At a Glance
- Iconic luxury resort set beside Pilanesberg National Park, offering safari access minutes from guest suites
- Distinctive design inspired by African mythology, art and large-scale resort architecture
- Full destination experience combining wildlife, golf, spa, dining and entertainment
Rising from an ancient volcanic setting on the edge of South Africa’s Pilanesberg mountains, the Palace of the Lost City remains one of the continent’s most recognizable luxury resorts.
Since opening in 1992, the flagship property at Sun City has drawn travelers looking for scale, story and polish in one place.
The resort was designed to feel discovered rather than built. Its towers, stone bridges and carved figures suggest the remains of a forgotten African kingdom, giving guests the sense they have stepped into a legend shaped by time and nature.
That sense of theater sets the Palace apart from conventional five-star hotels.
It is not defined by restraint or simplicity, but by detail and drama, aimed at visitors who want an experience as much as accommodation.
Over three decades on, the Palace has become a fixture in South Africa’s tourism economy, frequently serving as a first stop for international visitors and a return destination for domestic travelers seeking something familiar yet distinctive.
A resort built around story
The Palace leans heavily into narrative.
Elephant sculptures line walkways, bronze wildlife pieces by South African artist Danie de Jager fill public spaces, and water features wind through jungle-style gardens.
The design blends African references with large-scale resort ambition, making the property feel more like a landmark than a hotel.
Its position beside Pilanesberg National Park strengthens that identity.
Guests are minutes from one of the country’s most accessible safari areas, where wildlife encounters sit comfortably alongside marble floors and butler service.
Safari on the edge of luxury
Game drives, guided tours and hot-air balloon safaris offer access to the Big Five, as well as cheetahs and wild dogs, often called the “Super Seven.”
The experience is tailored to both first-time safari guests and travelers who want wildlife without giving up comfort.
Rooms, dining and entertainment
The Palace has 338 rooms and suites, finished with African-inspired textures and modern essentials, including Wi-Fi, climate control and round-the-clock room service.
Attention to detail runs from carved fittings to custom furnishings.
Beyond the rooms, guests have access to pools, a spa, golf courses, the Valley of Waves water park and a casino.
Dining options range from fine restaurants to relaxed bars, rounding out a resort designed to function as a destination in its own right.
