Best Luxury Seaside Guesthouse 2024 – Western Cape Boutique Ocean Views

Sitting on the oceanside, Boutique Ocean Views is not only a luxurious holiday retreat for those wanting to hide away from the stressors of their daily routines, but it is also a well-maintained property holding a charming history that dates to the 1930s. 

Hermanus, a coastal fishing village, would receive annual visits in the late 1930s by a lone female whale. The locals affectionately knew this whale as Wendy and considered her as one of the family. Although her visits stopped in the early 1940s, a house situated on the rocks near her spot became known as Wendy’s cottage in her honour. The tradition was continued through the 1950s, when another female whale began to visit. Also known as Wendy, she would return to the bay with her calf, to the delight of the locals. 

Boutique Ocean Views pays homage to this charming tradition by still referring to the heritage building on the site as ‘Wendy’s’, honouring the female whales that continue to visit the bay. Between June and October, guests can watch the whales and their calves from the comfort of their beds. This unique opportunity is unlike anything else on the market and pushes Boutique Ocean Views far beyond its competitors. 

The boutique guesthouse is owned and operated by Chris and Constance Kotze, a dynamic husband-and-wife duo that take a hands-on approach to running the property and are personally involved in creating the most welcoming and caring environment across each stay. Alongside Chris and Constance is a committed team of five staff members who all work tirelessly to support the owners with general administration, room service, maintenance, gardening, breakfast, concierge, and many other services. 

“We have an entrepreneurial family culture,” says Constance, “where each employee is an owner-manager responsible for every aspect of the guest’s holistic experience at Boutique Ocean Views.” The family-style feeling extends beyond the company’s internal culture and can be seen in the ways that Boutique Ocean Views treats guests. A well-stocked bar, coffee machine, and complimentary snacks available around the clock at no extra charge ensures that guests feel right at home during their stay, accompanied by a warm welcome from the hardworking team. 

In fact, guests often remark that it feels like they are visiting with friends rather than staying in a hotel, which is exactly what Constance and Chris set out to achieve each day. Of course, maintaining a leading position in a competitive market requires research and development, as well as a strong ability to adapt to changing trends. 

We ask Constance about the current trends shaping the industry, and she tells us, “While our traditional tourism source countries remain important, we also see that tourism from ‘new markets’, such as the Middle East and Asian European countries, is on the rise. We will have to constantly tweak our offerings to meet the needs of these guests optimally, which may differ slightly from those of our established ‘Western’ markets.” 

At present, Boutique Ocean Views has an array of offerings for guests to choose from, with an activity to suit everyone. For the adventurous, the renowned Hermanus cliff path is accessible from the guesthouse’s gate and features scenic ocean walkways that stretch over 12 kilometres. For those looking to get a taste of the local culture, Hermanus town centre is a short walk away and offers countless tourist attractions and restaurants. What’s more, for those not wanting to leave the comfort of the luxury guesthouse, the stunning ocean views from the rooms and communal areas of the establishment are unmatched, and in the right season, whales and their calves can be spotted. 

“We plan to offer more of the attractions available in the greater Hermanus region to our guests via our website,” Constance adds. “Soon, they will be able to book excursions at competitive rates in one place on our website before their arrival.” 

With such incredible activities already on offer, we cannot wait to see what else Boutique Ocean Views will bring to the table in the upcoming year. We are certain that the team will continue to exceed expectations and show exactly why Boutique Ocean Views has been named the Best Luxury Seaside Guesthouse 2024 – Western Cape.