The Palace of the Lost City: Top Lodgings in Sun City Near Pilanesberg National Park

South Africa on the brain? We can hardly blame you. If you're looking for a little sunshine and scenery before the World Cup kicks off, look into The Palace of the Lost City, the luxury hotel situated in the fantastical resort complex of Sun City, nestled in the rolling hills outside the Pilanesberg, South Africa's third largest game park. Built as a fairytale palace with mosaic frescoes and hand-painted ceilings depicting South Africa's wildlife and culture, the hotel and its surrounding resort have oft been described as "Africa's Kingdom of Pleasure."

With sizzling Vegas-style entertainment, pools, lush gardens, and golf course, Sun City has it all. With a mythical history, to boot. According to legend, this was the site of an ancient civilization destroyed by an earthquake, so The Palace of the Lost City is the resurrected "royal residence" of a lost African civilization. The hotel itself is isolated from the rest of the resort complex against the backdrop of tropical forest and savanna-covered hills, and gets high marks for its five-star service. At The Palace of the Lost City, every guest is a VIP.