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A gracious Cape Dutch home on the whale coast

Five luxury en-suite rooms, a full breakfast on the veranda, a quiet garden and pool beneath the Klein River mountains — a short stroll from the cliff paths of Walker Bay.

WhatsApp Cecilia See the rooms
9.6
295 verified guest ratings

The House & Your Hosts

Old-world grace, hosted the way Hermanus used to be

Behind its whitewashed gables in the leafy Eastcliff quarter, the Dorpshuys is a house of persian runners, button-back chairs and morning light — restored and run personally by Cecilia and Koos Pretorius.

Both are experienced divers and qualified national tour guides, which means your hosts don't just check you in — they map out your whale watching, your Gansbaai shark dive and your Hemel-en-Aarde wine afternoon like locals who've done it all themselves.

— Cecilia & Koos, your hosts

5
Luxury en-suite rooms
9.6/10
Guest rating
2017
Outstanding Service Award
The entrance hall of Hermanus Dorpshuys with persian runners and antique furniture

The Rooms

Five rooms, each with its own character

Every room is en-suite and individually furnished with antiques, fine linen and garden or mountain outlooks — comfort first, hotel-sameness never.

The Garden Room

The Garden Room

Button-back armchairs, a grand mahogany wardrobe and doors to the tranquil garden.

En-suiteQueen bedGarden view
The Heritage Room

The Heritage Room

Crisp white linen, morning tea brought on a silver service, and the quiet of Eastcliff.

En-suiteKing/TwinAntique furnished
The Mountain Room

The Mountain Room

Gilt mirrors and soft light with the Klein River mountains standing over the rooftops.

En-suiteQueen bedMountain view
Veranda dining with wicker chairs and french doors

Mornings at the Dorpshuys

Breakfast on the veranda, mountains for company

A full English breakfast is served every morning in the dining room or out on the veranda, overlooking the pool, the garden and the Klein River mountains beyond.

  • Full English breakfast, cooked to order every morning
  • Fresh fruit, yoghurts & home baking daily table
  • Veranda or dining-room seating your choice
  • Pool & garden, open to guests all day always
Whitewashed Cape Dutch exterior of Hermanus Dorpshuys Breakfast table with white linen En-suite bathroom vanity Gilt mirror detail in a guest room

On Your Doorstep

The best of the whale coast, minutes away

From Hill Street you can walk to the village, the cliff paths and the sea. Your hosts — both qualified tour guides — will point you to the rest.

🐋

Whale watching

Southern right whales calve in Walker Bay from June to November — watch them breach from the cliff path, no boat required.

Walk from the house
🦈

Shark cage diving

Gansbaai's famous cage-diving fleet is a short drive down the coast. Cecilia & Koos are divers themselves — ask them who to book with.

±30 min drive
🍷

Hemel-en-Aarde wines

The celebrated valley of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay starts just outside town — an easy, beautiful afternoon of tastings.

±10 min drive
⛳

27-hole golf

Hermanus Golf Club's 27 holes sit in Eastcliff itself, practically around the corner from your room.

Walking distance
🥾

Cliff path & beaches

12 km of coastal path, rock pools and blue-flag beaches — start at Gearing's Point and follow the sea.

Walk from the house
🍽️

Village restaurants

Midtown Hermanus — boutiques, galleries, markets and some of the Overberg's best kitchens — is a gentle stroll away.

Walking distance

Why Book Direct

Deal with your hosts, not a platform

Best rate, no middleman

Booking sites add commission on top. Book directly with Cecilia & Koos and the direct-booking benefit stays in your pocket.

A real person answers

One WhatsApp and you're talking to your actual host — special requests, late arrivals, local advice, all sorted before you arrive.

Flexible, human arrangements

Extra nights, early breakfasts, tour bookings through your guide-qualified hosts — things a booking engine can't do.

Guest Words

Rated 9.6 out of 10

Beautiful old house, immaculate rooms and the warmest welcome we've had anywhere on the Garden Route trip.

Guest review · Booking platform

Breakfast on the veranda with the mountains behind — worth the stay on its own. Cecilia's local tips made our whole weekend.

Guest review · Booking platform

Walking distance to everything, yet completely quiet at night. The kind of guesthouse you plan a return trip around.

Guest review · Booking platform
9.6/10across 295 verified guest ratings on major booking platforms

Good to Know

Questions guests ask

How do I book?

WhatsApp or phone Cecilia directly — tell her your dates and how many guests, and she'll confirm availability and the best direct rate. WhatsApp 078 596 1488 or call 028 313 0441.

Are all rooms en-suite?

Yes — all five luxury rooms have their own en-suite bathrooms, and each is individually furnished.

Is breakfast included?

A full English breakfast is served daily in the dining room or on the veranda overlooking the pool and mountains. Confirm inclusion for your rate when you book.

When is whale season?

Southern right whales are in Walker Bay roughly June to November, with peak calving season around August–October. Hermanus is one of the best land-based whale-watching spots on earth.

Can you help arrange tours?

Gladly — your hosts are qualified national tour guides and experienced divers, and will happily arrange whale trips, shark cage diving, wine routes and more.

Find Us

Eastcliff, between the mountains and the sea

  • Address 20 Hill Street, Eastcliff, Hermanus 7200
  • WhatsApp 078 596 1488
  • Phone 028 313 0441
  • From Cape Town ±90 minutes via the R43 (or the spectacular Clarence Drive)
  • Parking Secure on-site parking for guests

Book Your Stay

The whales are waiting. So are Cecilia & Koos.

Send your dates on WhatsApp and get a personal reply from your hosts — with the best direct rate, always.

WhatsApp your dates Call 028 313 0441

Prefer to talk? Cecilia answers on 028 313 0441