The Windermere Hotel

Port Elizabeth’s first boutique hotel allows you to combine safari style with urban chic…

If you fancy doing some 'Big 5' game-viewing, but are put off by the thought of staying in a remote lodge on a dusty plain with little to do in the evening, then you’ll be pleased to discover this urban-chic hotel in Port Elizabeth. Staying at The Windermere, a stone’s throw from the sandy expanse of Port Elizabeth’s Humewood Beach, you can spend a half-day tracking elephants and other big mammals through the Addo National Park (1 hour’s drive away), then return in the afternoon for some swimming, surfing or even diving. Sunset calls for a cocktail, perhaps a spot of shopping or street music, followed by a fish braai (BBQ) at one of the city’s many seafront restaurants.

The hotel has just 9, exceptionally spacious, guest rooms plus there’s an airy guest lounge, a veranda and a lush garden with a small swimming pool - perfect for cooling off after a dusty day on safari. With predominately neutral décor, the overall effect is that of a calming retreat from the urban jungle beyond the hotel walls.

Highs

• Port Elizabeth has lots of urban culture (bars, concerts, restaurants) and is a great option for people travelling the Garden Route
• If you're not a fan of the safari lodge experience, The Windermere offers the best of both worlds, with easy access to malaria-free game reserves
• Superb beaches with plenty of watersports
• Spacious and luxurious bedrooms

Lows

• Port Elizabeth is not the prettiest city, with ugly industrial suburbs - but the centre is pleasant and vibrant
• While the hotel itself is a comfortable and safe haven, it is recommended that guests do not walk around the surrounding area after 10pm
• The hotel only serves breakfast, so you'll have to dine out for lunch and dinner