Whalesong Hotel & Spa  

Tucked into lush gardens in Plettenberg Bay on South Africa’s Garden Route, this beach hotel feels like a coastal hideaway. It’s within walking distance of the town center, a 3-minute drive to Plettenberg Bay Beach and about 12 minutes from Robberg Nature Reserve. Family-friendly and scenically set, rooms look out over the Keurbooms coastline and the Tsitsikamma Mountains.

The hotel has 32 spacious en-suite rooms dressed in ocean blues and whites. Every room features a private wooden viewing deck for sea-and-mountain vistas, plus flat-screen TVs, minibars, safes and desks. Bathrooms offer separate tubs and showers and daily housekeeping keeps things tidy.

Relax at a full-service spa with massages, body treatments and facials, or sweat it out in the sauna. Swim in indoor and outdoor pools, rent bicycles, try local diving excursions, or picnic in the landscaped garden. Expect a lively daily complimentary reception, a bar/lounge, concierge services, babysitting (surcharge), laundry/dry cleaning, multilingual staff, free self-parking and a 24-hour airport shuttle (surcharge).

Complimentary wireless internet keeps you connected across the property. Rooms include desks, and the hotel offers luggage storage and concierge help for transfers and bookings.

Dine at the Blue Whale Restaurant with garden views or grab a drink in the bar/lounge. Continental breakfast is available daily (fee) and limited-hours room service is offered for late arrivals or lazy mornings.