Property

Inside the castle built by a Greek millionaire which is now the Church of Scientology’s headquarters

Kirsten Minnaar • 25 July 2026

Castle Kyalami, built by Greek millionaire Demos Dinopoulos as a private family mansion, has since served as a four-star hotel and is now the Church of Scientology’s South African headquarters and religious retreat.

Perched on a large estate in Kyalami, the Arthurian-style castle has been a landmark in the area for more than three decades.

The building was constructed in 1992 by Greek architect and businessman Demos Dinopoulos. It was originally designed as a private home for his extended family rather than as a hotel or public attraction.

Set on an 8.9-hectare estate, the castle covers about 5,900 square metres and was built with 12 turrets, Gothic-style arched windows, and terraces.

These, along with the building’s other features, were designed to give Castle Kyalami the appearance of a medieval European castle.

Dinopoulos’s original plans were ambitious. The property included a main residence, three self-contained apartments, garages, horse stables and even a yacht-building workshop.

The castle’s layout was designed to accommodate his children and their future families living together on the estate.

One of the more unusual features was a room built for his son, with a private entrance and a spiral staircase leading directly to the kitchen.

According to the story attributed to Dinopoulos, the reason was for this simple. “Boys get hungry at night,” he explained.

The property also had a 22-horse stable and a workshop where Dinopoulos reportedly built a yacht, despite the castle being far from the coast. After completing the yacht, he is said to have sailed it to southern Spain.

The castle remained Dinopoulos’s home for about nine years before it was put up for auction. In 2001, Planet Hotels purchased the property and converted it into a four-star hotel.

A new era for Castle Kyalami

The hotel conversion marked the first major change in the building’s use, as many of its original private spaces were adapted for hospitality and business purposes.

The main house was converted into en-suite hotel rooms, while the three apartments were also transformed into accommodation. Other parts of the property were given new functions.

The original sunken family lounge became a restaurant, while the family’s entertainment room was converted into a wine cellar.

The former stables were turned into a large conference facility, and the garage and yacht workshop were converted into another conference venue.

The property retained several of its original features, including a swimming pool, clay tennis court and a sauna and jacuzzi located in one of the turrets.

During its time as a hotel, Castle Kyalami hosted conferences, events and other functions. Its distinctive architecture also made it a notable tourist attraction in the area.

The building’s next major chapter began in March 2008, when it was purchased by the Church of Scientology for an undisclosed amount.

The organisation converted the property into its South African headquarters and a religious retreat. It is now known as the Church of Scientology’s Advanced Organisation and Saint Hill Africa.

The change means that Castle Kyalami is no longer a hotel or a general tourist attraction open to the public. Instead, the property is used for Scientology training, religious activities and community events.

Current facilities include training rooms, an auditorium, a bookstore, and a public information centre. The organisation also operates a purification centre and other facilities associated with its religious programmes.

The former hospitality spaces have also been adapted. The property now includes restaurants and a café, while its accommodation facilities are used by people attending religious programmes and training.

One of the building’s most prominent features remains its elevated position and distinctive architecture. The castle stands at one of the highest points in the surrounding area, giving it wide views across the region.

An observation tower offers views of the Johannesburg skyline and, in the opposite direction, the Magaliesberg and Pretoria.

The property also retains spaces for gatherings and outdoor events, including a gazebo and braai area within the grounds.