Birkenhead House & Villa
Birkenhead House is located just 90 minutes from Cape Town in the quaint seaside town of Hermanus. It’s situated atop rocky cliffs that overlook two beaches: Voëlklip, which is perfect for sunbathing and beach picnics, and Grotto Beach, which has been awarded Blue Flag Status for its cleanliness and environmental conservation and protection. Although the beaches are beautiful, they are still very cold, although most tolerable from December thru February. However, the real selling point for this coastal region is the onshore whale watching. In fact, it’s known as one of the top destinations in the world for this! From July thru November, southern right whales can be spotted as close as 5 meters from shore and can be easily seen from the property. Additionally, there are some great hikes and coastal walks from the hotel, as well as an 8km walk to the Hermanus town center. The area is also great for shark cage diving if you’re up for it!
Birkenhead House has 11 bold and uniquely designed rooms that have either views of Walker Bay, the Kleinriver Mountain range, or both. (Only room 11 does not have ocean views.) Rooms 1-4 in the front house are our favorites. In addition to the 11 rooms in the house, there are five villa suites in the Birkenhead Villa, which can be booked individually or exclusively. We think this is a great option for families. There is a lovely pool, and the entire property is lined with glass doors and windows to optimize natural light and views.
Hermanus is a quaint town and Birkenhead House is located in a fairly residential area. It’s not an area where first time visitors flock, but it’s a gorgeous property and we think it’s lovely for a few relaxing days of coastal walks and whale watching. And the food there is phenomenal!