Redlands Hotel Pietermaritzburg is a boutique hotel, conference centre, and event venue nestled within the leafy Redlands Estate in the sought-after Wembley suburb — a tranquil setting that places guests just five minutes from the KwaZulu-Natal capital’s CBD while offering the privacy and greenery of a genuine estate retreat. Rated 4.2 on TripAdvisor and holding an 84% recommendation rate across over 300 Facebook reviews, the hotel combines elegantly appointed accommodation, a licensed restaurant with a growing whisky bar, two dedicated conference rooms, versatile indoor and outdoor event spaces, a swimming pool, and the Redlands Spa under one roof.

The Estate and Setting

Redlands Hotel sits within the Redlands Estate in Wembley — one of Pietermaritzburg’s most established northern suburbs — where treetop views, manicured gardens, and lush lawns create an atmosphere that feels entirely removed from the city noise despite being only a short drive away. The hotel is approximately 2.6 km from Liberty Midlands Mall and 4.7 km from the KwaZulu-Natal National Botanical Garden, placing it within easy reach of the city’s major commercial and leisure attractions. Pietermaritzburg Airport lies roughly 16 km away.

The property comprises an original hotel building whose rooms occupy the first and second floors, and a newer wing completed in 2007 whose rooms are on the ground and first floors. Both wings are beautifully appointed throughout.

Accommodation: 22 Suites Across Three Categories

Redlands Hotel offers 22 suites in three categories, all featuring king-size beds, satellite TV, tea and coffee-making facilities, and complimentary uncapped Wi-Fi via a 20 Mbps fibre optic line into the hotel.

Deluxe Suites — 15 m², starting from R3,200 per night. Elegantly furnished rooms with king-size beds and large windows, positioned on the first or second floor of the original building or in the 2007 wing. The well-equipped standard for the hotel’s day-to-day corporate and leisure guests.

Executive Suites — 40 m², starting from R4,500 per night. Considerably more spacious than the Deluxe category, with king-size beds and views over the estate gardens. Ideal for longer-stay corporate guests or those who need working space alongside sleeping accommodation.

Premier Suites — 70 m², starting from R5,250 per night. The hotel’s flagship rooms, with private lounges or studies and beautiful views over the treetops. These suites offer a level of space and privacy more commonly associated with boutique lodges than city hotels, making them a genuine draw for senior executives, honeymooners, and guests marking special occasions.

The hotel currently has 16 Deluxe Rooms, 2 Library Suites, and 4 Premier Suites across its room inventory, with the Library Suites occupying a unique character position within the estate. All rooms are non-smoking. The hotel is partially undergoing renovations to enhance the guest experience further.

The Restaurant and Bar

Redlands Restaurant is open from 06:30 to 22:00 daily, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a setting that combines elegant indoor table service with outdoor terrace dining overlooking the gardens. The menu is built around seasonal, locally sourced ingredients — a South African and steak focus, with an average main meal price of approximately R90. Corkage is available at R40 per bottle. The kitchen caters for vegetarians, and the venue is child-friendly.

The hotel’s bar is a particular point of pride, with a growing and well-curated whisky collection that the management describes as having something for every palate. Cold beers, a curated wine list, and cocktails round out the offering. The bar area — which connects to the pool terrace — is a favourite spot for guests to unwind after a long day’s work, especially in summer. Parking is available on-site, and all major cards (Amex, Mastercard, Visa) are accepted.

Conference Rooms: The Redlands Room and The Boardroom

Redlands Hotel & Conference Centre offers two purpose-built conference rooms equipped for professional events of all scales.

The Redlands Room spans 80 m² and accommodates approximately 80 delegates depending on layout configuration — 50 in school-room style and 80 in cinema style. The room features its own anteroom, a covered verandah, dedicated washroom facilities, a service bar, and a fully equipped satellite kitchen, making it self-contained for full-day events. Both wired and wireless internet are available throughout. The Redlands Room suits workshops, training days, seminars, AGMs, and medium-scale corporate gatherings.

The Boardroom spans 36 m² and accommodates approximately 22 delegates in an intimate, pool-adjacent setting close to the hotel’s bar and dining areas. A cosy anteroom, wireless internet, and easy access to refreshment facilities make it ideal for focused executive meetings, strategy sessions, client presentations, and smaller working groups.

Both conference rooms are equipped with air-conditioning, a projector and screen, HDMI and AV connections, an audio system with microphones, a whiteboard, charging stations and power outlets, and tea and coffee stations. Custom catering menus are available for all conference bookings, with access to the hotel’s gardens and leisure facilities included.

Event Spaces: Weddings, Celebrations, and Corporate Functions

Beyond the dedicated conference rooms, Redlands Hotel offers versatile indoor and outdoor event spaces for weddings, birthday celebrations, baby showers, and corporate year-end functions. The combination of lush estate gardens, elegant indoor reception areas, a terrace, and the pool setting gives event planners a range of backdrop options for photography and seating configurations.

For weddings, the estate’s gardens and treetop views provide a naturally scenic ceremony and reception setting that requires minimal additional décor investment. The hotel’s in-house catering team handles food and beverage service, and the on-site accommodation means out-of-town guests and the bridal party can stay on the property. For corporate clients, the outdoor spaces extend the conferencing experience into the gardens for team-building activities, cocktail receptions, and year-end entertainment.

The Redlands Spa

The Redlands Spa adds a wellness dimension to the property that is well suited to conference delegates seeking recovery treatments, wedding party bookings, and leisure guests. Treatments and services can be arranged through the hotel team.

What Guests Are Saying

Guests consistently highlight the hotel’s combination of tranquil setting, well-maintained rooms, and attentive service. Google reviewers single out the pool area as one of the best on-property features — described as ideal for photography and genuine relaxation. Multiple guests note that the hotel feels far more peaceful than its proximity to the city centre would suggest, and that the room quality and cleanliness consistently meet or exceed expectations. The hotel’s Facebook community of over 300 reviewers reflects an 84% recommendation rate, driven largely by the quality of the accommodation and the welcoming character of the team.

Location and Getting There

Redlands Hotel & Conference Centre is located at 1 George McFarlane Lane, Wembley, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, 3201 — situated within the Redlands Estate approximately 5 minutes from the Pietermaritzburg CBD and 2.6 km from Liberty Midlands Mall. The N3 highway linking Durban and Johannesburg passes through Pietermaritzburg, making the hotel accessible from both major KZN cities. Durban is approximately 80 km to the east; Johannesburg is approximately 570 km to the north.

Tel: 033 394 3333
Email: info@redlandshotel.co.za
Check-in: Standard times apply; contact the hotel directly for early check-in or late check-out requests
Restaurant hours: 06:30–22:00 daily

For full room rates, conference packages, and event enquiries, visit Redlands Hotel’s official website.

Explore more conference and event venues in Pietermaritzburg through our Pietermaritzburg event venues directory, or browse all KwaZulu-Natal event venue listings for venues across the province.