The Palace of the Lost City

Sun City, North West Province

Star rating

The hotel

One of South Africa’s most sumptuous hotels, The Palace, a member of Sun International’s Sunlux Collection, was based on the idea of a lost African Palace. The Lost City surrounds the Palace - a world of jungles, streams, waterfalls and swimming pools. Each of the luxuriously appointed rooms are fitted with individually crafted furniture. Valley of Waves, stands as a central feature of the resort and provides endless fun for all water lovers. There are also two golf courses designed by acclaimed designer Gary Player that will provide added enjoyment for lovers of the sport.

Amenities

  • Golf
  • Tennis
  • Kids Club
  • Wheelchair access
  • Bar
  • Internet Access
  • Restaurant
  • Room Service
  • Safety Deposit Box

Where is it

Next to Pilanesberg National Park for 'Big Five' safari game-driving in a malaria-free zone. Transfer time from Johannesburg Airport: approximately 2 hours.

Hotel information

335 rooms, including suites, in 4 wings with lifts. Each room and suite offers royal hospitality with wonderful views over water or jungle and all benefit from a personal touch. All with air-conditioning, TV, mini-bar*, butler station on request, safe and hairdryer. Luxury Rooms have mountain views and twin beds, sleeping maximum 2 adults.

Superior Luxury Rooms are more spacious with views of the gardens or swimming pool and have 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 2 adults.

Superior Luxury Family Rooms are ideal for families with 1 king-size bed and a sofa bed in the lounge area sleeping maximum 2 adults and 2 children.

Superior Luxury Pool Facing Rooms have the same facilities as above but with a pool view, sleeping maximum 2 adults.

Junior Suites are very spacious with a separate relaxing lounge area complete with sofa bed, sleeping maximum 2 adults.

Superior Suites are located on the ground floor overlooking the pool or on the upper floor overlooking the Lost City Golf Course with 1 king-size bed and an open-plan lounge and dining area, sleeping maximum 2 adults.

2 restaurants; Crystal Court (International buffet for breakfast and dinner), The Grill Room (signature steakhouse, dinner). 2 bars: The Palace Pool Deck (snacks and wood-fired pizzas) and Tusk Bar and Lounge (safari-themed cocktail bar and lounge). High tea*.

Whilst there isn't any evening entertainment at the hotel you can hop on a shuttle to the Sun City resort where you can visit the casino or nightclub.

Olympic-sized outdoor swimming pool. Royal Spa*. Valley of Waves water park (there is a flat charge rate of R50.00 non-refundable for Valley of Waves towels to all hotel guests and day visitors). The Lost City Golf Course*, designed by Gary Player. Water sports*. Tennis. Segway*, Zip Slide* and many more activities. Both morning and sunset game-drives* available in the neighbouring malaria-free Pilanesberg National Park. 'Kamp Kwena' kids' club*. Shops.

Please note: The Valley of Waves will be closed every year for a month between May and July for annual maintenance.

 24-hour room service*. Complimentary WiFi.

Wheelchair accessible rooms available on request. Please note that these rooms are subject to availability and may be restricted to specific room categories and bedding arrangements. Rooms and facilities vary between hotels so please check at the time of booking. For more information and contact details please check out our Special Assistance page

3 nights between 24 Dec-2 Jan.

 * Denotes local charge.

Rating summary

  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (1737)
  • Very good (578)
  • Average (297)
  • Poor (159)
  • Terrible (155)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Memorable Birthday Stay

Jul 8, 2025 PatBr55 Greater Johannesburg, South Africa

Lovely special birthday celebration for my mom. The hotel staff was very welcoming & ensured we were able to celebrate in style. Robert B Phiri elevated the atmosphere with his marvelous piano playing at the buffet dinner and at breakfast in the gorgeous Crystal Court. Such a special time for me and my family who were there!
Image of the Tripadvisor rating The Palace of the Lost city - South Africa

Jul 2, 2025 lucypadayachee New Orleans, Louisiana

Always a beautiful place to stay. I am a frequent visitor and thoroughly enjoy my stay. It’s an exotic setting that allows the visitor to have An awesome experience. The only challenge the Palace has is when there is an event at the Super Bowl and they are fully booked, then there is a challenge the next morning for the breakfast buffet. The … Read more
Always a beautiful place to stay. I am a frequent visitor and thoroughly enjoy my stay. It’s an exotic setting that allows the visitor to have An awesome experience. The only challenge the Palace has is when there is an event at the Super Bowl and they are fully booked, then there is a challenge the next morning for the breakfast buffet. The lines are too long and the staff struggle to handle the crowd and service is slow. Perhaps more space can be utilised for the breakfast buffet. However the atmosphere is very serene as the in house pianist plays beautiful music throughout the entire breakfast session. Well done for creating a fabulous atmosphere. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Disappointed!

Jun 29, 2025 Camper28796814076

I recently booked a luxury family room at the Palace for my family and I. We were really looking forward to our stay but were left disappointed with the overall experience. The first frustration started when my kids had to wait until 21h30 for their bed to be made. I had made two calls to reception and after waiting for more than an hour, I… Read more
I recently booked a luxury family room at the Palace for my family and I. We were really looking forward to our stay but were left disappointed with the overall experience. The first frustration started when my kids had to wait until 21h30 for their bed to be made. I had made two calls to reception and after waiting for more than an hour, I eventually walked all the way down to reception to find out why it's taking so long to get the sleeper couch bed set up. We were in room 481, which is on the furthest end of the 4th floor. Its a far walk to say the least. We waited for almost 1.5 hours to get their bed sorted. Eventually the bed was made, but then there were no pillows, so we had to wait another 30 minutes for the pillows to arrive. Once the pillows arrived and we were all ready to call it a night, we heard a rattling sound coming from the air conditioning. We had no choice but to switch the aircon off, as the sound would have kept us awake. This happens to be in the middle of winter, so it would have been nice to have a warm room. I am really not happy, considering the amount of money we spent. I had very high expectations, but was left with huge disappointment. All I wanted was to give my family a memorable experience, but now we will be remembering The Palace for the wrong reasons. It's a real shame! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Good almost excellent

Jun 3, 2025 Lourdesdaisy Ascot, United Kingdom

This is a very grand hotel with interesting architecture and small details which make the stay special. Rooms are large and well furnished. The staff are lovely and helpful when required. To be excellent they would need to look at some updating, our room had some wallpaper pealing of the walls and paintwork needs redoing. Bar staff need more… Read more
This is a very grand hotel with interesting architecture and small details which make the stay special. Rooms are large and well furnished. The staff are lovely and helpful when required. To be excellent they would need to look at some updating, our room had some wallpaper pealing of the walls and paintwork needs redoing. Bar staff need more training, when ordering cocktails they often use the menu to get the ingredients. However we had a lovely relaxing stay Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating The Palace is a fascinating place with remarkable people

May 30, 2025 advfj Pretoria, South Africa

The best beds and turn-down service. The corridors smell like a jungle oasis. The warm welcomes make me return again and again. I recently stayed at The Palace of the Lost City in Sun City on two separate occasions, and as a returning visitor, I was once again pleasantly surprised. Sun International and its management team continue to deliver a… Read more
The best beds and turn-down service. The corridors smell like a jungle oasis. The warm welcomes make me return again and again. I recently stayed at The Palace of the Lost City in Sun City on two separate occasions, and as a returning visitor, I was once again pleasantly surprised. Sun International and its management team continue to deliver a world-class experience defined by excellence, precise attention to detail, and genuine hospitality. Congratulations to Hotelier and General Manager Nico Myburgh, whose leadership is obvious throughout the guest experience. The regular maintenance and high standards is noticed. Special thanks are also due to Guest Relations Manager Francois du Toit, Lerato and Confidence at Front of House, Patrick at The Grill Room, Chef Junior at the Breakfast Buffet, and many more, including Shirley, Gladys, Gloria, and Steven. Their professionalism and polite service made my several stays memorable. I must make special mention of the Breakfast Buffet, which is still, in my opinion, possibly the best breakfast buffet in the world. This argument is supported by the sheer diversity, freshness, quality, and flavour of what is available. Read less