Lavender Manor Guest Lodge

The manor house has a kind of seaside Tuscan charm to it, with stone archways and second-storey balconies. This is a little haven sandwiched between mountains and sea. The upstairs lounge is cosy with a fireplace and a wall of books, and the pub serves up some perfectly frosty beverages. The rooftop patio is a magical spot to sip a drink at sunset or keep an eye out for breeching whales at anytime of day. The central patio and pool make for a perfect retreat if you're looking for some respite from the midday heat.

The nine rooms at Lavender Manor have mountain, sea or garden views - and sometimes a combination of these. Rooms are spacious and comfortable with vintage-style decor and plenty of natural night - far more hotel-standard than your average B&B. All are outfitted with WiFi, satellite TV, a tea and coffee station and a mini fridge; they have luxurious ensuite bathrooms with bathtubs and showers. The family room sleeps up to four people in two rooms in king and twin bed configurations.

Hermanus is truly the epicentre of whale watching in South Africa and a worthy destination in itself. However, it also forms part of a picturesque road trip along South Africa's beloved Garden Route. This stretch of turf between Cape Town and Storms River in the Eastern Cape, traverses lush and botanically varied terrain - you will encounter red-rock coastlines and dense forests, and lovely seaside villages. But if it's marine life that you're after, look no further than Hermanus. You can see whales in the bay from June to December, though the most consistent viewing is from August to October. Local activities are numerous: boat-based whale watching tours, helicopter charters, scuba diving and snorkelling, sea kayaking, deep-sea fishing, mountain bike trails and plenty of lazy beach lounging.