The Old Rectory

White exterior walls and neatly trimmed thatched roof belie the hotel's contemporary interiors. The designers and architects have achieved seamless transitions from antique to modern and back again – highlighting the original stone masonry, for instance, by preserving it behind glass panelling. The bar's yellowwood floors exude warmth; the restaurant is rustically elegant, with cast-iron chandeliers, rough cotton upholstery and crisp tablecloths; the sitting room has a seductive hearth. Outside, the elevated wooden deck offers a pool surrounded by sunloungers.

There are 18 individually styled rooms range across the hotel's first and second floors. With a palette of bright white and colourful accents, they have a zesty, contemporary feel. They're also exceptionally comfortable, with plush pillows and mattresses and underfloor heating. King-sized beds, en-suite bathrooms with rain showers, and outdoor terraces are standard, while all but four rooms have a deep bathtub. Fourteen rooms can be linked with a neighbouring room via an interleading door – great for families.

The sanctuary-like atmosphere makes it tempting to stay indoors, emerging only for a treatment at the in-house spa. The restaurant provides a fresh, well-curated menu around the clock (room service operates from noon till nine). But Plett's beaches, landscapes and village beg investigating. It's a short stroll to the long, sandy beach, its waves perfect for surfing and swimming, paddle-boarding or windsurfing. Robberg Nature Reserve is nearby, with trails revealing pristine bush, and sightings of blue duiker and myriad birds.