles distant.

Rooms

The Royal Hotel features 50 accommodations, each designed with a late Victorian decor and parquet floors. All rooms include private bathrooms equipped with bathtubs and complimentary toiletries. Select units offer additional amenities such as seating areas or patios with garden or mountain views. Complimentary in-room safes and coffee/tea makers are also standard.

Eat & Drink

The Peachtree & Diggers Restaurant specializes in South African cuisine and provides daily breakfast featuring hot beverages, pastries, and savory snacks. Guests can enjoy meals in a designated breakfast room or relax with a drink at the hotel’s bar/lounge. Room service is available for added convenience.

Leisure & Business

Leisure facilities include a terrace and an inviting garden area for guests to unwind. A 24-hour front desk, free WiFi in public areas, and laundry facilities ensure convenience for those on business or leisure trips. Guests can also take advantage of free self-parking during their stay.

View all

Select your room type

The hotel offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals

Double Room

Max:

2 persons

18 m²

Bed options:

1 Double bed

Garden view

Bathtub

room details

Check Prices

Double Room

Max:

4 persons

25 m²

Bed options:

2 Single beds

Garden view

Bathtub

room details

Check Prices

Suite

Max:

2 persons

21 m²

Bed options:

1 Double bed

Garden view

Bathtub

room details

Check Prices

Show all roomsLess

Price and Room Availability Calendar

Check availability and prices for your dates now!

Getting around

A list of all available modes of transport

City Center

Pilgrim's Rest400 ft

Airports

Kruger Mpumalanga International (MQP) 58.6 mi

Nelspruit (NLP) 61.3 mi

Facilities

The hotel offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences

Spacious and Clean

“The room was impressively large, with spotless bed linen and a charming balcony that offered beautiful views.” view full review

Delicious Meals

“Although the buffet had some drawbacks, I found the dining options on my second night to be delightful and satisfying.” view full review

Charming Bath

“The bathroom featured a classic bath with a hand-held shower, which added to the charming experience of our stay.” view full review

Tranquil Atmosphere

“The tranquil setting of the hotel created a unique and relaxing atmosphere, perfect for unwinding after a day of exploring.” view full review

General

No smoking on site
Free Wi-Fi in public areas
Parking
Safe deposit box
24-hour reception
VIP check-in/ -out
No pets allowed
Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
Wheelchair access
24-hour security
Baggage storage
Locker room
Coffee shop
Fireplace
Fire extinguishers
Key access

Sports & Fitness

Cycling
Golf course
Fishing

Guest Parking

Shared kitchen

Services

Paid shuttle service
Housekeeping
Car rental
Dry cleaning
Tours/Ticket assistance
Welcome drink
Happy hour

Dining

Restaurant
Snack bar
Bar/ Lounge area
Picnic area/ Tables
Packed lunches
Special diet menus

Business

Business center
Meeting/ Banquet facilities
Fax/Photocopying

Children

Babysitting/Child services
Children's buffet
Board games
Children's play area
Game room

Facilities for people with disabilities

Toilet for disabled

Spa & Leisure

Beach umbrellas
Entertainment
Sun terrace
Garden area
BBQ facilities
Leisure/ TV room

Room features

Heating
Sitting area
Patio
Terrace
Garden furniture
Tea and coffee facilities
Ironing facilities

Bathroom

Free toiletries

Self-catering

Shared kitchen

Media

AM/FM alarm clock

Location

R533 Mpumalanga, Pilgrim's Rest, South Africa

Map view

R533 Mpumalanga, Pilgrim's Rest, South Africa

City landmarks

Main Street Pilgrim's Rest

Alanglade House Museum

1.4 mi

Main St

Dredzen Store

2200 ft

Main St

Central Garage Transport Museum

2300 ft

Main St

Thelwall's Museum

2400 ft

off Rte 533

South African National Gold Panning Championships

4800 ft

off Rte 533

Alanglade

1.4 mi

Nearby

Printing Museum

300 ft

House Museum

400 ft

off Rte 533

Diggings Museum

1400 ft

Main St

Pilgrim's & Sabie News Museum

1700 ft

Main St

Victorian House Museum

1900 ft

Restaurants

Pancakes at The Stables

2400 ft

Main St

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback from previous guests about their experience.

68%

liked the hotel and would stay again

6.8/10

Nice

Rooms

7.2

Location

9.0

Service

7.2

Dining

5.2

Ben

United States of America, October 2024

6.4/10

I had a mixed experience at the hotel. The location is fantastic, making it easy to explore the city and nearby canyons. However, the rooms needed better upkeep and were quite noisy. The service was friendly but a bit slow at times. Dining was disappointing with poor-quality food. Overall, there were some positives, but certainly room for improvement.

Rooms

6.0

The rooms were clean, but they could definitely use more attention to upkeep. I encountered quite a bit of noise that was unexpected.

Service

7.0

The staff was helpful and welcoming, but there were moments when they seemed to forget about serving customers, which was frustrating.

Location

9.0

The hotel is situated in a great location, allowing easy access to the city and close to various points of interest.

Dining

5.0

The dining experience was a huge disappointment. The food looked unappetizing, and I found many dishes were empty even though we arrived early.

Facilities

7.0

Facilities were basic, but they were clean and functional. Nothing extravagant, but met my needs.

Fred

United States of America, August 2024

7.4/10

The hotel is in a quiet and safe location, making it perfect for a relaxing stay. The rooms were fresh and clean, but the lack of a shower and the incredibly loud ceiling fan were a bit disappointing. The service was pleasant, although it sometimes felt a bit too casual. Dining offered good variety, and the staff were always friendly. Overall, it’s a great stopover spot, particularly for visiting Kruger, but the noise and room setup could be improved.

Rooms

7.0

The rooms were fresh and clean, but we had no shower—just a bath, which was part of the bedroom. It was incredibly hot, and the ceiling fan was quite loud.

Service

7.0

The staff were pleasant and helpful, always ready to share their thoughts when asked. It had a typical government employee attitude but was generally good.

Location

9.0

The location is spot on for exploring the city and then heading to the canyon. It has a vintage vibe and is nestled between mountains, which adds to its charm.

Dining

8.0

Dining had a lot of choices and was good overall, served by happy and smiling staff who made the experience more enjoyable.

Facilities

6.0

Facilities were adequate, but nothing stood out as exceptional; it was more of a basic setup.

John

United States of America, August 2024

6.8/10

I had a pretty good stay at the hotel. The location really stood out for me, as it had that vintage charm and was conveniently placed along the main street. The rooms were clean, which is always a plus, but they were a bit on the small side and I found the ceiling fan quite loud! The service was friendly, but not always attentive. Dining could improve since the food was a little below expectation for the number of visitors. Overall, the price felt fair for what I received, even if there were a few hiccups.

Rooms

7.0

The rooms were clean, but small and damp in winter. The loud ceiling fan was a bit annoying.

Service

7.0

The staff was friendly and accommodating, but sometimes seemed a bit disinterested.

Location

9.0

The hotel is perfectly situated on the main street with a vintage feel, making it convenient for exploring.

Dining

5.0

The dining experience was good, but the food did not meet my expectations given the high occupancy.

Facilities

6.0

Facilities were decent, but nothing exceptional stood out to me during my stay.

Mark

United States of America, May 2024

7.4/10

I had a wonderful stay at this hotel, which had a charming atmosphere reminiscent of the 1920s. The rooms were beautifully decorated and incredibly cozy, making for a great night's sleep. The staff was extremely friendly and accommodating, which really enhanced my experience. However, the dining options fell short, particularly the breakfast. Overall, it was a fantastic stay with a few minor drawbacks.

Rooms

9.0

The rooms were cosy and comfortable, with an antique style that took me back to the old days. I slept like a baby.

Service

8.0

The service was very friendly and accommodating, making me feel welcomed throughout my stay.

Location

9.0

The hotel is set in a beautiful mountain pass, which is perfect for day trips to nearby waterfalls and landmarks.

Dining

5.0

The breakfast was below standard and could use improvement. I’d consider skipping breakfast next time.

Facilities

6.0

The facilities were decent, but there was room for improvement, especially in the dining area.

Charles

United States of America, May 2024

6.8/10

I had a really nice stay at this hotel in Pilgrim's Rest. The location is lovely, surrounded by local charm and perfect for exploring nearby attractions. The rooms were a bit of a blast from the past but clean and practical. Service was friendly, especially during breakfast, although some staff seemed a bit distant. It's a solid choice for anyone looking for a comfortable stopover on the way to Kruger National Park, but there were some areas that could use improvement, especially dining options.

Rooms

7.0

The rooms felt like a step back in time, but they were well preserved and very practical. They opened onto a courtyard, which was nice, but the ceiling fan was quite loud.

Service

7.0

The service was generally friendly and helpful, especially during breakfast. They offered a good meal that's perfect for a quick stopover, though some staff showed a lack of enthusiasm.

Location

9.0

The hotel is in a quaint little village called Pilgrim's Rest, which is delightful. It's conveniently located down the road from local stalls and a pub, great for day trips to nearby waterfalls.

Dining

5.0

Dining was a bit of a letdown; the quality wasn't great, and the options felt limited. I did notice that many dishes were empty even though we arrived early.

Facilities

6.0

The facilities were pretty basic but clean. There wasn’t anything particularly impressive, but they served the purpose adequately.