South Africa – Cayley Mountain Resort in KwaZulu-Natal’s Central Drakensberg has been named South Africa’s Leading Lifestyle Resort for 2026 at the World Travel Awards, securing the title for the fifth consecutive year.
According to Daily Investor, the award was announced at the World Travel Awards Africa Gala Ceremony in Zanzibar in September.
The resort, located in Cathkin Park, offers views of the Drakensberg mountains and caters to families, couples and groups, with accommodation ranging from hotel rooms to self-catering chalets, villas and larger holiday units.
Its facilities include a restaurant and bar, day spa, swimming pool, hiking trails, outdoor gym and games room. Guests can also enjoy water-based activities at nearby Bell Park Dam, including kayaking, paddleboarding and boat rides.
The recognition follows upgrades and expansions at the resort, including new self-catering accommodation and improvements to its games room and café.
Cayley Mountain Resort is owned by the Beekman Group, which also received two other honours at the 2026 awards. The Kingdom Resort in the Pilanesberg area was named South Africa’s Leading Family Resort, while San Martinho Beach Club won Mozambique’s Leading Family Resort title.
Speaking about the three awards, Beekman Group director Wayne Beekman said: “To receive three World Travel Awards across three very different destinations is an incredibly proud achievement for everyone at the Beekman Group.”
He added that the group had been welcoming holidaymakers for more than five decades, with families returning to its destinations across generations.
“Winning three World Travel Awards is a tremendous honour, but it also reminds us of the responsibility that comes with being entrusted with someone’s precious holiday time,” Beekman said.
Time Out South Africa also reported on the group’s success, noting that its three resorts received recognition across South Africa and Mozambique.
The World Travel Awards recognise achievements across the global travel and tourism industry, including hotels, resorts, airlines and tourism destinations. Cayley’s latest win reinforces the resort’s position in South Africa’s lifestyle tourism sector.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
