Family-Friendly Hotel Stays in Upington
Upington is a river town on the Orange River and the gateway to Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and Augrabies Falls, so most families stay here as a base rather than for the town itself. The four properties on this page all describe themselves as family-friendly. Upington Inn has a children's playground and a year-round pool, Desert Palace Hotel has a kids' club and a free airport shuttle, and White House River Manor has a tennis court and a games room. Protea Hotel by Marriott Upington stands on the banks of the Orange River. Below I explain which one suits which family.
Upington is a river town on the Orange River in the Northern Cape, a gateway to Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and Augrabies Falls. Green vineyards and date palms line the river against the dry Kalahari landscape, and the pace of the town is unhurried.
Playgrounds, Kids' Clubs and River Pools
A family stay in Upington is about what the children can do at the hotel after a day of driving: a pool, a playground or a games room. I compare the four properties on those practical points.
Two hotels stand out for younger children. Upington Inn has a children's playground, a year-round outdoor swimming pool, a sun terrace, a restaurant serving a variety of cuisines, a bar and a lounge, with air-conditioned rooms that have garden or pool views. Desert Palace Hotel has air-conditioned family rooms with private bathrooms and balconies, a swimming pool, a sun terrace, a garden and a kids' club. Both are rated 7.9, from 296 and 312 reviews, so they have been well tested by other guests, and neither is presented as a luxury option.
White House River Manor is rated 8.4, but from only 20 reviews, so I would read the score with caution. It offers air-conditioned family rooms with private bathrooms, a sun terrace, a lush garden, an outdoor swimming pool, a tennis court, a bar, a restaurant and a games room. For a family with older children, the tennis court and the games room give more to do than a pool alone. It is also described as suitable for honeymooners and golf lovers, so expect a mixed guest list rather than a family-only atmosphere.
Protea Hotel by Marriott Upington is described as family-friendly and sits on the banks of the Orange River. It has a swimming pool, a modern cocktail bar, a gym and air-conditioned rooms. Upington International Airport is a 10-minute drive away, which makes the transfer short. Rated 8.2 from 257 reviews, it is a practical option for a family arriving or leaving by air. Its description does not mention a playground or a kids' club, so it suits families whose children can amuse themselves at the pool. Ask whether the pool is open all year, as the description does not say.
Across the four hotels, ratings run from 7.9 to 8.4 out of 10. Upington Inn is the one I would choose for young children, because it combines a playground with a pool that is open all year. Desert Palace Hotel adds a kids' club and a free airport shuttle, but also a casino, which some parents will not want near the family rooms. Whatever you choose, confirm the pool season, the opening hours of the playground or the kids' club, and how early breakfast can be served if you plan long drives to Kgalagadi or Augrabies.
A traveller's takeI recommend Upington Inn for a family with young children, because it has a playground and a year-round outdoor pool. For a family with older children I would choose White House River Manor, with its tennis court and games room. Our advice for a family arriving by air is Protea Hotel by Marriott Upington, a 10-minute drive from the airport and on the banks of the Orange River. In every case, I would confirm the pool season first.
8.4Family-friendlyWhite House River Manor
Family-friendly manor with a pool, spa, and tennis court in Upington
White House River Manor in Upington has comfortable air-conditioned family rooms with private bathrooms and modern amenities. The outdoor swimming pool, the sun terrace and the lush garden give children space, and a tennis court and a games room add options for wet or hot afternoons. A restaurant and a bar are on site. Guests score it 8.4 across 20 reviews.
8.2Family-friendlyProtea Hotel by Marriott Upington
Riverside comfort with a pool and modern bar in Upington
Protea Hotel by Marriott Upington sits on the banks of the Orange River, which is the setting worth booking it for. Rooms are air-conditioned, and the swimming pool, a modern cocktail bar and a gym cover the downtime. Upington International Airport is a 10-minute drive away, so arrivals and departures are easy. With an 8.2 rating, I would recommend it for families and business travellers who want a convenient riverside base.
7.9Family-friendlyUpington Inn
Family-friendly comfort with a pool, spa, and diverse dining in Upington
Upington Inn is family-friendly, with air-conditioned rooms, private bathrooms and views over the garden or the pool. The outdoor pool is open year-round, there is a sun terrace, and a children's playground gives younger guests space to play. A restaurant serving a variety of cuisines, a bar and a lounge cover the evenings. A 7.9 rating from 296 reviews suggests a straightforward, practical family stay in Upington.
7.9Family-friendlyDesert Palace Hotel
Family-friendly hotel with a pool, casino, and diverse dining in Upington
Desert Palace Hotel in Upington is a three-star hotel with family appeal. Air-conditioned family rooms each have a private bathroom and a balcony, and the swimming pool, sun terrace and garden are welcome in the desert heat. A restaurant serves diverse cuisines, a kids' club entertains children, and a free airport shuttle helps arrivals. A casino is on site. With a 7.9 rating, I would recommend it for practical family stays.
Local tips
- Upington Inn has a children's playground and a year-round outdoor pool, so it is the first place I would check for young children.
- Desert Palace Hotel lists a kids' club and a free airport shuttle; confirm the hours and the age range of the club when you book.
- White House River Manor has a tennis court and a games room, which suit older children and teenagers.
- Protea Hotel by Marriott Upington is on the banks of the Orange River and is a 10-minute drive from Upington International Airport.
- Desert Palace Hotel has a casino, so ask how the family rooms are placed in relation to it.
- If you plan to drive to Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park or Augrabies Falls, ask the hotel about early breakfasts.