4 Best Hotels in Hermanus, The Western Cape and Winelands

If whale-watching is on your agenda, you’re unlikely to come across a better spot than this boutique hotel. It has a magnificent location overlooking Walker Bay, where southern right and humpback whales breach just beyond the perpetual line of surfers. On the spacious stone patio, you can lounge on one of the wicker chaises while gazing at the view. The rooms are classic and spacious, peppered with colorful furnishings. The on-site restaurant is open to non-guests as long as you book ahead, meaning you can enjoy this outrageously beautiful view even if you don't stay over.

If you want to be in the center of the village, this stylish guesthouse puts you a stone's throw from the famous whale-watching cliffs. There's a tree-shaded garden and a pretty pool in the courtyard. The rooms are comfortably decorated in French provincial style. Larger rooms with sleeper sofas are great for families or friends traveling together. Ask for a room with a balcony overlooking the bay or a suite that opens onto the pool.

On the banks of the Klein River, Blue Gum is a wonderful place to relax away from the hustle and bustle of Hermanus. The rooms are individually decorated in a style that's part English country house, part colonial outpost. Mosquito nets, crisp white linens, and handsome wood will make you feel a little like a 21st-century Karen Blixen of Out of Africa fame. It's a lovely family-run place with an emphasis on escaping the bustle of city life.

Decorated in restful shades of blue and white, this is a great base from which to take long whale-watching walks. Ask for a room with a view and put your feet up while you watch the Southern Right whales splashing in the bay below. Alternatively, take a stroll along the nearby whale-watching cliffs. An honor bar and tea and coffee are available throughout the day.