Rooms

The 5 guest bedrooms at Southern Cross face out to the decked veranda and patio garden. Room 2 and Room 4 have kingsize beds and ensuites with bathtubs as well as showers. The other 3 rooms have showers only; Room 5 has a queensize bed, while Rooms 1 and 3 have twin beds (which can be made up as kingsize doubles).

The all-white walls, panelling and louvre wardrobe doors made good decorative sense given the bedrooms’ reduced dimensions. The choice of fabrics and furnishings again reflects Susie’s colour-sensitive eye: dark wooden bedside tables and headboards are nicely contrasted against the white backdrop, as are the Laura Ashley-ish pink and blue striped and patterned fabrics. Repro wood and brass light switches, antique sewing machine tables, chandelier lights and framed floral and naval prints further add to the rather English-county feel.

And Susie didn’t forget the little details: as well as fluffy white towels, good linen sheets and duvet covers you’re provided with boxed tissues, a kettle (with tea and coffee), a hairdryer, mosquito repellent, a torch and a converter plug. All bedrooms have their own small sitting area with rattan chairs and a table out on the decked veranda.

Bath and shower rooms have a similar period feel with floors tiled in classical white-and-black check, plus ornately sculpted sinks with retro-style taps. The lack of shelf space for toiletries is a minor irritation.

Features include:

• Fan
• Hairdryer
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

Given the fact that Plettenberg Bay has one of the mildest climates in the country, the chances are that breakfast will be served alfresco on the ocean-facing deck. In cooler weather things move inside to the lounge/diner where, thanks to the sea-facing French windows, you won’t be deprived of those gorgeous sea views.

Neill and Susie, who run an interiors shop and theatre in Plettenberg, may not be around first thing, but in their absence you’ll be well cared for by their cheery manageress, Jean, and her 2 kitchen helpers. A cold buffet is laid up along a pine counter in the lounge/diner. Ours included fruit salad, dried fruits, a choice of cereals, cold meats and cheeses, scrummy locally-made yoghurt and freshly baked bread, followed by a hearty cooked breakfast. Breakfast entertainment was provided overhead by wheeling gulls, and undertable by the 2 resident poodles.

The lounge/diner also has a kitchenette for guest use, so you can whip up a snack if necessary, as well as an honesty bar.

When it comes to lunch and dinner you’ll need to jump in your car and drive into Plettenberg, which takes just 10 minutes, or if you’re prepared to head a few minutes out of town, you have even more of a choice. The chances are you’ll want to eat fish and seafood, in which case either The Med or The Lookout would be a good choice. Neill and Susie also own Nguni, which offers Cape cuisine - think smoked Kudu, spinach and Biltong salad or Ostrich burgers. There’s also an excellent Italian restaurant, Cornuti. For for a great steak and a beautiful location follow the River Bitou inland to Emily Moon. In spite of the hype we found Fushi - known for its sushi and mediterranean cuisine - to be disappointing, but friends insisted we were just unlucky.

Features include:

• Breakfast
• Honesty bar
• Restaurants nearby

Activities

• Plettenberg Bay has some of the country’s most beautiful walking within easy driving range. Don’t miss the Robberg Peninsula nor the fabulous Otter Trail in the Tsitsikamma Nature Reserve (book ahead!)
  
  
• Swim, fish, dive, surf or boogy-board: there’s nowhere quite like Plettenberg Bay for ocean-based activities
  
  
• Watch whales from June through to October, and sharks and dolphins off Robberg throughout the year
  
  
• Contemplate life from a different angle with 2 rubber bands attached to your ankles. The world’s highest bungy-jump is just a short drive away
  
  
• Play golf: club hire and daily green fees can easily be arranged
  
  
• Canoe up the Bitou river to see myriad plant and birdlife
  
  
• Visit the Storm River Canyon suspension bridge in the Tsitsikamma Nature Reserve
  
  
• Horse riding, cycling and mountain biking tours can be arranged
  
  
• Take a morning run along the beach to Plettenberg, then spend the day lazing on the beach with a good book and your binoculars

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Birdwatching
• Cycling
• Fishing
• Golf
• Hiking
• Horse riding
• Kayaking
• Scuba diving
• Surfing
• Swimming
• Whale watching
• Wildlife

Kids

Southern Cross generally only accepts children over 8 years of age unless by prior arrangement. We feel it's not really suitable for kids. Room 4 has a sleeper couch suitable for up to 2 children.

Best for:

Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

Extra Beds Available

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Southern Cross Beach House is in Plettenberg Bay, located on the Garden Route on the southern coast of South Africa.

By Air
George Airport (105km) is the nearest internal airport, though you can also fly to Port Elizabeth (245km). If coming from abroad, fly into Cape Town (512km) and either drive (about 6.5 hours) or take a connecting flight from there. Click on the links below for a list of airlines.

From the Airport
It's about 1.5 hours drive from George to Plettenberg - George is the central point of the Garden Route, halfway between Port Elizabeth and Cape Town. There is a taxi service which is good for groups, but most guests hire a car and drive as there is minimal taxi infrastructure locally.

By Car
Hiring a car is a great way to explore the area - see our car rental recommendations.

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

More on getting to South Africa and getting around.