The Marine Hermanus - Garden Route, South Africa

Rooms & Suites: 46

The Marine is a luxurious and historic 5-star hotel perched atop the cliffs of Walker Bay, "whale central", from July to November, when the magnificent creatures come to calve and nurse.

You can view whales by taking a boat trip, or from the hotel's Pavilion Restaurant and even from the beds in some rooms. Directly in front of the hotel is a tidal pool, where you can swim as close to 100 meters away from the whales. The Hotel can supply you with towels and picnic, and there are toilets and an outdoor shower available. The hotel's Spa offers an exfoliation Sea Salt Scrub next to the Tidal Pool whilst listening to the soothing sounds of the ocean. You can also visit the local Saturday arts and crafts market, the penguin colony on Dyers Island or take a wine tour of the southernmost vineyards in the world. The wine cellar at The Marine is completely unique and is the central feature of The Pavilion restaurant. It is a floating Cellar stocked with the best of South Africa's wines with an emphasis on the wines from the Walker Bay region.