Imperial Hotel

Pietermaritzburg has borne witness to numerous battles between Zulu Warriors and Voortrekkers in times gone by, and the nearby hamlet of Howick is the infamous site where Nelson Mandela was captured decades ago. The city’s rich history is no more evident than at the Imperial Hotel, located in a century-old building. This is a superb base and a great stopover for travellers making their way between Durban and the Drakensberg.

Attractions abound here, from Albert Falls Dam Nature Reserve and the Natal Museum to the Botanical Gardens and nearby Midlands Meander. A large portion of South Africa’s varied and fascinating history played out in and around Pietermaritzburg, which is also the capital of KwaZulu-Natal, and it is a city well worth visiting.

Guests are accommodated in the hotel’s Twin Rooms, Double Rooms, Suites, Family Rooms, or Single Rooms. Each one has air-conditioning, satellite TV, a safe, en-suite bathroom and amenities, tea/coffee facilities, work desk and telephone. The Imperial is a stone’s throw from provincial parliament and close to many of the city’s major attractions.