- Located next to Pilansberg National Park, see the Big Five on safari
- Families will love the kids’ club and petting zoo
- Simply relax by the swimming pool or in the spa
- Safari themed interiors and opulent décor provide the perfect place for relaxation and fun
Also known as the Palace of the Lost City, the Palace Hotel is located in Sun City, just outside Johannesburg as is a playground full of activities for both adults and children. Whether you want to enjoy nightlife and days full of fun or you prefer to experience an open top 4x4 safari trip you’ll find something for you in this vibrant hotel.
Children will love the many activities, including a Kids’ Club, small train which travels around the resort, petting zoo and even a waterpark. Adults will enjoy trying their luck at the card tables in the casino or hitting one of two professional standard golf courses. The luxury interiors of the hotel offer a chance to relax and unwind in comfort, while the swimming pool and spa are ideal for those wanting to indulge in a tranquil escape.
Facilities
Bars & Restaurants
Plume
Palatial surroundings combine with excellent service in the Plume restaurant. Try a range of exquisite Afro-French cuisine all washed down with some of the country’s best wines. For the best of the menu a 6 course tasting is available.
Open: 7.30pm - 10.30pm. Dress code is smart casual. Jeans, flip flops and trainers are not allowed.
The Grill Room
Succulent steaks and meat are served for both lunch and dinner, with expertly selected local wines to wash down your meal. An intimate brasserie setting makes this the ideal place for groups and couples.
Open: 12.30pm – 3.30pm and 6pm – 10pm
The Palace Pool Deck
Overlooking the swimming pool and serving a range of signature and classic cocktails this is the perfect place to simply relax over a drink. Lunches, including burgers and pizzas, are also served here.
Tusk Bar & Lounge
Safari themed décor inside and stunning views from the large windows lining the walls combine to make this a relaxing environment where you can enjoy premium liquor, wines and cocktails.
Beach & Pools
Swimming Pool
An Olympic sized swimming pool is surrounded by the beautiful exteriors of the hotel, as well as sun loungers and a pool deck where you can enjoy drinks and lunch. The swimming pool is heated in winter.
Beach
Africa’s only inland beach is located in Sun City, just a short drive from the Palace hotel. The Valley of the Waves is also home to rides and slides, a waterpark and lots more for families and groups.
Family Facilities
Children’s Clubs
Camp Kwena (for ages 5-12), a babysitting service and a Kowabonga Club (for under 18s only) will keep the whole family entertained from morning till night.
Activities & Entertainment
Animal World
Home to rescued birds of prey going through a rehabilitation progress, kids will love Sun City’s Animal World.
Casino
Try your luck in one of South Africa’s biggest casinos. Sun City Casino features roulette tables, card tables and slot machines along with themed interiors with interesting décor.
Golf Courses
Home to two 18-hole par 72 golf courses you can enjoy a game at the Gary Player Country Club course or the Lost City Golf Course during your stay.
Safari Tours
Sun City is located next to Pilansberg National Park where you can take rhino-tracking safaris or spot the Big Five up close. Hot air balloon rides will give you a bird’s eye view of the national park.
Stimela
The Stimela train takes families around the resort, allowing you to hop on board and journey past Animal World’s aviary, over the Waterworld lake and past the wildlife reserve where you can watch peaceful antelope.
Valley of the Waves
Your stay at the Palace of the Lost City includes unlimited access to the Valley of the Waves. This waterpark is home to high slides and rides, a wave pool, lagoon and a lazy river.
About the location
A fantastic complex full of wonderful activities for both children and adults, Sun City is home to a water park, casino and two golf courses. Located right next to Pilansberg National Park you can take open top 4x4 safaris with expert guides and find some incredible animals right next door. Giraffes, antelope, leopards, lions, endangered rhinos and many more fascinating creatures roam the plains here.
Children can enjoy a kids’ club, and a water park which is full of rides and slides, as well as a lazy river, wave pool and lots more. There’s a cinema, a petting zoo and an aviary full of wonderful animals for little ones to see. A little train takes families around the resort, while grown ups can play golf or try their luck at the casino.
Transfer time
The nearest airport, Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International, is around two and a half hours’ drive from the Palace at Sun City.
Luxury Room
Sleeps up to two adults
Luxury dark wood combines with colourful furnishings where you can enjoy a king size bed or twin beds, seating area, large TV and beautiful views.
36m²
Superior Luxury Room
Sleeps up to two adults
Warm, bright furnishings welcome you to this luxury room. Relax in the seating area, enjoy the African detail in the bathroom and a comfortable king size bed perfect after a day of exploring.
46m²
Superior Luxury Room
A large en suite bathroom with a bath and shower, traditional African prints and colours, pretty views, a seating area and comfortable king size or twin beds greet you in the superior luxury family room.
51m²
Junior Suite
Sleeps up to two adults
Take in the warming rays from the sun as you relax in the seating area and make the most of the widescreen TV. Bright, rich décor greets you as you enter and there is also an en suite with a shower and bath.
70m²
Superior Suite
Sleeps up to two adults
Take in the warming rays from the sun as you relax in the seating area and make the most of the widescreen TV. Bright, rich décor greets you as you enter and there is also an en suite with a shower and bath.
88m²
Sovereign Experiences
A once in a lifetime trip for the whole family full of magical experiences
Start your family holiday in South Africa in Gansbaai, where you and your family are sure to enjoy the many activities and adventures on offer. Located near the southern tip of Africa the meeting of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans brings together a rich marine biodiversity including dolphins, whales, sharks and more amazing creatures for children to see.
View the South Africa Family Adventure itinerary
Based on 2351 traveller reviews
84% of travellers recommended this hotel
Travellers Ratings
Excellent
1427
Very Good
479
Average
233
Poor
115
Terrible
97
Reviews
“ Very good!
Alena R,
Dec 12 2018
Well, the palace and it's grounds are beautiful and while it needs some renovation, they are working on it now in a way that doesn't disturb tourists. We were checked into a new room, however couple...
Well, the palace and it's grounds are beautiful and while it needs some renovation, they are working on it now in a way that doesn't disturb tourists. We were checked into a new room, however couple days later the other rooms on our floor were being renovated, so they moved us to a different room (if I would want to be picky, I would wonder how come they didn't know about the renovation on our floor at the time of a check in, but that was a minor detail). In our new room the AC didn't work properly- it was blasting no matter what and wouldn't stop, so we had to get up at night to turn it off, and then when room warmed up turn it on again. So the management moved us to a 3rd room which was a 1 bedroom suite and it was beautiful! So while the overall stay wasn't perfect, it was good and the end of the vacation was great!
The breakfast buffet is plentiful and tasty. The staff of the hotel was very friendly. And the guests of the Palace are being shuttled in the Mercedeses all over the territory of the resort. One downside of the resort is that it open to the general public, not just for the guests. I saw some loud behavior (with the cursing and bottle throwing) of the daily visitors. But on a bright note, if you are staying at the Palace, then only guests are allowed. Also the entrance fee to the wave pool is included. The group safari at Pilanesberg was definitely a step down from the Madikwe game preserve safari, but I'm glad we went to see the park itself. Quad bikes (ATV) tour was really cool. Obstacle zip lines at the wave pool was fun for all of us.
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“ Fantastic
C-Liz1, Toronto, Canada
Dec 12 2018
This is a beautiful, elegance hotel in South Africa. Everywhere of the hotel is a photo point. The room is nice and big, but kind of outdated.
We are really enjoy the time when we stay there even...
This is a beautiful, elegance hotel in South Africa. Everywhere of the hotel is a photo point. The room is nice and big, but kind of outdated.
We are really enjoy the time when we stay there even only for 3 days.
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“ 3rd Visit Absolutely Fantastic
bessieSwansea, Swansea, United Kingdom
Dec 09 2018
This was our 3rd 9 night visit to the Palace and it won???t be our last
We were very well looked after at the pool....we spent most days there after our early morning game drives the only criticism...
This was our 3rd 9 night visit to the Palace and it won???t be our last
We were very well looked after at the pool....we spent most days there after our early morning game drives the only criticism is that there didn???t seem to be enough umbrellas lots of poles but no umbrellas attached to them which didn???t look very pleasant not sure if the hotel will be addressing this now the hot weather has arrived hopefully it will be looked at...only issue at the pool was nothing to do with the hotel or staff but the guests, people use the loungers and towels most don???t seem to stay long but just leave the towels there when they have finished, not sure why they cannot put them in the towel bin as they need to walk past them and other guests can then see that the loungers are free instead of walking around looking for ones that are not in use
Our room was on the 5th floor very quiet we did have 2 minor issues but infairness the maintenance team sorted them straight away the maids were excellent and did a great job in keeping our room tidy
The staff really do go out of their way to make sure that you have a great time and quite a few recognised us from previous visits it???s great to see them still at the Palace
Work was starting on the renovations whilst we were there it didn???t affect our holiday at all we are looking forward to seeing the changes next year
Breakfast as usual was excellent lots of choice and couldn???t fault anything
A brilliant holiday in a fantastic hotel see you in 2019
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“ real palace in well know city
gurhan33, Istanbul, Turkey
Dec 07 2018
we have hired a car from Johannesburg to Sun City took 2.5 hours when arrived the way it looks like a palace or a mansion with a big garden around it.
inside the palace every single furniture done...
we have hired a car from Johannesburg to Sun City took 2.5 hours when arrived the way it looks like a palace or a mansion with a big garden around it.
inside the palace every single furniture done and placed very carefully . Room was great gives a feeling you are here for safari very well decorated and very large spacey room.
Breakfast was open buffet and so many variety of food from the oyster to champagne
the terrace bar the we usually had our evening drinks and afterwards light dinner with a glass of red vine was great
we also took hot balloon safari and game drive all booked at the concierge
over all it was great being there
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“ Such a let down !
Hayley F, Johannesburg, South Africa
Dec 05 2018
Our first stay at the Palace, which was for such a special occasion, was such a let down right from the start.
The hotel itself is magnificent BUT the service most certainly does not match the price...
Our first stay at the Palace, which was for such a special occasion, was such a let down right from the start.
The hotel itself is magnificent BUT the service most certainly does not match the price one pays to stay here (unless it's from fee paying services such as the pool side massages). 2 weeks prior to arrival I requested bubbles (Graham Beck Brut) in both rooms we booked (350 & 351) and asked them to put it on our bill. One the day of our arrival I phoned that morning to double check my request was all in place. I was assured. We arrive - no bubbles in either room WHAT A DISSAPOINTMENT. Went down to reception and was given a thousand excuses and they begged me to allow them to fix it. I said we were going for drinks and a light meal at the golf club and would be back in 90 minutes. Get back ... NO BUBBLES. Phoned the managers number on the welcome letter and again i was offered their humble apologies and they said 2 bottles of Graham Beck Brut were on their way. We were still waiting for this when we departed 2 days later. Come on. What sort of service is this especially since i was not asking for it for free. Utterly dissapointed that my simple request was repeatedly ignored.
Pool side bars/service also very dissapointing and way below what would be expected of a hotel like this. Friday early evening, again, no Graham Beck Brut - eventually they found 1 which was warm. Saturday around the pool on a scorching day - again both bars have no Graham Beck. Only warm Simonsig. We let the manageress know that this was not the way to run 2 pool side bars at a 5 star hotel on a scorching hot day. Not long afterwards did we see staff walking by with cases of bubbles to stock their fridges. Surely managment shoud ensure bars are stocked the night before or first thing in the morning?
That evening, pre dinner drinks at the Tusk Bar - 2 jamesons with ginger ale ... no ginger ale. Seriously!! We drove home on Sunday and chatted about our weekend away and thinking back we realised that every single time we ordered something from the minute we arrived to the minute we left there was a problem. Check in was slow, check out was even worse! Will definitely not go back.
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