Rooms

There are 16 suites spread over half a dozen cottages around the grounds of the main lodge. All of them are decorated in a contemporary African style: earthy hues, woven fabrics, eclectic artwork, and African-print cushion covers. Outside on the wooden deck are chairs - just in case you need a further excuse to lie and gaze at the view.

The Suites are arranged on one level, with kingsize or twin beds, an ensuite bathroom, a lounge, a fireplace and a private balcony with chairs. Another cluster of Suites, which are further from the main building, are freestanding with a bedroom (kingsize/twin), an ensuite bathroom, a lounge, and French windows to a private deck with chairs.

The three Family Suites are each spread over two floors. The downstairs lounge has a double sleeper couch and an ottoman which can be made up for children in the evening, and a private deck with chairs. Upstairs, the bedroom has kingsize or twin beds with an ensuite bathroom. All Suites have air-con and WiFi connection.

All bathrooms have a shower and a bathtub, and most are spacious - one guest was heard to complain that they were too big!

Features include:

• Air conditioning
• Coffee / tea making
• Cots Available
• Fireplace
• Minibar
• WiFi

Eating

Every night you can enjoy dinner made using local ingredients and wine, served in the dining room in the main lodge. Since our last visit, the three-course set menu has been replaced with a la carte delights. We're yet to try the dishes for ourselves, but carnivores will enjoy the rack of lamb or grilled sirloin, while fish eaters can order the fish of the day, such as kingklip or hake.

The vegetarian and vegan options sound curiously delectable, and we're assured the penne a la vodka is a firm favourite. Desserts include a coffee crème brûlée and a chocolate truffle tart. With most dietary requirements catered for, dinner is excellent value and also one of the best we had along the Garden Route.

Breakfast is a full ‘farmhouse’ buffet of fruit salad, cereals, eggs, bacon, muffins, flapjacks, cold meats, cheeses, or something sweet with fresh orange juice or lemon water - all included in the room price. If that doesn't fill you up, light lunches, such as salads or sandwiches can be taken on the panoramic wooden deck; picnics and lunch baskets can be made upon request. Our favourite lunch spots nearby are Enrico's Italian restaurant with its wonderful setting overlooking Kerboom's beach and the Newstead vineyard for delicious platters and wine tasting.

Features include:

• Bar
• Kids' meals
• Restaurant
• Vegan options
• Vegetarian options

Activities

• Walk down the Matjies river - it snakes through a shady valley within the Hog Hollow Nature Reserve
  
• Swim or surf at Keurbooms beaches, 10 minutes’ drive away, or take a 3-hour cruise with a picnic up the Keurbooms river (try stand up paddle boarding here too)
  
• Spend a couple of hours meandering along the lush forest walkways at Birds of Eden - the world's largest free-flight aviary with over 3500 birds and 220 species. There are also wildlife parks and sanctuaries for elephants, monkeys, wild cats - even snakes and crocodiles, all within a 10-minute drive.
  
• Go horseriding through the surrounding farm meadows and indigenous forest and stop en route at a vineyard for wine tasting and tapas.
  
• Take a boat trip from Plettenberg Bay to observe the seals, dolphins, sharks, penguins, cormorants, terns and (in season) whales
  
• For some retail therapy, we love the eclectic Old Nick's Village (on the way to Plett). Don't miss Prêt-à-pot ceramics and the Mungo weaver's factory where you can watch the softest woven towels and linens being made.
  
• Explore the nature reserve on Robberg Peninsula (20 minutes' drive) - seals, oystercatchers, sandy beaches and barely another soul in sight
  
• Discover the lagoon, river and coastline of Nature’s Valley (15 minutes' scenic drive)
  
• Visit Storms River Mouth, with its swing bridge, river gorge and boat trips
  
• River-rafting, canoeing, tubing, zipline treetop tours, climbing, bungy-jumping (the world's highest), kloofing (canyoning), mountain biking, Segway tours, bass- and fly-fishing, diving and snorkelling can all be booked through local operators
  
• Or just settle into a chair on your deck, overlooking the forested mountains, and consider how good life is…

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Birdwatching
• Boat trips
• Cycling
• Fishing
• Golf
• Hiking
• Horse riding
• Kayaking
• Mountain biking
• Plantlife / flora
• Scuba diving
• Surfing
• Swimming
• Trekking
• Whale watching
• Wildlife

Kids

This is a fab stopover on the Garden Route for families and the lodge welcomes them with open arms. Special kids' turn downs each evening include a glass of fresh milk and a gingerbread man, plus there are stories, toys, bucket and spades and bodyboards available. There are so many activities nearby to keep kids of all ages entertained that we've taken our family to this region more than a dozen times. We'd recommend a stay of at least 4 nights to enjoy the unspoilt beaches, adventurous activities and wildlife experiences.

Under 2s go free; there's a supplement for those 2-12, which includes the early kiddies dinner. Children in their own room pay full rates.

Best for:

All ages

Family friendly accommodation:

The Family Suites have a double sofabed and an ottoman which can be made up for children in the evening; they can sleep two adults and two children aged 12 and under.

Cots Available

Distances:

• Int'l Airport: 5 hours (Cape Town), Domestic airports 1.5 hrs (George), 2.5 hrs (Port Elizabeth)
• Hospital: 30 minutes

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Hog Hollow is situated near Plettenberg Bay along the Garden Route of South Africa.

By Air
George (130km) or Port Elizabeth (220km) are the nearest airports, though they only receive internal flights. International guests can fly to Cape Town (525km) or Johannesburg (1177km), then either drive or take a connecting flight. Alternatively, it is possible to charter a helicopter from Cape Town to Plettenberg Park (25km). Click on the links below for a list of airlines.

From the Airport
The journey from George Airport takes approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes; transfers can be arranged through the hotel or you can self-drive (see below). From Port Elizabeth Airport it is a 3-hour drive.

By Car
If you are touring along the Garden Route, the lodge is just under 6 hours east of Cape Town, and 20 minutes (20km) east of Plettenberg (just off the N2 highway). For car hire see our car rental recommendations.

Detailed directions will be provided when you book through i-escape.

More on getting to South Africa and getting around.