The Plettenberg

Set perched in the rocky headlands above its namesake bay, The Plettenberg’s whitewashed walls house 37 stately rooms and suites that could each play the set to a modern-day Merchant-Ivory film. Though a five-star through and through, it breaks the gilt mold, forgoing decorous opulence in favor of a refined simplicity, the better to frame the hotel’s spectacular views of the mountain-backed sea.

The two stand-alone suites, the three-bedroom Lookout Villa and the two-bedroom Beach House, bear more modern accents than their main-house counterparts, but in all the rooms, swathed in whites and beach-inspired sandy and blue hues, the traditional styling does little to distract from the views. If the suites are off the table, be sure to book a sea view room and let the property’s most stunning feature — the landscape — take center stage.

The breezy serenity of watching the sea for dolphins and whales may reign supreme onsite, but close at hand is an eco-tourist’s dream. It’s well worth peeling yourself off the poolside loungers to take in the Bay’s endless flora, fauna and marine life at closer range. Ozone bath therapy at the hotel’s Fresh Wellness spa is that much more deserved after a long horseback ride through indigenous forests. And cocktail conversation at the chic bar will be far more compelling when sharing the tale of launching off the world’s highest bungee jump.

Evidence of the region’s bounty continues to the table; at the signature restaurant Seafood at the Plettenberg, chef Grant Parker features local produce and fresh seafood in his modern global cuisine, and for the ultimate in intimacy, the single table for two in the Wine Cellar steeps you in the terroir with an extensive list of South Africa’s best wines.

How to get there:
The Plettenberg is approximately a 1 1/4 hour drive from George Airport and 15 minutes from Plettenberg Bay Airport.