Clarens…aptly named the Jewel of the Free State. It had been ten years since I was last there and I was looking forward to visiting again, en route to Johannesburg from Lesotho. The picturesque town is known for its beautiful surroundings, its artistic attractions, and plethora of adventure activities, such as quad biking, hiking, fishing, abseiling and white water rafting.
Protea Hotel Clarens
A quick Google search revealed that the Protea Hotel by Marriott Clarens was one of the best places to stay in Clarens and that was our home for the night. As we pulled into the parking lot of the hotel, we noticed an abundance of exclusive cars parked there. Shortly thereafter we learnt that there was a Supercar Lifestyle event taking place in Clarens that weekend and our hotel was one of the main hosts of the event.
Hotel Lounge
We entered the glass and sandstone building. The interiors are inspired by the surroundings -reflecting earthy tones with splashes of emerald green and sombre gold. Everything looked new and in mint condition. A popcorn machine and pitchers of iced tea welcomed us in the entrance lobby, to the kids delight, and they were given bags of popcorn to munch on soon enough.
Dining area
The hotel has seventy rooms. As all of them are two-sleepers, we had two rooms – one for us and one for the kids. The inter-leading rooms had already been booked out due to the popularity of the hotel. Our mountain-facing room had a king size bed, a desk, a television, a chest of drawers and cupboards, a balcony with a small table and chairs, a coffee machine, and a small fridge.
Both rooms had washbasins in the room, open-plan shower cubicles and separate toilets. The air-conditioning kept us comfortably ensconced in our warm room while cold winds raged outside. However, that didn’t stop me from enjoying a cup of coffee on the balcony while admiring the panoramic views. At turndown, we were given Forest Fairies nougats, another winning touch.
Our room
There is an outdoor swimming pool and deck at the hotel, although it was too cold for us to use them. The poolside views of the Maluti Mountains are exquisite though and I could just imagine sitting there for hours in warmer weather, with a refreshing drink in hand.
View from the balcony
Breakfast, the next morning, was at the in-house Adamo Restaurant. We indulged in a continental buffet spread of eggs, vegetables and croissants. The children particularly enjoyed using the self-service pancake machine, where a simple press of a button made and popped out delicious, hot pancakes. It was the first time I had ever seen one and I was tempted to get one for my kitchen.
Breakfast spread
After we had filled our tummies, we took a leisurely stroll around Clarens. The hotel is centrally located, within walking distance of the Market Square, numerous restaurants, art galleries and quirky shops. We browsed the shops, took lots of photographs and bought some delicacies at The Purple Onion.
Shopping in Clarens
Then we set off to visit the spectacular Golden Gate National Park, which is just 23 km away from Clarens.
Clarens is a great place for a weekend getaway from Johannesburg or Durban, or a stopover on the way to Lesotho, which is just two hours away. Here , you can pause, catch your breath and unwind. And the Protea Hotel by Marriott Clarens is the ideal luxurious retreat to stay at while you’re doing that.
For more information, visit Protea Hotel Clarens or book here.
Disclosure: 7
Sara Essop is a travel blogger and writer based in South Africa. She writes about family travel and experiences around the world. Although she has been to 50 countries thus far, she especially loves showcasing her beautiful country and is a certified South Africa Specialist.
I am a mother and this helped me!
I am glad to hear this Daniela. You are welcome.
A wonderful hotel is such a nice treat! This one is so luxurious and in a marvelous location. Adding it to my list of places I'd love to stay.
This looks like an amazing Hotel. I heard of Clarens before, but never read anything about it. Sounds like a great place to stay. The view from the balcony is breath taking.
Marriott is a great brand and one we trust blindly when travelling. Clarens looks like a charming little place and I don't know if it is right to say but has a somewhat mid-western American look to it. I love how open the hotel is with the large windows and the room looks really comfortable and welcoming. Great choice and I am sure going back after so many years brought back some good memories.
This hotel looks fabulous! The views are absolutely stunning and the town is so charming! I'd love to spend some time exploring there and then sink into that comfy looking bed for a good nights rest!
Nothing quite like good accommodations to add to your travel experience! Sounds like the mountain view room made a beautiful view.. imagine waking up to stunning vistas of the mountain! I would die of happiness 🙂 Safe travels. - Mariella
Golden Gate National Park looks amazing - actually that whole area would be wonderful for photography! You've convinced me to stay at the Protea Hotel - looks fabulous!
I am an outdoors person and love getting dirty. But I also really love having a clean and comfortable place to go back to. I love the pool at this hotel and how well situated it is for all the outdoor activities.
It seems we both stayed here the same weekend! And I was wondering what all those Porsches were doing in Clarens
Oh wow - talk about coincidences - I would have loved to have met you 🙂 The hotel was very busy though.
Love the view from your room! And the balcony so that you can comfortably enjoy that view! the market looks pretty too, i always love to explore local markets!
Protea Hotel sounds like a good option for exploring this area. The emerald green and gold is really interesting and gives the hotel a rustic feel. Nothing like a good view from the balcony to start your day!
I had never heard of Clarens ....great to know that it makes a perfect getaway from J'burg, where I travel often. The room in the Marriott looks very comfortable and the breakfast spread looks great. It seems just perfect to chill and unwind over a weekend after having spent a hectic week at work!