Grootbos Garden Lodge

CEDARBERG RATING

Luxury

Overview
  • Grootbos Garden Lodge offers spectacular views of the Indian Ocean
  • Range of nature activities on offer
  • Luxurious accommodation with choice of suites
  • Grootbos is very child-friendly
  • Eco-friendly lodge

Grootbos Private Reserve, located amidst the spectacular fynbos and ancient dunes of the Whale Coast, is a multi-award winning gem. Overlooking Walker Bay, between Hermanus and Gansbaai, it's a nature-lovers paradise. All but the most committed urbanite will enjoy the inclusive activities: guided fynbos 4x4 drives, milkwood forest walks, horse riding, beach picnics and guided land-based whale-watching (mainly August - December), as well as the optional activities of boat-based whale watching and shark cage diving. A dedicated team including marine biologists and conservationists help you to appreciate what makes this area so special.

Other excursions (at extra cost) include guided wine tours around the excellent Hermanus wine estates, aerial flights over the ocean, and visits to their community garden project to see sustainable tourism in action.

A new art gallery has opened and day-visitors are now welcome to pop by for a flower nature drive, lunch, and a visit to the gallery.

Grootbos Private Reserve consists of two lodges: the more family-orientated Grootbos Garden Lodge with one and two bedroom suites, and the slightly more contemporary Forest Lodge. However, both lodges are identical in standard and you may be moved from one lodge to the other.

Accommodation

The 11 free-standing suites enjoy sweeping views over the fynbos-clad mountains. There's a choice of two bedroom and one bedroom luxury suites. The stylish restaurant has a central fireplace and bar. High beamed ceilings and endless windows enhance the incredible sensation of light and freedom. Additional facilities include a spacious lounge, a spa with 3 treatment rooms, Internet access and an entertainment room for kids. There's also a telescope for in-house whale-watching. Outside is a terrace with an expansive swimming pool overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

Each of the luxury suites features romantic canopy beds, a separate lounge with cosy fireplace, a full bathroom, private wooden decks with panoramic sea or mountain views, filter coffee machines, a minibar, and underfloor heating. The Classic suites are slightly smaller with a sitting area instead of a separate lounge and a shower room.

Families at Grootbos

Grootbos is very family-friendly. Families can take a one bedroom suite with a sleeper couch in the sitting room that converts into two separate camp beds. These are ideal for younger children of under 10 years. Or, they can take one of the two bedroom suites which can accommodate up to 3 children. This option is better for families with older children. Stables and horse-riding opportunities; a play area where rabbits, ducks and birds breed; as well as an ecological interpretation and research centre provide children with an unforgettable educational experience.

 

At A Glance

  • Birding hotspot
  • Recommended for families
  • Garden
  • Horse-riding
  • Restaurants
  • Romantic
  • Rural location
  • Sea views
  • Spa

Grootbos Garden Lodge on the map

Rooms

One-Bedroom Luxury Suite

Suite features a spacious bedroom with en-suite bathroom, separate lounge with tea & coffee making facilities, minibar, cosy fireplace, DVD player for in-room entertainment. The spacious suites open out onto a private outside deck overlooking the Walker Bay. As with all One-Bedroom Luxury Suites at Garden Lodge, facilities such as a separate bath, shower and toilet, satellite TV and secure room safes are standard.

Two-Bedroom Family Suite

2 Bedroom Family Suites epitomise luxurious home-from-home comforts and are ideal for families or friends travelling together. These spacious suites feature two private en-suite bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms (one with shower and one with bath), separate lounge and dining area with tea & coffee making facilities, minibar, cosy fireplace as well as a DVD player. The spacious suites open out onto a private outside deck overlooking the Walker Bay. As with all Two-Bedroom Family Suites, facilities such as satellite TV, secure room safes are standard.

Impressive service
"We had 2 adjoining rooms, one with a King bed, the other room with 3 twins (for our 3 kids) with personalized welcome notes for us. While we were at dinner housekeeping would start a fire in the fireplace, turn on the heaters, and place a hot water bottle in everyone’s bed! All the meals were included and were fantastic including 5 course dinners. What made Grootbos so impressive though was t ..." -
Lovely setting
"Grootbos – lovely setting with wonderful staff. Did feel a bit like man v food at times – there’s too much to eat! Good range of activities. " -