Rooms

What’s lovely about the Grand is that no 2 rooms are the same. It’s tempting to stay for a week and switch every night just to experience them all!

Each has something special. Rooms 5, 6, 7 and 8 all have balconies or sitting areas with sea views; the Boadicea Suite has a secluded courtyard with a water feature, loungers and an outdoor shower, as does the Bath House, which is a favourite with honeymooners thanks to its twin tubs and private plunge pool. The Farm is a twin room (2 small double beds), and comes with a large, greenery-filled patio that also includes a table, chairs and an alfresco shower. Opt for a sea-view room if you can - they face east, so keep your shutters and curtains open and you’ll be treated to a lovely sunrise.

More recently, 3 new rooms have been added: 9, 10 and 11. We're yet to see them, but we hear they feature many of the goodies found in the other rooms - bathtubs, extra-long beds, some with sea views.

All rooms have tea- and coffee-making facilities, minibars, WiFi, satellite TV, DVD players and good-quality toiletries. There’s no air-conditioning, but there are ceiling fans. The high, mostly kingsize beds are huge and comfortable, and it’s fun clambering into them via the little red footstools.

Candelabras, large gilded mirrors and swathes of velvet add opulence, but some elements of the rooms seem to be more about form than function. The double showers look great, for example, but flood the bathroom floors. And the ensuites are open-plan, with no division between the bed area (toilets are walled off, fortunately).

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Fan
• Hairdryer
• Minibar
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

Have a meal at the Grand Café and you’ll be treating both your eyes and your palate. There's a lot to look at, whether it’s the lovely sea views from the terrace, or the sensory overload provided by the quirky and stylish décor. It’s just the place for a lazy lunch, sunset cocktails or a romantic dinner; choose to sit at the long, sociable wooden table outside and you might make some new friends, too (not least resident cat Tabitha).

The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and the bar is open all day. Menus change with the seasons and make the most of local produce, particularly seafood. Dishes are an interesting combination of French, Mediterranean and South African influences, with the likes of Bouillabaisse and fillet béarnaise sharing space with pasta vongole, calamari, Durban-style curry and chicken prego rolls. Our hake goujons with sweet-potato fries were a delectable twist on traditional fish and chips - fresh, flavourful and satisfying.

To accompany your meal, there’s a list of well-selected bubblies and South African wines, plus a lengthy cocktail menu. And if you’re still feeling peckish after 11pm, there’s a small room-service selection. Do make sure you sample one of the wonderful cakes (available throughout the day), too - the Bar One (Mars Bar) cheesecake is a delicious speciality.

Breakfast (included in the rates) is à la carte. I had a stack of American-style pancakes with cinnamon apple slices, maple syrup and bacon - heavenly, if a little sinful! Lighter options include smoked salmon and scrambled eggs, muesli with berries and yoghurt, a fruit platter, and croissants or toast.

Features include:

• Bar
• Coffee maker
• Restaurant
• Restaurants nearby
• Room service

Activities

• Wander around Plettenberg Bay. Shop for beach-themed trinkets, or sit at a café and watch the world go by
  
• Sun yourself on Lookout Beach (5 minutes away) and swim in its safe waters
  
• Spot dolphins and whales from the shore or from one of the local tour boats (July-November)
  
• The area is a paradise for nature lovers, walkers and hikers. The Tsitsikamma Forest, Nature’s Valley and the rugged Robberg Peninsula all have several trails of varying lengths
  
• Adrenaline junkies can launch themselves off the highest commercial bungee jump in the world at the Bloukrans River Bridge (40km), or try canyoning, zip-lining and abseiling (all available within a 20km radius)
  
• Animal lovers can check out the local elephant and monkey sanctuaries, the Birds of Eden sanctuary, and the Tenikwa Wildlife Awareness and Rehabilitation Centre, where you can walk with cheetahs
  
• Horse riding on the beach or in the forests can be arranged
  
• The scenic town of Knysna is a half-hour drive from Plett. Visit the Knysna Heads, where a lagoon empties into the sea through a narrow gap between 2 headlands, and stop at the East Head Café for great food and lovely views (be sure to take home a bag of its legendary biscotti)
  
• A little further afield, popular farmers’ markets are held on Saturday mornings in Sedgefield (55km) and George (95km)
  
• Back at the hotel, float in the outdoor pool, curl up in the library with a book, chill out on the sea-view terrace, or book a treatment in the Petit Salon spa

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Birdwatching
• Boat trips
• Bungee jumping
• Canyoning
• Hiking
• Horse riding
• Shopping / markets
• Swimming
• Well being
• Whale watching
• Wildlife
• Wine tasting

Kids

No children under 16 are allowed.

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

The Grand is by a roundabout at the end of Main Street in Plettenberg Bay, a seaside town which is a popular stopover along South Africa's Garden Route.

By Air:
The nearest airport is George (103km away); you can also fly to Port Elizabeth (245km away). Both airports are served by domestic flights from other South African cities; many guests also fly into Cape Town and drive to Plett as part of a tour of the Garden Route. Click on the links below for more information on airlines serving these airports.

From the Airport
Airport transfers can be arranged by the hotel (see Rates), but most guests hire a car (see below).

By Car:
We recommend having a car to explore, particularly if you're on a tour of the Garden Route - see our car rental recommendations. Local roads are good, but don’t be tempted to speed - traffic police in the area’s small towns seem to take their jobs very seriously! The Grand has no car park, but guests are provided with permits for the street outside.

Detailed directions will be sent when a booking is confirmed through i-escape.

More on getting to South Africa and getting around