HIDDEN

Bay Lodge, Plettenberg Bay

Text Michelle Snaddon
Photography Courtesy Bay Lodge
Published 24th January 2008

South African interior designer Marius van der Merwe, fell in love with Plett when he was a child visiting his grandmother’s beach house for his annual holidays. Years later, he had the opportunity to give the house he loved so dearly a makeover. Now a seriously glam boutique hotel with just six well-appointed suites, he’s created a world-class haven of understated luxury.

The decor is contemporary modern and the overall effect exquisitely calm and uplifting, with crisp sea air drifting in through wooden shutters. All the suites are gorgeously light and spacious with muted colourways keeping the whole effect calm and serene. Bathrooms are spacious and everything opens and shuts with Japanese precision. My favourite is Executive Suite 6, with its panoramic views of Beacon Isle lagoon and Robberg beach beyond and overlooking the sparkling rim-flow pool below. But without hesitation, the pièce de résistance is the roof terrace with its Jacuzzi bath and four-poster salas, each with spectacular 180-degree views of the sea towards Robberg Peninsular and the Outeniqua mountains. Reminiscent of South East Asian outdoor style, the salas (or relaxing beds) are just the spot to finish a good book or sleep the stress away to the sound of the waves.

If you’re not tempted by the pool or by a swim on the beach, you can simply stay put till dusk when you could braai (bbq) upstairs too, or descend for a drink in the lodge’s own marble bar that lights up New-York style, magically transforming the bar lounge that leads onto the pool deck. Or laze on the loungers with sundowners in hand while enormous candles are lit around the edge of the deck as the sun fades.

The emphasis is on peace and privacy and the whole place is wonderfully decadent without being ostentatious – which is exactly why it’s a JTP Hidden Gem.

BAY LODGE, PLETTENBERG BAY, GARDEN ROUTE, SOUTH AFRICA

Style Discreet boutique hotel.

Setting Location is great – two minutes walk from what must be one of the most beautiful beaches in the world: Robberg beach. The only negative factor may be the noise from the street above.

Why you'll love it It’s effortlessly elegant – think ‘barefoot luxury’. Thoughtful attention to detail throughout.

Good to know As luck would have it, the trendy sushi and fusion restaurant, Fu.shi, is just up the hill from Bay Lodge. Drop in for casual lunches or cocktails on the deck at BoMa, or spoil yourself with a blow-out menu in the main restaurant, Fu.shi. Bay Lodge serves an ‘anytime light meal’ menu.

Whale and dolphin cruises depart from Central Beach, the beach directly below Bay Lodge. We recommend Ocean Blue 083 701 3583 or +27 44 533 5083, info@oceanadventures.co.za or www.oceanadventures.co.za

Address 15 Hopwood Street, Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route, Cape 6600, South Africa

Tel +27 44 533 4977
Fax +27 44 533 6397
Email address info@baylodge.net
Website www.baylodge.net

How to Get There Fly to George airport, hire a car and drive to Plettenberg Bay (2 hours) on the N2 via Wilderness and the lake district and the quaint town of Knysna. Stop in Knysna for a bite to eat at the stylish bakery and café, Ile de Pain, on Thesen Island (closed Monday).

Or

Fly directly into Plettenberg Bay airport (only light aircraft but soon to be reopened to commercial aircraft) which is a 20-minute drive from Bay Lodge.