Situated in Plettenberg Bay, one of South Africa’s most coveted seaside towns, Walkers Beach delivers a breathtaking experience at every turn.
The flight from Cape Town to George gets me there in just under one hour, which is followed by a scenic drive in an easterly direction towards Plettenberg Bay. Passing through the Garden Route gems of Wilderness, Sedgefield, and Knysna, I arrive at the elegant wooden front door of Walkers Beach with great excitement. Warmly welcomed by General Manager Jayne and Operations Director Shelley, this seaside haven is even more beautiful than I imagined.
Duty manager and Host Maya show me to the dining area, where I take a seat after breathing in the fresh sea air. The views over the Indian Ocean are absolutely magnificent, and when Maya serves me a decaf latte, I’m jolted back to the privileged reality of spending two blissful nights in this piece of paradise. Looking down towards the beach, people are clearly enjoying their activities. From nature walks along the pristine shoreline to hiking at Robberg Nature Reserve or going out on an ocean safari to swim with the seals, there is something for everyone. With a myriad of things to do in and around Plettenberg Bay, the choice is yours whether you want to dine out at Nguni Restaurant, go for a wine tasting at Bramon Wine Estate, or head to Keurboomstrand for lunch at Enricos.
Walking up the wooden stairs to where my accommodation is, Maya unlocks the door, and I take in my impressive surroundings. I am staying in a Signature Suite, with the most incredible vistas over the bay. The exquisite suite is furnished in shades of white, beige, and taupe, giving it a light and airy feel. Different types and colors of wood have been used for the wardrobe, the mini-bar cupboard, the writing desk behind the headboard, and the nightstands. The bedroom also has wooden flooring, a great choice for a beach lodge instead of carpets.
In the left-hand corner of my room, the chaise longue is the ideal place to take an afternoon nap or recline and watch people on the beach going about their business. Outside on the verandah, the daybed is where you can catch a bit of sunshine or opt for a siesta. A pink malva next to the daybed gives a splash of color, and creating an additional layer of privacy between the suites’ verandah is the small-leafed South African succulent spekboom. Being in a seaside environment, relaxation is par for the course.
Guests can decide to have the curtains in the bedroom closed at night, or for the early risers, leave them open. The sunrise from your bed is simply magnificent. Adding to that, a Nespresso machine, Nespresso milk frother, and rusks a few steps away means that you don’t have to leave your suite until you are ready for breakfast! Or don your robe, open the sliding doors, and watch the day come to life from your private verandah with hues of orange and pink painting the horizon.
The sizeable bathroom is the perfect place to cleanse after a day spent outdoors or indulge in a pre-bedtime routine. The skylight allows for natural light to emphasize the gorgeous use of grey, slate, white, cream, and brown. Light fittings resemble marine life, and my bathroom has the most striking seashells. The large mirror frames the double vanities, with his & hers showerheads in the walk-in shower. For guests preferring to bathe, there is a deep soaking tub that you can fill with bath salts.
Guests at Walkers Beach have private beach access, and an easy walk down to the boardwalk deposits you right on the silky white sand. A boat has just come in to offload happy oceangoers onto the beach. Couples are walking hand-in-hand, and children are playing in the surf. There is even a dog that runs into the water and scurries out again. Where the beach ends and the rocks begin, I pause to listen to waves crashing. A lone seagull is standing proudly, wading into the water to have a drink. Back at Walkers Beach, I rinse my feet before setting foot into the pristine conditions.
I make my way to the comfortable lounge area, which makes me want to linger longer. An impressive collection of books and novels is found in and around the property. As avid art aficionados, the owners have built up an enviable collection of artworks by the likes of Brian Wiles, Walter Gilbert, William Kentridge, Claude Jammet, Walter Voigt, Angela Banks, Simon Stone, Arabella Caccia, and a friends & family collection. Taking pride of place next to the pool, in the courtyard, and in the lobby of the downstairs suites are three eye-catching Dylan Lews sculptures.
When owners Howard and Ingrid Walker first set eyes on what used to be known as Stoneridge, they were not convinced that this was a project that they wanted to undertake. With the original home being in Ingrid’s family, when it came time for someone to purchase the property, the sale fell through. Howard realized that the opportunity was too good to pass up, and he set his sights on turning it into a beach house for himself and his family. But then the pandemic struck, and everything ground to a halt. Which was not necessarily a bad thing as he brought his architect, Wessel van Dyk, and interior designer Petrus Maree in to fashion what is now Walkers Beach – a home for guests who love being cocooned in luxury.
Chatting over a delicious dinner perfected by Head Chef Remona, Sous Chef Skye, and Comms Chef Evelyn, Howard and Ingrid both dine on fish, while I have chosen the beef fillet. “It was a little old holiday house,” Ingrid tells me. “The former house was on the ridge of stone, and you can see the properties next door are much lower.” Howard agrees. “This is what makes Walkers Beach so unusual. We were permitted to build within a 26 ft. envelope that follows the natural ground level. This allowed this property to sit so far forward because of the rock that it was sitting on.”
For Howard and Ingrid, it’s the ultimate compliment from guests who tell them that they feel completely at home. So much so that they want to kick off their shoes and put their feet up. The mix of Greece and Mediterranean influences makes it a sought-after property, and the location is something that’s a rarity. Don’t take my word for it – go see for yourself!
