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Over
the Christmas holidays, 40,000 residents from Johannesburg's wealthy northern
suburbs decamp to PLETTENBERG BAY (usually called Plett),
33km east of Knysna, and the flashiest of the Garden Route's seaside
towns. It's wise to give it a miss at Christmas, when prices double, accommodation
becomes impossible to find and everything gets very crowded. Yet, during
low season, sipping champagne and sucking oysters while watching the sunset
from a bar can be wonderful - the banal urban development on the surrounding
hills somehow doesn't seem so bad because the bay views really are stupendous.
The deep-blue Tsitsikamma Mountains drop sharply to the inlet and
its large estuary, providing the constant vista to the town and its suburbs. |
The
bay generously curves over several kilometres of white sands, separated
from the mountains by forest, which makes this a green and temperate location
receiving rainfall throughout the year.
 Southern
right whales appear every winter, and are a seriously underrated attraction,
while dolphins can be seen throughout the year, hunting or riding the surf,
often in substantial numbers. Swimming is safe, and though the waters are
never tropically warm they reach a comfortable temperature between November
and April. River and rock fishing are rewarding all year long, and one
of the Garden Route's best short hikes covers a circuit round the Robberg
Peninsula - a great tongue of headland that contains the western edge of
the bay.
 Plett's
town centre, at the top of the hill, consists of a conglomeration of supermarkets,
swimwear shops, estate agents and restaurants aimed largely at the holiday
trade. But the town also has the distinction of being home to the MTN Centre
for Dolphin Studies at 26 Main St. Under the direction of Dr Vic
Cockroft, one of the world's leading scientific authorities on marine mammal
conservation, it includes a community environmental centre, a whale and
dolphin information centre, a reference and video library and a shop. Working
in association with Ocean Safaris, the centre is also the most successful
operator of boat-based whale-watching excursions in the country.
Visitors
principally come for Plett's beaches - and there's a fair choice. Southeast
of the town centre on a rocky promontory is Beacon Island , dominated by
a 1970s hotel, an eyesore blighting a fabulous location. Beacon Island
Beach, or Main Beach , right at the central shore of the bay, is where
the fishing boats and seacats anchor a little out to sea. The small waves
here make for calm swimming, and this is an ideal family spot. To the east
is Lookout Rocks , attracting surfers to the break off a needle of rocks
known as the Point and the predictable surf of Lookout Beach, to its east,
which is also one of the nicest stretches of sand for bathers, body-surfers
or sun lizards. Lookout Beach has the added attraction of a marvellously
located restaurant, from which you can often catch sight of dolphins cruising
into the bay. From here you can walk several kilometres down the beach
towards Keurbooms and the Keurbooms Lagoon. |
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PLETTENBERG
BAY - GUEST HOUSES/BED & BREAKFASTS/LODGES, GARDEN ROUTE, SOUTH AFRICA
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HIGHLY
RECOMMENDED BY OUR TRAVEL PARTNER:
Aquavit
Guest House, PLETTENBERG BAY
Boasting
panoramic views of Bahia Formosa Bay and the Tsitsikamma and Outeniqua
Mountains, this charming guesthouse is a great base during stays in Plettenberg
Bay. Decorated in soft, earthy tones, Aquavit Guest House radiates a welcoming
atmosphere. Start the day with breakfast on the terrace and marvel at stunning
views of the Indian Ocean. Afterwards, you can enjoy a swim in the rim-flow
pool or treat yourself to a professional massage. Thanks to the small number
of rooms, guests are ensured personal service at all times. Relax in the
comfort of your room or in the spacious guest lounge. Packed lunches and
free wireless internet are available upon request and ensure a truly hassle-free
stay at Aquavit. |
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Fynbos
Ridge Country House & Cottages, New Horizons, PLETTENBERG BAY
Fynbos
Ridge is set on a magnificent fynbos reserve, with stunning mountain views.
Set amongst the fragrant fynbos, the Cape Dutch style Country House is
spacious and well appointed, and the self-catering garden cottages are
comfortable and secluded. Our ethos is relaxed luxury, peace and tranquility,
enhanced by our friendly and professional service. We are only a few minutes
drive away from pristine beaches of Plettenberg Bay, a large selection
of activities and award winning golf courses. We offer fine dining, as
well as delicious breakfasts. Our organic herb and vegetable gardens supply
our kitchen, and self-catering guests are welcome to pick their own salads. |
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Hog
Hollow Country Lodge, PLETTENBERG BAY
12
uniquely individual rooms offer uninterrupted views over the indigenous
forests and Tsitsikamma Mountains. These comfortable African-styled
rooms, situated in the gardens surrounding the main house, are decorated
in earthy colours, naturally woven fabrics, artifacts and tones from north-eastern
Africa, and local handcrafted woods. Each room has a private wooden deck,
fitted with its own hammock and wooden furniture overlooking the forest,
an en-suite bathroom with either bath or shower or both. The simplexes
and suites are fitted with cosy fireplaces, perfect for those chilly winter
evenings. Hog Hollow is well known for its delectable food and friendly,
personalised service. Farmhouse breakfasts are served on the wooden deck
overlooking the forest on crisp clear days or indoors near the huge fireplace
when it is cooler. |
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Plett
River Lodge, PLETTENBERG BAY
Plett
River Lodge offers stunning accommodation situated right on the Bitou River,
just 5 km from Plettenberg Bay, one of the top holiday destinations on
the beautiful Garden Route of South Africa's Western Cape. Set within private
tree-lined gardens with unobstructed river frontage and a lavender-filled
courtyard, Plett River Lodge offers comfortable accommodation for discerning
guests who want a relaxed holiday. Panoramic views of the local countryside
and access to the many activities of nearby Plett and the Plettenberg Bay
Game Reserve makes the guest lodge a sought-after destination.
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Southern
Cross Beach House, Bed & Breakfast, PLETTENBERG BAY
Southern Cross Beach House
is a colonial style home with wide verandahs situated directly on Robberg
Beach with magnificent views of the bay and Outeniqua mountains.
Perfectly positioned to view the whales during the winter and the dolphins
all year round. Five en-suite bedrooms, private guest lounge and kitchen
have been tastefully decorated in simple hues of white. Private entrances,
a barbeque,TV, telephone and fax facilities ensure a relaxed holiday. Enjoy
a morning swim or walk along 5 kms of unspoilt beach. The picturesque village
of Plettenberg Bay offers a choice of many quaint shops and restaurants.Golf,
tennis, watersports and horseridng nearby. Children welcome. Plett is a
paradise for honeymooners and families alike. |
More
accommodation options in Plettenberg Bay
PLETTENBERG
BAY - HOTEL ACCOMMODATION, GARDEN ROUTE, SOUTH AFRICA
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Hog
Hollow Country Lodge, PLETTENBERG BAY
12
uniquely individual rooms offer uninterrupted views over the indigenous
forests and Tsitsikamma Mountains. These comfortable African-styled
rooms, situated in the gardens surrounding the main house, are decorated
in earthy colours, naturally woven fabrics, artifacts and tones from north-eastern
Africa, and local handcrafted woods. Each room has a private wooden deck,
fitted with its own hammock and wooden furniture overlooking the forest,
an en-suite bathroom with either bath or shower or both. The simplexes
and suites are fitted with cosy fireplaces, perfect for those chilly winter
evenings. Hog Hollow is well known for its delectable food and friendly,
personalised service. Farmhouse breakfasts are served on the wooden deck
overlooking the forest on crisp clear days or indoors near the huge fireplace
when it is cooler. |
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Plettenberg
Park Hotel & Spa, PLETTENBERG BAY
Situated in a private nature
reserve and nestling on a cliff’s edge, Plettenberg Park is a small intimate
destination that prides itself on exceptional individual service and superb
personalised cuisine. Spectacular rooms offer unrivalled views of
the cape’s beautiful coastline, whilst spacious windows and wide terraces
provide excellent platforms from which to view humpback whales and endless
schools of dolphins. 9 rooms, sleeps 18 · 8 Large Luxury
Rooms (6 Sea Facing & 2 Lake Facing) · 1 Small Luxury Room (1
Sea Facing). The chef will discuss the dinner menu with you in person
during the afternoon and will happily create a menu around your specific
request ensuring that the presented fare that evening is exactly to your
taste. |
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The
Plettenberg Hotel, PLETTENBERG BAY
The Plettenberg, a 5 star
Relais & Chateaux Hotel built on a rocky headland with breathtaking
vistas of the sea, mountains and miles of golden sand in one of the most
spectacular resorts in Africa - Plettenberg Bay. Our luxury rooms
and suites are all air-conditioned and offer a truly idyllic and indulgent
experience. We have two swimming pools, one of which is heated, and both
visually flow into the ocean below. Experience fabulous sightings of dolphins
and whales in the bay from the hotel terraces. For the more adventurous
there are numerous excursions and activities within close proximity to
the hotel. Other hotel facilities include an award winning wine cellar,
stocked with a selection of the best local wines and available for special
occasion private dining, and a gift shop - offering a unique selection
of specialty items and clothing from the area. |
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