Tamodi Lodge

near Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route, South Africa
Book from GBP Book from £171 per night

Tamodi Lodge

near Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route, South Africa

A romantic B&B in the hills above Plett, with a handful of luxurious suites and tranquility that seeps into your soul

A romantic B&B in the hills above Plett, with a handful of luxurious suites and tranquility that seeps into your soul

It’s hard to put into words just what makes Tamodi so special. The architecture is impressive, the décor epitomises African bush elegance, and the staff are friendly and intuitive. The views are spectacular, and the peace and quiet is wonderful. But there’s more to Tamodi than that. Everything has been created to give guests the best possible experience, from the welcome drink on arrival to the huge freestanding tubs in the 7 indulgent suites. The result is not just a beautiful place to stay, but an ambiance that will make you wish you didn’t have to leave.

At the heart of the Garden Route, Tamodi sits on working stables near the coastal holiday hotspot and whale-watching hub of Plettenberg Bay. It’s the perfect base for exploring, and Nature’s Valley, Tsitsikamma Forest, Knysna and Sedgefield all make easy day trips. But if you end up feeling so relaxed that the most energetic things you do are sit on your private deck and float in the infinity pool, we won’t judge!

Highs

  • A superb setting with fantastic views over the Outeniqua Mountains, which change constantly with the light
  • Great value considering the level of luxury and beautiful design (soaring thatched ceilings, glass walls that connect you with the forest)
  • Lots to do in the area: nature trails, boat trips, wildlife sanctuaries, adrenalin sports and horse riding, plus it's a very short drive from sweeping beaches
  • Plenty of space to relax, including a vast deck with a pool, and lounges with towering fireplaces
  • The little touches: a handwritten welcome note, fresh flowers, scented candles, towels hand-tied with raffia, staff remembering how you like your coffee

Lows

  • It’s a little isolated (15 minutes outside town) and no meals other than breakfast are served, so you’ll need to drive out for lunch and dinner
  • Breakfast is from 8.30-9.30am, which might be a stretch for late risers
  • Open-plan bathrooms might not suit everyone (though toilets are separate)
  • No children under 8 are accepted - the focus here is romance and relaxation
  • Full pre-payment is required prior to arrival

Best time to go

Tamodi is beautiful at any time of the year. Summer attracts those looking for a beach holiday, while winter (May-October) is perfect for hikers and nature lovers. The peak summer season is December to March, and the population of Plett triples for the 2 weeks around Christmas, making restaurant reservations and parking trickier than usual.

Our top tips

Sleep with your shutters wide open and wake to the sun rising over the purple-layered Outeniqua Mountains and the misty, forested hills.

Great for...

Beach
Great Outdoors
Romantic
  • Boutique B&B
  • 7 rooms
  • Breakfast only (restaurants within a short drive)
  • Ages 10+ only (except by prior arrangement)
  • Open all year
  • Outdoor Pool
  • Spa Treatments
  • Beach Nearby
  • Pet Friendly
  • Disabled Access
  • Car essential
  • Parking
  • Restaurants Nearby
  • WiFi
  • Air Conditioning
  • Guest Lounge
  • Terrace
  • Garden
  • Gym
Room:

Rooms

Tamodi has just 7 guest suites. Décor in all is elegantly African, with warm colours, carved wooden screens, colourful textiles and interesting art. It's made that little bit more special by fresh flowers, a handwritten welcome note, and pretty decoration on everything from towels to loo rolls. Bathrooms are open-plan.

The 2 Standard Suites sit in the main lodge. Don’t be misled by the name - they’re lovely. Both have kingsize beds (1 can be set up as a twin), private decks with pretty views, vast freestanding baths overlooking the trees, walk-in rain showers, and more storage space than you’ll ever need. The 3 Honeymoon Suites come on an even larger scale and are worth the splurge, with teak four-poster beds, soaring ceilings, sofas, and indoor and outdoor showers. One is set in the main lodge; the other 2 - our favourites - sit in separate cabins a short walk away, in a spectacular forest setting that offers maximum romance and privacy.

Since our visit, the Honeymoon Suites with Plunge Pool have joined the Tamodi ensemble. These indulgent spaces come with private plunge pools, and magnificent countryside views. They are nestled in a new building, which centres around a communal lounge and alfresco seating area.

Features include:

  • Fan
  • Hairdryer
  • Minibar
  • Safe box
  • WiFi

Eating

Breakfast is the only meal served, but it’s a really good one. Help yourself to cereals, fruit and yoghurts while the staff whip up cooked options; the daily specials (smoked trout omelette, scrambled eggs with bacon, avocado and balsamic vinegar) are particularly creative and tasty. Ask for the amazing freshly made juice with a zing of ginger, too.

Menus for the area’s best restaurants are provided in the lounge to help you decide where to go for lunch and dinner. Popular Italian joint Enrico’s is 5 minutes down the hill, right on the rocks at Keurbooms Beach. Its pizzas are legendary, as is the baked fish. Our highlights in town include artisan bread and coffee at Le Fournil, and the green apple gelato at Ice Palazzo. There are also winery restaurants within easy driving distance - Bramon Wine Estate, 10 minutes away, is a lovely place for a lazy tapas lunch. Alternatively, stock up on bread, cheese, olives and other treats at the Thyme and Again farm stall between Tamodi and Plett, and have a picnic on your deck; tea and coffee are always available at the B&B, and there’s a well-stocked wine cellar.

Features include:

  • Breakfast
Eating:
Activity: Keurbooms Beach

Activities

  • The area is paradise for nature lovers, hikers and bird-watchers - nearby Tsitsikamma Forest, Nature’s Valley and the Robberg Peninsula all have trails of varying lengths, and Tamodi’s owner Owen often takes guests for 2-hour guided walks (normally free of charge)
  • Go horse riding. Tamodi’s stables act as a local riding school only, but staff can arrange treks nearby
  • Beach fans can sun themselves on Keurbooms Beach (just a couple of km away) or Plett’s Lookout Beach, swim in their safe waters, and spot dolphins and whales from the shore (preferably at sunset, with a cocktail in hand)
  • Boat trips to see marine mammals up close are available in town, too (June to November), as are sea-kayak safaris and diving
  • Adrenaline junkies can launch themselves off the highest commercial bungee jump in the world at Bloukrans River Bridge (30km), or go canyoning, ziplining and abseiling (10km away)
  • Animal lovers will enjoy the nearby elephant and monkey sanctuaries, the Birds of Eden sanctuary, and walking with cheetahs at the Tenikwa Wildlife Awareness and Rehabilitation Centre
  • The scenic town of Knysna is a half-hour drive from Tamodi. 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 buy a bag of its legendary biscotti)
  • Hugely popular farmers’ markets are held on Saturday mornings in Sedgefield (65km) and George (105km)

Activities on site or nearby include:

  • Abseiling
  • Birdwatching
  • Boat trips
  • Bungee jumping
  • Canyoning
  • Hiking
  • Horse riding
  • Kayaking
  • Plantlife / flora
  • Private guided tours
  • Scuba diving
  • Shopping / markets
  • Surfing
  • Swimming
  • Whale watching
  • Wildlife
  • Wine tasting

Kids

Tamodi’s decks, open-tread staircases and quiet, serene atmosphere are not suitable for young kids, and only those aged 10+ are accepted (except by prior arrangement). There are no extra beds.

Kid Friendly:

Location

Tamodi is 10km east of Plettenberg Bay, in a hilly, forested area called The Crags. It’s a couple of kilometres along a well-made dirt road, just off the main N2. Plettenberg Bay is set on South Africa’s Garden Route, which runs from Cape Town in the Western Cape to Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape.

By Air:
The nearest airport is George, 130km away; you can also fly into Port Elizabeth, 240km away. Both are served by domestic flights from other South African cities. Many guests arrive via Cape Town and visit Tamodi as part of a wider tour of the Garden Route. Click on the links below for more information on airlines serving these airports.

From the Airport
The isolated location means you’ll need a car - see our car rental recommendations. Local roads are good but do stick to the speed limit, as police in the area are very vigilant.

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

More on getting to South Africa and getting around

Airports:

  • George 130.0 km GRJ
  • Port Elizabeth 240.0 km PLZ

Other:

  • Beach 2.0 km
  • Shops 12.0 km
  • Restaurant 2.0 km

Our guests' ratings...

Based on 1 independent review from i-escape guests

10/10
Room
10/10
Food
10/10
Service
10/10
Value
10/10
Overall

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Rates for Tamodi Lodge

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