The Last Word Long Beach

Once the private home of the owner, the hotel feels intimate and cosy in all the right ways. The main living and dining area is furnished almost entirely in soothing tones of white and cream, making you feel relaxed as soon as you walk in the door. Breakfast is served on the sun-drenched balcony, accompanied by splendid views of the sea. There’s no restaurant as such, but staff will happily whip up some home-cooked fare with a bit of notice.

There are only six rooms in the hotel, and all are as tranquil and calming as the main area. Inside, you’ll find minibars, air-con and separate lounge areas, and the enormous bathrooms come complete with fluffy robes and fancy toiletries. The four downstairs rooms open out onto small, private terraces, and the garden and swimming pool, but top marks go to the two upstairs suites – vast, bright and breezy, the views from up here are phenomenal.

When you’ve had your fix of long, ambling beach walks and lazing by the pool, venture out to nearby Noordhoek and taste-test some of the top-notch eateries. You’ll also find a couple of horse-riding schools in the village if you fancy exploring the beach with a four-legged friend. In the opposite direction, Simon's Town and the penguins of Boulders Beach are a 15-minute drive away, or head over the mountains to the elegant Constantia vineyards for an afternoon of wine-tasting.