The Palace of the Lost City

Sun City, South Africa

Virgin rating

Plume Restaurant, The Palace of the Lost City, Sun City, Johannesberg, South Africa
The Grill
Crystal Court Restaurant
Valley of Waves Water Park
Junior Suite
The Crystal Court at Palace of the Lost City
Lost City Golf Course
Palace of the Lost City
Balcony King Suite, The Palace of the Lost City, Sun City, South Africa
Tusk Bar
Royal Baths
Golf Course
Valley of Waves Water Park
Plume Restaurant, The Palace of the Lost City, Sun City, Johannesberg, South Africa
The Grill
Crystal Court Restaurant
Valley of Waves Water Park
Junior Suite
The Crystal Court at Palace of the Lost City
Lost City Golf Course
Palace of the Lost City
Balcony King Suite, The Palace of the Lost City, Sun City, South Africa
Tusk Bar
Royal Baths
Golf Course
Valley of Waves Water Park

The hotel

One of South Africa’s most sumptuous hotels, The Palace, a member of Sun International’s Sunlux Collection, was based on the idea of a lost African Palace. The Lost City surrounds the Palace - a world of jungles, streams, waterfalls and swimming pools. Each of the luxuriously appointed rooms are fitted with individually crafted furniture. Valley of Waves, one of the most advanced water parks in the world, stands as a central feature of the hotel and will provide endless fun for water lovers. There are also two golf courses designed by acclaimed designer Gary Player that will provide added enjoyment for lovers of the sport.

Amenities

  • Golf
  • Tennis
  • Kids Club
  • Wheelchair access
  • Bar
  • Internet Access
  • Restaurant
  • Room Service
  • Safety Deposit Box

Where is it

Next to Pilanesberg National Park for 'Big Five' safari game-driving in a malaria-free zone. Transfer time from Johannesburg Airport: approximately 2 hours.

Hotel information

335 rooms, including suites, in 4 wings with lifts. Each room and suite offers royal hospitality with wonderful views over water or jungle and all benefit from a personal touch. All with air-conditioning, TV, mini-bar*, butler station on request, safe and hairdryer. Luxury Rooms have mountain views and twin beds, sleeping maximum 2 adults.

Superior Luxury Rooms are more spacious with views of the gardens or swimming pool and have 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 2 adults.

Superior Luxury Family Rooms are ideal for families with 1 king-size bed and a sofa bed in the lounge area sleeping maximum 2 adults and 2 children.

Superior Luxury Pool Facing Rooms have the same facilities as above but with a pool view, sleeping maximum 2 adults.

Junior Suites are very spacious with a separate relaxing lounge area complete with sofa bed, sleeping maximum 2 adults.

Superior Suites are located on the ground floor overlooking the pool or on the upper floor overlooking the Lost City Golf Course with 1 king-size bed and an open-plan lounge and dining area, sleeping maximum 2 adults.

3 restaurants; Crystal Court, Plume (fine dining), The Grill Room (fine dining). 2 bars: The Palace Pool Deck and Tusk Bar and Lounge. Non heated swimming pools. Sauna, health club* and gym with steam room. 2 golf courses* (bookings necessary). Water sports*. Tennis. Segway, Zip Slide and many more activities. Valley of Waves water park. Both morning and sunset game-drives* available in the neighbouring malaria-free Pilanesberg National Park. 'Kamp Kwena' kids' club*. Shops. 24-hour room service*. Complimentary WiFi.

Wheelchair accessible rooms available on request. Please note that these rooms are subject to availability and may be restricted to specific room categories and bedding arrangements. Rooms and facilities vary between hotels so please check at the time of booking. For more information and contact details please check out our Special Assistance page

3 nights between 24 Dec-2 Jan.

 * Denotes local charge.

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (1617)
  • Very good (551)
  • Average (275)
  • Poor (145)
  • Terrible (137)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Super bad service

Jun 30, 2022 fatimasaley Johannesburg, South Africa

Bad service staeteds at reception . Unhelpful unfriendly staff . Dont answer when calling from the room . Have to go downstairs . Than they still look at your angeily like they doing u a favor . Brealfast was a nightmare . Worst service i have ever experienced in the world . Took them 30 minutes to bring milk for the kids cereal . Again they are… Read more
Bad service staeteds at reception . Unhelpful unfriendly staff . Dont answer when calling from the room . Have to go downstairs . Than they still look at your angeily like they doing u a favor . Brealfast was a nightmare . Worst service i have ever experienced in the world . Took them 30 minutes to bring milk for the kids cereal . Again they are angry and unhappy to assist . I waited 20 minutes for a cup of tea . Left without having tea . The food is amazing . The lady at the fresh juice counter was amazing . But the hotel needs to hire more waiters . And train them to be happy and helpful . Also leave milk at the buffet and water . Definitely will not recommend this hotel. Doesnt deserve to be called 5 star . Had better service in 3 star hotels. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Mrs Apsara Kalideen

Jun 25, 2022 659apsarak

Breakfast at Crystal Court - Awesome breakfast accompanied by the most amazing pianist. Robert Phiri played beautifully & even let my girls play on the piano. He is extremely friendly & took the time out to even give the girls a short lesson, ending off with playing my favourite song. Thank you Robert, you have created a memory & experience of… Read more
Breakfast at Crystal Court - Awesome breakfast accompanied by the most amazing pianist. Robert Phiri played beautifully & even let my girls play on the piano. He is extremely friendly & took the time out to even give the girls a short lesson, ending off with playing my favourite song. Thank you Robert, you have created a memory & experience of lifetime … Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating It’s 2022

Jun 24, 2022 Richard F

We are travelling as a group in July of this year and I’m very worried. We are going to multiple places in South Africa and all have been excellent at communicating with us expect for the Palace. For the last 3 months I’ve tried to make a group booking for the Grill Room. I’ve emailed Head Office to be told I need to call the Restaurant as they… Read more
We are travelling as a group in July of this year and I’m very worried. We are going to multiple places in South Africa and all have been excellent at communicating with us expect for the Palace. For the last 3 months I’ve tried to make a group booking for the Grill Room. I’ve emailed Head Office to be told I need to call the Restaurant as they don’t have an email (seriously when almost every good Restaurant on the planet has an online booking system they don’t even have an email!) No apology no I will get them to email or call you! Terrible service. I then called the Restaurant once again they were helpful to a point but due to the size of the group I need to email the Food and Beverage Manager - (one again they couldn’t take me details and contact me) so I email the Food and Beverage Manager and 3 days later still nothing Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating A Palace not fit for a Queen

Jun 22, 2022 Sheryl_Barclay Johannesburg, South Africa

We recently stayed at the Palace as treat for the Family. We were all excited as there is so much hype about staying at the Palace that we did have some expectations and unfortunately they weren't met. Don't get me wrong not everything about the Palace was awful but there are a few things that need attention. Firstly the hotel was busy and only… Read more
We recently stayed at the Palace as treat for the Family. We were all excited as there is so much hype about staying at the Palace that we did have some expectations and unfortunately they weren't met. Don't get me wrong not everything about the Palace was awful but there are a few things that need attention. Firstly the hotel was busy and only one lift was working for the entire hotel. I have kids in strollers which meant I had to wait until the lift was free for my turn to go up to our room. Sometimes leaving me to wait for 20 minutes and longer. Speaking to some of the room service staff that it was a big problem. Secondly we had to queue for breakfast. Standing on the staircase for over half an hour every morning staring at everyone while having their breakfast is not my idea of 5 star. Thirdly when it was time to check out, all these lovely cars getting driven up for people to go home. Which was a bit embarrassing as we had all been waiting (some of us sitting on our cases) for a while with our luggage outside. For me 5 star is when everything is effortless for the guest. There should be no waiting or standing around or feeling uncomfortable at any point. Things should flow. You should be able to walk to breakfast and immediately be shown your table, walk outside with your luggage and your car should already be pulling up outside. This is an epic fail on the Palace part. It has nothing to do with the staff. If has to do with how things flow and at the Palace nothing flowed. The family room that we had book was big a spacious, clean and up to par with say a 4 star. The staff in general were friendly and efficient. I can't fault them on that at all. It is just that some systems that are in place just don't seem to be working. For me I would put it down to an experience and that all hype is not worth paying the full price for. In saying that we would rather choose to stay somewhere else when visiting Sun City. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Opulent luxury hotel

Jun 15, 2022 holidayRH South Africa

Review of the Palace at Sun city: Mon to Thurs 13- 16 June 2022. The Palace is a sophisticated 5-star hotel that has redefined African luxury and elegance. The entrance hall of The Palace sets the precedent, with its intricately painted ceilings, mosaic artworks and golden zebra-hide upholstered furniture. Sun City was developed by the hotel… Read more
Review of the Palace at Sun city: Mon to Thurs 13- 16 June 2022. The Palace is a sophisticated 5-star hotel that has redefined African luxury and elegance. The entrance hall of The Palace sets the precedent, with its intricately painted ceilings, mosaic artworks and golden zebra-hide upholstered furniture. Sun City was developed by the hotel magnate Sol Kerzner as part of his Sun International group of properties. It was officially opened on 7 December 1979, Friendly welcome by Zandi at reception. Beautiful African designs and spacious rooms with stunning pool views of mountain with a small waterfall alongside for tranquil experience. Complimentary amenities in room were welcomed in abundance. We stayed in room 459 celebrating my husband's birthday. The breakfast was of international standards. Complimentary champagne of non alcoholic and alcoholic choice, sushi, oysters, fresh fruit juices liquidised to your palate. Friendly service and comfortable seating inside and outside. Pancakes with sweet fillings for the kids. Complimentary shuttle service, many choices for tourists and locals alike. Outdoor water park activities, many pools, kiddies activities, Game drives, zip line, hot air balloon ride, quad biking and safari adventures, Segway rides and indoor activities like games, movies, eating And shopping options. Casino for adults. The shuttle drivers are efficient and friendly. Free WiFi for hotel residents. Safe parking. The vacation club investment section has a heated pool for the colder weather and for self catering holiday experience. A must to experience for families and couples or just spoil yourself. Read less