Message from the general manager
Spring has arrived and with it longer, warmer days perfect for hiking, taking advantage of our extensive range of outdoor activities and facilities, and revelling in the abundance of birds and wildlife emerging from the winter chill. The female bushbuck with their fawns can be found wondering around the hotel gardens, the calls of jackals are often heard in the evenings and the eagle-owls can be spotted at night on the road leading up to the hotel. It is an incredible sight watching the mountains explode with flowers and greenery, and we look forward to receiving our first proper rainfall.
As each month passes, we are thrilled that more and more of our upgrade objectives for the year are becoming a reality. One more upgrade has been completed and our next project has just begun.
Our golf course will be undergoing its annual spring treatment in September and is set to produce many more great rounds in the coming months. Don’t forget to sign up or renew your Golf Club membership to qualify for next year’s Golf Club Champs to be held in March. For those of you who don’t know, our Golf Club membership gives you an official handicap and affiliated rates at all clubs that offer this discount – all for just R1040 per year!
With the school holidays just around the corner, Cathedral Peak Hotel is the perfect place to bring your children for an epic mountain adventure. Our Entertainment Manager and her team look forward to taking you on guided hikes, challenging you to our climbing wall, testing your knowledge at our quiz evenings and having great fun with your kids!
Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date with the happenings at the hotel and of course our amazing special offers. We look forward to welcoming you all to the Ultimate Drakensberg Experience!
– Bruce Botes
Hotel & golf course virtual tours – now live
We are so excited to share the launch of our spectacular virtual tours with you, showcasing breath-taking 360° views of our exceptional on-site facilities, luxuriously well-appointed rooms and beautiful 9-hole golf course.
Our virtual tours serve as a digital blueprint of our mountain resort, produced in 3D, giving you a virtual first-person perspective of things. These are a great way to let our guests experience the ‘look and feel’ of our hotel through the use of a digital walkthrough, allowing you to see the rooms and facilities on offer.
Our hotel tour showcases our hotel’s public areas, all our luxurious rooms and their respective en suites, as well as a number of our on-site facilities.
Our golf course tour offers golf enthusiasts the opportunity to view our golf clubhouse facilities as well as each of our 9 holes from tee box to hole.
This was expertly developed using a drone to allow you to feel as though you are actually playing the hole, and once you get to the flag, you are treated to an expansive 360° view.
A big thank you goes to the highly capable photographer and media specialist, Stef van Vuuren from SVV Media all the way from the UK, for making this a reality.
Even more exciting upgrades
Not only have we replaced the spa bath in the Presidential Suite with an ultra-luxurious jacuzzi bath accompanied by a teak floor and magnificent views, but a gorgeous freestanding polished stone bath is a welcome new addition to the bathroom. Enjoy a relaxing bath, unwind in the jacuzzi complete with 8 jets and 8 bubble jets, enhance your health in the steam room or take a long hot shower – this well-appointed suite has it all.
Join us for Heritage Day Weekend – A celebration of all things South Africa
Heritage Day Weekend at Cathedral Peak Hotel promises to be alively celebration of everything that makes our country such a stunning place to live!
With themed menus, traditional singing and dancing, hikes to San rock art sites, and an action-packed entertainment programme for kids and adults alike, you’ll enjoy non-stop fun in one of SA’s most beautiful Drakensberg hotels.
Bring the whole family at discounted rates with our Spring Special, seeing a 15% discount for adults and a 50% discount for kids (4-12) sharing – discounted rates start from just R1530 per adult and R290 per child per night, inclusive of all meals.
Valid from 1st Sept to 31st Oct ’22. Min 2-night stay. T’s & C’s apply.
Cathedral Peak Hotel team wins TOPS at SPAR Corporate Challenge
Established in 2001, the TOPS at SPAR Corporate Challenge attracts entrants from all over Southern Africa. Hosted annually on exclusive WildFly waters, the Challenge is held over four long weekends in the midst of the Midlands winter, where fishermen descend upon Nottingham Road to challenge trout and fellow fly fishers alike.
Since its inception, over 23 000 trout have been caught and released in these exclusive still waters. On the water, four colleagues challenge fellow competitors over two days. Your team of four fishes in four sessions over two days.
The format rewards average size and consistency of each catch with each team earning a combined score that gives them ranking, which is then carried through each session.
The top five teams from each leg make it through to the illustrious final.
Some of you may not be aware that William van der Riet, like his father Albert, is a keen fisherman. Albert was big into sea fishing, whereas William loves his fly fishing, both tiger and trout. This year he was determined to give the Corporate Challenge a good go and Cathedral Peak Hotel sponsored a team – “The Cathedral Peak Hookers”. The team, made up of Grevin Price, Dillon Byers, Jan Korrubel and William, took to the waters and, although the fishing was tough, they were crowned this year’s TOPS Corporate Challenge champions!
Congratulations to “The Cathedral Peak Hookers” and well done to all the other participants!
Meet the Cathedral Peak Hotel Team
We are so privileged to have such a wonderful team that works together to provide our guests with the ultimate Drakensberg experience!
Our exceptional top-class chefs and much appreciated kitchen team ensure that every meal at Cathedral Peak is a culinary delight. Our much-loved Head Chef, Jabulani Mdluli has been working at the hotel for the past 21 years. He started as a waiter in the dining room and was then moved to the kitchen as a cleaner where he showed a passion for food and worked his way to the top. He loves cooking and even more so, ensuring our guests thoroughly enjoy the food his team serves. Our Christmas and New Year Buffets are a testament to his incredible talent.
Each and every member of our Kitchen Team plays a vital role in ensuring that the food they prepare and serve to our guests is hearty, flavoursome and leaves you wanting more. Our two Sous Chefs, Jabulani’s right hand man and lady, Pat and Fikile, have been working at the hotel for 22 and 9 years respectively. Pat loves working in the hot kitchen whilst Fikile loves meeting new people and learning something new every day from members of the team.
This incredible team are the friendly voices over phone calls and emails who help make your dream holiday come true! Our Reservations Team are passionate about hospitality and making the guests feel at home. They always go the extra mile to ensure your stay is as special as possible and they are delighted to see guests leave with a smile after a well-deserved mountain escape!
Our golf course receives regional ranking status on SA Top 100 Courses
In June, we were very excited to host Stuart McLean, previously the editor of Golf Digest magazine, who has since developed the SA Top 100 Courses website which also features regional rankings.
Nine years ago, he did an editorial on the hotel for the Golf Digest and was very eager to reassess our course. The comments received were that our golf course was looking particularly good, as he had remembered it from his last visit, and he was extremely pleased to see that it is being well maintained. Our course is certainly still one of the most memorable and scenic 9-hole courses in South Africa.
In July, we were thrilled to receive feedback from Stuart and we have been included as part of the KwaZulu-Natal regional rankings. We hope to feature in the 9-hole course rankings he will be announcing soon.
Cathedral Peak Hotel gives back
1000 Paws Walk for the SPCA
The annual Hill’s 1000 Paws Walk for the SPCA was held on Sunday 12 June 2022 at Highgate Wine Estate in the KZN Midlands. The glorious weather and exciting line-up of events contributed to the walk being a huge success, with over 700 adults, countless little ones and approximately 485 dogs participating. Some highlights of the day included the Khazimula Marimba Band from Lidgetton, the SPCA tea tent, and the fun pet-and-owner competitions.
We were delighted to be able to make a difference to the lives of the area’s animals while helping the people who own them by sponsoring a weekend getaway at Cathedral Peak Hotel. The funds raised by this popular event were shared between the three participating SPCA branches that serve the animals and communities of the central Midlands area: Mooi River and District, Umngeni-Howick and Pietermaritzburg SPCAs. We look forward to supporting this invaluable event again next year!
Mandela Day
This Mandela Day focused on the idea of “Do what you can, with what you have, wherever you are”. On Monday 18 July, a number of our departments dedicated 67 minutes of their time to lovingly restore five of our old cots to donate to a local creche in need.
Our Maintenance Team did repairs and sanding, Marketing and Reservations painted, and Housekeeping placed new mattresses in the cots. Our Kitchen Team baked cupcakes and our HR Administrator, Assistant Marketing Manager and Maintenance Manager did the organising and delivery.
What an incredible feeling it was to see the sparkle in the carers’ and children’s eyes when the cots were positioned and cupcakes handed out. We endeavour to continue to take action, inspire change and make every day a Mandela Day!
For the adventurers, the dreamers & the foodies
If you live for the thrill of adventure, driven by adrenaline and fuelled by excitement, our resort is guaranteed to get your heartbeat racing.
Explore untouched mountain vistas on foot, bicycle, horseback or quad bike, take to the skies with a helicopter flip, and take advantage of our incredible range of on-site facilities and activities
For those who are moved by the splendour of nature, who dance to the sounds of birds chirping and streams burbling, who thirst for the spiritual essence of majestic mountains and vibrant valleys… our hotel is your natural paradise. Immerse yourself in the breath-taking beauty, listen to the sounds of nature, inhale the fresh mountain air and marvel at the sight of a waterfall or two.
Send your taste buds on a journey with decadent food prepared by our team of top-class chefs, using only the best and freshest ingredients.
Our famous extensive and delicious buffets are on offer at every meal and tea, coffee and bakes are served twice daily on our Terrace with gorgeous views. All meals and teas are included in your rates!
An enchanted pool dedicated to a Roman god
Neptune’s Pool, which heads up the Umlambonja river valley, is a magical destination and definitely worth the 2-hour walk to get there.
Traverse grasslands, cross rivers, hike through riverbeds marked with stone cairns and take in the spectacular views of the Drakensberg escarpment, including Cockade, the Elephant, Inner Horn, Chessmen and smaller peaks like Mount Helga, named after William van der Riet’s sister.
Sunny rocks alternate with cool, shaded indigenous forest, and best of all, the deep pool known as Neptune’s Pool is perfect for a swim on hot days or to dip your toes in during the cooler months. Wander slightly further up the river and enjoy cascading water with smooth sandstone pools.
The Cathedral Peak Hotel Story continued
The main hotel building was completed by 1938 and Albert went on to construct the planned 43 rooms. During this time, Albert and Helen divorced and their two daughters moved to Boksburg with their mother.
The ‘Nunnery’, cottages and flat were built behind the main hotel, with the cottages housing four rooms and the ‘Nunnery’ ten. The flat was occupied by Albert’s father Philip until his death; this was then converted into Albert’s office. These buildings, although altered, still exist today in the form of offices, the games room, kitchen section and staff accommodation.
The long north-facing block of rooms (15 – 43) on the western side of the hotel, fondly known as the ‘Barracks’ or ‘Long Block’, took longer to complete due to the eminent start of World War II resulting in material shortages. Cast-iron baths and cement were almost unprocurable and corrugated iron had to be imported. The original ‘Barracks’ or ‘Long Block’ was demolished in 1992 to make way for the new ‘Long Block’, consisting of interleading family rooms and standard rooms, all featuring en suite bathrooms.
Albert constructed a primitive hydro-electric plant using water from the old reservoir next to the current squash court to supply lighting to the hotel in conjunction with a petrol lighting plant. With the planning and building having taken over two years, it was still not known whether the hotel would receive the support of the public.
In December 1939, Albert and his family prepared to receive their first guests, charging a rate of 13/6d (R1,35) per person per night, inclusive of all meals. Many guests arrived for the Festive Season that year.
The start of World War II was unnerving for the van der Riets with the survival of the hotel hanging in the balance. Few guests were able to travel by car, so the hotel arranged to meet the train in Winterton. In wet weather the vehicles needed chains to negotiate the thick mud on the roads.
More stunning reviews from our guests
We are thrilled to continue to receive amazing reviews from our faithful regulars and our many first-timers. Giving our guests an idyllic and enjoyable experience is what we live for, and we look forward to welcoming you back again as soon as possible.
“This is our second stay at Cathedral Peak and this time we had a chance to fully take advantage of all the children’s activities. Our boys were kept busy, going on walks to Belinda Falls, pony rides, going up the climbing wall and movie night. While we enjoyed the plentiful buffets, tea on the veranda, a beginner’s horse ride in the mountains, playing chess and relaxing on the patio of our interleading room. Next visit we’re doing the Cathedral Four! Thank you for a rejuvenating break from city life. We’ll be back.”
– GO62060907352
“We visited Cathedral Peak with family and friends recently and we had a wonderful time. The kids loved their independence as they explored the resort and they were constantly entertained with tractor rides, pony rides, short hikes, kids activities etc. The food was next level and catered for everyone. So much variety and flavour. We were hoping for snow but maybe next time because we will be back!”
– HayleyGraupner
Enjoy an unrivalled Drakensberg adventure at discounted rates with these special offers
Spring Special
Valid until 1st Sep ’22 to 31st Oct ‘22
Whisk your family away for an unbeatable springtime adventure with our Spring Special, seeing a 15% discount off rack rates for adults and 50% discount off kids (aged 4-12), inclusive of all meals. Discounted rates start from R1530 per adult and R290 per child per night (sharing).
Minimum 2-night stay. New bookings only. Full prepayment within 48 hours via EFT only. T’s & C’s apply.
November Special
Valid from 1st to 30th Nov ‘22
Revel in long days perfect for exploring the majestic peaks and valleys around us, with the chance of epic afternoon thunderstorms, at an incredible 25% discount off rack rates. Discounted rates start from just R1420 per adult and R460 per child (4-12) per night, inclusive of all meals.
Minimum 2-night stay. New bookings only. Full prepayment within 48 hours via EFT only. T’s & C’s apply.
Conference Special
Valid until 1st Oct ’22 to 31st Oct ’22*
Treat your team to an exciting mid-week or weekend conference, single or sharing, including all meals, complimentary venue hire and equipment use, unlimited golf, complimentary guided early morning walk and R100 discount on quad bikes. Discounted rates from R1835 per person per night, excl. tourism levy and KZN permits.
*Excluding peak periods and long weekends. Full prepayment within 48 hours via EFT only. T’s & C’s apply.
