Birkenhead House
Hermanus, South Africa
Located in the seaside town of Hermanus, Birkenhead House is a luxury hotel with an easy-going atmosphere. It is surrounded by towering mountains and two beautiful beaches – Voelklip and Nanny’s Beach. Having exhilarating cliff-top position, this charming place is renowned as the best land based whale watching destination on the planet. Guests can see whales and pods of dolphins splashing playfully from the main deck of the hotel. Birkenhead House offers a huge selection of outdoor activities including surfing, sea kayaking to get up close to fascinating sea life, and an exhilarating shark cage diving experience. Guests can enjoy the natural beauty of the surroundings, explore the rich flora and fauna of two nature reserves or take one of various day tours. Birkenhead House has a contemporary interior that combines elements of a beach-house with quirky opulence. It includes eleven suites individually decorated by Liz Biden with fine attention to detail. Guests can restore body and mind at the Spa which offers a wide range of therapies and beauty treatments. In fine weather it is possible to get the spa experience in the open air while enjoying wonderful sea views. Executive Chef Ziyaad Browne offers a truly tantalising menu using the freshest local ingredients. Guests can relish lavish meals in the glass fronted dining area or outdoors – overlooking the sea or next to the pool. Birkenhead House has a small wine cellar where guests can enjoy wine tasting.

Location: Seaside town of Hermanus on South Africas Cape Coast; 90-minute drive from Cape Town.

Accommodation: 11 suites: Deluxe Superior Room, Superior Room, Luxury Room, Standard Room.

Restaurants & bars: A restaurant with executive Chef Ziyaad Browne.

Facilities: 2 swimming pools; whale watching; wine tasting; day tours; laundry; room service; parking.

Sport & recreation: Shark cage diving; surfing; fishing; quad biking; cycling; golf; tennis; horse riding; hiking.

Spa: 2 treatment rooms; body exfoliations; massages; body wraps; beauty treatments; pedicure and manicure.