The Palace of the Lost City

Sun City, South Africa

Virgin rating

Twin Room
Twin Room
Twin Room
Plume Restaurant
Super Room Pool Facing
Super Room Pool Facing
Super Room Pool Facing
The Grill
The Crystal Court at Palace of the Lost City
Tusk Bar
Junior Suite
Junior Suite
Junior Suite
Junior Suite
Junior Suite
Twin Room
Twin Room
Twin Room
Plume Restaurant
Super Room Pool Facing
Super Room Pool Facing
Super Room Pool Facing
The Grill
The Crystal Court at Palace of the Lost City
Tusk Bar
Junior Suite
Junior Suite
Junior Suite
Junior Suite
Junior Suite

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.

2 restaurants; Crystal Court (International buffet for breakfast and dinner), The Grill Room (signature steakhouse, dinner). 2 bars: The Palace Pool Deck (snacks and wood-fired pizzas) and Tusk Bar and Lounge (safari-themed cocktail bar and lounge). High tea*.

Whilst there isn't any evening entertainment at the hotel you can hop on a shuttle to the Sun City resort where you can visit the casino or nightclub.

Olympic-sized outdoor swimming pool. Royal Spa*. Valley of Waves water park (there is a flat charge rate of R50.00 non-refundable for Valley of Waves towels to all hotel guests and day visitors). The Lost City Golf Course*, designed by Gary Player. Water sports*. Tennis. Segway, Zip Slide and many more activities. Both morning and sunset game-drives* available in the neighbouring malaria-free Pilanesberg National Park. 'Kamp Kwena' kids' club*. Shops.

Please note: The Valley of Waves will be closed every year for a month between May and July for annual maintenance.

 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 (1715)
  • Very good (577)
  • Average (289)
  • Poor (156)
  • Terrible (154)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Definitely NOT 5 star - same issues date back years

Oct 1, 2024 LynneR1984 Sheffield, United Kingdom

Arrived yesterday and I have to admit this is not a 5 star hotel. Before posting this, I looked back at reviews from a number of years ago to see if what I have experienced is new, I am disappointed to say it’s not. Infact, some of what I have experienced has been happening for a number of years so feedback has not been acted upon. Arrived at… Read more
Arrived yesterday and I have to admit this is not a 5 star hotel. Before posting this, I looked back at reviews from a number of years ago to see if what I have experienced is new, I am disappointed to say it’s not. Infact, some of what I have experienced has been happening for a number of years so feedback has not been acted upon. Arrived at 12:00 yesterday and rooms weren’t ready - advised they would call to hurry it along. We had been up since 04:30 on a game drive so any early access would have been appreciated. Went to the pool and was told we would get a call when ready. 14:15 no call, head to reception and rooms are ready. No explanation and it didn’t seem like anyone actually cared that they had failed before we had even really started our experience. Air con (room 563 and 564) - seen a number of comments on this dating back as far as 2020 stating it’s old and outdated. Completely agree - rooms are warm and stuffy to sleep in - not the 5 start experience you would expect. My observations are the palace might have been grand and special at one point but it certainly isn’t now. I think the leadership team would benefit from working with other 5 star hotels to learn best practice. Dubai 5 star is the benchmark they should be aspiring to and they could learn a lot from visiting these places. We have one more day/night left then it’s on to our next 5 star, let’s hope it has something better to offer than here. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Impressive hotel at the resort

Sep 30, 2024 Cha_Os7978 Mannheim, Germany

5-start Palace hotel is a really impressive building within the reost of Sun City. The reception with check-in was very nice as we were welcomed with a refreshing drink and our bags were taken care of right at the valet parking service. The rooms are very spacious with everything you need. In the evenins they even uncover the bed when you´re out… Read more
5-start Palace hotel is a really impressive building within the reost of Sun City. The reception with check-in was very nice as we were welcomed with a refreshing drink and our bags were taken care of right at the valet parking service. The rooms are very spacious with everything you need. In the evenins they even uncover the bed when you´re out for dinner. Pool are is very nice, can´t really say much about sunloungers and service at the pool bar as we had no time during aout stay to spend time at the pool. Breakfast and dinner is buffet style wirh a great variety only drinks service takes its time which is not 5 star to me. The piano music from the tape during breakfast was too loud for us. That is why we give 4 out of 5 stars Overall we had a great experience at the Palace Hotel. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating A place in Africa

Sep 22, 2024 SupermomAfrica London, United Kingdom

Well where do i start ? It’s a lovely place and well looked after the service is very good especially the lovely waitresses in breakfast . Food isn’t very good as there was a lots of meats and little fish . Overall highly satisfied and i will definitely recommend
Image of the Tripadvisor rating The palace of the lost city...wooow

Sep 20, 2024 refilwes2015 Pretoria, South Africa

The welcoming from the gate to the reception is on another level. The bed was extremely comfortable, didn't wanna get up, pillows so soft room so spacious, bathroom looks like another room,spacious and very neat, children's bed also so comfortable,there is variety of food during breakfast to choose from.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Over the top

Sep 12, 2024 dink0403

Breakfast was amazing. And Robert playing the piano was outstanding. How lovely to listen and enjoy at this early hour. I’ve never seen such a variety of beautiful fruits, hot dishes etc. My only complaint is the transfer system to get to the golf courses and out to dinner. Such big delays.