Located in the heart of Hermanus, one of South Africa's most charming coastal towns and whale-watching capital, the Harbour House Hotel offers a memorable experience with its prime waterfront location. Only a stone’s throw from the ocean, the Harbour House Hotel in Hermanus is looking forward to having you.
This seafront hotel offers uninterrupted views of a portion of the Atlantic Ocean, popular for numerous sightings of whale pods that visit during the mating and calving seasons between June and November.
Location and Accessibility
Address: 22 Harbour Road, 7200 Hermanus, Western Cape, South Africa
The hotel boasts an excellent central location, placing guests within easy walking distance of numerous attractions. Its position directly on the waterfront provides immediate access to the cliff paths, the old harbour, and a wide array of shops and restaurants. This prime spot is highly convenient for exploring the town on foot.
Parking is available, often described as secure and underground, which is a significant advantage in the central area. However, some guests reported challenges with the allocated parking bays, noting issues like low roof clearance or difficulty maneuvering larger vehicles, particularly when approaching from certain directions.
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Accommodation Options
The hotel offers accommodation options to suit your needs, whether you're a couple seeking a romantic honeymoon or a family looking for child-friendly suites.
Manor House Romantic Rooms
Located in the restored Manor House, these lavish, open-plan rooms are accentuated by stylish décor and quality finishes. The Manor House Romantic Rooms are a lavish couples’ retreat tucked away in an exclusive corner of the hotel-the Manor House. The rooms are designed in an open-concept style, creating a free-flowing living space as you move from your spacious bedroom to the walk-in shower of your en-suite bathroom.
Room sizes from 30 - 55 m². These modern, open plan rooms include millstone floors with romantic solid cast baths, walk in showers, enclosed toilets, heated towel rails and standing or ceiling fans. Tea & coffee making facilities, flat screen TV, satelite television (selected channels) and Wi-Fi internet access. Rooms have King sized beds.
A freestanding solid cast bath is the perfect place to enjoy a candlelit cleanse with complimentary bath salts and revitalizing soaps. A king-sized bed promises a heavenly night’s rest as you doze off to the sounds of waves crashing against the rugged shoreline.
New Wing Luxury Studios
The New Wing is where you’ll find Harbour House’s Luxury Studios. The rooms are replete with a king-sized bed that promises a glorious night’s rest.
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Rooms are 37 m² in size and include a lounge area, kitchenette with kettle, toaster, microwave, tea & coffee making facilities, en-suite bathroom with separate bath & shower and heated towel rails. Living area with plasma TV and satellite television (selected channels), Wi-Fi, air-conditioning. All rooms have King/Twin sized beds. Located on the second floor, these rear facing studios offer a lounge area, kitchenette and en-suite bathroom.
En-suite bathrooms are fitted with a walk-in shower, free-standing bath, and heated towel rack. A spacious lounge area invites you to cozy up in front of the TV with a hot cup of tea on a stormy night while watching a movie. These living spaces are complete with a kitchenette, ideal for preparing a light snack or an early morning coffee.
Other Room Features
- Rooms located on the first floor have a balcony with seating and rooms on the second floor a Juliette balcony.
- Spacious rooms featuring partial views from the lower levels at the front and the third floor at the rear of Harbour House New Wing.
Room sizes from 28m²)size and include a lounge area, kitchenette with kettle, toaster, microwave, tea & coffee making facilities, en-suite bathroom with separate bath & shower and heated towel rails. Living area with plasma TV and satellite television (selected channels), Wi-Fi, air-conditioning.
All rooms have King/Twin sized beds.
Hermanus Whale Watching Tour | South Africa
Facilities and Amenities
Harbour House offers a range of facilities to enhance your stay. The hotel offers a range of facilities designed to enhance guest comfort and relaxation.
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- You'll never have to worry about power failures with the hotel's back-up inverters, which allow you to charge your phones and keep the lights on.
- Laundry services are also available to keep your coastal attire fresh.
- Uncapped Wi-Fi will keep you connected throughout your stay, while the added benefit of one parking spot per room is a convenient addition for our coastal road trippers.
The pool area, often praised for its ocean views and comfortable sun loungers, provides a refreshing spot to unwind, though some guests note the water can be quite cold. Complimentary welcome drinks and daily afternoon tea with scones are thoughtful touches that guests appreciate. While there is no dedicated gym, some guests enjoyed a relaxing massage service.
Many rooms, particularly the apartments, are well-equipped with self-catering amenities including a kitchen, microwave, fridge, and utensils, offering convenience for longer stays or families. Free Wi-Fi is available, though some guests reported poor connectivity, especially on higher floors or in certain annexes.
Top amenities: WiFi in lobby, WiFi in rooms, Pool, Spa, Parking, A/C, Restaurant
Property amenities: Business center, Entrance hall/lobby, Parking, Terrace, Outdoor pool, Non-smoking rooms, Computer with internet, Restaurant, Deck chairs, Towels at the pool/beach, Spa, WiFi in public areas
Room amenities: Openable windows, Television, Air conditioning, Satellite TV, Small lounge, WiFi, Free WiFi in rooms, Coffee machine
Dining and Food Quality
Selkirk's Restaurant is Harbour House's in-house breakfast and lunch spot, indulging you in a feast for your senses. In the mornings, head to the Lookout Terrace for majestic views of the ocean while you sip on a fresh cup of coffee and enjoy your buffet-style breakfast.
The hotel's dining experience, particularly breakfast, receives mixed but generally positive feedback. Most guests praise the delicious and excellent breakfast selection, which typically includes a cold buffet and hot orders prepared to specification. The opportunity to enjoy breakfast outdoors by the pool with ocean views is a highlight for many.
At lunchtime, you are invited to dine at the restaurant and sink your teeth into a fried hake fillet or sirloin steak, paired with divinely selected wine. A sumptuous selection of vegetarian options is also available. Or at any of the town's restaurants. In the evenings, head out for fine dining at one of the local restaurants, inviting you to explore every corner of Hermanus' captivating small-town setting.
Staff and Service
The staff at the hotel consistently receive high praise for their friendliness, helpfulness, and professionalism. Guests frequently commend their attentiveness and willingness to go above and beyond to ensure a comfortable stay, from assisting with luggage to providing local tips and making restaurant bookings. The check-in process is generally described as smooth and efficient.
Things to Do Around Hermanus
The town offers a variety of seaside attractions that will keep your days filled with sightseeing.
- Visit Gearing's Point for an ideal whale-watching spot.
- Lace up your shoes and set out on the Hermanus Biodiversity Walk, a 12km path that meanders through the rugged coastline of Walker Bay.
- For an indoor experience, visit the Old Harbour Museum to learn about the origins of this historical fishing village.
- Leave your adorable room and its tranquil ambience and take a swim in the pool with view on the ocean.
- But do not be afraid of any sharks and enjoy lazing about at the Grotto Beach, reachable after a 10-minutes’ drive.
Auberge Provence
Elegant yet relaxed, Auberge Provence is a comfortable guesthouse with stunning views over Walker Bay. It is an excellent place to base yourself for whale watching around Hermanus.
- Check-in: 03:00 PM
- Check-out: 11:00 AM
- Free WiFi
- Parking
- Use of sun lounger during your stay
- Restaurant
- Swimming pool
- Air conditioning
- Lift
Additional Information
The hotel operates across multiple buildings, including a main building, a new wing, and annexes like Harbour Square, which can sometimes lead to guests being housed across the street from the main reception and facilities. This distinction is important for guests to be aware of when booking.
A notable policy is the pet-friendly service, allowing guests to bring their dogs, which is highly appreciated by pet owners. A significant operational detail is the hotel's handling of power cuts (loadshedding); guests report a lack of a generator, impacting amenities like lifts and the ability to make hot drinks in rooms during outages.
Hotel Details
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Check-in | From 14:00 |
| Check-out | By 11:00 |
| Pets Allowed | No |
| Parking | Yes, including accessible parking |
| Pool | Yes, 2 pool areas |
| Location | 22 Harbour Road, 7200, Hermanus, South Africa |
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