For many, Worcester is often viewed as a pit stop destination and merely a chance to stretch the legs on the way to and from Cape Town along the N1 route to Johannesburg. However, a lot of time and effort has been put into making the area a tourist destination in its own right - and the Golden Valley Hotel is one such attraction working to change the minds of both Capetonians and tourists alike when it comes to holidays and weekend breaks.
Located in the Breede Valley, the hotel is surrounded by natural beauty, from the rugged yet pretty Klein Karoo vegetation to the Hex River Mountains to the north and the Du Toitskloof and Slanghoek Mountain ranges to the west. It’s the perfect base from which to explore this beautiful part of South Africa, which is home to a selection of the most delicious wines our Cape region has to offer and some of the best golf I have ever had the pleasure of playing.
Why stay at Golden Valley Hotel?
There is a very chilled vibe about Golden Valley Hotel, which makes it a great spot to simply take a load off for the weekend or a longer stay. The Cape-Dutch-styled hotel has recently undergone a revamp and now features elegant Victorian charm across its 97 rooms and common areas.
Fun fact: Following the closure of Cape Town's Table Bay Hotel for their own revamp, Sun International gifted a number of the hotel's high-end furnishings and decorative fittings to Golden Valley to be incorporated into the Worcester attraction's new look and feel.
What are the rooms like at Golden Valley Hotel?
I stayed in a garden/pool-facing room, which meant I had the luxury of opening up patio doors to let in the cool Karoo breeze. Quite blissful, especially after being in the heat of the Worcester area. With easy access to the beautiful pool area, this also meant cooling off was as simple as taking a few steps... before performing a customary bomb drop (please don't do this when others are around).
The room presented a pleasant experience, without being overly spectacular. The bed was very comfortable (I don't always sleep well in hotels, but I did here), and the furnishings were tastefully put together. However, I felt the bathroom could have benefited from a bit more modernisation, especially when it comes to the taps at the sink. Yes, I know we should all be saving water where possible, but these taps lacked any sort of power.
As mentioned, all of the rooms have received a recent revamp. Interior Designer Solebi Blacksmith was the brains behind the changes to the look and feel, and you can see the attention to detail that was paid when putting the rooms together. Yes, the bathroom wasn't the best, but the mahogany TV cabinet, bedside storage unit, writing desk, chair, and footrest all fit comfortably into the space and add a warmth that is essential when relaxation is the goal.
What is the restaurant like at Golden Valley Hotel?
The hotel does not have its own restaurant, but does serve a buffet breakfast daily in its grand dining hall, which provides beautiful views of the pool area and mountains beyond. The breakfast offering includes both Continental and English options. The food hit the spot, with a pretty standard selection on offer. The omelette station was a highlight, with the chef not afraid to cram toppings into the eggy parcel. The custard Danish is also well worth a try.
For those looking for lunch and dinner options on site, the Golden Valley Casino - located a short walk away from the hotel - has both a sports bar and restaurant available to curb your hunger. The sports bar has your regular pub food offering, while Kuipers restaurant has an à la carte menu with a buffet option available on weekends only.
What is the service like at Golden Valley Hotel?
From reception to the ladies servicing the rooms, I was taken aback by the friendly nature of every member of staff on site. Yes, this is something you would expect in the hospitality industry, but this felt genuine, not put on for show. When I went to grab a drink from the vending machine and it got stuck (my luck), the receptionist whipped out a ruler, got down on her hands and knees, and managed to wiggle my purchase free. It's the little things - and thanks to her for that, I was pretty thirsty.
A standout facility, Golden Valley Hotel
You simply have to use the pool; not just because it is hot in Worcester and you'll need to cool down, but because it is one of the most beautiful pools I have ever seen, with the mountains in the background providing gorgeous views.
The Golden Valley Casino is a short walk from the hotel and provides gamers with a chance to win big. Slot machines and tables are both available. If you want to catch the big game over a weekend, the SunBet Sports Bar has a load of TVs for you to do just that.
The Golden Valley complex also has quadbiking through WildX Adventures. This activity gives you the opportunity to explore the rugged terrain of the surrounding area and provides some pretty epic photo ops when you hit the top of the hill, which has one lonely tree. No, Chad Michael Murray is not waiting to greet you at the top.
What is the area like around Golden Valley Hotel?
This is where Golden Valley Hotel shines as a home base for exploration. If you are a keen golfer, the Worcester Golf Club is a wonderful course to play. It's extremely beautiful, as the pops of colour from the Karoo vegetation and glorious surrounding mountains set the perfect backdrop for 18 holes of challenging golf.
For the wine lovers among us, the area is known for its Chenin Blanc. In nearby Rawsonville, Merwida wine farm provides a stellar wine tasting experience within the grounds of a glorious manor house. There are many other options for wine tasting in the area too, so you won't go thirsty (just avoid vending machines if you don't have a ruler on hand).
Fun fact: The Breede Valley is the largest wine-producing region in South Africa.
Some of the other attractions include the Karoo National Botanical Garden, Arts and Glass at the Barn, where you can witness the rare art form of glass blowing, and NPO Innovation for the Blind's coffee shop. Their coffee is now available at most Western Cape Shoprite Checkers shops and you can explore that inspirational story at the coffee shop itself.
For those looking to fish, the peaceful banks of the mountainous Brandvlei Dam or the Breede and Hex rivers, which flow on either side of Worcester, provide great options for just that.
Why you should book a stay at Golden Valley Hotel
It's time to try something different when it comes to Cape Town and its surrounds. A stay at Golden Valley Hotel affords you the chance to explore this underexplored region of the Cape - and it does so in a comfortable fashion. If it's Karoo charm and hospitality you are after, then I would highly recommend booking a stay for a long weekend or more, with the latter being the better option, given the amount of things to do in the area.
Address: Golden Valley Drive, Van Riebeeck Park, Worcester, 6880
Price: From R1,800 per night
Closest transport link: Recommended to travel by car.
Book now: HERE