Roxanne Reid
  • Home
  • Book author
    • Travels in the Kalahari >
      • Photo gallery: Travels in the Kalahari
      • Book reviews: Travels in the Kalahari
    • A Walk in the Park >
      • Photo gallery: A Walk in the Park
      • Book reviews: A Walk in the Park
    • The Essential Guide to Self-Editing >
      • Book reviews: Essential Guide to Self-Editing
    • Betrayed
    • Book reviews online
  • Editing & proofreading
  • In the media
    • Travel features
    • Health features
    • Online media
    • Media kit
  • Blog
  • Testimonials
  • Links
  • Contact

Paternoster accommodation: where to stay on the West Coast

14/12/2016

8 Comments

 
Paternoster accommodation, Paternoster Lodge
By Roxanne Reid
White sandy beaches, blue seas, fishing boats and seafood – these are just a few of many things that make Paternoster a popular getaway. Whether you’re looking for camping, budget self-catering or a luxury five-star lodge, there’s something for you in this guide to Paternoster accommodation: where to stay on the West Coast.

It’s almost absurd how many Paternoster accommodation choices there are - lodges, B&Bs or self-catering cottages. Leigh Longden, general manager of the five-star boutique hotel, Abalone House, told us there are 4 hotels, 18 guesthouses, 152 self-catering establishments and 14 restaurants in Paternoster, which is on the West Coast Way’s Foodie Route. So pardon me, but if you can’t find somewhere cool to stay you just aren’t trying very hard.

Compared to 30 years ago when there wasn’t much more than a hotel and a sprinkling of old fishermen’s houses, it’s hard to believe the growth that’s happened here. Hard to believe the prices too; browsing the windows of estate agents revealed an average of around R3 to R5 million if you want to buy your own house, with a few coming in at an astonishing R9 million. 

Here’s how you can get a piece of Paternoster heaven, even for just a few days.
​
Abalone House Boutique Hotel
Paternoster accommodation, Abalone House
If you’re looking for quality in luxuriously comfy surroundings, look no further than the five-star boutique hotel, Abalone House. Inside you’ll find a tapestry of rich colours and interesting spaces, each of which is small enough to feel intimate without being claustrophobic. I entertained myself for a long time just nosing around and admiring the paintings, sculpture and objects d’art.
Abalone House, Paternoster
​There’s a central courtyard fringed by wicker chairs with bright orange cushions. A wooden walkway cuts it in two and provides access to the library, while ground-level rooms also lead off the courtyard.
Abalone House, Paternoster
​We went up some narrow stairs to get to our steep-eaved room where we had a view of the sea from a tiny patio and the bathroom smelt of lemon verbena. Some of the suites have their own sea-facing private decks and I saw an inviting Jacuzzi on the upstairs deck. It doesn’t feel like a hotel, more like someone’s elegant house that has grown organically into a maze of lovely spaces on two levels.
Abalone House, Paternoster
For extra treats, there’s a spa using African inspired therapies and ingredients like Kalahari melon and marula. At the in-house Reuben’s restaurant we enjoyed dinner on a wooden deck overlooking the sea – a delicious lamb shank and malva pudding with granadilla sorbet for a piquant kick. Breakfasts at Reuben’s are a feast of fresh fruit and feather-light pastries for those who don’t do the whole hot breakfast thing – or those who like to make breakfast a multi-course banquet.
 
Paternoster Lodge
Paternoster Lodge, Paternoster
The four-star Paternoster Lodge looks out over the long white beach and the sea beyond. It’s a small lodge with just seven rooms, each of them a spacious white-and-cream area with tiled floors and perhaps a trio of framed abalone shells as artwork. I particularly enjoyed our large corner bath, which begged to be wallowed in. A bottle of champagne and some flowers floating on the water would have made it perfect.
Paternoster Lodge, Paternoster
Although the lodge’s Skatkis restaurant lacks character in terms of decor, we’ve enjoyed good food there, from fish and chips and butternut soup to mushroom-and-peppadew omelettes at breakfast. Its best feature is the verandah where you can watch the moonlight creeping over the ocean in the evening (no wonder this is a popular venue for wedding receptions) or little boats putting out to sea in search of fish in the morning.

How to find your Paternoster accommodation
Paternoster beach
Afristay is a good place to start looking for where to stay in Paternoster. You’ll find listings for full service lodges like Abalone House and Paternoster Lodge, as well as self-catering rentals and B&Bs. Enter your dates, select your ‘must haves’ like pool, gym or dishwasher and sit back while the website sorts through the available options. Read reviews from people who have stayed there to guide your final choice. Then simply book directly on the site, easy peasy (or contact the host directly for more info).
Self-catering, Paternoster
You can also find inspiration at Stay in Paternoster, whether you want somewhere for a couple in Bekbaai, a family in the Voorstrand, or a crowd of friends at Mosselbank. Select according to the price you want to pay, from shoestring and budget to luxury and ‘all the bells and whistles’.​

Cape Columbine reserve
Sea Shack
Sea Shack, Paternoster
Not far from the entrance to the Cape Columbine Nature Reserve just outside Paternoster, you’ll find the Sea Shack. There are ten little wooden cabins with only enough room for a double bed or two singles. It’s off the grid but the cabins share communal eco-loos and gas showers, and there are solar lights and a communal cooking/bar area. 
Sea Shack, Paternoster
Stumble out of bed and on to the beach or watch the sunset over the ocean. I’d love to book all 10 cabins for family and friends. I’m less sure that I’d enjoy sharing it with strangers – but you may be more sociable than me!

Lighthouse chalet
Lighthouse cottage, Paternoster
Stay in an old light-keeper’s cottage next to the Cape Columbine lighthouse inside the reserve. Once the reserve gates close in the afternoon you’ll have the place to yourslves. Reservations, tel 021-4492400, email lighthouse.tourism@transnet.net

Tieties Bay campsites
Tieties Bay camping, Paternoster
If you can stop yourself giggling every time you hear the name of this campsite (Tieties are boobs), and you don’t mind basic camping, this is the place for you. There are about 60 sites for tents or caravans. More ablutions have been built, but there are still not enough for the hordes who descend here in the December/January holidays. Sites near the ablutions are popular, but if you’re prepared to walk far you could choose a secluded spot further away. There are no power points at the sites, but the views out to sea make this a beautiful spot when the wind isn’t blowing sand into your tent. Reservations, tel 022-7522718, email Ronnie.Martins@sbm.gov.za.

And of course, there’s a boatload of things to do in Paternoster, including long walks on the beach, kayaking, whale-watching, a visit to the Cape Columbine Nature Reserve and lighthouse, and the delight of sampling a few of the 14 Paternoster restaurants.

Note: I was a guest of Abalone House and Paternoster Lodge for one night each, but had free rein to write what I liked. I paid for all travel costs.

Did you find the article interesting? Pin this image!
Luxury or budget, where to stay in #Paternoster on the #WestCoast #travel #SouthAfrica #accommodation
You may also enjoy
Paternoster accommodation: Azzuro self-catering
Paternoster restaurants worth visiting

Copyright © Roxanne Reid - No words or photographs on this site may be used without permission from roxannereid.co.za
8 Comments
Dirk
14/12/2016 08:33:00 am

It's a wonderful place to unwind. Fantastic beach walks. The Noisy Oyster is a must if you visit Paternoster

Reply
Roxanne
14/12/2016 09:46:06 am

I agree about the unwinding and beach walking, Dirk. Also about the Noisy Oyster - and a few of the other restaurants in Paternoster. Great quality in a relaxed atmosphere.

Reply
Kenneth
15/12/2016 05:37:59 am

Stayed at "Just Rest", a large 1 bedroom house for 2, a wonderful place to rest in Paternoster👍

Reply
Roxanne
15/12/2016 07:08:01 am

Ah, Kenneth, that name sounds like a perfect recipe for a good holiday.

Reply
Lisa
15/12/2016 11:29:04 am

I love Paternoster and have managed three visits a year for the last couple of years. Not bad as I live in the U.K.! I always stay at Ah! Guest House, which now feels like home from home and the best breakfasts ever! Paternoster is my little piece of heaven by the sea

Reply
Roxanne
15/12/2016 04:20:36 pm

Wow, Lisa, that's impressive. I live in Cape Town and I don't get to Paternoster nearly as often as you do. It is kind of addictive, so I understand.

Reply
Marion Lubitz link
15/12/2016 03:14:04 pm

and for all those who look for activities...book Deon's famous Beach Buggy trips along the 8km unspoiled sandy beach along Paternoster bay. You can reach him at Farr Out Guesthouse on 0724021829

Reply
Roxanne
15/12/2016 04:19:05 pm

Nice tip, Marion, thanks for sharing.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Get email links to the latest posts

    Buy my books
    Travels in the Kalahari, amazon.com e-book
    E-book 2012​

    A Walk in the Park, amazon.com e-book
    2nd ed e-book 2015
    The Essential Guide to Self-Editing, amazon.com e-book
    E-book 2017

    About 

    I'm an independent travel writer and book editor with a passion for Africa - anything from African travel, people, safari and wildlife to adventure, heritage, road-tripping and slow travel.
    My travel buddy and husband Keith is the primary photographer for this blog.
    We're happiest in the middle of nowhere, meeting the locals, trying something new, or simply watching the grass grow.
    Use this website to discover new places to go, revisit places you've loved, or take a virtual tour of destinations you only dream about.

    Categories

    All
    Baviaanskloof
    Books
    Botswana
    Camping
    Cape Town
    Chobe
    Conservation
    Drc
    Eastern Cape
    Etosha Namibia
    Food
    Free State
    Garden Route
    Gauteng
    Issues
    Kalahari
    Karoo
    Kenya
    Kruger National Park
    Kwazulu Natal
    Lesotho
    Limpopo
    Linyanti
    Malawi
    Mozambique
    Mpumalanga
    Namaqualand
    Namibia
    Nature Parks
    Northern Cape
    Okavango
    Overberg
    People
    Photography
    Richtersveld
    Tanzania
    West Coast
    Western Cape
    Wild Creatures
    Zambia
    Zimbabwe

    Archives

    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    January 2010
    November 2009


Copyright © Roxanne Reid - No words or photographs on this site may be used without written permission from roxannereid.co.za

Privacy Policy and GDPR compliance
​* We promise that we take data safety seriously and use your private data only to offer a personalised experience
* If you subscribed to our newsletter, you will receive our newsletters. You can always unsubscribe by following the link in email or by emailing us
* If you gave us your name, it will only be used to personalise the newsletters
* We have never sold, we are not selling, and we will not sell any of your personal data provided to us
* The blog uses cookies to track activity. It is anonymous except for telling us your location and what you did on our blog
​
Photo used under Creative Commons from berniedup