Printable hotel details

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Corner of 7th Avenue, Voelklip, Hermanus


Birkenhead House

Hermanus, South Africa [view map]

Style
Breezy boutique beach house
Setting
Private Hermanus peninsula

Huge shell-covered wardrobes in Birkenhead House's reception, deep sunken marble baths, art deco touches – it all works perfectly in this simple and elegant Hermanus hideaway, two hours from Cape Town.

Need to know

Hermanus hotels: ZCT Birkenhead House, need to know
Rooms
11 luxury suites.
Rates
Low season R4,400–R6,250; high season, R4,750–R7,500, including tranfers to/from Hermanus, breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks and taxes. You can rent the house exclusively for R52,920–R57,500 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.
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.
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.

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 3, 4, 6, 7 and 9 have sea views (6 has a balcony, 9 has three). Room 5 has a plunge pool and sunken marble bath, but no sea view. 11 has a mountain 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.

Food & drink

Hermanus hotels: ZCT Birkenhead House, food and 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.

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Birkenhead House

Corner of 7th Avenue, Voelklip, Hermanus

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Birkenhead House

Hermanus, South Africa [view map]

Local restaurants

Hermanus is about an hour and a half's drive from Cape Town, so consult our guide to the city if you're combining your visit with a trip there. Also see our local guide to Hermanus.

For fish and sushi in Hermanus, pop into Harbour Rock, a large restaurant overlooking the anchored fishing fleet in the new harbour (+27 (0)28 312 2920). Piazza Paradiso at the old harbour (+27 (0)28 313 1153) is a relaxed spot in which to enjoy pizza or pasta. Seafood at The Marine on Marine Drive in Hermanus (+27 (0)28 313 1000) serves local fresh fish and shellfish from Walker Bay in bright and stylish surroundings. Make sure to book a table with a sea view. Also on Marine Drive, Savannah Café (+27 (0)28 312 4259) is great for light lunches. It’s a popular place but it’s not possible to book. The seaside location is wonderful though if you need to wait a short time. B’s Steakhouse in Hemel-en-Aarde village (+27 (0)28 316 3625) serves fabulously juicy steaks. Moggs Country Cookhouse, also in the Hemel-en-Aarde valley (+27 (0)28 312 1516), is a rustic venue surrounded by several well-respected vineyards which supply the restaurant with excellent wine. The fresh ingredients, used in dishes like asparagus salad, come from the cook’s garden next door.

Worth getting out of bed for

The hotel can organise wine tours in the Hemel-en-Aarde valley, as well as nature walks in the Fernkloof Nature Reserve. For more ideas, check out our guide to Hermanus.

Diary

Second half of September The Hermanus Whale Festival takes place annually, with whales fluking alongside the cliffs.

For a full list of bars and restaurants in Hermanus, click here



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Birkenhead House

Hermanus, South Africa

Birkenhead House hotel Hermanus
Number of people
2-80
Licensed for weddings
Yes

Wow factor

The views of the sea and the craggy cliffs of Walker Bay are truly spectacular.

Need to know

Birkenhead’s staff can organise every aspect of the day, starting with invitations and ending with on-site accommodation for up to 22 guests. Marquees can be put up, cakes can be ordered, photography and videography can be supplied, and all aspects of decor, make-up, hair, flowers and catering can be arranged to order. The hotel can also help with licensing and documentation.

Inspiration

Celebrate the start of your life together with a whale-watching voyage around the bay or a dramatic cliff-top stroll à deux.

Click here to view more wedding hotels in South Africa


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