Is there more to Plettenberg Bay than the beach? Although it does have some stunners on that front.
So, a challenge was laid down – a weekend in May, the low season, to find out. Plettenberg Bay is no longer the tiny two-horse hamlet your grandparents used to take you to; today it could lay a plausible claim to being among South Africa’s top draws.
It’s a bustling town, replete with restaurants, coffee shops, bars, shops. Something for everyone then.
Sky Villa Plettenberg Bay. Photo: Marzahn Botha
Plettenberg Bay
We rolled into town in the ever-reliable Ford Everest Sport, the 10-speed transmission and cruise control making for a smooth ride up the N2.
Picture: Lorraine Kearney
There are also front and rear park sensors and rear-view camera to help manoeuvre into a tight parking spot on the thumping Main Street.
Sky Villa on top of the hill
But before the city beat, a stop to check in at the five-star Sky Villa Boutique Hotel, which belongs to the Raw Africa Boutique Collection. The hotel is splendid, with artworks adorning the walls – and even its own gallery and hidden speak easy.
Sky Villa Plettenberg Bay. Photo: Travelbug Rose
The weather played its part too, warm enough for a lazy cocktail on a sun lounger and a swim in the inviting blue pool.
READ: 7 fun things to do in pretty Plettenberg Bay
Sky Villa does what it says on the box: it is at the top of a hill on Barons View Estate, with an uninterrupted 360-degree view of the Keurbooms River, Indian Ocean and the Tsitsikamma and Langkloof mountains.
Watching a red full moon rise over the sea was arguably the highlight of the weekend.
Robberg Gap Circuit. Photo: Lorraine Kearney
Gym, pool, bar and even snooker
There are just 14 luxury rooms, all with their own private terrace, as well as Villa One @ Sky, a standalone house with six en-suite air-conditioned rooms, lounge and kitchen. You need to book out the entire villa though.
Part of the parcel is a fully equipped gym, Sky/Zen pool with jets, bar, Sky Bar, fully stocked Wine Cellar and Snooker Room.
The restaurant serves up delicious, fresh food, featuring the hotel-grown herbs and vegetables.
The Bungalow
It’s just five minutes away from the town and Plettenberg Bay Beach, where an excellent lunch spot is Sky Villa’s sister property, The Bungalow. It is much more relaxed, with a surfer vibe, but no less luxurious. It is right on the beach, and the vegan sushi (there is fish too!) is sublime.
The Bungalow. Photo: Travelbug Rose
Ecuadorian chef Balvina Aitkins, who prefers to go by the name Bella, will whip up inspired vegan dishes at either establishment – but phone ahead or you may be disappointed.
Robberg in Plettenberg Bay.
Rates
Both Sky Villa and The Bungalow are from R2 900 for two sharing a night, including breakfast, during the low season. Rates go up at the end of September.
Robberg Witsand Circuit. Photo: Marzahn Botha
What to do
Start the morning with an invigorating hike through Robberg Nature Reserve, a Cape Nature masterpiece. It’s a national monument steeped in history, with prehistoric rocks and Stone Age artefacts.
Conservation fees are adults R50 and children R30 for the day. You can also overnight in the reserve – self-catering from R1 030. There is also an overnight conservation fee of R40 for adults and R20 for children.
It’s a good spot for whale watching; whale season is June to November, when southern right whales are breeding and calving.
And the hikes: the Gap Circuit is the easiest at 2.1km; the Witsand Circuit follows at 5.5km; and Point Circuit is a 9.2km trek only for the fit. Watch out for the seals, the gannets, cormorants and terns.
Plett is also making a name for itself as a wine destination – go for a tasting at any (or all) of the eight wineries open to visitors: Bramon Wine Estate; Newstead, home of Lund Family Wines; Kay and Monty Vineyards; Lodestone Wines; Luka; Plettenvale Wine Estate; Bitou Vineyards; and Packwood Wine Estate.
Refreshment
End the walk with a refreshing ice coffee or hot brew from the resident food truck in the parking lot.
If you want more, head to Barrington’s, the first craft brewery in the town.
Barringtons in Plettenberg Bay. Photo: Travelbug Rose
Don’t forget to order from the menu; it’s been a long morning and your body needs nourishment. The food is fresh and good – so fresh, in fact, that you walk through the herb and vegetable garden to get to your table.
Recommended: the light and tasty Czech Pilsener or the Ibhiya Ibuchu or Buchu Brew, which won a bronze at the Africa Beer Cup in May in the Specialty Beer category. It works best as a shandy with a slice of orange.
Robberg in Plettenberg Bay. Photo: Lorraine Kearney
Specials
Everyone loves a special, and the Raw Africa Boutique Collection has a few.
From 1 May to 31 August 2022, there are four packages for two adults sharing for two nights, including breakfast at either Sky Villa Boutique Hotel or The Bungalow:
Stay & Play includes a R500 Sky Villa food and beverage voucher and a round of golf (and golf cart) at the signature Gary Player designed course, for R5 000;
Perfect Date includes a bottle of Bramon Blanc de Blanc MCC on arrival, a R1 000 Sky Villa food and beverage voucher and a 60-minute Thai couple’s massage at Royal Thai for R5 200;
Taste of Plett includes a bottle of Bramon Blanc de Blanc MCC on arrival, a Nineteen89 Experience (R500 voucher), a Bramon Experience (R500 voucher) and a Golden Palm Experience (R500 voucher) for R4 900;
Plett Feel Good includes a bottle of Bramon Blanc de Blanc MCC on arrival and a ‘Walk with the Elephants’ or a ‘Tenikwa Private Tour’ for R4 800. Of course, all subject to availability, and as always, check the terms and conditions.
So yes, there is plenty more to do in Plett than lie on the beach, alluring as that is.
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