Even more reasons to visit Cathedral Peak Hotel in 2023
While 2022 was a jam-packed year for the Cathedral Peak Hotel Team, we’re looking forward to doing even more in 2023! Read on to find out about some of the amazing things we have planned for the year ahead, while looking back on a notable part of the hotel’s history.
Our new & improved entertainment programme
Our complimentary daily entertainment programme is packed with fun-filled activities, competitions and, of course, incredible guided hikes – some of which include the novelty of tea and rusks surrounded by the beauty of the mountains – and we have recently added some amazing new activities to make your stay even more enjoyable.
For our hiking enthusiasts, we are now offering a bigger variety of guided walks and hikes for young and old alike. Enjoy a magnificent sunset walk to Lake Byron via Ashlea’s Amble, take a dip at Blue Pools and Neptune’s Pool, explore Barker’s Chalet Cave, and challenge yourself to summit One Tree Hill.
Our talented singers will be delighted to learn that we have upgraded our karaoke programme, so you can sing the night away at Harry’s every Friday. You can also enjoy a game of croquet or boules on the badminton court, and in the evenings, test your memory with our Memory Challenge or enjoy a game of team Scrabble.
For those days when the weather isn’t the best, we have a wide range of rainy day activities in the lounge. Our fantastic and enthusiastic Entertainment Team looks forward to keeping you busy!
Training our staff to provide an even better experience
First aid training
At the end of 2022, FTS Safety visited us to refresh and retrain our staff to ensure that everyone has their First Aid Level 1.
The accredited FTS Safety first aid training classes were taught through a combination of theory and hands-on skills sessions, in line with the latest South African regulations. Our staff has all the info and skills required to assist adults and children in various emergency situations, ensuring that our guests have a safe stay at our hotel.
Our staff thoroughly enjoyed these training sessions, and their ability to deliver the necessary care to guests or staff members in trouble, while waiting for medical professionals to arrive, is invaluable to the hotel.
Improved hiking guides
We recently had the privilege of hosting Jonathan Leeming, an international speaker, best-selling author and award-winning conservationist. He spent a couple of days with our hiking guides, training them on how to conduct an enjoyable guided hike, including what to look out for and what info to share, in order to enhance our guests’ hiking experiences.
Since the training, we have been receiving great reviews from many of our guests, so don’t forget to join some of our complimentary guided hikes when you next visit our hotel – you definitely won’t regret it.
Fresh trout products now available from the TryMe Shop
Our famous fresh trout, farmed on our property, is served during our dinner buffet – and now you can take home the taste of the Drakensberg by purchasing various fresh trout products from our on-site TryMe Shop.
Bushmans River Trout, the new lessees of our on-site trout farm, was established more than 30 years ago, driven by one man’s passion for farming fish. Since then, it has grown into a small family business that stocks dams and produces a selection of fresh trout products, including cold-smoked, hot-smoked, pâté, roulade and whole deboned trout.
Trout are an excellent source of omega oils, which help protect the body against heart disease amongst others, so make sure you pop into our shop to buy some of these delightful products before you head home.
Hike to the top of One Tree Hill
While it is often overlooked, the hike up to One Tree Hill is challenging yet beautiful – and extremely rewarding.
Setting off on the same route as Oqalweni Fern Forest, you will cross the Umlambonja River and then turn left, zigzagging up the side of the foothill to the top of One Tree Hill. Despite the name, there is no longer a tree to mark the end of the route, and the hike ends when you reach the plateau, looking down on breath-taking views with the hotel in the distance. Once you’re at the top, you can be proud that you have reached an altitude of 1958m – 488m above the hotel. Should you still have lots of energy left, continue along to reach the Contour Path near the base of the Outer Horn.
This route can now be enjoyed as a guided hike, leaving the hotel from the sundial at 8am every Tuesday – don’t forget to sign up on the boards in the reception foyer.
The Cathedral Peak Hotel Story continued
During the war years, Albert ensured that Cathedral Peak Hotel made a meaningful contribution to the war effort by offering free board to recuperating soldiers who had been recently released from military hospitals. Allied troops from all over the world would inhale the rich mountain air, eat the high-quality farm food and be enriched by the experience.
During the Second World War, the hotel even played host to royalty, the sons of the Shah of Persia, Princes Gholam and Alireza Pahlavi. Their father was given asylum by the Smuts government. Prince Pahlavi earned the ire of many guests during his stay, by playing his portable gramophone loudly wherever he went. He even had a brief romance with the cousin of a very special lady who comprises a significant part of our story.
In 1941, Doreen Maria Cooper, daughter of William and Muriel Cooper from Johannesburg, visited the hotel for a few days. She loved her stay so much that she returned for a week the following year. During this time, she caught the eye of Albert van der Riet, who invited her for tea after dinner on one occasion.
On returning to Johannesburg, Doreen received phone calls and letters from him. This same year, 1942, she made her third visit with her mother, Muriel. Muriel disapproved of the attention that Albert, an older divorcee, paid her daughter, and made sure Doreen was never out of sight.
Albert managed to get Doreen alone when she was filling the car with petrol and proposed marriage to her. On 17 February 1943 they were married in Johannesburg, and now the stage was set with an exquisite mountain hotel, a leading male and a new leading lady who contributes much to the rest of our story.
Book your unrivalled Drakensberg experience today
Make 2023 a year to remember with a visit to our hotel! Head over to our specials page to find out what discounts we have on offer for the next few months, view our selection of luxurious accommodation, and plan a holiday packed with various activities, hikes and relaxation.
