11 Westcliff Rentals

There is a particular pleasure in returning from the water to a place where you can make the evening your own. At 11 WESTCLIFF RENTALS, you have the sea in front of you, a garden and terrace outside, and the flexibility of a semi-self-catering stay rather than a fixed hotel routine.

The property suits couples and adults looking for a quiet stay in Hermanus, whether the plan is diving, whale watching or simply following the cliff paths until the legs complain. The old-colonial-style building faces Walker Bay, with ocean views from the apartments and mountain scenery behind the bay. English is spoken by the hotel team, and the website is available in English too.

This is a place for slowing down rather than filling every minute. You can sit in the lounge, use the dining area, take a swim, or carry your own drinks and snacks back to your apartment. Children are not allowed, which keeps the atmosphere firmly adult.

You are in Hermanus, South Africa, at 11 Westcliff on the seafront. The property has direct access to a golden-sand beach, with sun loungers and parasols, so the coast is not something you have to reach by car after breakfast. The sea is part of the address, not a day trip.

Old Harbour is a short walk away, and the centre of Hermanus is close enough for a stroll along the cliff paths. Ficks is about 750 feet away, while Heritage Restaurant and Tikka Palace are each roughly 1,250 feet away. Prince of Whales Coffee Shop and Bujangles are around 0.6 miles away on foot.

For a change of scenery, Walker Bay Nature Reserve is about 1,200 feet away and Rotary Walk Park around 2,350 feet. The Whale Museum is roughly 0.7 miles away. Fernkloof Nature Reserve is about 2.5 miles away, Hermanus Golf Club is within 2 miles, and SA Forest Adventures Hermanus is around 3.5 miles away. Cape Town International Airport is 65 miles from the property.

The accommodation is built around sea views and private space. Couples can choose between a king room and several double or twin options, including rooms with balconies when outdoor space matters as much as the view. The twin-bed layouts are useful if you prefer not to share a mattress after a long day, while the sea-view apartment is the practical choice for up to four adults, with two bathrooms and more room to spread out.

Every apartment has air-conditioning, a private bathroom, a refrigerator and a tea and coffee maker. That means cold water when you come back warm and hungry, and a kettle for the first mug before anyone starts discussing plans. Soundproofing, linen, towels and a private entrance add to the sense that you have your own base rather than a standard hotel room.

Balconies and sea-facing windows do the visual work here. A flat-screen TV with satellite channels is available for the evenings when the sofa wins, while the garden, patio and terrace offer somewhere to sit outside. Rooms are non-smoking, and WiFi is free throughout the property.

This is self-catering accommodation, not a hotel built around a restaurant or bar. Breakfast is available as a cold European-style box delivered to your room, with items such as yoghurt, granola, croissants, waffles, banana bread, fruit, orange juice and tea or coffee. The contents can vary from day to day, and the box arrives by 08:30, so it can work before a morning departure or later if your schedule is less heroic.

You need to arrange the breakfast box by midday on the previous day. If you would rather eat out, Hermanus gives you several nearby options, with Ficks, Heritage Restaurant and Tikka Palace all within roughly 1,250 feet. Coffee and drinks are also within walking distance.

There is no on-site bar, and the property is not licensed. Bring your own wine, drinks and snacks, then use the refrigerator and dining area as intended. Ready-made supermarket meals, microwavable food, restaurant meals and delivery all fit the semi-self-catering setup rather neatly.

The outdoor swimming pool gives you an easy way to cool off without going anywhere, while the terrace, patio, garden and lounge provide the less energetic alternatives. Direct beach access adds another option: sit under a parasol, take a walk along the shore or simply watch the water move while your dive computer dries out in spirit, if not in fact.

Hermanus is well suited to days that do not need much organising. Walking tours, pub crawls, cycling, hiking and windsurfing are available locally, with bike tours also offered. Golf is within 2 miles, and tennis, squash, horse riding, canoeing, fishing, bowling and temporary art galleries are among the activities available around Hermanus.

Whale watching is a particular reason to spend time here. The Whale Museum is about 0.7 miles away, and the surrounding Walker Bay coastline provides the setting for the town's well-known whale-watching outings. For a quieter afternoon, Walker Bay Nature Reserve and Rotary Walk Park are both close enough to reach without turning the day into an expedition.

Free private parking is available on site, with no reservation needed, which is useful if Hermanus forms part of a wider South African road trip. WiFi is free in the rooms and across the property. A safety deposit box is available, and the building and grounds are non-smoking.

Check-in runs from 14:00 to 19:00, and you need to tell the property your expected arrival time in advance. Check-out is from 02:00 to 10:00. The minimum check-in age is 18, children are not allowed, and cots and extra beds are not available.

Cash is not accepted. Parties and similar events are not allowed, and pets are not allowed either. There is no airport shuttle listed, so you should plan your transfer from Cape Town International Airport, 65 miles away, before travelling.