The Plettenberg, situated on a rocky headland in Plettenberg Bay, along the famous Garden Route – is the ultimate South African seaside escape.
The five-star hotel, with its 35 beautifully appointed rooms and two family-style villas, showcases the most breathtaking vistas in Southern Africa, with views of the ocean, mountains and endless stretches of golden sand.
Guests may enjoy world-class cuisine courtesy of Group Executive Chef Peter Tempelhoff’s SeaFood at The Plettenberg, where fresh seafood is the order of the day.
HISTORY
The Plettenberg was transformed from a virtually derelict but superbly situated one-star hotel into an exclusive five-star hotel, where the rich and famous could enjoy one of the most dramatic and beautiful views in the world.
During 1996, Mrs McGrath acquired another property opposite the hotel. Here she built The Blue Wing, which consists of 15 rooms and suites boasting even more breathtaking views.
THE PLETTENBERG HOTEL
Development of the town was slow until the late 20th century, when it picked up significantly.
Mrs McGrath’s first project in Plettenberg Bay was to build a small shopping centre in the main street, where she opened an art gallery and an antique shop.
When her husband Gerald passed away in 1985, she felt that she needed to fill her life and poured her energy into one of her favourite hobbies: hotels.
Having visited more than 50 luxurious hotels while travelling with her husband, she felt qualified to tackle such a task.
Another building of importance was the Welcome Inn (later the Formosa Inn), which since the early 1800s had sheltered passing travellers and served as a gathering place for the locals on a daily basis and for important events.
It was here that the (unsuccessful) auction of the first plots took place.
Other buildings that date back to the turn of the 20th century are Weldon House, also known as The Homestead, and Hillview Farm, now the headquarters of the Community Development Project.
CIRCA 1924
Circa 1924 the village included two shops, the church and Old Rectory, three houses, six shacks and Hopwood’s boarding house on Beacon Isle, and so began the thriving seaside resort of Plettenberg Bay.
WHALING BEGAN IN 1831
Southern right, Bryde’s and humpback whales are common in Plettenberg Bay – whaling began in the bay in 1831, when John Sinclair set up a whaling station. It became a lucrative industry, but by WWI whaling operations had ceased.
PLETTENBERG BAY
In 1776 Governor of the Cape, Baron Joachim van Plettenberg erected barracks in the bay. He renamed the town Plettenberg Bay in 1779.
In 1772 the botanist Carl Peter Thunberg, at the behest of the Governor of the Cape, Baron Joachim van Plettenberg, visited the region; among other things, a list of the woods in the surrounding forests was compiled.
NAVIGATIONAL BEACON
In 1771 a stinkwood navigational beacon was erected on nearby Beacon Isle, in order for navigators to check their bearings.
The stinkwood beacon was replaced by a stone one by Captain Sewell in 1881.
LATE 1700
The first white settlers, however, only put down roots in the latter half of the 18th century. They were itinerant stock farmers called trekboers, who had moved up the coast from Swellendam in search of grazing for their cattle. Others – hunters, explorers, scientists and cartographers – followed, helping to open up the region.
SHIPWRECKED
The area was originally inhabited for millennia by Stone Age people and ancestors of the Khoisan, whose presence there is still being explored. The first white inhabitants were a group of 100 sailors from the Portuguese ship San Gonzales, which was wrecked in the bay in 1630, and they spent nine months there before being rescued.
BARTHOLOMEW DIAZ
Europeans first spotted Plettenberg Bay in early 1488 when Bartholomew Diaz, the Portuguese navigator, attempted to find a sea passage from Europe to the East.
He named the bay Bahia dos Vaqueiros (Bay of Cowboys), because his party had seen cattle watched by their herdsmen. Nearly a decade later another famous explorer, Vasco da Gama, missed the bay when he sailed out to sea to avoid a storm.
Eighty years after that a third Portuguese navigator, Manuel de Mesquita Perestrelo, more aptly renamed it Bahia Formosa, or Beautiful Bay.
A separate lounge area and bedroom with en-suite bathroom, as well as air-conditioning and under-floor heating throughout, offer luxury and comfort for guests, allowing them to truly relax and feel at home.
Generous in size, the Suites all feature a step-out balcony or private terrace from which to fully take in the spectacular ocean views.
Each of them boasts breathtaking views over the bay and surrounding area, which may be also be enjoyed from a private step-out balcony. In addition, one Premier Suite also features direct access to the pool area.
With either a separate or open plan lounge, bedroom with en-suite bathroom, as well as air-conditioning and under-floor heating throughout, these Suites ensure the most pleasant of stays.
Luxury Double Rooms are individually decorated in shades of aqua to reflect the marine environment surrounding the hotel. Each features its own sitting area and bedroom with en-suite bathroom, as well as air-conditioning and under-floor heating throughout to ensure the most comfortable stay.
Views of the gardens and surrounding vegetation vary, depending on the location of each room.
Each room is as unique as its view, featuring an individual, sophisticated décor scheme. Offering the ultimate in comfort, the rooms come with a spacious sitting area, walk-in showers, and air-conditioning and under-floor heating throughout.
Guests can enjoy the gorgeous hues of sunset from the comfort of their room or from their private step-out balcony or terrace, with a close-up view of pods of whales or dolphins when they move in towards the bay.
An elegant choice at The Plettenberg, the Double Rooms are individually decorated and offer a spacious bedroom with en-suite bathroom.
Air-conditioning and under-floor heating throughout the rooms ensure ultimate comfort for guests, year-round.
Neutral colours with accents of blush and blue create a wonderfully light atmosphere, complementing the beautiful seaside setting.
Each carefully crafted dish is matched with the finest vintages from carefully curated wine list, and is presented with the charming service the hotel has become synonymous with.
The exceptional cuisine of The Plettenberg comes courtesy of Group Executive Chef Peter Tempelhoff.
Each restaurant is unique as the food is influenced by the individual Head Chefs, with Peter taking their personal vision into account before creating the menu in a joint collaboration. As a result, guests are able to enjoy exceptional culinary experiences at each hotel – be it The Cellars-Hohenort’s African fables-inspired menu at Greenhouse; or vibrant dishes at Origins at The Marine.
As the name suggests, SeaFood at The Plettenberg is renowned for its ocean bounty, drawing inspiration from the rich marine life that can be found in Plettenberg Bay. The kitchen team, headed up by Head Chef Antoinette Meyer, prepares an array of innovative seafood dishes, together with a wide selection of meats and vegetables. Working closely with local suppliers, ingredients are always seasonal and kept at a superb level of quality.
Describing herself as a ‘complete control freak’ who is driven by creativity, Antoinette loves nothing more than to work with people who feel the same way, in order to come up with spectactular menus for her diners. Created by Peter and Antoinette to reflect a taste of the bay, signature dishes at SeaFood include East Coast Sole, Chive and parmesan crusted line fish, and Grilled king tiger prawns.
Set in a contemporary, relaxed environment, with mesmerising views of the ocean, SeaFood draws hotel guests and locals alike to what Peter calls ‘The Collection restaurant with the best view’. Guests may also enjoy a unique tapas menu, which is served around the pool or on the terrace overlooking the ocean.
At the heart of Group Executive Chef Peter Tempelhoff’s food philosophy lies the continuous exploration and re-imagination of South African food.
His aim is to lend distinctive, memorable personalities to each of The Collection’s restaurants, without overcomplicating matters in the process.
Set in a contemporary environment, SeaFood at The Plettenberg draws hotel guests and locals alike to what Group Executive Chef Peter Tempelhoff calls ‘The Collection restaurant with the best view’.
The indoor dining section offers beautiful sights of the garden, pool and ocean, while the outdoor terrace is perfect for alfresco dinners, with mesmerising ocean vistas – especially at sunset.
True to its name, the restaurant is renowned for its ocean bounty, drawing inspiration from the rich marine life that can be found in Plettenberg Bay.
The kitchen team, headed up by Head Chef Antoinette Meyer, prepares innovative, sustainable seafood dishes, together with a wide selection of meats and vegetables.
Working closely with local suppliers, ingredients are always seasonal and kept at a superb level of quality.
Created by Peter and Antoinette to reflect a taste of the bay, signature dishes at SeaFood include Blackened Tuna Tataki and Mossel Bay Sole, while carnivores can tuck into Grass-Fed Beef Fillet and Laingsburg Lamb – with a carefully curated wine list completing the culinary experience.
The relaxed Café Menu offers hearty dishes such as ‘Proper Fish & Chips’, Charcuterie Platters and the PlettenBurger, and guests may also book ahead to enjoy High Tea at the restaurant.
07.00h - 10.30h
12.00h - 14.30h
18.30h - 21.30h
Think Prawn, Coconut & Pea Springrolls and Cumin Naan Bread filled with Pulled Pork and Homemade Chutney as savoury bites; and Brandy Snap cones filled with a sticky Marshmallow topped with Cotton Candy as a sweet treat.
All are served with the finest selection of teas or coffee, as well as MCC or Champagne on request. Forget cucumber sandwiches and scones, High Tea is a thoroughly modern affair.
Whether you are celebrating an engagement or baby shower, birthday or bar mitzvah, or a corporate function, the hotel can tailor the event to your needs, and offer the perfect venue for your do – be it at the Bluewing with 180 degrees sea view, restaurant terrace, or the intimate Summer Lounge.
Local
Leading off The Sun Lounge of The Plettenberg, The Sandbar is an exquisite, contemporary cocktail bar and lounge frequented by local patrons, as well as South Africans who choose to holiday in Plettenberg Bay.
The glass, white leather, marble and natural oak finishes blend to form a striking design, highlighted by clever lighting. The large photographic panels on the walls offer an outdoor perspective of the Plettenberg Bay area.
Throughout the day, The Sandbar is the perfect meeting spot for drinks and tea, and in the evenings it is ideal for enjoying award-winning South African wines, a variety of champagnes and an array of carefully crafted signature cocktails.
Fine tea, expertly mixed cocktails, award-winning wines, or pre- and post-dinner drinks – whatever tickles your fancy, you will find it at The Sandbar, The Plettenberg’s stylish bar and lounge.
11.00h - 23.30h
Explore the natural beauty of numerous National Parks, enjoy a picnic, visit a market, spot the Big Five, relax on the beach, hit the waves, or explore the surrounding mountains on foot or bike.
Not to mention shark cage diving, golfing, whale and bird watching. The area is a treasure trove of fun and excitement.
Plettenberg Bay, tucked neatly into the Garden Route, boasts golden beaches, a rugged peninsula and dense green forests.
The ultimate seaside getaway, Plettenberg Bay offers a multitude of varied and unique experiences for all ages.
Garden Route: an area famed for farm-fresh produce, oysters and seafood, one of the best bakeries in the country (île de païn), and an emerging wine route that already boasts 18 wineries.
Be it a small, private celebration, special family occasion, or no-expenses-spared corporate launch, you are sure to find the perfect, most memorable location within the grounds of The Plettenberg.
Whether you are looking to have a lavish do, prefer a small ceremony, or wish to elope altogether, The Plettenberg will make your wedding and honeymoon dreams come true.
Visiting Plettenberg Bay at anytime of the year offers amazing ocean wildlife adventures. But none more spectacular than the months the Southern Right whale visits the quiet bay to nurture their young before migrating.
40 Church StPlettenberg Bay 6600South Africa