Grootbos, South Africa - hotel review

This luxury eco -retreat ultimate family getaway - this is a trip worth saving up for - or a honeymooners’ paradise
1/15
Miranda Thompson18 December 2017

There’s no doubt that Grootbos is something special. Situated on the tip of the African continent, in the confluence of the Floral Kingdom of the Western Cape and an area known as the ‘Serengeti of the Sea’ for the rich variety of marine life attracted to the nearby Atlantic waters, this luxury retreat on a private eco reserve offers a very different type of getaway.

Grootbos, which looks out towards the Cape of Good Hope over Walker Bay, is set among an ecozone of incredible diversity that features 2500 hectares of fynbos, the vibrant South African shrub that’s particular to the Western Cape, (as well as over 650 types of other plant), and is dedicated to sustaining the natural heritage of the area.

And it does more than just look good. Grootbos - which has previously hosted the likes of Brad Pitt and Halle Berry although not at the same time - prides itself on being a pioneer of ‘progressive tourism’, the idea that ‘every action that is taken should either benefit someone else or have a positive effect on the environment’.

It’s why, aside from the glass water that’s bottled on site (with its own underground spring, Grootbos is unaffected by the current Cape drought), or the recycled candles in your room, there’s an on-site farm that provides your eggs for breakfast and salad leaves for lunch, a horticulture project (also on site) training up local residents and a sports initiative empowering hundreds of young people from nearby town of Gansbaai.

Here’s everything you need to know about staying at the Grootbos.

Where is it?

Grootbos is a two-hour drive along the Whale Coast Route east from Cape Town, a picturesque route sandwiched by great mountains to the north and sprawling beaches and the Atlantic sea to the south.

Set back in the fynbos, Grootbos is situated between Hermanus - one of the world’s best whale-watching destinations (according to the WWF) - and Gansbaai, which is renowned for its cage diving with the Great Whites prowling ‘Shark Alley’ that stretches along this section of the coast. The fynbos-strewn landscape comes alive in the winter months (July to October) when the pink Erica irregularis. Eighty per cent of the world’s population is found at Grootbos, so it’s quite the picture.

It’s also close to wine country, so if you’re visiting the lush vineyards at Stellenbosch or Franschhoek, also an hour or so away, it’s well worth considering adding on a couple of days at Grootbos to round off the ultimate Western Cape experience.

Style

It depends on where you stay. Grootbos is divided between two lodges, the original Garden Lodge,which opened in 1996, and the Forest Lodge (2006), a thirty-minute walk from each other across the estate. While the same rustic-luxe feel is pervasive in both - this is a five star stay, after all - the two have different identities. The Forest Lodge, which is set among the ancient milkwoods and caters for couples, blends a space-age feel with a touch of the Scandi.

Think shimmering glass and straight lines, outdoor showers and gigantic beds, as well as a panoramic view across the picturesque fynbos and the bay below. Meanwhile, the stone-built Garden Lodge, with its sweet jars, elaborate playroom and cosy, wood-lined dining area is one for families. Meanwhile, the Brad Pitts of this world can book into one of the two Luxury Villas, serviced by private chef and butler, with private swimming pools, cinema rooms and wine cellars.

Our luxury Garden Lodge suite, accessed through indigenous gardens, was the epitome of rustic chic, with a cosy, light-filled living room soundtracked by twittering birds at the window, and complete with fully stocked mini bar and a wood fire.

And there was nothing quite like opening up the French windows from our bedroom to savour the morning sun lighting the bay from our private deck, or taking in the views from the bathroom, with a tub bubbling with the 100 per cent natural Just Pure toiletries made specifically for Grootbos.

Facilities

Every Grootbos stay is individually tailored to each visitor, explains owner Michael Lutzyer, and this really is what makes a stay there unique. Guests are asked to send over what activities they’re particularly interested in before they arrive at the hotel - I jotted down horse riding and land-based whale watching, both of which are included in your stay - so that an itinerary can be suggested to get the most out of your time there.

Yes, it could sound a bit Butlins, but when activities on offer include a flower safari through the estate (nab the tracker seat at the very front of the four-wheel drive), bird watching or a coastal drive culminating in chilled champagne served as the sun slid over the Atlantic, it’s very hard to say no to anything - and even harder not to have the time of your life.

On arrival you’re quickly presented with a hot towel, cool drink and the best thing about your stay, your personal Grootbos guide, who are assigned to a maximum of eight guests at any one time. Our fantastic guide, Tian - a veritable human encyclopedia - really made the experience for us.

Just as adept at spotting a rare plant from the roadside as being able to hear the splash of a whale calf’s tail out at sea, we came away well versed in the local flora and fauna and a camera roll jammed with whale silhouettes at sunset. Horse riding through the fynbos was another memory to savour, galloping through the bush with an eye peeled for the antelopes, baboons, caracal, honey badger and mongooses which also call Grootbos home. Feeling exhausted? There’s an on-site spa (treatments not included) handy to soothe any aching muscles at both lodges.

Extra curricular

While there’s plenty on the Grootbos menu to keep you occupied, the lodge also offers a range of experiences beyond its grounds. Great White fans can cage dive at Gansbaai, while whale watchers who want to get up close and personal can take boat trips out to sea, plus there’s kayaking, quad biking, local wine estate tours and beach horse riding for experienced riders. Grootbos is also home to a small landing strip and helipad, and is happy to organise scenic flights around the local area and along the coast.

Food and drink

Food, including a breakfast buffet, light lunch and a five course, gourmet dinner, is included in your stay, served at either the Garden or the Forest lodge. And as befits the Grootbos manifesto, every effort is made to keep the dining as conscientious as possible, with many ingredients sourced from the local area as well as the on-site farm, home to well-tended greenhouses, fragrant fruit trees and 500 very happy sounding chickens.

Given the location, it’s hardly surprising that the seafood is fantastic - we enjoyed some memorable scallops and fish, and you shouldn’t miss the Grootbos honey that’s made from its resident bees.In off season (May to June), foodie guests are encouraged to cook with the chefs - you can hunt for local mussels, perhaps, or try to perfect your Eggs Benedict. There’s also a fantastic selection of local wines on offer - ask one of the sommeliers to match you to your must-drink wine.

Which room?

You can’t get more jaw-dropping than the size and spec of the luxury villas, but we rather fancied suites 27 and 30 at the Forest Lodge, each with their own outdoor shower and private pools.

Any downsides?

A one-of-a-kind experience like Grootbos doesn’t come cheap.

Stay in a Garden Lodge at Grootbos Private Nature Reserve from 6400 ZAR (approximately £350) per person per night based on two adults sharing on a full board basis with land based activities and travelling before 30th April 2018. To book, please visit: grootbos.com/en. For further information about South Africa, please visit: southafrica.net/uk/en

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