Sun City is a luxury resort and casino situated in the North West Province of South Africa, about a two-and-a-half hour drive from Johannesburg.
It is renowned for its opulent accommodations, world-class entertainment and diverse recreational activities.
The Palace of the Lost City Hotel is one of these opulent accommodations and it really is!
I have never stepped into a more ostentatious property. From the moment you approach the entrance which is dominated by a huge sculpture depicting a cheetah hunt, the décor is detailed, rich and unashamedly in your face.
Inspired by the myth of a lost African kingdom, the architecture is both awe-inspiring and over the top.
Intricate mosaics, frescoes and sculptures adorn every corner, the gardens are lush and littered with cascading waterfalls and serene pools that surround the hotel.
This is also the hotel that featured in the movie Blended and having seen this film numerous times when my kids were younger, I was quite excited to be there!
My room on the second floor was large with a king bed and spacious marble clad bathroom. The balcony looked out onto palm trees. The bed was extremely comfortable and the room provided all the expected amenities and a coffee machine.
Breakfast was served in the Crystal Court restaurant, a casual affair with a diverse buffet. I didn’t have dinner in the hotel but did have lunch at the Tusk Bar.
While the quality of the food was good, there was an extremely long wait for food and then again, to pay the bill. The hotel was very busy during our stay which was over a weekend. According to other guests the hotel is much quieter during weekdays.
There are two pools for hotel guests only. The huge main pool is close to the hotel building, the adult-only pool closer to the Valley of the Waves.
Guests at The Palace also have access to the Valley of the Waves water park which is a 10 minute walk from the hotel.
The maze at the Lost City is the largest permanent maze in the southern hemisphere, a short walk from the hotel and free to all resort residents. There is also a rope adventure course that operates above the Valley of the Waves.
In addition to the ubiquitous golf and gambling, there are many other activities at Sun City. From a two-kilometre zip line to segway to safari to the nearby Pilanesberg National Park to hot air ballooning to spas and night clubs, there is something to appeal to every person.
The climate is warm and temperate with the May to October period generally seen as the best time to visit Sun City. This is when the weather is most likely dry and at its most comfortable.
