Looking for a local escape for you and your loved one for the month of love? An exclusive romantic retreat is just 40 minutes away from Sandton at The Greater Cradle Nature Reserve. Here is where nature, romance and luxury blend seamlessly for an unforgettable experience. This is where you will find a secluded paradise perfect for celebrating love in the heart of the Cradle of Humankind.
For those looking for a luxurious yet eco-friendly escape, The Cradle Boutique Hotel offers sustainably built timber-and-thatch rooms, each raised on stilts to blend harmoniously with the landscape. For an extra touch of romance, many of their rooms featuring wood-burning hot tubs with panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness.
Every room is designed with comfort in mind, featuring air-conditioning, en-suite bathrooms, indulgent guest amenities and a private viewing deck.
Treat your partner to an exquisite Valentine’s Day dining experience at The Cradle Boutique Hotel. The carefully curated menu features a symphony of flavours crafted to enchant the senses. Begin with a delicate amuse-bouche of smoked salmon, avocado salsa and grilled tiger prawn, followed by a rich and flavourful starter of confit quail filled with fresh figs, complemented by creamy shiitake mushroom polenta and a cranberry jus. A refreshing coconut and mint sorbet cleanses the palate before the main course—a perfectly cooked sous vide Dhukka-spiced Picanha steak, served with pomme fondant potatoes, sautéed red onion and a red wine jus. End on a sweet note with an indulgent strawberry and white chocolate mousse cake, elegantly paired with seasonal berries, angel food cake and almond brittle.
For those preferring a vegetarian option, the menu features a delectable amuse-bouche of spinach, artichoke and zucchini bake, drizzled with basil pesto. The Sichuan grilled aubergine and tofu stack offers a bold and aromatic start, while the main course presents two irresistible choices: a hearty lentil and chickpea shepherd’s pie or creamy butternut gnocchi topped with parmesan shavings and a drizzle of truffle oil. The meal concludes with the same exquisite dessert of strawberry and white chocolate mousse cake.
Nestled at the edge of a tranquil lake and framed by striking dolomite cliffs, Riverhorse Lodge is an intimate five-room luxury retreat designed for nature enthusiasts seeking an indulgent African experience. With breath-taking views of an indigenous forest and the soothing sounds of the wild, this hidden gem offers couples the ultimate escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Guests at Riverhorse Lodge will enjoy a private chef, ensuring a bespoke culinary journey and a dedicated game-ranger for guided wildlife expeditions, bush walks and birding trips. Whether exploring on foot or in a game-viewing vehicle, you’ll retrace the footsteps of ancient hominins dating back 3.5 million years. Or simply unwind on your lake-side lounger, surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature.
A Spa Experience Like No Other
Pamper yourself and your loved one at Nyala Spa with rejuvenating treatments that will leave you relaxed and refreshed. From hot stone massages and detoxifying sauna sessions to a dip in the natural wetland pool, the spa experience at The Cradle Boutique Hotel promises serenity and indulgence.
Reservations are essential. Book your romantic getaway or Valentine’s dinner by visiting www.https://cradlehotel.co.za/ , https://cradleriverhorse.co.za/ or emailing reservations@thecradle.co.za.
This Valentine’s season, celebrate love in the heart of nature at The Greater Nature Reserve—where romance, luxury and history converge for an unforgettable experience.
