Luxuriate in quaint town

A fter a drive that may seem longer than expected, you reach the treasure at the end of the tunnel – Royal Marang Hotel.

As you drive in, you notice the high-altitude training centre where Premier League soccer team Platinum Stars have put down roots.

The team trains there and, as an avid soccer fan, I was hoping to catch a glimpse of a soccer player or two.

Of course this didn’t happen since my companion and I arrived on a Saturday afternoon, which isn’t the ideal time to spot a team during open season.

In the distance you can see the Royal Bafokeng Staduim in Phokeng, which was renovated to accommodate national and international soccer teams for the 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup.

The five-star hotel delivers a truly royal experience. With 64 deluxe rooms and four presidential suites accommodating 136 guests in total.

There is a luxurious spa offering a variety of treatments, from relaxing massages and rejuvenating facials, a family-friendly restaurant and a high-performance fitness centre, which is one of a few in South Africa.

It’s no wonder the Marang is filled with guests throughout the year hosting business events, weddings and personal celebrations at its conference centre.

We were booked into a presidential suite and it’s like a palatial apartment. Abel, the amazingly friendly operations manager, unlocked the double-panelled dark wood doors to reveal the most stunning décor.

Our suite had two bathrooms, a double bedroom, lounge, patio, kitchen, bar, entertaining area and numerous toilets.

Abel explained that no two suites are the same. Each one is decorated differently with opulent interiors that have different themes.

This explains why the hotel received the African Hotel Award in 2011 for the Best New Hotel Construction and Design in South Africa.

Couples can request the special romantic turnon package, which is enough to make anyone respond to a marriage proposal with an immediate “yes”.

My companion and I went off to have dinner at the restaurant which has a banqueting menu, a buffet and a selection of high end wines, from Franschoek Cellar Merlot to Haute Cabriere.

There is also Boma night when guests sit by a fire and enjoy the cuisine at a special price, while listening to marimbas and poetry from local talents.

The hotel staff put in an enormous amount of effort to transform our suite while we were downstairs dining. We returned to what felt and looked like another room.

Fresh petals were scattered on the floor leading to the bedroom. The bath and basins were filled with bubbles, floating candles and more petals.

In the bedroom on the turneddown bed was a chocolate, delicate swans shaped out of towels and a bottle of Pinot Noir.

Adding to the romantic feel, we had a couple’s full-body Swedish massage at the Pelonngwe Wellness in-house spa, which can be booked by guests at all hours.

There are other treatments on offer based on your personal needs.

The Kgosi Leruo high-performance centre is a dream for fitness fans and even has a rehabilitation area for injured athletes who are currently under rehabilitation therapy.

Equipped with state-of-the-art exercise equipment, including weight and cardio sections, it’s also open to all hotel guests at all hours.

There is a heated pool and another outdoors pool with cooler water. Or you can just pop into the jacquzzi and enjoy the tranquil ambiance of the area.

The medical centre in the building houses medical suites for doctors, dentists and dieticians specifically for athletes in training or sports rehabilitation.

If you’re bringing the little ones along, the kids play area is more than enough to keep them busy.

If you’re keen to get out, a game drive can be arranged or you can try your luck at the casino or take a trip to the surrounding areas and the Magaliesburg mountains, which aren’t far off.

Whether you’re planning to proposal to your other half, a short getaway, or just want to take your mind off the daily hustle and bustle of living in a busy city, the very discreet Royal Marang is the perfect place to go.