Orania OewerHotel & Spa in sunny South Africa – Luxury suites, hotel rooms, chalets and a campsite available
A few months ago my husband traveled to Hopetown in the Northern Cape for business. When I checked the map I noticed that the small town of Orania lies about 40 kilometres south of Hopetown. I had wanted to visit Orania for a while, so when he returned for another short contract I decided to go along.
We booked at the Orania OewerHotel & Spa and, preferring extra space and comforts, chose the Luxury Suite (pictured above in the centre). Our son joined us for a short break, so the suite was a perfect choice.
Orania sits in the upper Karoo region of the Northern Cape Province. It’s roughly halfway to Cape Town when travelling from the Limpopo Province, making it a convenient stopover for road trips.
The Orania OewerHotel & Spa is a holiday resort offering hotel rooms, suites, chalets and a campsite. For bookings call +27 53 207-0016 or contact the resort directly.
The Luxury Suite features an open-plan lounge and kitchen, equipped with everything you need for a comfortable stay. DSTV is available with a good selection of channels. Tea, coffee, milk and sugar are supplied both in the kitchen and upstairs near the bedrooms.
The master bedroom is cosy with thoughtful details throughout. The bed linen was excellent and there were more than enough blankets for our winter visit. The Northern Cape can be freezing in winter and very hot in summer, so good bedding and heating are appreciated.
If you’re unfamiliar with the Karoo, the view from the master bedroom window shows a typical winter landscape — dry and open countryside.
The second bedroom is equally comfortable and includes a small private balcony.
Upstairs there is a bathroom with a double shower and heated rock-textured tile floors — a real bonus in winter. The shower includes a rainforest shower head for a luxurious rinse.
The downstairs bathroom offers a deep bath but doesn’t have heated tiles. Toiletries are provided in both bathrooms, and hotel staff ensured we had plenty of supplies.
The upstairs balcony off the master bedroom has a rocking chair and is practical for parents who need to care for a sleeping child without going downstairs.
Looking down from upstairs you can appreciate the warm colour scheme, rich wooden finishes and an attractive exposed brick wall. A fireplace under the stairwell sits centrally between the lounge and kitchen and we made good use of it during our stay.
The Luxury Suite is in a separate building from the main hotel; above is a photo of the hotel’s side façade.
Each morning my son and I had breakfast together because my husband left early for Hopetown. The restaurant is only a two- to three-minute walk from the Luxury Suite and we often saw monkeys in the trees and on rooftops — they were everywhere.
The restaurant sits right on the banks of the Orange River and has a deck that offers scenic views. My son and I enjoyed breakfast on the deck most mornings — it feels like being in the middle of the bush with the river close by.
We ate breakfast and dinner at the restaurant and found the food excellent, featuring traditional South African dishes at reasonable prices.
We passed the spa entrance but didn’t have time for treatments. The spa brochure included typical five-star services at competitive prices.
Nearby we spotted a charming house and I took some photos around Orania to share impressions of the town.
Koeksister Monument
I hadn’t expected to find a Koeksister monument. A koeksister is a traditional South African sweet that is braided and syrup-coated. The monument is a fun local landmark celebrating that treat.
We also found a curios store selling beautiful paintings, vintage items and old currency. I bought a 2 Rand note from my childhood, which is no longer in circulation. The shop also has a small plant nursery at the back.
An old car front decorated with succulents marks the entrance to the store and makes for a charming photo opportunity.
We discovered a delightful coffee house and curio shop called Skinki Kofe — the name means “Pour the Coffee.” It’s a cosy spot for a break while exploring town.
On Instagram I shared a photo of an old petrol pump in Orania that is still in daily use. The station displays a notice reading “GEEN Selfhelp Diens” (no self-service), which is notable since self-service pumps are uncommon in South Africa.
Orania OewerHotel & Spa
On our way out I stopped to take one last photo of the Orania OewerHotel & Spa. Many people express interest in visiting Orania but may not realize there is a full holiday resort with accommodation options.
The resort is ideal for visitors seeking water sports, angling, and outdoor activities. With a variety of hotel rooms, suites, chalets and a campsite, it’s a convenient base for exploring the area and enjoying the Orange River.
LINDA
