From the moment you walk into the Champagne Sports Resort's reception it's patently obvious that this spot is people friendly.

"What?" you might rightly ask. "Aren't all hotels for the guests?" Sigh.

After nearly 10 years of travel and bumping into some appalling examples of service along the way, I've come to the conclusion that hotels exist for many reasons; holiday-makers aren't necessarily their main concern.

Conferencing can take some of the blame as many resorts have all but abandoned the family market for the company cash cow. Foreign tourists with stronger currencies are also putting a dampener on the traditional South African holiday, pushing prices up, up and away from our reach.

So, really, what remains that is genuinely for you, me, the kids, in-laws and the blow-up pool toys?

Three cheers for the service!

Champagne Sports Resort is one of those places. Its 112 hotel rooms and 72 time-share units overlook the golf course (ranked by Compleat Golfer as South Africa's most beautiful) set against a backdrop of the Drakensberg's giant basalt peaks. Champagne Castle, Monk's Cowl and Cathkin Peak are the most noteworthy landmarks.

The rooms are comfortable and standard three-star-hotel calibre. But the service and attention of the staff make this a resort you'd choose over others. True, Champagne Sports does have a healthy conference department with facilities for hundreds of delegates, but you don't feel that side of the business gets in the way of good old family fun.

Slick service and a well-run establishment come from the top with management who are prepared to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty. So it's not uncommon to find Phillip West, the head honcho, checking guests in and out at reception or clearing the odd plate in the restaurant. There always seems to be a bevy of people in the wings, with name tags pinned to their tops, waiting to do guests' bidding.

It's the traditional style of hotel management — and give me that any day over the casual attitude of leaving guests to their own devices that seems to be fashionable these days. That's not to say Phillip and his team are tripping over everyone; rather, they've found that fine balance of being there without intruding. And that's part of what you pay for.

Indulgence with an antidote

On a dinner, bed and breakfast rate, you're in danger of serious over-indulgence in the restaurant. The buffet spread is sublime with so many dishes to choose from, even vegetarians are in a state of euphoria.

But, never despair, this is also a calorie-burner's heaven. As the name suggests there's oodles to do to keep the heart rate up and endorphins bubbling, including golf, tennis, swimming, waterpolo, basketball, badminton and table tennis. Trampolines, mini-golf, jungle gyms, a splash pool and all sorts of entertainment programmes will keep the 'lighties' (pardon the North Beach surfer slang) out of mum's and dad's hair while the in-laws play a leisurely game of bowls or croquet.

Most famous of the nearby attractions is the Drakensberg Boys' Choir which offers weekly performances. There's also Ardmore Art Studio, Meadowsweet Herb Farm, Spioenkop and Weenen game reserves, vulture hides and Anglo-Boer War battlefields.

All this before you start exploring the Berg on foot, mountain bike or horseback.

Whew! If you can fit all that into one holiday, you'll be quite happy to go home and back to work.

This feature originally appeared in Getaway Magazine. For more, visit getawaytoafrica.co.za