The Marine

We booked a weekend stay to celebrate a birthday. From the off, the service was really top-class. The booking was smooth, and the checking in a real breeze. The rooms were really well appointed and the staff were very attentive to our requirements. I would highly recommend the Marine Hotel.

We experienced the best land-based whale watching of our lives from the cliff trail. The facility is exceptionally well maintained and didn't miss a single detail expected from a luxury hotel. We were finally able to relax on an action packed tour of South Africa.

I recently spent a weekend at The Marine Hotel in Hermanus, and it proved to be an absolutely wonderful experience. I left feeling that I had stayed somewhere genuinely special, and I would return without hesitation. The Marine has recently undergone an extensive refurbishment, and the result is quite spectacular. What impressed me most is how beautifully the hotel has been transformed while still retaining the character and sense of place that make The Marine such an iconic hotel. The interiors are sophisticated, elegant and incredibly artful, with beautiful furnishings, textures, artwork and attention to detail throughout. It is luxurious without being stuffy, and stylish without ever feeling cold or impersonal. The location, of course, is extraordinary. Perched above Walker Bay, the hotel has some absolutely magnificent ocean views. There is something very special about simply sitting and looking out across the water, and the setting gives the entire hotel a wonderful sense of tranquillity. The staff were another highlight of my stay. Every person I encountered was exceptionally friendly, welcoming and helpful. There was a genuine warmth to the service that made me feel very much like a valued guest. The service was professional and attentive, but never intrusive, which is something I really appreciated. The restaurant is absolutely beautiful and deserves a special mention. The emerald-green and gold chairs, with beautiful embroidered local flowers on the backs, are stunning, and the lighting is incredibly artistic. The whole space has a wonderful sense of sophistication and personality. Breakfast was equally impressive. There was a very good buffet selection, including beautifully presented fresh fruit, pastries, smoked salmon and mackerel, together with an interesting selection of dishes that could be ordered from the menu. And then there were some rather wonderful extras — champagne and everything you could possibly need to make your own Bloody Mary! It made breakfast feel like a real occasion rather than simply a meal. Dinner was a particular highlight for me. I had the cheese soufflé as a starter followed by the green seafood curry, and both were absolutely incredible. In fact, they were probably two of the tastiest dishes I have ever experienced. The quality and depth of flavour in both dishes were exceptional. It was also the smaller details that made the stay feel so special. The bathroom was beautifully appointed and included lovely bath salts, fragrant toiletries and little packets of relaxing aromatherapy oil — thoughtful touches that made it very easy to unwind after a day out. I particularly loved discovering a warm-water bottle in my bed after the evening turndown service. It is such an old-fashioned, thoughtful gesture, and somehow it added an enormous amount to the feeling of being genuinely cared for. The Nespresso machine with complimentary capsules was another lovely touch, and there were numerous little details throughout the room that showed how much thought had gone into making guests comfortable. There is a very special atmosphere at The Marine. It manages to combine an extraordinary setting, beautiful design, excellent food and genuine hospitality in a way that feels effortless. The refurbishment has, in my opinion, taken an already remarkable hotel and elevated it to another level. The interiors are beautiful, the views are breathtaking, the food is outstanding, and the staff are genuinely wonderful. But perhaps what I enjoyed most was that, despite all the sophistication and luxury, The Marine still feels warm and welcoming. It has personality. It has a real sense of place. It feels like somewhere that has been created not simply to impress guests, but to make them feel good, like the lovely gesture during checkout when we received the tastiest Wedgewood salted caramel nougat in the cutest little gift box. One of several little tokens which showed true care and hospitality, making our stay at The Marine Hotel absolutely unforgettable. An exceptional hotel in an extraordinary setting. Very highly recommended! Mandrid Blignaut, Cape Town

There is so much to say about our stay at The Marine Hotel in Hermanus that I could honestly write a book about it! From the moment we arrived until the moment we left, everything was thoughtful, elegant, welcoming and simply exceptional. Our five-star experience started the moment we arrived. We were personally directed to our parking bay and our luggage was taken care of for us. Check-in was effortless, with friendly and welcoming staff greeting us with refreshing towels and a delicious, refreshing rooibos-based iced tea — such a lovely touch after our journey. We were offered a tour of the hotel, but decided to discover it ourselves. We were shown to our room and… WOW! What a beautiful surprise. The room was more like a luxurious private suite, with a beautifully decorated lounge, a fireplace (which we didn't need to use, but was such a wonderful addition), a stocked mini-bar and a coffee station. The bedroom had the most comfortable king-size bed, beautiful furnishings, ample cupboards, TV, air conditioning and enormous windows overlooking the sea. And we were lucky enough to visit during whale season! Every now and then, the whales would put on a spectacular show right in front of us, making the view from our room even more magical. 🐋 We also had our own private balcony with a table and chairs, the perfect spot to sit, relax and enjoy the complimentary snacks and wine while taking in the magnificent ocean view. The bathroom was equally impressive, with heated towel rails, a lovely shower, beautiful bathtub and double basins. Everything throughout the suite was finished to the highest standard, with luxurious linen, soft towels, comfortable gowns and slippers, and beautifully selected toiletries. Every detail had clearly been considered. We eventually took that tour of the hotel — and almost got lost exploring all the beautiful corners! 😂 The bar is beautifully positioned, with comfortable seating indoors as well as on the veranda overlooking the sea. The passages themselves are works of art, with hand-painted murals featuring local flowers, beautiful lamps and fascinating chandeliers. The restaurant is absolutely stunning, with a five-star design and setting. There is also a heated swimming pool, gym and spa, while the beautifully maintained gardens are filled with amazing plants and flowers. Everywhere you look, there are gorgeous little seating areas surrounded by flowers and beautiful lighting, creating such a peaceful and romantic atmosphere. And then there is the food… Dinner was a true fine-dining experience — beautiful presentation, an elegant yet cosy atmosphere, and food that was every bit as good as it looked. I enjoyed every bite of my calamari starter, followed by a delicious catch of the day, served with fresh vegetables on a bed of cauliflower purée and paired with a wonderful locally produced wine. Every mouthful was a delight. Breakfast was equally wonderful, offering a continental selection as well as an à la carte menu, with fresh juices, coffee, champagne and even Bloody Marys. What a way to start the day! But beyond the beautiful hotel, incredible views, exceptional food and luxurious surroundings, what really makes The Marine special is the people. Every member of staff we encountered was friendly, professional, attentive and genuinely willing to help with anything we needed. There are so many more little details I could mention, but all I can say is that The Marine Hotel gave us one of the most relaxing, enjoyable and comforting stays we have ever experienced. It truly deserves every one of its ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. Thank you to the entire team at The Marine for making our stay so memorable. We left feeling completely relaxed, pampered and already wishing we could return. We absolutely will! ❤️🐋🥂

We came during whale season, and I could see them right from the room. Very well maintained hotel, great staff, and definitely meets the standards of a small luxury hotel of the world.