by Located within the picturesque Western Cape along the Garden Route, Plettenberg Bay boasts pristine beaches that attract not only local travelers but famous faces such as Love Island host Maya Jama, Oscar winner Jared Leto, and British actor Tom Hopper.
Plett (as the town is known locally) remains largely undiscovered by visitors from outside Africa’s borders. Even fewer travelers like Jama venture beyond the inviting beaches to explore the hidden gems of South Africa’s most spectacular coastal vistas and vast native forests.
But when revelers are looking for a relaxing oasis after a day of whale hunting or hiking the Robberg Peninsula, the Old Rectory and Spa is just the hidden five-star haven for the weary to recharge.
Where?
Located in a quiet corner of Plettenberg Bay, the Old Rectory and Spa is one of the oldest buildings along the coast, built in 1777. Sandwiched between the rugged Tsitsikamma mountains and the pounding Indian Ocean surfing, the hotel offers a serene retreat for those. looking for a restorative stay. The property is just a two-minute walk from Hobie Beach, where a world of water sports and boat tours await keen travelers. It’s also a short walk from the town’s main cafe street, making it easy to explore local dining and shopping options.
For those not driving the Garden Route, Plett has its own regional airport located 40 minutes east of George Airport. Unlike more cosmopolitan areas, Ubers are hard to come by, so it’s wise to get the number of a taxi company on arrival if you’re traveling without a car and allow plenty of time to get around.
Style
Originally built as a barracks for the Dutch East India Company (better known today as the VOC) in the 18th century, the building later served as accommodation for the Anglican church before changing to a hotel today is bright, eclectic. Amazingly, apart from a relatively minor update to the roof in 1887, very few structural changes have been made, making it a rare piece of architectural and cultural history that has remained virtually intact since it was built almost 250 years ago.
This rich history is evident from the moment guests enter, blessed by the spectacular silhouette of Cape Holland. Inside the reception area, the building’s architectural heritage is proudly displayed with exposed oak beams dating back to 1777. The original stone and mud brick walls complement the contemporary decor seamlessly, creating a space that is sumptuous and full of character. The dining room continues this tribute to its heritage with the original yellow wood floors, the VOC emblem on the back of the chairs, a wall of historical photographs, and a lovingly kept milkwood tree in the garden.
Located right next to reception is the ‘Ladies Bar’ – a place where all genders are welcome despite the name. Deep Chesterfield sofas, and a copper-fronted bar add to the old world of the venue, while modern touches such as linen armchairs under planter fans elevate the space.
Facilities
The hotel’s Sanctuary Spa is truly spiritual, not only because it is based in the old rectory, but mainly because of its decadent Moyo treatments and stellar hammam. Loved by guests and locals alike, advance booking is essential to secure a place in this tranquil retreat. Meanwhile, a statue of Marieke Prinsloo-Rowe’s Bathing Girl lines the edge of the saltwater pool, casting a watchful eye on sun-seekers as they relax on cabana-striped sun loungers.
Room
The hotel’s 18 open-plan rooms offer coastal luxury, with interiors inspired by the flora and fauna of the local area. Guests can enjoy their own in-house spa experience with a walk-in rainfall shower and freestanding tub. The experience is enhanced with the hotel’s own eco-friendly brand of bath salts, bubble bath and bath oils.
Other luxury amenities include a Nespresso machine, a well-stocked minibar and underfloor heating, while a nightly turndown service is completed with a hand-tied poem of the day and chocolate on a pillow for your king-size bed. All rooms boast sea or garden views from your private terrace or balcony, and a selection of the spaces can be converted into family rooms.
Food & drink
The Old Rectory has one of the best restaurants in town, the aptly named 1777. The bistro-style menu draws on Dutch, English and South African influences, with standout dishes including ostrich fillet, kingklip line-caught, and Bunny Chow-a loaf of white bread stuffed with curry, a unique Indian-South African dish.
Guests can choose to dine in the main dining room, located in the oldest part of the hotel, or outside at one of the candlelit tables for a more intimate setting. After enjoying a delicious meal, diners can retire in front of the centuries-old fireplace for a cozy nightcap, perhaps paired with a slice of Amarula cheesecake.
The culinary delights continue with breakfast and made-to-order brunch favorites such as Eggs Benedict and pancake stacks. But the custom-made breakfast table, featuring freshly baked pastries and breads, fruit platters, cheese, and meat charcuterie boards, is a sight to behold. To counter this, there is a Bloody Mary and Mimosa station to wash it down along with excellent service with a personal touch.
extra curricular
Although Stellenbosch is better known as the wine capital of South Africa, Plett and the surrounding area have a number of wineries, and the estates have excellent restaurants where you can enjoy great food while sampling the wine – or skip the food and simply savor a glass of it. Chen Blanc.
The Rare Earth group, the small luxury hospitality company behind The Old Rectory and Spa, owns award-winning Kay & Monty vineyards (kayandmonty.com) in the Crags, thirty minutes outside of town. You can savor a cold glass of the much-loved MCC while chowing down on a sharing board piled high with local cheeses, seasonal fruits, and cured meats.
However, if adventure is what you’re looking for, the hotel is ideally located minutes from the popular Central Beach. Guests can book a range of sea activities through the hotel, including sea kayaking, surfing, swimming with Cape Fur Seals, and whale watching during the winter months (July to October).
For those who prefer solid ground, hiking the Robberg Peninsula is a must. This area is a great vantage point to see marine life such as Whales, dolphins and Orcas. It is also a haven for bird watchers, with species such as Cape Robins and Cape White-Eyes in the area. Just outside of Plett is the Knysna Elephant Sanctuary (knysnaelephant park.co.za), where you can walk with rescue elephants just like in Leto’s 30 Seconds To Mars. There are also many other animal sanctuaries in the area, including Birds of Eden, Monkeyland, and Jukani (for big cats).
Details
Room rates start from around £242 per night including breakfast, non-peak travel (May 1 to July 31, 2024) rareearth.co.za/properties/the-old-rectory/.
