If you are looking for the best in Gansbaai Accommodation, look no further.
Snuggled in the centre of the southern coast of South Africa is the unique and picturesque town of Gansbaai. The town is encompassed by an aura of history that follows you around from the flower-draped mountains, the deep blue ocean views to the dense forests and foggy caves. Gansbaai is the ultimate destination for travellers. It has a little bit of everything for everyone.
There are plenty of things to do in Gansbaai and much to see that makes it a hidden gem for those in the know. Boasting magnificent views of the fynbos landscape, the Overberg Mountains and the roaring yet pristine ocean, Gansbaai will leave you feeling rejuvenated and relaxed. The tranquil town of Gansbaai is a natural wonderland, welcoming to visitors of every persuasion.
With endless activity options and exquisite cuisine where you wind down after an adrenaline-filled day is essential. If you are a Bed & Breakfast type of person, there are numerous places to choose from. If you love to indulge in the utmost luxury, Gansbaai has excellent 5-star lodges at your disposal. If however, you want adventure and adrenaline-inducing accommodation, then the self-catering lodges, camping spots and farm lodges will be your cup of tea.
How To Choose Accommodation in Gansbaai
Gansbaai packs a mean adrenaline punch. Most of the activities require you to be onsite during the wee hours of the morning and will have you physically drained. So it is undeniable that aside from cost, location and comfort are the two most important things to consider when looking for places to stay in Gansbaai.
Location
Convenience is the magic word. Shark diving is the most popular activity in Gansbaai, and the boats leave the harbour as early as 07.00 am. If you want to avoid the headache of missing your scheduled activity then choosing a location that is central to all the facilities is vital.
Comfort and Facilities
Gansbaai is a tiny town so most of the facilities and essential services are located in one area. It will be convenient if your accommodation is near these services or if the majority of them are provided onsite. Most importantly, your vacation accommodation is your home for the duration of your stay so it should be comfortable.
That said it is important that you are mindful of the services and facilities that are available for you. After a long day of hiking, shark diving, quad biking or touring, a nice comfortable and relaxing room should definitely be your top priority.
Cost
Though small, Gansbaai has a little bit of everything for everyone. There is a wide variety of accommodation available for you, whether you are after value for money, or you are on a tight budget or even if you want to bask in all the luxury that Gansbaai has to offer.
So please take a dive with us as we explore the top places to stay in Gansbaai for every budget.
Our List of Gansbaai Accommodation
Sea Star Lodge
Sea Star Lodge is a perfect fusion of home and hotel and one of the few 5 Star Hotels in Gansbaai. This upmarket boutique hotel is modern and stylish with unending views of the ocean. The decor is African inspired but blends seamlessly with the modern feel of the lodge. The atmosphere is calm and luxurious with ocean views from every window and your furry four legged creatures are more than welcome.
Rooms
The six rooms are all decorated uniquely and are by design suited for various needs. The rooms are bright and neutral coloured giving them a very relaxed and peaceful atmosphere. Every room has amazing views of the ocean and the bathrooms and living spaces boasts of state of the art facilities.
Location
The hotel is a stone throw away from the beach and the Kleinbaai Golf Course is a mere 6 km away. The lodge is centrally located from all the activities so you can come and go as you please.
Amenities and Facilities
You can expect to find some of the modern luxuries that a holiday beach house should have. There is a gym, a heated outdoor pool, massage services, a sauna and a small library with a selection of books for you to indulge in. The lodge also offers a traditional English and Continental breakfast depending on your preference. Every room has either a balcony or a terrace where you can relax and enjoy the scenery.
Overall Thoughts
The lodge is very stylish and modern with upmarket facilities that are geared towards the high-end visitor. It is family and pet-friendly with lots of space in the rooms for children to play and run around. It is also a perfect spot for couples who want some down-time to enjoy the sound of the ocean all day and all night. It is your very own borrowed beach holiday house.
Grootbos Private Nature Reserve
Do you love all things nature? If so, the Grootbos Private Nature Reserve is the perfect place for you to stay in Gansbaai.
Built intentionally facing the sun, this 5-star hotel in Gansbaai, located on a private nature reserve is a blend of luxury and eco-tourism with the added bonus of spectacular sunset watching. It is a great way to experience the balance of nature versus modernity. The lodges are nestled in the lush indigenous forests of the Nature Reserve. Picture waking up to sounds of birds chirping and to crisp morning air with miles upon miles of trees and mountains on one side and beaches and oceans on the other. Sounds heavenly right?
The lodges are a mix of elegant and upmarket or contemporary designs that complement the natural environment. The vegetation surrounds the whole lodge and there is even a dining area underneath the branches of the dense milkwood forest with lanterns. This is as close to nature as you can get.
Rooms
The lodge has two 5-star lodges both designed to be eco-friendly. There are a total of 27 rooms, some one bedroom and others two. The rooms are draped in luxurious strong dark and light woods fused together with stones and metals. The constant theme is earthy luxury and the big windows and glass doors allow for natural light to filter in.
Each room has a wooden deck that gives you unfettered access to the magnificent views. They also have family and child-friendly rooms so it is an ideal place for a wide range of travellers.
Location
The lodge is 10 minutes away from the Gansbaai harbour and Gansbaai town. So you can quickly dash for any supplies that you might need. The lodge offers airport transfers so it is easily accessible.
Amenities and Facilities
State of the art facilities right in the middle of the forest? Sign me up! One of the reasons why we love this lodge is that the price is inclusive of a lot of things. You can have all your meals at the lodge and fresh fruit is delivered daily to your suite. This means full English breakfasts, lunch buffets and five course dinners.
The lodge also includes; guided nature walks, cave tours, land based whale watching and bird watching tours, horse riding, 4×4 flower safari and beach walks and picnics. Spa treatments are available either in your suite or in the Bloom Salon. They also offer wine tasting for the adults whilst the kids enjoy a swim or the onsite trampolines. You don’t have to skip game nights because the lodge has an adequately equipped game room.
Other unique facilities include; conference and wedding venues, a curio shop and team building facilities.
Overall Thoughts
The complete absorption into nature is the selling point of this lodge. The winding paths into the forest allow you to have your own private tour, watching and listening to nature. You might even catch a glimpse of the mighty hawk soaring above you. We highly recommend it for travellers who want to coax out their inner Tazen. This is by far the best jungle living experience.
Sea Star Cliff
This quaint little Bed and Breakfast lodge is the perfect standard elegant holiday beach house. Dazzling white tones are the main colours of the lodge with accents of blue, grey and light wood. Large windows and wide open doors let in the cool ocean breeze from the nearby beach front. The lodge is warm with spacious terraces that allow you to see as far as your eyes can.
Established right by the beach you can hear the crashing waves and capture the bright sunrise and gorgeous sunsets every day.
Rooms
The lodge has only 6 rooms, which have their own unique style. Each room has a variety of views, so it does not matter what your budget is, you will still get spectacular scenery. The rooms are all equipped with King Size beds and the usual facilities. Some units however have a Jacuzzi bath, en-suite bathrooms, living rooms and balconies or terraces overlooking the ocean. All rooms are spacious, with elegant bathrooms and decor. The theme is neutral and minimalistic.
Location
A mere 5km from the town centre, the lodge is very accessible. The beach front location is perfect for early morning jogs or evening strolls along the beach. If you have many activities lined up during your stay, accessibility will not be an issue.
Amenities
Each room is equipped with the standard lodge services. There are lovely gardens to stroll around, a pool to cool down and relax and a fabulous breakfast that is served onsite. The lodge is family friendly and there is off street parking.
Overall Thoughts
The lodge itself is spectacular, the decor is exquisite and has a cooling effect. There are not many facilities though so it is more of a holiday house than a luxury beach lodge. Though child friendly there aren’t any facilities that cater to young children. However, we still think it is a great place to stay considering its proximity to the beach and to the town centre.
Walkerbay Accommodation
This comfortable self-catering guest house has a vintage appeal to it. Nestled on the beach in Franskraal just outside Gansbaai, this house is a wonderful gateway for families and large groups. There are four room options to choose from depending on your preference. Though outside of Gansbaai, it is only a few minutes away from the town centre.
You can look forward to lazily lounging about on the big balconies with the ocean right before you and perhaps catch sightings of some whales.
Rooms
The rooms are set up in four ways, namely two en-suite bedrooms, one open-plan studio flat and a separate two bedroom apartment that families or groups can enjoy. All options have ocean views and the rooms are styled for comfort with hues of red, grey and blue.
Location
Though located on the other side of Gansbaai, this guest house is within walking distance of many activities and attractions. No transport is provided though, so you will have to make arrangements for yourself.
Amenities and Facilities
The guest house offers; Wi-Fi, a TV and DVD player, a washing machine and baby crib as well as a portable braai stand on request. There is a lovely outside sitting area where you can unwind and just take in the lovely scenery.
Overall Thoughts
The Walkerbay beach house is a great place for you if you love and value your privacy, or if you are on a tight budget and need to accommodate a lot of people. Though not very luxurious, it is comfortable and elegant and the vintage accessories give the house a charming allure.
Benguela Lodge
There is no other perfect example of the best of contemporary living in Gansbaai than Benguela. Looking over the Walker Bay Marine Reserve, this beautifully decorated lodge offers two options to its guests. You can book the self-catering cottage or the bread and breakfast lodge.
The lodge has bright and eye catching contemporary paintings throughout, with mismatched colour schemes that blend perfectly into an infusion of art and elegance. A true feast for the eyes. The proximity to the marine reserve means you can catch glimpses of wales occasionally.
Rooms
For the main lodge, the three en-suite rooms are spacious with calm neutral colours that are light and airy. This neutral theme is carried through to the cottage, which is large and spacious with a lovely kitchen and a beautiful dining room table that sits four.
Location
Location is everything in Gansbaai. The Benguela lodge boasts of stunning ocean and landscape views. It is a great location for shark cage diving and viewing. Set only 4km away from the town centre, the lodge is convenient and easily accessible.
Amenities
The lodge has an outdoor pool equipped with sun loungers and a cocktail bar. There is also a guest lounge where you can watch some TV. All rooms come with the standard facilities and the lodge residents can enjoy some wonderful breakfast courtesy of the on-site Benguela Restaurant. There is a library for you to relax and enjoy some reading as well as concierge services.
Overall Thoughts
The sharp contrast in decor styles from the busy and artsy common areas of the lodge versus the calm neutral rooms is a pleasant surprise. The lodge is well furnished with a good amount of spectacular views. It is a great option for adult travellers.
Royal Albatros
Looking for a spot where you can relax with full privacy? Then this is the place for you. The Royal Albatros is a self-catering holiday apartment surrounded by views of the mountains and the calm blue Atlantic Ocean. The decor is style and modern but comfortable.
Rooms
The apartment can cater for up to five guests in two bedrooms. Both rooms are individually styled with the main bedroom having a queen sized bed and en-suite bathroom. The rooms are big with wide windows that let in the cool ocean breeze. There is a sleeper couch that can accommodate a fifth guest.
Location
The apartment is right in the middle of the town and yet close enough to the beach that whale watching can be done from the comfort of your own bed. There are many activities and facilities within walking distance such as the Stanford Cove. A number of great restaurants and vineyards are also within reach.
Amenities and Facilities
The apartment has a good sized modern kitchenette that is well equipped. The outside terrace has patio furniture with a pool and a gas braai stand.
Overall Thoughts
It is a wonderful place to experience Gansbaai at your own pace with tons of privacy. A good place to take children because you are not confined and restricted by hotel rules.
Affordable Accommodation in Gansbaai
Gansbaai Boarding Lodge
Perhaps the most historical lodge in Gansbaai on our list, the Gansbaai Boarding lodge was built in 1919. The newly renovated lodge is comfortable and elegant. If you are a minimalist then this no frills accommodation is perfect for you.
The decor is bright white with blue hues and beige undertones. Located right in the centre of down, this is one of the oldest buildings in the area. The focus is simplicity but with breath-taking views all around. There are three options to choose from; self-catering, bed and breakfast and if you want to rough it out, backpacker style.
Rooms
The rooms are comfortable but sparsely furnished. The double rooms have a shower or a French style bath. There is a coffee tray and lockers to keep your belongings. The twin rooms have single beds which can be converted to king size beds.
Location
Being in the heart of town, the Gansbaai boarding lodge is central and close to all the action. There are numerous shops, bars, restaurants within walking distance. The village market is opposite the lodge so you can immerse yourself fully into the Gansbaai culture.
Amenities and facilities
The lodge has a bed and breakfast option and meal vouchers for lunch and dinner are available at your own cost. The lodge has WIFI and TV as well as laundry services. There are bicycles, surfboards and kayaks for hire.
Overall Thoughts
For adrenaline chasers who are looking for nothing more than a comfortable and affordable place to stay, this lodge is the right place for you. There is not much luxury being offered so if you want a boarding lodge experience without all the bells and whistles this is it.
Saxon Lodge
If you want to feel personally pampered then Saxon lodge is where you should be heading. It is a great place to relax and refresh after a long day of activities. Located right above the Gansbaai harbour, the sound of the waves gives the lodge a soothing atmosphere. The lodge is cosy and intimate.
Rooms
The lodge offers 9 en-suite rooms that have private terraces. They are individually decorated with cool beige tones and bright cheerful splashes of colour. The rooms have standard facilities and very modern bathrooms.
Location
Everything is within walking distance. The lodge is perfectly situated in the centre of Gansbaai with shops and restaurants right on your doorstep.
Amenities
Guests have access to free WIFI and the communal area has a TV with full DSTV. The on-site restaurant is famous for whipping up some great food and there is a pub for you to unwind with your favourite drink as you sit by the poolside. The lodge offers airport transfers as well.
Overall Thoughts
There is a tangible warmth that can be felt throughout the lodge. It is very cosy and suitable for families and large groups. Convenience is the magic word after all and so being in the heart of town is an added bonus.
The Whale Cove
Apartment living is where it’s at in Gansbaai. This 4-star three bedroom and two bath apartment is modern, fresh and private. It is said to be one of the best land whale watching spots because whales are frequently spotted there.
Rooms
The apartment rooms are neat and have a clean minimalistic upmarket style. The black and white tones blend perfectly. The main bedroom has a double bed and the other two have two single beds.
Location
The lodge is the perfect spot for whale watching in the comfort of your own residence. It is also in the heart of town so everything is nearby, even the beach.
Amenities
The apartment offers sound and vision devices and a TV with a full DSTV bouquet. On the patio is the whale spotting binoculars that is available for precision viewing. Guests can also make use of the outdoor gas braai stand. The kitchenette is well equipped and modern and after a long day you can indulge in some books from the library or listen to some songs from the discography.
Overall Thoughts
For a cosy and private experience, this apartment is the real deal. Very suitable for couples and families.
Amazing Grace B&B
Privacy with the added bonus of not having to cook breakfast? That’s a perfect deal. This beach house style bed and breakfast is a diamond in the ruff. A great place for couples to enjoy some time away from their ordinary lives.
Get ready to have breakfast on the patio overlooking the ocean with a lush and leafy garden in front of you.
Rooms
The lodge has two units that can sleep six. All rooms have a private entrance and magnificent ocean views from various angles. The Whale unit is the family unit with en-suite bathrooms and the Dolphin unit offers you stunning views of the garden.
Location
Situated right in the centre of town, the Amazing Grace bed lodge is easily accessible.
Amenities and facilities
The facilities and services include a portable braai on the patio that overlooks the garden. There is a kitchenette that is adequately equipped and an open-plan lounge. There is also secure parking available on-site.
Overall Thoughts
This lodge is definitely value for money. It is affordable, comfortable and private. The location is excellent and it is an ideal place to camp during your stay in Gansbaai.
Self-Catering Accommodation in Gansbaai
Whale Huys Luxury Oceanfront Villa
We all deserve a piece of paradise on earth right? Well, that is exactly what the Whale Huys Villa is. Situated right on the water’s edge, the villa is peaceful and secluded. The style is modern and chic and the villa is very spacious.
Big windows and glass doors allow for unlimited amounts of natural light to seep in, and the bold dark wood accents and thatched roof complement the light and neutral colours very well. There is a cool ambiance about the villa and the gentle waves hitting the rocks below are a constant soothing soundtrack.
Rooms
Each bedroom has a balcony that offers spectacular panoramic views of not only the ocean but the mountains and the landscape. The rooms are warmly decorated with high-end accessories and facilities. There are four en-suite bedrooms with country-chic furniture and beautiful paintings.
Location
Away from the hustle and bustle of town, this villa is secluded and quiet. However, it is a mere 7 minutes away from Gansbaai town centre, making it convenient for a quick dash to town for supplies or activities.
Amenities
The villa is equipped with a very modern and stylish kitchen. The lounge is spacious with a big fireplace that takes centre stage. There is a patio with whale spotting binoculars and an outside terrace with braai facilities. Guests can choose to spend many relaxing hours in the pool. As a bonus, the villa has a number of solar panels that provide backup energy supply.
Overall Thoughts
This villa is stylish, chic, modern and secluded. You will leave Gansbaai, refreshed, relaxed and rejuvenated.
Whale Waters Self Catering Lodge
Self-catering is no longer synonymous with shabby and cheap accommodation. The Whale Waters self-catering lodge is proof of that.
No expense was spared on this lodge. The furniture is modern and very elegant making it worth every one of those four stars. The lodge can take a maximum of 12 guests, it is the ultimate holiday accommodation in Gansbaai if you love your privacy.
Rooms
This spectacular four-star lodge has six en-suite bedrooms that each have a view of the ocean and landscape. The rooms are air-conditioned with earthy colours that are calming and relaxing. The rooms have a combination of king size and twin single beds, to cater for guests of all kinds. The rooms are equipped to accommodate persons with disabilities as well.
Location
The guest house has uninterrupted views of the ocean and the mountains and it is only a few kilometres away from the town centre.
Amenities and facilities
There is a fully equipped modern kitchen with state of the art appliances. The bathtubs double up as spa baths so you can relax and enjoy yourself. The terrace has a beautiful dining table that can sit eight and so does the balcony. They offer laundry services on request and there is a back-up electric generator.
Overall Thoughts
This lodge screams luxury. Everything about it is elegant and modern. The space is unbelievable and it is a perfect place for couples and families. Definitely worth your money.
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