Southern Cross Beach House

A beach-facing deck, picture-perfect colour coordination and 5 cosy bedrooms in an airy Planters-style house just yards from the Indian Ocean

Robberg Beach’s stunning 3 mile arc of golden sand is one of the Garden Route’s most coveted oceanside locations. Neill and Susie have seen the beachfront gradually develop and were lucky enough to stake their own claim. Taking architectural inspiration from Plantation-style houses seen in Mauritius, they clad their new home in a double-height wooden balcony and huge deck to celebrate this small guesthouse’s best feature: a heart-stopping vista of sand, sea and sky.

The house’s all-white planked floors, bannisters and panelling, and a maximum number of windows, create a bright, airy and uplifting mood. Susie added a feminine touch in her light blue-and-pink colour scheme that runs throughout: glasses, vases, cushions, candles, curtains and even the garden plants have all been perfectly colour-matched. But the cream on the cake is the sea-facing deck where you can abandon yourself to the sound of gulls and waves, scour the breakers for whales and dolphins, and drink in the ever-changing ocean light.

Highs

• You’re at the quieter end of one of the best beaches in the country: stepping out through the house’s small side gate you may find the sand is all your own
• Just a short drive from the buzzy centre of Plettenberg Bay
• Susie has created a real home-from-home feel in the bedrooms and lounge/diner. A fresh, clean and cared-for vibe permeates
• Off-street parking is a big plus
• It’s all about location, and the ‘L’ factor just couldn’t be higher

Lows

• The 5 ground floor patio-facing bedrooms aren’t big and none of them have sea views (the owners live upstairs)
• No lunches or dinners on offer but you can make use of the small kitchenette to prepare your own snacks
• You’ll need to hop in a car if you plan to eat out in Plettenberg Bay, but taxis can be easily arranged