Hermanus Luxury: Whale Coast's BEST All-Suite Hotel!
Hermanus Luxury: Whale Coast's BEST All-Suite Hotel!
Hermanus Luxury: Whale Coast's BEST All-Suite Hotel! - A Review (and a Rant!)
Okay, listen up, because I'm about to spill the tea (or, more accurately, the perfectly brewed Rooibos they offer) on Hermanus Luxury. They claim to be the "BEST" on the Whale Coast… and honestly? They're giving the title a run for its money. This isn't just a hotel review; it's a full-blown experience report, warts and all (and believe me, there are a few… almost laughable warts).
First Impressions (and a Near-Disaster with the Elevator)
Getting there was half the battle. Let me tell you, navigating the Whale Coast is beautiful, gorgeous even, but can be a bit of a journey. But finally, we arrived, and the entrance… wow. Definitely a "luxury" vibe, with those manicured gardens that scream, "Yes, darling, you're important." But then came the elevator. The Elevator. I hit the button, and the thing… slowed down. Like, ridiculously slow. I swear, the suspense was killing me. I almost had a full-blown panic attack thinking I was stuck for an eternity. Thank God my other half managed to distract me with a picture from the phone. My God it's all worth it in the end though.
Accessibility:
Okay, so the slow elevator did give me a mini-heart attack. But on a more serious note: Accessibility is a HUGE deal for me, and Hermanus Luxury really delivered. They've clearly put thought into this. The place is generally wheelchair accessible, with ramps and whatnot. I didn't personally need a wheelchair, but I saw a few folks enjoying the place without any issues. The facilities for disabled guests are top-notch, and that's a major win in my book.
The Rooms: Suites, Sweets, and Seriously Comfortable Beds
We stayed in a suite, naturally. (When you're paying luxury prices, you expect luxury, right?) And let me tell you, those mattresses? Heaven. The extra-long bed was like sinking into a cloud. Air conditioning was a godsend, especially after that elevator scare. And the blackout curtains? Perfect for sleeping off a delicious brunch, or, you know, hiding from the sun on those days I'm feeling a bit… melancholy.
Here's the Breakdown of the Room Goodies:
- Free Wi-fi in all rooms! YES! Seriously, how many hotels still charge extra for this?!
- Internet access – wireless: You know, for those Instagram updates.
- Air conditioning: Essential!
- Desk: For pretending to work while sipping coffee.
- Coffee/tea maker: Bless them.
- Refrigerator: Excellent for keeping your bubbly cold.
- Mini bar: Temptation, thy name is… everything.
- Safety/security feature: You know, for your sanity. I always lock everything.
- Private bathroom: 'Nuff said.
- Separate shower/bathtub: Luxurious.
- Bathrobes & Slippers: So comfy, you won't want to leave.
- Closet: Space for all those outfits you swear you'll wear.
- Wake-up service: Helpful, even if you do ignore it and sleep in.
- Daily housekeeping: A must-have.
- Hair dryer: Essential for good hair days only.
- Additional toilet: Always a bonus.
- In-room safe box: Keeps you safe.
- Mirror: Well, that's pretty obvious, right?
- Toiletries: All the good stuff.
- Satellite/cable channels: For those rainy days.
- Reading light: For late-night bookworms.
- Window that opens: Fresh air!
- Seating area: Perfect for contemplating life.
- Soundproofing: Needed for all the whale noise!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Foodie's Wet Dream (Almost)
Alright, so this is where things get… interesting.
- Restaurants: There are several, and they all offer varied menus.
- Breakfast [buffet]: The breakfast buffet. The piece de resistance. Pancakes? Yes. Bacon? Double yes. This is where you go from zero to one hundred.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Always available.
- Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant: Pretty good for a seaside hotel(my partner loved it)
- Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant: You can get your eggs scrambled and your sausage.
- Poolside bar: Cheers to that!
- Bar: Well stocked.
- Room service [24-hour]: Lifesaver! Especially when you're in the mood for a midnight snack.
- Snack bar: Essential.
- A la carte in restaurant & Buffet in restaurant: Lots of options for picky eaters (ahem, me).
- Bottle of water: Always appreciated.
- Coffee shop: Because, caffeine.
- Desserts in restaurant: Need I say more?
Now, the imperfection… The vegetarian options were a bit… lacking. Like, the salads were lovely, but I'm not exactly a rabbit. And the Happy hour? Drinks could've been a bit more… generous. But overall, the food was pretty damn good.
Things to Do (and Ways to Relax): Spa Dreams and Fitness Nightmares
This is where Hermanus Luxury really shines.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: Gorgeous! But a bit crowded at times.
- Pool with view: The view is amazing!
- Spa/sauna: Absolutely divine. The Body scrub was particularly amazing.
- Sauna: Perfect for sweating out all the champagne from the night before.
- Gym/fitness: I may have looked at it. I may have even thought about using it. (I did not.)
- Fitness center: See above.
- Massage: Get one! Seriously. Just… do it.
- Steamroom: A great detox.
- Body wrap: I'm a fan.
- Foot bath: Ah, the little joys of life.
The Imperfection: The gym really is the kind of place you look at with the best intentions. I didn't go (let's be honest), but my other half did and he said it was fine.
Cleanliness and Safety: Feeling Safe and Sound
Hermanus Luxury takes hygiene seriously.
- Anti-viral cleaning products
- Daily disinfection in common areas
- Hand sanitizer
- Hygiene certification
- Hot water linen and laundry washing
- Individually-wrapped food options
- Professional-grade sanitizing services
- Rooms sanitized between stays
- Safe dining setup
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items
- Staff trained in safety protocol
- Sterilizing equipment
- CCTV in common areas/outside property
- Fire extinguisher, smoke alarms
- Front desk [24-hour]
- Security [24-hour]
- Non-smoking rooms
- Safety/security feature
I felt totally safe and secure the entire time, which is always a massive plus.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Extras That Matter
- Cash withdrawal
- Concierge
- Currency exchange
- Daily housekeeping
- Doorman
- Dry cleaning
- Elevator
- Facilities for disabled guests
- Food delivery: Just in case you get bored.
- Gift/souvenir shop
- Invoice provided
- Ironing service
- Laundry service
- Luggage storage
- Meeting/banquet facilities
- On-site event hosting
- Smoking area
- Terrace
- Air conditioning in public area
- Business facilities
- Contactless check-in/out
- Convenience store
- Essential condiments
- For the kids: Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids meal, and Facilities
- Getting around: Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking
- Meetings, Meeting stationery, Seminars, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center
Things That Made Me Smile (and one that made me cringe)
- The Staff: Seriously, the staff at Hermanus Luxury are amazing. Friendly, helpful, and
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your glossy, perfectly-curated travel brochure. This is real life, whale-sized adventures and all. Let's get messy in Hermanus at The Whale Coast All Suite Hotel.
The (Un)official Whale Coast Itinerary: A Hermanus Hysterical
Day 1: Arrival and "Oh My God, That's the Ocean!" Euphoria
- 1:00 PM: Arrival at The Whale Coast All Suite Hotel. (Or, you know, eventually.) Okay, so our flight got delayed (as always. I swear the airlines use my anxiety as fuel). But hey, the drive from Cape Town was actually gorgeous. Those mountains! And the smell of… something vaguely floral and farmy. Definitely not jet fuel, which is a win. The hotel itself? Well, I'm already loving the location. Right on the cliff. Oh, and the suite? Huge. Like, could probably hold a small choir.
- 1:30 PM: The Great Unpacking (A Battle with Suitcases): This is where reality hits. My suitcase exploded open as soon as I tried to unzip it. I had to sit down after that, just to breathe.
- 2:30 PM: "Ocean! Ocean! OCEAN!" - Initial Cliff Walk: First impressions, let's be honest, I let out a genuine "WHOA." The ocean just… smashes against the cliff. It's so powerful, it's almost scary. And the air! Salty, fresh, and a little bit bracing. This is going to be amazing, I KNOW IT.
- 3:30 PM: Coffee and Cliffside Contemplation (and possibly, a nap). The hotel, oh, they have a balcony situation. I've found my happy place. Coffee. Ocean. Mind blank. The sun is warm. Maybe a ten-minute nap…just to acclimatize, of course.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at a Local Spot (Trying to Sound Like We're Not Tourists). Okay, so we're aiming for "authentic South African experience," but I may have accidentally ordered something way too spicy. My mouth is currently on fire. Maybe I should have played it safe with the fish. Lesson learned. Also, the waiter keeps looking at me like I'm a giant, bewildered toddler.
- 7:30 PM: Stargazing and Cliffside Whispers: Okay, the stars! They're just…everywhere. I swear I could reach out and grab one. My partner whispered a cheesy compliment that made me grin from ear to ear.
Day 2: Whale Watching (and My Personal Meltdown)
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast with a View (and an Overwhelming Desire for Caffeine). The breakfast buffet is impressive. So many options, I almost blacked out. Pancakes it is!
- 9:00 AM: WHALE WATCHING TIME! (The "I'm Going to Cry from Excitement" Meltdown Begins). Boat tour booked. This is the main event. I'm bouncing. I've prepped the camera. I've checked the batteries (twice). This is going to be amazing!
- 9:30 AM: The Journey Begins! The water is rough. I get a little motion sick. I'm not a happy camper.
- 10:00 AM-11:30 AM: The Great Whale Reveal (and a Teary Spectacle). First, nothing. Then, a splash! Then… a giant whale breech! I seriously started crying. Happy, overwhelmed, full-of-awe crying. It was magnificent. Truly. The sheer size of these creatures… wow. I'm still tearing up just thinking about it. But did I capture the moment? Hell no. Missed it. Of course, I did. (That's ok, I think. I won't deny what I felt.)
- 12:00 PM: Post-Whale Processing and Mild Seasickness. (and a much-needed lie down). I also had to apologize to my partner for getting grumpy.
- 1:00 PM: Late Lunch at a Seaside Cafe (comfort food required). Fish and chips, please. Something simple. Something that won't require me to think too hard.
- 2:30 PM: Cliff Path Stroll (and Attempting to Reclaim Dignity from Seasickness). Fresh air, a gentle walk, trying to appreciate the moment beyond "I almost lost my lunch". It's beautiful, the views are sublime, and I'm mostly functioning like a normal human being again.
- 6:00 PM: Sunset Drinks at the Hotel Bar (and Pretending to be Sophisticated). Trying to channel the "effortlessly elegant" vibe, but I'm probably still clutching my whale-watching photos like a security blanket. Still, a gorgeous end to the day.
- 7:30 PM: A Restaurant (again). Dinner and chatting. It's a lovely evening.
Day 3: Adventures, A bit of drama, and Goodbyes!
- 9:00 AM: Late Breakfast, reflecting on the week Maybe I'll try to have another pancake.
- 10:00 AM: Exploring the Town (shopping, the usual, but not too much). I'm a sucker for a good souvenir shop, and Hermanus has some. The art galleries are lovely.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch at a Charming Spot (and maybe, just maybe, a sneaky glass of wine). We found a perfect little place with a courtyard. The food was superb.
- 2:00 PM: Check out and Drive to Cape Town (With Slightly Teary Eyes). The hotel has become a second home. I didn't want to leave (which is weird, because the last place I didn't want to leave was a pizza shop in Italy, and this is very different, in a good way!). Saying goodbye to the ocean. The drive back felt a bit surreal.
Final Thoughts (and a Few Regrets)
So, Hermanus. It was… incredible. The whales, the views, the food, the messy moments and the perfect little moments? Wow. If I could do it all again, I would.
The only downside? That I didn’t get to stay longer. And I still need to find out what I ate on Day 1 that set my mouth on fire…
But hey – that’s the adventure, right? Embrace the chaos, the mishaps, and the little moments of pure, unadulterated awe. And maybe pack some antacids. Just in case.
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Hermanus Luxury: The Whale Coast Experience – Ask Me Anything (Seriously!)
Okay, okay, spill it! What's the *absolute* best thing about Hermanus Luxury? Don't hold back!
Alright, alright, here's the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth (probably). Forget the perfectly manicured fluff you see on the website. The *best* thing? It’s the **whale watching, hands down. No question.** Look, I've seen pictures, I've read reviews, but nothing, *nothing*, prepares you for the sheer *gasp* of seeing a Southern Right whale breach. Like, the whole damn thing, leaping out of the ocean, then just...splashing back down? It’s a primal scream of joy, trust me. I actually cried. And I'm not a crier.
Okay, okay, maybe it wasn't *just* the whales. The hotel's location? Perfect for it. We were literally *walking* distance from the best viewing points, so you could roll out of bed, grab a coffee, and see the majestic behemoths. One morning, I swear, a whale spy-hopped right in front of our balcony. I nearly choked on my croissant! It was insane. Totally worth the slightly-inflated room price, you know? (Don't judge me!).
The suites... are they *really* as luxurious as they claim? Spill the tea!
“Luxury”? Hmm. Let's just say...they're *trying*. The suites are definitely spacious, no doubt. And the view? Unreal. That panoramic ocean vista? Worth the price of admission alone. Think massive windows framing that glorious sea. But here's the thing...I bumped my elbow on the edge of the ridiculously-large, marble bathroom sink *three times* in one day. And once I was just standing there staring at my reflection! (Yes, I'm clumsy, alright?).
The beds? Cloud-like. Honestly, I could have stayed in them all day. And *almost* did one day, until the lure of whale watching was too much to resist. And the robes? I stole one. (Just kidding... mostly). But the devil is in the details. The complimentary toiletries felt a bit... generic. Not *bad*, but not, you know, *wow*. So, luxurious? Yes. Perfect? No. Would I go back? Absolutely. Despite the sink. (That blasted sink!)
What’s the deal with the food? Is it worth the hype (and the price tag)?
The food... alright, prepare yourself. It's good. Really good. Like, "I'll happily gain five pounds on this trip" good. The breakfast buffet? Oh, mother of all breakfasts! Pancakes, fresh fruit, the works, the bacon?! Crispy perfection! But then there was the dinner at the hotel's restaurant, the food was delicious, but also a little... *formal*. I mean, I appreciate fine dining, but sometimes you just want a burger, you know? I ordered a seafood dish which was cooked to perfection. My husband, bless his heart, tried to be fancy and ordered the lamb. It was... okay? I thought it was a bit much, so be mindful if you're ordering.
And the prices? Yeah, they're… steep. So, worth it? Probably. Especially if you’re celebrating something special. But maybe have a picnic lunch on the beach a few days to balance things out. (And steal some extra croissants at breakfast. Just kidding... again. Mostly!).
Okay, address the elephant in the room. What’s the service like? Are the staff helpful, or are they just... well, *hotel staff*?
The service? Mixed bag, honestly. Generally, the staff were lovely. Super friendly, always offering a smile, helping with luggage etc. We had one minor issue where our room key didn't work, and it was resolved instantly. I give them points for that!
But... there were a few hiccups. Occasional slow service at the bar. One time, it took forever to get a second cup of coffee at breakfast. And one of the pool attendants seemed perpetually grumpy. Maybe he'd had a bad day? Who knows. But overall, they really *do* try. They genuinely seemed invested in making your stay enjoyable, even if they're not perfect. Which, let's face it, none of us are!
Anything else I ABSOLUTELY need to know before booking? Like, any secret insider tips?
Okay, LISTEN UP. Some seriously vital intel coming your way. First, book your whale watching tour *in advance*. Seriously. They fill up fast, especially during peak season. We almost missed out and it would have been a tragedy. Second, pack warm clothes! It can get surprisingly chilly, even in summer. I mean, you're on the coast! (Duh). Third, take advantage of the spa treatments. They're expensive, yes, but so worth it after a long day of whale watching (and maybe a few too many cocktails). And last... be patient. Things run on "South African time" sometimes. Embrace it. Relax. And go enjoy the damn whales.
Oh, and one more thing: Don't be afraid to ask for a room with a view. You're paying for it, after all! Demand that whale-gazing heaven! My advice? Go. You won't regret it. Just maybe bring a tape measure to avoid the bathroom sink of doom.
Anything else I should know, or are you just rambling at this point?
Okay, I think I'm done rambling. Just one last thought: go with an open mind, be prepared to spend a little (or a lot!), and focus on the whales. The whales will make it all worthwhile. Seriously. They're life-changing. I'm already planning my return trip! And this time, I'm bringing bubble wrap for the sink.
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