7 Best Hotels in The Magaliesberg, Johannesburg

In France this exclusive establishment would be called an auberge—a five-star destination hotel with a superb restaurant suitable for an overnight or weekend jaunt—and the two-story, sandstone building along the river would not be out of place in Provence. De Hoek sits amid semi-indigenous gardens in the exquisite Magalies River valley. The quiet rooms have golden walls and dark mahogany furniture. Some of the superior suites have fireplaces, and all rooms have underfloor heating. Archery, croquet, lawn bowling, and mountain walks are some of the activities available, but the magnificent restaurant—serving classy five-course dinners and a five-course Sunday lunch (booking essential for outside visitors)—is what brings most people.

One of South Africa's largest hotel spas is located at this peaceful retreat near Magaliesburg. The award-winning spa is a destination in and of itself (open 7 days a week) with a number of rock plunge pools, steam rooms, as well as therapy baths and it, offers a range of services, including couples' treatment rooms and hydrotherapy. The expansive, thatched hotel sits in the midst of beautiful gardens with drop-dead gorgeous views of the Magaliesberg Mountains from the restaurant's lookout deck. Golf carts are available to take guests across the property's facilities if needs be. The rooms feature contemporary decor with a splash of color, and most have a private terrace overlooking the landscaped grounds, while the suites have their own heated pool that's necklaced by a wooden deck. The Rambling Vine restaurant specializes in farm-to-table dishes made with fresh local ingredients. 

Surrounded by a lush garden in the heart of the Magaliesberg, this lodge has rooms with beautiful antique furniture and is a good place to base yourself if you just want to get into the country for a river ramble or a mountain hike–even the drive is scenic. Dinner (reservations essential) is a four-course set menu of French-influenced cuisine that changes daily. Even if you don't stay overnight, drive through for a delightful gourmet picnic (24-hour advance bookings required) beneath the shade of the trees, along the edge of the small stocked dam, or try your hand at catch-and-release fishing.

These pretty, well-appointed, self-catering cottages can sleep four or six people and have stoves, refrigerators, TVs, and a good selection of culinary appliances. In an attractive garden around a pool and adjacent to a cane-furniture factory and shop, they offer excellent value for the money. Breakfast and lunch are served in a tea garden.

This wilderness retreat offers campsites, rustic huts, and comfortable self-catering cabins and chalets with electricity, hot water, and cooking facilities. Don't let the rather terse list of rules at the entrance put you off; the owners are fiercely protective of this little piece of paradise—and justly so. The emphasis is on the surrounding 2,400 acres of mountains, pools, waterfalls, and streams, where you can hike or mountain bike a different route every day—each more beautiful than the last, and might even spot some zebra, impala, blesbok, klipspringer, and gray hartebeest along the way. Pets and radios are forbidden, but children are welcome. Stasombs restaurant serves up pizza, burgers, salad bowls, pasta; check out the special meal of the day. 

While it's too big to be called a hideaway, this four-star lodge is located on a 250-acre nature reserve with a stream running through it and a bird sanctuary. Rooms are spacious and private, the surroundings are peaceful, and the spa is glorious. The lodge is popular with corporate groups, but it's big enough for you to find a quiet spot if there's a large group in attendance (the Nature Rooms offer the most privacy). It's also one of few hotels in the area that welcomes small children, so it remains popular for independent travelers and those from Johannesburg who are getting out of the city for the weekend. Rooms have small sitting areas and some have four-poster beds and fireplaces; all have covered patios. 

You can find this delightful little restaurant and hotel, the creation of sculptor Charles Gotthard, amid trees next to a river. It's made up like a fantasy fairy world, with three stories of little rooms, winding passageways, and stairs leading to colorful private alcoves and balconies. The restaurant has tasty, creative cuisine, such as South African sushi (made with springbok carpaccio), Thai chicken salad, and lime-marinated chicken breasts. A set menu ($$$) is offered on Sunday and holidays; menus change with the seasons. The restaurant is open from Wednesday to Sunday, and bookings are essential. A small shop sells dream catchers, small fairy statues, and the like, and the Gobble D'Gook coffee shop serves homemade cakes on weekends and holidays. There are three B&B units in a restored vintage train car.