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Romance on a budget

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and budgets may still be tight – not to worry, City Lodge Hotels is here to help make it easy to plan a romantic escape without breaking the bank! From easy stays to delicious dinners, here’s how to create a memorable Valentine’s getaway across South Africa.

Take a nature walk

City Lodge Hotels has 57 hotels across four brands – Courtyard Hotel, City Lodge Hotel, Town Lodge, and Road Lodge – each at different price points and perfectly located for romantic strolls, sunset walks, and sightseeing and adventure outings. We’ve listed a few in each city to get the ideas flowing:

  • Johannesburg & Pretoria: Johannesburg Botanical Gardens and Emmarentia Dam, The Wilds Nature Reserve, Modderfontein Reserve, Rietfontein Nature Reserve, Kloofendal Nature Reserve, Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens
  • Durban & Umhlanga: Umhlanga Promenade Trail, Durban Beachfront Promenade, Umhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve, Burman Bush Nature Reserve, Bluff Nature Reserve
  • Cape Town: Sea Point Promenade, Green Point Urban Park, St James’ Walk, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Company’s Garden
  • Gqeberha: Summerstrand beachfront promenade, Donkin Heritage Trail, Boardwalk Coastal Trail
  • Bloemfontein: Oliewenhuis Art Museum gardens, Naval Hill Nature Reserve trails, Loch Logan Waterfront promenade

Take in an art gallery

Get inspired with local and contemporary art:

  • Johannesburg: Johannesburg Art Gallery, Goodman Gallery, Bag Factory
  • Durban and Umhlanga: KwaZulu‑Natal Society of the Arts, Durban Art Gallery, Elizabeth Gordon Gallery
  • Cape Town: Zeitz MOCAA, South African National Gallery, The Cape Gallery
  • Gqeberha: GFI Art Gallery, Bird Street Gallery, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum
  • Bloemfontein: Oliewenhuis Art Museum, Kotze Kunsgalery, Du Monyè Art Gallery

Try something different

Add an adventure activity to your Valentine’s line-up:

  • Bend your mind: Museum of Illusions
  • Smash and throw: Rage Room SA, Bliksem Rage Room
  • Paint and sip: Color Café, Clay Café, Artjamming, Painting With Grapes
  • Challenge your wits: Escape Room, HintHunt Live Experiences, The Gr8 Escape

After a day of exploring and enjoying time together, retreat to one of our comfortable, affordable hotels and let us spoil you with one of our romantic specials. With so much to see, do, taste, and experience, visit www.citylodgehotels.com to discover how we can make your Valentine’s celebration truly memorable.

Life is hard. Check into easy.

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Budget-friendly travel

27 Jan 2026

Susan Reynard

Valentines, Romance, Budget, City lodge hotels, Check into easy, Easy, Life is hard, Romantic getaway, Budget-friendly, Affordable

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