My recent visit to Plettenberg Bay reminded me of travelling abroad and searching little hearts in Heidelberg’s cobble streets and Amsterdam’s alleys. That’s what travel is about for me – discovering the smallest, but the most meaningful things in other cities, cultures and countries’ everyday things. I’ve missed it.
Covid-19 has put a damper on many things for all of us. For me, one of the biggest losses in this time, was not being able to travel. Setting foot in Plett for a four-day visit not only made me realise how much I’ve missed exploring our world (whether it’s locally or abroad); it also reminded me to appreciate the opportunities we get to explore.
During my visit to this beautiful part of South Africa, I experienced so many things within a rather small radius and I was amazed at the colour (and culture) palette that Plett had to offer.
Where to stay in Plettenberg Bay
Cape Summer Villas’ Plett properties are exquisite, even though Sky Villa and The Bungalow offer completely different experiences. I spent two nights at Sky Villa, whereafter I moved down to The Bungalow (with the immeasurable help of the spacious Ford Tourneo and the Cape Summer Villas team).
Sky Villa, Plett
Sky Villa’s colour palette included various hues of blue, splashes of pink and a sprinkling of sparkle. It epitomised luxury in its finest form – from the glass-roofed underground wine cellar to the sunset views from Villa One.
The Sky Villa Boutique Hotel is situated atop a hill overlooking a rather long stretch of beach and the town of Plettenberg Bay. It is located in the secure Baron Estate and although it’s not necessarily walking distance from the beach, it’s the perfect spot to break away to if you are looking for a destination out of the hustle and bustle that people have come to know Plett for.
Apart from the actual boutique hotel (which boasts magnificent wallpaper, a sky bar and a swimming pool with an immaculate view) the property also offers Villa One @ Sky Villa and a lovely cottage – both adequately and extravagantly equipped for families or groups of friends wanting to have a more secluded getaway. Villa One (with six double rooms) is where I stayed, with my room overlooking a spacious braai area adjacent to a private swimming pool shared by Villa One and the two-sleeper cottage.
The Sky Villa Boutique Hotel offers a perfect, luxurious stay with lovely sea view and mountain view rooms (including a presidential and a honeymoon suite) and walks out onto an outstretched lawn and a large, inviting swimming pool. The hotel restaurant also spills over to the pool area, with lovely outdoor tables and seating and a patio hugs the hotel with glass windows that allow guests to indulge in the Keurbooms lagoon views day and night.
Light plays hide and seek with guests everywhere in the hotel and the décor is unique and special around every corner.
The food is wonderfully fresh and whilst you don’t have to dine at the hotel with every meal, you might just want to. They have various healthy options to choose from, from breakfast right through to dinner and the fish options had me falling in love with seaside dinging all over again.
READ: 7 Things to do in Wilderness
Plettenberg Bay’s own Bungalow
The Bungalow’s palette included more natural tones, with a hint of island-style turquoise and flamingo pink that brought a light atmosphere at the restaurant and bar area. The rooms were suitably decorated with hues of white, tan and blue – effortlessly bringing the beach indoors.
From the Sky Villa Boutique Hotel to The Bungalow, it’s a mere 3km at most. The Bungalow is set right against Plettenberg Bay’s popular Hobie Beach and its rustic appearance gives it that surfer-dude, beachy vibe many of us have come to crave post-lockdown. And, that is exactly what it is, but on five-star level.
As I am a foodie at heart (did you know that I initially studied hospitality management?) the sushi and the pizza were definitely highlights of my stay at The Bungalow. That, and the fact that it is literally ten steps to the beach.
I got to stay in the family room, which comes with a loft boasting a lovely double bed, a romantically placed bath and ample cupboard space, as well as four pods which are single beds with little doors that can close. The family room can therefore sleep six comfortably and features a little lounge area and kitchenette that walks out onto a beanbag peppered deck, naturally shaded by trees.
The wooden deck passes additional rooms and leads into the on-site restaurant, where informal seating brings young and old together for proper beach-vibe dining. The fish and chips are the best! Especially if you get to sit sea-facing, enjoying some people watching and taking in the view of incoming waves.
Spotting Plett’s palettes through various activities
Apart from the accommodation’s palettes, I also got to indulge in the colours of nature – something I hadn’t done in ages since the inception of lockdown. I therefore broke free from the itinerary at every chance I got, photographing jovial yellow flowers dotted with droplets from the early morning sea spray, mating green grasshoppers and the monochrome colours of the ocean.
We went hiking at Robberg Nature Reserve, a beautifully and well-maintained SANPARKS reserve that boasts some of the most magnificent 360-degree views. From atop the mountain, we were able to spot the seals down under – those we would be swimming with a day later with Offshore Adventures. What a treat!
We also dined at the lovely corner restaurant, Nineteen89 and lived on the wild side with Knysna Ziplines – an adrenaline rush of note! And, what is a trip without some wine tasting? We tasted some of the best MCCs I’ve had in a long time at Bramon Wine Estate – one of twelve wine estates in the area.
Plettenberg Bay afforded me time to reflect, space to be free even in a time where Covid-19 has got us locked down and it showed me that we need to search for life’s bright colours in everything we do.
A discounted stay in Plettenberg Bay
Want to stay in Plett? Quote SUITCASE & CHARDONNAY when you book at Sky Villa Boutique Hotel or The Bungalow and qualify for 50% discount off rack rate for a minimum of two nights’ stay. This offer is valid until 7 December 2021. Ts & Cs apply.
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