Perched high on the cliffs of Hermanus, overlooking Walker Bay and the Overberg Mountains, Birkenhead House is a wonderful coastal retreat, offering luxurious accommodation in an exclusive setting.
The best swimming beaches in Hermanus are practically on the doorstep of Birkenhead House, while the surrounding countryside offers marvellous cliff walks and hill trails, as well as some of the Cape's most diverse and beautiful flora. It is not its beautiful wild flowers, however, that Hermanus is most famous for, but its marine life. Every year between May and December, Southern Right Whales enter the calm waters of the Bay to calve. This is one of the few regions of Africa where whale sightings can be more or less guaranteed, and Birkenhead House is perfectly positioned for whale watching.
Birkenhead House has been rated one of the top 101 hotels in the world (Tatler, 2012).
Accommodation
Birkenhead House offers 11 sumptuous sea-facing suites, each of which has been individually decorated. The rooms are all beautifully-appointed, with antique furnishings, generous four-poster beds, and fine linens.
Standard facilities in the rooms include mini-bars, satellite TV, DVD and CD player, under-floor heating, and heated towel rails. Most have a private balcony. The honeymoon suite has a private pool.
Dining
The food at Birkenhead House is superb and varied, with a natural emphasis on fresh seafood. The main dining room is glass-fronted to make the most of the views. There's a selection of private dining venues.
Facilities
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Dining room and bar
- Spa
- Private family villa
Activities
Available locally (mostly at an additional cost):
- Dyer Island cruises (domain of the Southern Right Whale)
- Whale watching (seasonal)
- Numerous mountain biking and trekking routes
- Balloon flights
- Wine and cheese tasting
- Horse riding
- Golf
- Adrenalin activities: Shark diving, sea kayaking, motor cycling, quad biking, scuba diving
Child Policy
Children under the age of 12 cannot be accommodated at Birkenhead House except in the family-friendly villa. The villa features its own private staff, as well as access to a private beach and garden. It is located close to a safe beach.
