In the know
- Our favourite rooms
- All rooms are individually decorated, and all are luxurious. One room has an Oriental feel with Chinese yellow-silk chairs and black-lacquer wardrobes. Rooms 1 and 2 are sea-facing (1 is more spacious). Rooms 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7 have balconies, as does Room 8 (albeit small) and Room 6 has a wrap-around balcony with mountain views. Rooms 3, 4, 6, 7 and 9 have sea views (6 and 10 have balconies, 9 has three). Room 5 has a plunge pool and sunken marble bath, but no sea view. 8 has a four-poster and a sea-view, but only just.
- Packing tips
- Boutique beach essentials, and binoculars for whale- and dolphin-watching.
- Also
- As well as Hermanus' poster activity – whale watching – you can arrange a huge variety of activities around Birkenhead House, including scuba trips, shark diving, quad biking, coastal kayaking, surfing, para gliding, golf, and wine tasting.
Current offers
- Smith card offer
- A fantastic private dinner for two
More photos
Birkenhead House
Hermanus, South Africa[view map]
- Style
- Breezy boutique beach house
- Setting
- Private Hermanus peninsula
White wicker loungers, ostrich-feather lampshades and fresh roses contribute to creating the most tasteful of holiday terrains, especially when teamed with a plunge pool running down the centre of Birkenhead House and an infinity version out front, looking towards the sea. Set on a cliff’s edge in the Western Cape, with stunning views over two sandy beaches, Birkenhead House is a special place to watch the waves and surfers come in. Between June and November, the view includes whales, which swim right in front of the hotel. Hermanus is about a two-hour drive southeast of Cape Town.
Need to know
- Rooms
- 11 luxury suites.
- Rates
- R5,230–R8,250, including tranfers to/from Hermanus, breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks and taxes. You can rent the house exclusively for R58,220–R6,325 a night.
- Check-out
- 11am but flexible depending on how busy it is. Check-in: 2pm.
- Facilities
- Three pools, spa, gym, free WiFi throughout, off-street parking. In rooms: flatscreen TV, DVD/CD player and library, complimentary minibar.
- Eco-friendly
- The hotel recycles all paper, glass and metal and creates its own compost from a wormery. All food is sourced locally, seasonally and organically.
- Also
- No pets. No smoking in the hotel, but a smoking area is provided.
Food & drink
- Hotel restaurant
- There is no restaurant as such. Snacks and meals are included in the room rate. Two menus have Thai and French influences.
- Dress code
- Beach casual by day, breezy sophistication by night.
- Top table
- The best place is next to the rim-flow pool on the front patio overlooking Walker Bay (weather permitting). Private meals may be served in the card room or, if your room allows, on its balcony.
- Last orders
- Breakfasts are a treat: full English and Continental are served daily 8am–10am. Mealtimes are flexible: usually, the latest you can have lunch is 4pm, and dinner about 10pm.
- Room service
- Snacks are provided free of charge.
- Hotel bar
- You can help yourself to an honesty bar day and night: a selection of quality local wines, spirits, liqueurs, beers and soft drinks.
Also worth knowing
- Children
- No children under 12, unless the entire property is booked for an exclusive stay. An extra bed for a third person can be added to rooms 1, 5, 6, 7 and 8 for R750.
- Weddings
- This hotel is suitable for weddings. More…
Smith members offer
A fantastic private dinner for two
Our members get a little something extra at every hotel they book with us. Just show your Mr & Mrs Smith card at check-in to claim.
Not a member? Join now
Book online
To book this hotel please click here, or contact our travel team on 1 866 610 3867. We guarantee you'll get the best available rates, and we don't charge a booking fee.
