Description
Decadence doesn’t come more characterful than this boutique hotel in seaside Paternoster. Abalone’s public areas and ten rooms contain crystal chandeliers, vivid Persian rugs, animals antlers, dark-wood panelling and modern-art pieces, while outside are orchids, a pool and antique birdcages. Famous for its seafood, the surrounding village is equally eye-catching, with blue-shuttered cottages and fishing boats scattered along a long beach. Throw in quality cuisine, a swanky spa and fine ocean views, and you won’t want to leave.
Accommodation
Equally charismatic, the ten air-conditioned chambers occupy two floors around a garden courtyard where the plunge pool awaits. All offer iPod docking stations, digital weather forecast stations, underfloor bathroom heating and extra-length beds beneath fluffy mohair blankets. Luxury Superior rooms include a private patio or balcony, some of them ocean-facing. The Superior Sea View Suite’s veranda also affords majestic Atlantic vistas.
Facilities
Abalone is home to Reubens, an acclaimed restaurant with more striking sea views. Seafood and wine are the specialties, although look out for the roasted pork belly with chilli-lime and ginger caramel. Since 2015, brandy-and-food pairings have been offered, as have a range of brandy cocktails in the fireside, curio-packed Africa Bar. Complimentary afternoon teas can be taken outside, perhaps on wicker furniture among the courtyard’s wind chimes, parasols and pot plants. Wooden walkways lead away from the pool to more gardens, with an additional Jacuzzi for basking – or glasses of bubbly – on a rooftop deck. Back inside, the Healing Earth Spa offers uniquely African-style treatments.
Activities
Paternoster’s pottery shops and cafes are a barefoot stroll away, as is five miles of pristine white-sand beach. Other local activities include hiking, horse-riding, scuba diving, kitesurfing or quad-biking, while the Columbine Nature Reserve delivers wondrous wildflower displays during springtime. Cape Town is within 90 minutes’ drive.
Child Policy
Children over 12 are welcome.
The Best of South Africa Travel map displays the locations of the destinations and accommodation that we have selected and visited; for each item, hovering over or clicking the marker will display a short summary and photo of that place or hotel, and hotel pricing. Follow the links in the info box to the full page listing which has much more information.
Note that the online map offers both a satellite view (click satellite in the top right) and, for some locations, a street level view (Drag the person in the top left onto the map). These let you explore the country; and when you wish to explore in person, or if you have any questions about the places you see, give our staff a call, or request a quote. Our staff regularly visit the places and accommodation that we feature.
When you book a holiday with us we will provide full driving instructions for reaching your accommodation, where necessary; these can be used by yourself, or you could enjoy the luxury of a driver. Alternatively we will arrange private (car rather than coach) transfers for you; helicopter transfers are also possible for some destinations.
