Sandford Park Resort

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS HOTEL IS CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
updated 18 Sep 2022

About Sandford Park Resort

Situated in the foothills of the Drakensberg Mountains, Sandford Park Country Hotel is a resort steeped in history. Established in 1852, Sandford Park incorporates the history of the region to narrate the essence of the resort.

The personality of the hotel is embodied through its eclectic mix of old and new architectural designs and finishing’s which adorn Sandford’s comfortable accommodation, offering varying configurations to meet everyone’s exacting needs.

Located conveniently off the N3 between Johannesburg and Durban, Sandford’s 41-hectares of unsurpassed natural beauty and tranquillity take advantage of the dramatic views of the seductive Berg.

Visitors are offered an opportunity to escape to a country- style hotel and enjoy activities from bass fishing and bird watching to hiking trails amid natural springs.

Brimming with charm and character, the watering hole reflects its 150-year history with memorabilia from passers-through who have visited this warm and unforgettable meeting spot. Conference and wedding facilities are available for a stunning Berg “I do” venue or a tranquil Berg business conference.

Accommodation:

Break away from the hustle and bustle of city life to a serene jewel in the Berg. Sandford Park Country Hotel offers 52 tastefully decorated and spacious en-suite rooms.

Guests have a choice of 26 traditional rooms furnished in charming cottage style, with thatched roofs to ensure that the rooms are warm in winter and cool in summer.

The 26 new executive rooms are finished with modern fittings, have bathrooms with separate bath and shower and private patios with stunning views of the Berg.

A honeymoon suite and rooms with fireplaces are also available but require pre-booking. All spacious bedrooms have tea and coffee-making facilities, double or twin beds, en-suite bathrooms with separate showers, telephones, safes for valuables and of course, breathtaking mountain views.


Modern Rooms
  • 24 Executive Rooms
  • Spacious bedroom area
  • Tea/Coffee making facilities
  • Each room is designed with modern furnishings adding that special touch to your stay.
  • Carefully designed bathrooms with separate bath and shower.
  • Each room has its own private patio.
  • Uninterrupted mountain views
Thatched Rooms
  • 26 Traditional Rooms
  • Spacious bedroom area
  • Tea/Coffee making facilities
  • Victorian-style room with bath and shower combinations
  • Selected bedrooms with fire places ( on request )
  • Room configurations from doubles to family rooms
  • Every bedroom is uniquely designed
  • Thatched roofs

Dining:

Dining at Sandford is a relaxing and unique experience. The cosiness of the country-style furniture adds warmth and welcome to the restaurant, further complemented by a friendly smile to greet all who enter the restaurant.

Restaurant expansions now accommodate 120 guests while the unsurpassed character and cosy ambience previously created still fill the room as one enjoys a sumptuous culinary meal prepared by the talented local chefs. Sandford’s pub has a folklore reputation as the “best in the Berg”.

To be able to accommodate the increase in number of guests dining at Sandford, the restaurant has been expanded from a 60-seater to a 120-seater restaurant and can now be subdivided into four private sections, including a smoking section.

The restaurant has maintained its wonderful cosy ambience, warm atmosphere and incredible character. Our talented local chefs are able to create dishes from both traditional and continental cuisine to satisfy every kind of taste or craving.

You can also choose from our expertly selected range of superb South African wines to complement your meal. Our breakfasts boast a sumptuous buffet selection of cereals (including our famous home-made muesli), fruit salads, a variety of pastries, fruit juices and a delicious mixed grill menu.

Tea or freshly brewed filter coffee are on hand to round off the perfect breakfast. We have an á la carte menu for lazy afternoon lunches offering starters, salads, breads, burgers, seafood as well as traditional South African dishes.

Dinner is a five-course set menu with some of our renowned dishes such as hearty oxtail or chicken and prawn curry.

Weddings:

Set in 100-acres of wooded countryside in the Drakensberg foothills, amid perfectly manicured lawns and gorgeous rose gardens, the large thatched chapel at Sandford Park Country Hotel provides the ideal venue for your special occasion.

The chapel, overlooking the beauty of the Berg, is naturally enhanced by the serenity of the peaceful dam and the breathtaking view of the mountains working their magic to create the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable wedding. Sandford Park Country Hotel not only provides a unique wedding venue but it offers uninhibited tranquillity for a stress-free day where all of your worries are catered for.

Conferencing:

Situated in one of South Africa’s premier conference areas, the Drakensberg, Sandford Park Country Hotel is a timeless country-style hotel ideal for meetings, seminars, conferences and team-building breakaways.

Sandford’s convenient location, off of the N3 (a mere two-and-a-half hours’ drive from Durban and three-and-a-half hours’ drive from Johannesburg) is one of the unique features that makes Sandford Park the preferred choice for companies to hold conferences. Sandford Park’s tranquil atmosphere, beautiful surroundings and recreational facilities allow complete relaxation and are recommended for stress-free, productive seminars and conferences. The two venues are totally private and are fully customised to meet your conferencing requirements.

Activities:

Each new day brings the promise of exciting adventure. Being centrally situated means Sandford Park Country Hotel offers you the best opportunity to take advantage of the many features and activities that the Drakensberg has to offer:

  • For historical buffs a trip to the area is a must.
  • Spend a leisurely day horse riding on the Spioenkop.
  • Visit the legendary San Rock Art Shelter at Didima.
  • Rafting, Quads, Karting, Archery, Kloofing and Abseiling.

Activities at: Sandford Park

  • Swimming pool
  • Badminton
  • Volleyball
  • Mountain biking
  • Dam - boating and bass-fishing
  • Nature walks
  • Bird-watching
  • Board games available in our lounge and bar area

Activities close...

  • Quad Biking
  • Bungee Bounce
  • Abseiling
  • Scootours
  • Obstacle courses
  • Archery
  • Paint Ball
  • Zip Line
  • Kids Zone
  • MTB trails
  • Clay pigeon shooting
  • White water rafting
  • Survivor Adventure Challenges

.... to Sandford Park

  • Boating
  • Horse Riding at Spioenkop
  • Game Drives at Spioenkop Game Reserve and Kwaggashoek Game Range
  • Helicopter Trips
  • Mountain Walks at the Royal Natal National Park
  • Golfing: Hlalanathi 9 holes Distance away - ±41.6km
  • Golfing: Champagne Sports Resorts 18 holes Distance Away - ±48.8km
  • Golfing: Cathedral Peak Hotel 18 holes Distance Away - ±51.3km
  • Golfing: Monks Cowl 9 holes Distance Away - ±47.7km

Team Building and Adventure Weekends

Speak to your Southern Routes reservations consultant if you would like adventure or activity days booked. Whether you are a family or group of friends looking for a fun weekend away or a group looking to do a team building and bonding breakaway, we will be able to help you with the right experience.

Location:

Sandford Park is located in the Northern Drakensberg, 3.5 hours from Gauteng and 3 hours from Durban.

Distances

  • Durban 230 km
  • Johannesburg 350 km
  • Harrismith 80 km
  • Ladysmith 50 km
  • Cathedral Peak 45 km
  • Spionkop Nature Reserve 36 km
  • Royal National Park/Amphitheatre 45 km
  • Drakensberg Boys Choir 52 km
  • Ladysmith Siege Museum 58 km
  • Sentinel Peak 3165 metres/10385 ft 115 km
  • Spionkop Battle Fields 27 km
  • Giants Castle/Bushman Paintings 140 km
  • Drakensberg Hydro Power Station 25 km

Sandford Park Resort Rooms


Looking at the thatched rooms across the garden

Thatched Rooms Max Guests: 4 guests (2 adults/ 2 children*)

26 Traditional Rooms, spacious bedroom area, tea/Coffee making facilities, victorian-style room with bath and shower combinations, selected bedrooms with fire places ( on request ), room configurations from doubles to family rooms, every bedroom is uniquely designed, thatched roofs.

View of the modern rooms from outside

Executive ( Modern) Rooms Max Guests: 2 guests (2 adults)

24 executive Rooms, spacious bedroom area, tea/coffee making facilities, each room is designed with modern furnishings adding that special touch to your stay, bathrooms with separate bath and shower, each room has its own private patio, uninterrupted mountain views.

Hotel Rates and Specials Offers

If you don't see a package type that suits you, let us know and we will do our best to put together or source the holiday you want.

Modern Rooms | Bed and Breakfast

- to -

  • Per adult sharing from: R - per night
  • Single occupancy from: R 1 250 per night

    Notes
  • Accommodation is in the modern rooms.
  • Rates include breakfast.
  • Buffet dinner can be added at an additional R180 per person.

Sandford park resort Standard Rates Include
  • Accommodation in room type of choice
  • Breakfast in the morning. Some rates include dinner.
  • Rates exclude all other extras unless stated
  • Rates are subject to change without notification and are only final once payment has been received

  • All Children Welcome
  • there is an activities room with games
  • Children under 4yrs of age stay and eat for free
  • Children between the age of 4 and 12yrs pay half price
  • Children over 12yrs of age pay full price

How to get to Sandford Park Country Hotel

Directions From Joburg To Sandford Park in the Drakensberg

  • Follow the N3 until Harrismith where you will turn right onto the Bethlehem road (N5)
  • Travel for approximately 7 kilometres. Turn left onto the Bergville/Phuthaditjaba road (R712).
  • Continue on this road until you see the Bergville R74 turnoff to the left.
  • Turn left here and drive until you reach the little town of Bergville where just before town you turn left onto the R616 Ladysmith road.
  • Continue for 2 kilometres and turn left again at the Sandford Park Resort turnoff.
  • The hotel is just 1.3 kilometres down this gravel road.

 

Directions From Durban To Sandford Park in the Drakensberg

  • Follow the N3 until just past the Shell Ultra City (outside Estcourt) where you will take the first off-ramp to the left namely the Winterton/Colenso (R74) route.
  • At the intersection turn left again to Winterton
  • Drive straight through, continue on this road for 21 kilometres to Bergville.
  • Travel just past the Caltex garage and turn right onto the R616 Ladysmith road.
  • Travel for 2 kilometres and turn left again at the Sandford Park Resort turnoff.
  • The resort is about 1.3 kilometres down this gravel road.