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01244 897 111

01244 897 111

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Property Details

Type: Boutique Hotel

Summary: An excellent all-inclusive boutique hotel

Feature: Enjoys a sophisticated 'house party-style' atmosphere

Rooms: 11 suites

Location: Western Cape, South Africa

Star rating: 5 Star

Nearest airport: Cape Town Airport

Transfer: 1 hour, 30 minutes from Cape Town International Airport by car transfer.

Luxury Holidays At Birkenhead House

Perched high on the cliffs of Hermanus, the truly wonderful Birkenhead House offers a sophisticated, intimate house party-style' atmosphere and attentive, friendly staff. It also boasts an incredible bird's-eye-view of one of the world's most famous whale-watching locations, Walker Bay, which is home to Southern Right Whales from May to December watch them from the hotel's lovely clifftop, infinity-edge plunge pool, the expansive terrace, most of the eleven luxurious guest bedrooms and through the expansive floor-to-ceiling windows in the splendid lounge. The world-class cuisine served in the stylish dining room is sublime - combining Cape seafood, the freshest ingredients and African, French, Italian and Asian flavours - while guests who enjoy pampering will relish the thought of a relaxing treatment in one of the two treatment rooms.

Beyond the hotel, nature-lovers will relish the local reserves, coastal walks and fabulous swathes of beach, while for gourmands, there are four amazing vineyards nearby, whose award-winning wines include one of the world's top ten Chardonnays.

Property Location

Wildlife Encounters At Birkenhead House

From May to December you may be able to spot Southern Right Whales in Walker Bay - and there are some wonderful vantage points to do this from at Birkenhead House. Alternatively, a half-hour drive east will bring you to Gansbaai, where you can experience a boat-based, guided whale-watching trip, which will also take you out to Dyer Island to see the Cape Fur Seal and African Penguin colonies, passing through 'Shark Alley' on the way. If you're lucky, you might see a Great White Shark, too. Close encounters with Southern Right Whales are virtually guaranteed from July to December.

Why Birkenhead House is so special...

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Romance

The beautiful scenery that surrounds Birkenhead House is ideal for couples escaping for a holiday of romance in South Africa. This intimate and chic beach house, perched on the rocky cliffs above a lovely beach, is beyond perfect for couples or has part of a honeymoon taking in the Garden Route and Cape Town. The elegant property only accepts children over ten years, ensuring a more sophisticated ambience. There is no better place in the world to enjoy a glass of wine or breakfast as you watch majestic Humpback and Southern Right Whales in the bay from the hotel's clifftop terrace (in season). After a day of luxury, take a trip to the bijou spa and relax with a fine range of treatments, then dine in the most spectacular setting as you enjoy world-class cuisine and fine wines.

Spa Breaks

Much like the rest of Birkenhead House, the spa treatment area is super stylish. There are just two treatment rooms, offering beauty treatments and oceanside massages overlooking the bay. Treatments are beautifully simple, with techniques inspired by nature and practices from across the globe, while luxury Dermologica products are used to promote health, vitality and wellbeing.

Luxury Beach

For those who prefer dry land, there are some wonderful coastal walks to enjoy, directly from Birkenhead House (an 8km walk will take you into the centre of Hermanus), while there are also three fabulous beaches within walking distance; two directly below Birkenhead House and the Blue Flag-awarded, Grotto Beach which is a ten-minute walk away along the cliff path. It is possible to horse-ride along the beach, while directly in front of Birkenhead House, it is also possible to surf. The area around Birkenhead House is also famed for its terrific, award-winning wines, so do visit some of the nearby vineyards to sample them.

Scuba Diving

NAUI training certification courses are available, ranging from day snorkelling trips to instructor courses. Boat dives, shore-entry dives, night dives, deep-dives, gear rentals, air fills, underwater photography opportunities, crayfish chartering or boat charters are all available.

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Pricing

Speak to our Luxury Travel Specialists for our latest pricing and offers.

Amenities

Beach
Fishing
Golf Nearby
Hiking
Horse-Riding
Spa Treatments
Surfing
Swimming Pool
Watersports
Whale Watching
Wine-Tasting

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Escape To The Cape - What To Do in South Africa

Western Cape Travel Information

Best Time To Travel

JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
Best

Capital

Language

Time Difference

Currency

South African Rand

Voltage

230V

Climate

In general, the Western Cape experience a typically Mediterranean-style climate, with warm, dry summers and mild winters. Spring (August to mid-October) is a wonderful time to visit, when giant carpets of wild flowers cloak the semi-arid plains and mountainsides. Summer sees months of glorious, rain-free sunshine from mid-October to mid-February. Autumn (mid-February to April) brings wonderful shades of ochres and reds sweeping across the landscapes, whilst the winter months (May to July) offer snow-capped peaks, log-burning fires and outbursts of rain. The best time to visit for whale-watching is between June and December.

Getting There

Flight Information
British Airways direct from London Heathrow to Cape Town.

Flight Time
From London Heathrow to Cape Town: 11 hours, 30 minutes.

Wildlife

A trip to the Western Cape offers a wonderful chance to see penguins and whales in their natural habitat. The best spot for watching is Boulders Beach, near Simon’s Town, where African penguins waddle between granite boulders and across white sands. For whale-watching boat tours and land-based observation, head to Hermanus in Walker Bay, a protected area and natural retreat for Southern Right Whales when they calf their young. The Cederberg Mountains also attract lovers of wildlife, with the chance to glimpse Mountain zebras, dainty antelope and birds of prey scanning the ground for lunch.

Adventure

For surfing, diving, boating, golfing, kayaking, walking, horse riding, birding and whale-watching, Walker Bay ticks every box. Another top pick for outdoorsy types are the striking Cederberg Mountains, spectacularly carved by wind. Join an organised tour and spot the Maltese Cross, the Wolfberg Arch and ancient San Rock paintings, hidden amid wonderful rock formations. Such engravings are found across South Africa and are thought to be the workings of indigenous tribes. Climb upwards for panoramic views, swim in crystalline rock pools, tour local tea farms, before stopping for a refreshing interlude at the country’s finest wine estate.

Local Sightseeing

Don’t miss the scenic drive to the tip of the Cape Peninsula for a snapshot of the Cape of Good Hope. Explore the region’s picturesque coastal towns, such as Hermanus, boasting wonky-walled fishermen’s cottages, interesting museums, swish galleries, craft markets and smart seafood restaurants. Make note of the Hermanus Wine & Food Fair in August – one of South Africa’s best.

Africa experts

Our Luxury Travel Specialists are an enthusiastic, passionate and committed group of people who are exceptionally well travelled.

Our dedicated Africa experts are ready to help you design your luxury holiday to Birkenhead House. Furthermore, we have many Luxury Travel Specialists who've personally visited Birkenhead House and can offer you their holiday and travel services as well as first-hand knowledge and experience.

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