2 Best Hotels in The Magaliesberg, Johannesburg

Surrounded by a lush garden in the heart of the Magaliesberg, this lodge has rooms with beautiful antique furniture and is a good place to base yourself if you just want to get into the country for a river ramble or a mountain hike—even the drive is scenic. Dinner (reservations essential) is a four-course set menu of French-influenced cuisine that changes daily. Even if you don't stay overnight, drive through for a delightful gourmet picnic (24-hour advance bookings required) beneath the shade of the trees, along the edge of the small stocked dam, or try your hand at catch-and-release fishing.

One of South Africa's largest hotel spas is located at this peaceful retreat near Magaliesburg. The award-winning spa is a destination in and of itself (open 7 days a week) with a number of rock plunge pools, steam rooms, as well as therapy baths, and it offers a range of services, including couples' treatment rooms and hydrotherapy. The expansive, thatched hotel sits in the midst of beautiful gardens with drop-dead gorgeous views of the Magaliesberg Mountains from the restaurant's lookout deck. Golf carts are available to take guests across the property's facilities if needs be. The rooms feature contemporary decor with a splash of color, and most have a private terrace overlooking the landscaped grounds, while the suites have their own heated pool that's necklaced by a wooden deck. The Rambling Vine restaurant specializes in farm-to-table dishes made with fresh local ingredients.