Offering unparalleled views of the Keurboom Lagoon and Plettenberg Bay’s beachfront, good food, great wine, and rest and relaxation define Sky Villa
With a prominent position on the Garden Route in South Africa’s Western Cape province, the seaside town of Plettenberg Bay gets its fair share of visitors during the summer and whale migration seasons. Yet, the recent development of the town — from a tiny seaside joint where matriculants from across the country spend thousands of rands during Plett Rage, one of the country’s oldest student festivals, to an upmarket haven of retail therapy and relaxation for holiday-goers — has meant a need for higher-end accommodation.
Step in Sky Villa Boutique Hotel, one of Cape Summer Villa Collection’s most recent properties. Situated in Barons View Estate, the five-star hotel is a revamped mansion perched on a hilltop and offering 360-degree views of the ocean and Keurbooms Lagoon. With a mere 14 luxe rooms, it is far removed from larger chain hotels, proven by its immaculate presentation and the staff’s careful attention to detail.
The rooms are large and modern, each with its own balcony and tastefully decorated in contemporary colours and soft furnishings: Subdued floral scatter cushions match bed-foot benches while velvety soft throws await afternoon naps. In the bathroom, expect underfloor heating, heated towel rails and large windows that overlook either the pool deck and Keurbooms Lagoon or the ocean. For couples or those looking for more of a respite, the honeymoon and presidential suites offer open-plan bed-and-bath rooms with a large white tubs placed next to floor-to-ceiling glass and intimate lounge areas.
While guests may opt to never leave their rooms, the hotel’s restaurant proffers breakfast, lunch and dinner menus with something for everyone from a Pasta Primavera to the juicy and tender Tournados de Bouef. The chef has not skimped on dessert either. While old favourites such as crème brûlée and cheeseboards feature highly, the Live by Chocolate with a Spring Roll combines dark and milk chocolate mousse with dark chocolate and almond ganache, rolled in phyllo pastry and served with home-made almond brittle ice cream and salty caramel sauce — divine!
Patrons will cherish the quiet time in this hotel; you’ll be hard-pressed to find any sounds louder than the clink of cutlery or a giggle over a glass of bubbly. Couples mostly keep to themselves while the Sky bar gets lively (keep an eye on the Villa’s social media for sushi served here during December to April). Some may miss the presence of a bathtub in suites other than the honeymoon and presidential (an odd occurrence in a five-star establishment), the hotel does offer in-room massage services of pre-arranged — which more than makes up for anything else.
Plett itself is a great spot for whale-watching, hikes along the Robberg Peninsula with views of the ocean and the resident seal colony and, of course, lazy days spent on the beach. The town also offers a plethora of stores and good coffee shops for those looking to partake in some retail therapy.
Sky Villa is a classic weekend retreat — ideal for patrons looking for peace and quiet, and who enjoy indulging in three-course meals, deep sleep and the opportunity to get away from daily stress.
