Rovos Rail 3 Star

Hotel description

Each train has accommodation carriages, dining cars (±42 seats), a lounge car (±26 seats), a small gift shop, a smoking lounge (±11 seats), and an observation car with an open-air balcony. There are no radios or televisions on board, in keeping with the spirit of the past. The three suite options available - Pullman (7 sqm), Deluxe (10 sqm), and Royal (16 sqm) - provide travelers with privacy and luxury, with double or twin beds and high-quality furniture and services. All rooms include en-suite bathrooms with a shower, toilet, basin, and bath (Royal only), tea-making facilities, safes, air conditioning, linen, and amenities, and are serviced daily. There is enough storage, including tiny cupboards with hangers and shelving.

They welcome all singles, couples, and groups of travelers. The dining cars are divided into two and four-seaters, allowing customers to eat together or separately. The lounge and observation cars, with their large picture windows, chairs, and booths, create ideal mingling spaces or quiet spots to spend the day.

Many passengers like the formality of fine china and glassware, pristine linen and silver, and dress accordingly. Days on board are smart casual, whereas nighttime clothing is more formal. On long journeys, themed evenings are appreciated, with passengers able to dress up or go smart casual.

Ensuring that every guest's need is met is a crucial duty that is overseen by an enthusiastic team of chefs. Fresh local ingredients are prioritised, and traditional recipes are served exclusively. The dining carriages provide meals in single sittings exclusively, accompanied by an array of premium South African wines. The bar's selection is extensive, however special orders for things like French Champagne must be placed ahead of time. 7:00–10:00 for breakfast; 13:00 for lunch; 16:30 for tea; and 19:30 for a formal dinner. The bar is open from 7:00 until 1:00. Unless otherwise indicated in the itineraries, all meals are provided at these hours.

Observation Cars

There are about 32 seats in the observation car. It includes fantastic social places and peaceful corners to pass the time with its large picture windows, bar, couches and booths in addition to its open-air balcony. Most days, bar service is from 07:00-01:00, and afternoon tea is given in the lounge and observation cars at 16:30.

Lounge Cars

There are about 26 chairs in the lounge car. It offers wonderful spaces for socialising or peaceful corners to pass the time thanks to its large picture windows, couches, and wingback chairs. Most days, bar service is from 07:00-01:00, and afternoon tea is given in the lounge and observation cars at 16:30. We have a historian on board who gives talks in the lounge car on some of the longer trips. The carriage has a little gift shop at one end that sells custom mementos. It's a classy, softly lit glass affair.

Dining Cars

The dining vehicles can accommodate around 42 persons each. Depending on the amount of passengers on the voyage, the train is equipped with one or two dining cars. They are divided into two and four-seater tables, so visitors can eat together or separately. Meals are served in one sitting only. Breakfast is served from 7:00 to 10:00 a.m., followed by lunch at 13:00 and a formal dinner at 19:30. All meals are provided at these times, unless otherwise specified in the itinerary. Hot breakfast dishes are prepared to order, while lunch and supper are four-course meals accompanied by exquisite South African wines. The bar's selection is comprehensive; nevertheless, certain goods, such as French Champagne, must be requested in advance.

Club Cars

The Club Car section was formed by eliminating the end suite of a Deluxe carriage. This was done primarily to host smokers on the train in a public space, as well as to serve as an overflow facility adjacent to the Observation Car. With a glass corridor wall, travellers can enjoy the countryside on both sides of the train.

Room description

The Suites

Three suite styles are available for double or twin occupancy: Royal (16m2), Deluxe (10m2), and Pullman (7m2).

The wood-paneled sleeper coaches, which have been redesigned and restored to perfection, provide every modern convenience and comfort, complete with high-quality equipment and amenities. The suites can seat one or two passengers and feature either a double or twin bed. All rooms include en-suite bathrooms with a shower, toilet, basin, and bath (Royal only), tea making facilities, safes, air conditioning, linen, and amenities, and are serviced daily. There is enough storage, including tiny cupboards with hangers and shelving. 

Royal

Each Royal Suite takes up half a carriage and includes a private lounge space and an en-suite bathroom with a Victorian bath, separate shower, toilet and sink. They may accommodate one or two people in double or twin beds. A dedicated host/ess is always available and services the suites on a daily basis. A bar fridge holds the passengers' preferred on-board beverages.

• Double or twin beds.
• En-suite bathroom with bath, shower, toilet, and basin
• Small sitting area
• Writing desk
• Luggage shelf
• Cupboards
• Safe
• Air conditioner
• Refrigerator
• Tea facilities.
• Bespoke amenities
• Robe and slippers.
• Hairdryer (fixed or plug-in)
• Shaver plugs (2-pin)
• USB ports
• Safety glasses
• Emergency flashlight
• Fire extinguisher
• Laundry bag
• Shoe bag
• Internal phone system
• Room service

Deluxe

The Deluxe Suites can seat one or two travellers in double or twin beds and feature their own lounge space and en-suite bathroom with shower, toilet and sink. A dedicated host/ess is always available and services the suites on a daily basis. A bar fridge holds the passengers' preferred on-board beverages.

• Double or twin beds.
• En-suite with shower, toilet, and basin
• Small lounge area
• Writing desk
• Luggage shelf
• Cabinets
• Safe
• Air conditioner
• Refrigerator
• Tea facilities.
• Bespoke amenities
• Robe and slippers.
• Hairdryer (fixed or plug-in)
• Shaver plugs (2-pin)
• USB ports
• Safety glasses
• Emergency flashlight
• Fire extinguisher
• Laundry bag
• Shoe bag
• Internal phone system
• Room service

Pullman

Pullmans are used for short journeys and can accommodate one or two passengers. They contain an en-suite bathroom with a shower, toilet and basin. During the day, the suites feature a comfy sofa-seat that converts into a double or twin bed (side-by-side or upper and lower bunks) in the evening. A dedicated host/ess is always available and services the suites daily.

• Double or twin beds.
• Upper and/or lower bunks
• Daytime sofa set
• En-suite with shower, toilet, and basin
• Fold-up writing desk
• Luggage shelf
• Cabinets
• Safe
• Air conditioning
• Tea making facilities
• Bespoke amenities
• Robe and slippers.
• Hairdryer (fixed or plug-in)
• Shaver plugs (2-pin)
• USB ports
• Safety glasses
• Emergency flashlight
• Fire extinguisher
• Laundry bag
• Shoe bag
• Internal phone system
• Room service

Pullman Gold

Pullman Golds are used on long journeys and can accommodate one or two guests. They contain an en-suite bathroom with a shower, toilet and basin. During the day, the suites are outfitted with split twin beds configured as sofa-seats (optional), which convert to split twin or double beds in the evening. A dedicated host/ess is always available and services the suites on a daily basis.

• Double or twin beds
• Daytime sofa setting
• En-suite with shower, toilet, and basin
• Foldable writing desk
• Luggage shelf
• Cupboards
• Safe
• Air conditioning
• Tea-making facilities
• Bespoke amenities
• Robe and slippers.
• Hairdryer (fixed or plug-in)
• Shaver plugs (2-pin)
• USB ports
• Safety glasses
• Emergency flashlight
• Fire extinguisher
• Laundry bag
• Shoe bag
• Internal phone system
• Room service