The Graskop Hotel occupies a fully renovated 1912 building in the heart of the small town of Graskop, in South Africa's Mpumalanga province. The property combines two identities rarely found together: a guesthouse and contemporary art gallery, with rooms entrusted to South African artists and artworks for sale throughout the common areas.

Why stay here

The establishment serves as a natural base for exploring the scenic R532 route and Blyde River Canyon, one of Africa's largest canyons. Beyond its location, it stands out for its artistic vision: 19 of the 37 rooms have been designed as habitable artworks, each created by contemporary artists from the country. The integrated gallery extends the experience through hallways and the lounge, where several pieces are available for purchase.

Reception is open 24/7 and parking, accessed through an electronic gate, benefits from a night attendant—a valued comfort touch in this busy tourist passage area.

Atmosphere: an art gallery hotel

The spirit of the place stems from the coexistence of the 1912 building's original architecture and contemporary South African art. Paintings, sculptures, photographs, and installations punctuate the common spaces; each Artist Room develops its own universe, with no stylistic uniformity. The garden, outdoor pool, and common lounge complete this atmosphere, with seamless flow between relaxation areas and the gallery.

Rooms

The hotel offers 37 rooms in total, with 22 apartments located upstairs. The room types break down as follows:

• 19 Artist Rooms: each decorated by a contemporary South African artist, with a unique visual approach varying from room to room.
• 15 Garden Rooms: overlooking the gardens, available as twin, double, or family configurations (up to 2 adults and 2 children).
• 3 standard rooms: simpler furnishings, family configuration available.

Dining and services

The Restaurant, the hotel's dining venue, serves a cold buffet breakfast each morning complemented by a hot selection customized to requests. In the evening, dinner features three courses with a choice between two options per service. The menu prioritizes vegetables from the property's garden and local producers, and meals must be reserved in advance through reception.

Several services are available for an additional charge and by reservation: laundry, airport shuttle, car rental, and massage.

Location and access

The hotel sits at the corner of Hoof Street and Louis Trichardt Street, in the heart of Graskop (Mpumalanga). GPS coordinates: -24.932127, 30.840832.

• Kruger Mpumalanga Airport (KMIA): approximately 1 hour's drive.
• Johannesburg: approximately 4.5 hours' drive.

To place the establishment within a regional itinerary framework, consult our Graskop guide.

What to see nearby

• The R532 scenic route: a succession of viewpoints overlooking Blyde River Canyon, with the Three Rondavels and God's Window as key stops.
• Kruger National Park: South Africa's largest wildlife reserve, prime territory for spotting the Big Five.
• Pilgrim's Rest: a 19th-century gold diggers' village, now transformed into a museum site.
• Lisbon Falls: a 92-meter waterfall, accessible from an equipped viewpoint.

To extend your stay in the region, several other addresses are worth visiting, such as Royal Kruger Lodge bordering the park, Pezulu Tree House Lodge for a night in the trees, or Phophonyane Falls Ecolodge for nature lovers.

Planning your stay

The Graskop Hotel fits naturally into an itinerary combining scenic routes, Kruger Park, and historic towns in Mpumalanga. To build a bespoke itinerary, explore our travel ideas for Southern Africa.