Accor has opened a luxury ‘off grid’ mountain retreat in South Africa’s Eastern Cape.
Part of the group’s Mantis Collection, Mantis Hiddn is set atop a mountain within an 800-hectare private reserve inside Addo Elephant National Park.
It has 12 suites and two private villas. The Panoramic Mountain Suites and Two-Bedroom Panoramic Suites feature king beds, en-suite bathrooms and private decks.
Select suites include freestanding KolKol wood-fired tubs – South African-made outdoor hot tubs heated by wood.
The four-bedroom Mountain Villas have infinity pools, decks and private butler service.
Suites accommodate guests aged 12 and above. No age restrictions apply to villa guests.
In line with the brand’s focus on preserving community and conservation, the retreat is powered by solar energy and supported by water harvesting and recycling systems. It has been built using eco-friendly, locally-sourced materials designed to minimise environmental impact.
Menus revolve around seasonal local produce, often using open-fire techniques, with meals served on the retreat’s indoor terraces, open-air bomas [circular enclosures often centred around a fire pit] and pop-up bush tables set in secluded locations within the grounds.
The property’s wellness programme includes art therapy, barefoot reflexology walks, guided breathwork, meditation and yoga.
Guests can choose from a programme of experiences, including guided open-air safaris into Addo Elephant National Park, guided stargazing sessions and nature walks.
Optional extras include excursions such as a helicopter marine photography tour along the Eastern Cape coastline giving guests the opportunity to spot dolphins, whales, turtles, rays and, on occasion, great white sharks.
Mantis Collection CEO Craig Erasmus said: “This remote retreat overturns the rule book. Here, rituals replace rigid schedules and tick-list activities. The name Hiddn reflects both its physical, secluded setting and its philosophy: a place of quiet discovery for travellers seeking transformative, curiosity-led experiences rather than conventional tourism.”
This is the third Mantis property in the Eastern Cape region. The portfolio comprises eco-lodges, waterways and curated eco-escapes. It currently has 16 hotels within the collection.
Nightly rates start from £1,500 per suite, based on two people sharing and include round-trip airport transfers, all food and beverages, dedicated Experience Guide, rituals and therapies, curated excursions to Addo Elephant National Park and community-based activities.
International visitors typically connect via OR Tambo International Airport or Cape Town International Airport, with onward flights to Gqeberha. Private road transfers to Hiddn are included with optional helicopter transfers available on request.
