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Address:
Cnr Main Street & Van der Merwe Street
PO Box 220
Clarens
Free State
South Africa

Protea Hotel Clarens


4 STAR CLARENS HOTEL
FREE STATE, SOUTH AFRICA

The cultural little Free State town of Clarens is home to this luxurious retreat. The 4-star Protea Hotel Clarens is dwarfed by the Maluti Mountains that lie right on its doorstep. This retreat, nestled within the Golden Gate National Park, is rich in history and natural beauty. When combined with the world-class service and amenities offered at the hotel, guests of Clarens are guaranteed of a one-of-a-kind experience.

Clarens is known amongst those who are involved in South African arts and culture. This lends it a certain air of creative mystery that permeates its air. The Protea Hotel Clarens exudes this ambience in a design that is both elegant and natural, morphing with its natural surrounds while maintaining its sense of utter luxury. This is the perfect retreat for couples, families and corporate guests to escape the humdrum of city living and indulge in the sheer beauty of the South African countryside.

The warm hospitality that characterises this diverse country is complemented by the ideal weather conditions experienced in Clarens. This makes for a year-round destination in which to relax, explore the mystery of the bushveld or conduct team building initiatives in style. The Protea Hotel Clarens maintains that "home is where the art is", and works hard to maintain this homely comfort in the midst of a cultural epicentre.

Accommodation

The Protea Hotel Clarens comprises 70 bedrooms, made up of Standard Rooms, Deluxe Rooms, Executive Rooms and Special Assistance Rooms (for physical disabled guests).

Apart from tasteful furnishings, each room is equipped with an air-conditioning unit, tea- and coffee station, executive work desk, international plug adaptors, electronic safe, Wi-Fi Internet connectivity, LCD television with 12 satellite channels, hairdryer and telephone. Five of the rooms have a separate bath and shower, while 63 have only a shower. There are an additional two rooms with showers designed for physically disabled guests. Services available to Protea Hotel guests include laundry, dry-cleaning and room service, which operates for 16 hours a day.

Dining

Breakfasts, lunches and dinners can be savoured at the Protea Hotel Clarens' ample restaurant. Fresh ingredients and the exceptional talents of the dedicated chefs promise a unique dining experience. The Buffet Breakfast is served from 06h30 to 10h30 on weekdays and from 06h30 to 11h00 on weekends. Lunch offers an A-la-Carte menu and begins every day at 12h00, continuing into Dinner, which is served until 22h30. Views from the bar showcase the magnificent Maluti Mountains in all of their natural magnificence, while inviting guests to relax with refreshing beer, cider, wine or spirit. Alternatively, choose from a range of specialty coffees for chilly winter evenings. The bar is open every day from 09h00 until 23h00.

Warm summer days are best spent dining on the terrace, which is chic and alluring in its comfortable nature. Cocktails, coffees and snacks are served here for a truly tranquil Free State experience.

Attractions

There are several things to do and see in and around Clarens. This area is rich in culture and history, making it the perfect reflection of this complex land. There are several local and nearby attractions and activities that are guaranteed to occupy and enthral:
  • Schaapplaats Farm - only 20 minutes away on foot, this farm is home to rock paintings left by the ancient San people. Notably, one of these is the only painting of its kind that portrays a Rock Rabbit, or Dassie, as they are locally known.
  • Golden Gate National Park - stretching for 11 600 hectares, this national park is home to a vast array of plants and animals. In addition, it is famous for its beautiful rock faces and imposing natural structures, which reflect different hues as the bright sun casts its rays over the many facets. Hikers will enjoy the many paths and trails, particularly the view from the summit of Ribbokkop.
  • Fertility Caves - hundreds of years ago, these caves were the meeting place for various tribes, who congregated here to perform spiritual rituals and worship ceremonies. Today, they are still recognised as one of the most sacred places in the country.
  • Titanic Rock - having been established in the same year that the Titanic was launched (1912), Clarens already had some tie to the 'unsinkable ship'. After the ship sank, an event of which the entire world soon heard, one of the local residents saw Clarens from the south towards Naauwpoort Nek and discovered that the rock resembled this mammoth ship. Today, is continues to be known as Titanic Rock.
  • Ash River Outfall - this project ensures water and hydropower for Lesotho and is part of the outstanding Lesotho Highlands Water Project. In addition, it supplies water to some areas of Gauteng and is part of the Vaal River System.
  • Qwa Qwa National Park and Basotho Cultural Village - interact with the local South Sotho tribes that once occupied the area by experiencing their lives, homes and daily activities up close and personal. The park is made up of 22 000 hectares of beautiful vegetation that sustains an impressive variety of birds and animals, including Red Hartebeest, Black Wildebeest, Zebra, Eland and Springbok. There are several hiking trails for visitors of different fitness levels.
  • Surrender Hill - only 10 kilometres from the Protea Hotel Clarens, this was the site of one of the many bloody battles that took place between the Boere and the English during the Anglo-Boer war. This battle saw 4000 Boere surrendering, and Surrender Hill was established as a memorial to the men that fell before the battle ended in this way.
  • Afri-Ski - this ski resort is situated within very close proximity to Clarens and offers a unique experience to locals and visitors alike. Its world-class facilities are usually open between June and September. Other nearby attractions include Ficksburg (where the Cherry Festival is held every year), Fouriesburg (home of the Asparagus Festival) and Rosendal.
SEE AND DO
Art enthusiasts will be especially drawn to Clarens for its focus on creativity and the expression of local culture. The Artist Amble is a formal tour that transports guests into a fantastical world of the minds of various artists, each approaching life, love and art from a new perspective and producing one-of-a-kind creations. Some of the pieces to be explored include pottery, curios, traditional crafts, original leatherwork and so on. Those who prefer to admire the natural wonders of the area will enjoy the Dinosaur Trail, game viewing, trout fishing, horse riding, hiking, bird watching, fly fishing and lion viewing. Guests who are seeking an adrenalin rush should indulge in quad biking, rock climbing, Bugxter car rides, abseiling, 4 x 4 trails and river rafting. Alternatively, the golf course is the ideal place to unwind, as is the ever-indulgent Wellness Centre, where treatments are designed to soothe and relax the body and mind.

SHOPS & SPECIALITIES - Not much I can do with this?? It's not easy to tell what all of them sell, so difficult to write up about them. Just wrote an intro paragraph.

Shopaholics are well-rewarded in Clarens, and are encouraged to explore its streets for a delightful abundance of interesting sights and sounds. Whether looking for memorable curios, gifts and keepsakes or trying to source some last-minute essentials, these shops are sure to exceed guest expectations:
  • Bergwoning Adventures
  • Bibliophile: books, CD's and deli
  • Clarens Interiors
  • Clarens Trading Post
  • Country Connections
  • Creative Metal Works
  • De Mezza Blanket Shop
  • Friends Gift Shop
  • House of Woven Art Persian Carpets
  • Meadowlands - Health and Organics
  • Monsoon Moon Wooden Furniture
  • Olde Sweet Shop
  • Senqu Outdoor Wear
  • The Cherry Company
  • The Leatherman
  • The Purple Onion Deli
  • The Rock Shop
  • The Secret Garden
  • The Ugly Duckling
  • Trendy Times
  • Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
GALLERIES
Because of Clarens' focus on art and creativity, it is home to almost 20 different art galleries:
  • Addy & Hoyle Gallery
  • Al Tiley Gallery
  • Art and Wine Gallery
  • Artefunto
  • Baluba's Barn Gallery
  • Clarens Gallery
  • Di Mezza Art Gallery
  • Diana Reed Gallery
  • die blou donki
  • Enslin Vorster Gallery
  • Helen Claasen gallery
  • Johan Smith Gallery
  • Ke Thaba
  • Richard Rennie Gallery
  • The Conservatory
  • The Gallery
  • Tina de Beer Gallery
Location

The Protea Hotel Clarens is within an easy drive from Bloemfontein, Durban and Johannesburg, making it optimally central. Apart from convenience, this also means that guests have access to many of South Africa's most popular sights and activities, as well as to various internal airports (the most significant of which is the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg).

Distances
  • Johannesburg - 315km
  • Pretoria - 343km
  • Bloemfontein - 260km
  • Durban - 388km
  • Bethlehem - 45km
  • Fouriesburg - 39km
  • Ficksburg - 87km
  • Rosendal - 126km