House on Westcliff

In summer, the solar-heated salt-water swimming pool is a great relief after a hot day of sightseeing. Grab a drink from the honesty bar and enjoy the tranquillity of the garden setting. Inside, the dining room has an eclectic art collection, a fireplace for winter evenings, and an array of tables and antique couches for guests to make use of. The living room is equipped with a bar accessible 24/7, which adds to its homely atmosphere.

The six en-suite guestrooms are individually decorated, all modern in style with antique furniture pieces. There are three double rooms, two twin king rooms and a family room. (If you don't want to miss your favourite programmes, check the amenities in the room when booking – not all have flatscreen TVs.) Each room has a separate garden entrance and an outdoor patio. African art decorates the walls and soft white percale linen dresses the comfortable beds.

Hermanus is the place to see whales. Plan a boat trip to see these sentient creatures in their natural habitat or enjoy the breathtaking displays from the cliffs. The southern right whales visit these shores between June and November, and can even be seen from the beaches, just beyond the breakers. The water is warm, so wimming is good, Hike in Fernkloof Nature Reserve, visit one of the nearby wine estates or indulge one of the town's many fine restaurants.