The Spotted Grunter Resort

The Spotted Grunter Resort is a straightforward base for a stay in Port St. Johns, with the emphasis on eating, getting outside and having somewhere to settle in when the day's plans are done. The resort combines rooms, bungalows and apartments with a restaurant, bar, pool, garden and outdoor spaces, so you can keep things simple rather than turning every evening into a logistical exercise.

There is room here for different sorts of trips. Couples can choose a double room or double bungalow, while family categories extend to triple and quadruple accommodation. The resort also welcomes pets, which is useful if your travelling party includes four legs and an opinion about every meal.

You are in Port St. Johns, on Umzimvubu Drive in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The resort sits around 2 miles from the town centre, close to the beach and beside the Umzimvubu River. That gives the address a useful split personality: town is within reach, while the setting opens towards the river rather than placing you in a built-up strip.

The river-facing deck at The Restaurant makes the location part of the meal, not just a line on the address. The surrounding area also works as a launch point for outings to places such as Magwa and Angel Falls, the Gap, Mermaid Pools, Laputane and Poenskop.

The room choice is practical rather than theatrical. A standard double room suits a couple looking for a private bathroom, air conditioning and a television; the family rooms, apartments and bungalows give larger groups more room to organise themselves without forcing everyone into one double-bed arrangement. The apartment categories are also worth considering if having kitchen facilities matters to you.

Air conditioning is available in the standard rooms and bungalows, while every category listed has a private bathroom. Refrigerators are available in the accommodation facilities, useful for keeping water cold when you return tired and salty. Depending on the category, you may also have a shower or bath, toiletries, a hairdryer and room service. The result is a place geared towards a comfortable reset rather than a room you need to admire for its own sake.

The Restaurant covers breakfast, lunch and dinner, with tables inside or on the deck overlooking the resort and the picturesque Umzimvubu River. Breakfast can be taken as a buffet or à la carte, which gives you the choice between getting on with the morning and taking it at a slower pace. Meal plans range from breakfast included through half-board and full-board to all-inclusive arrangements.

There is one bar: The Anglers Arms Bar, a beach bar with cocktails, drinks and snacks. It also has a pool table, darts and a large television for sports, with live music and entertainment on occasion. In other words, you can have a quiet drink, start a competitive argument over the pool table or watch the match without needing to leave the resort.

The outdoor setup is made for the hours when your legs have had enough ambition. There is an outdoor pool, a sun terrace, garden space and a picnic area, along with outdoor furniture and barbecue facilities. The bar adds darts and a pool table, while the wider resort programme includes hiking, fishing and water-sports facilities.

For a more active day away from the water, the resort offers yoga, golf, hiking, wildlife observation and cultural excursions. Boat excursions are available, and the resort owns the 19-foot deep-sea fishing charter G-Spot. Evenings can include live music, entertainment, karaoke or the occasional barbecue, so the pace can stay sociable without requiring a second journey into town.

Airport transfers and other transfer services are available through the resort, with arrangements to be made with the property. Parking is available and free, which will matter if you are driving through the Eastern Cape rather than arriving by transfer. Wi-Fi and internet access are available, and the reception operates around the clock.

Laundry, ironing and wake-up services are available, alongside a safe. The resort is non-smoking and wheelchair-friendly accommodation is available. Pets are welcome. For families, children's menus are available, while the property also includes accessible facilities and wheelchair access.