The Top 5 Hotels for Visiting Hemel-en-Aarde Valley in South Africa

Are you considering a trip to the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley in South Africa? Translated to English as “heaven on Earth”, this part of the country is one of the most beautiful wine-producing regions on the planet. The region was only recently renamed to Hemel-en-Aarde, starting back in 2006 (prior to this it was known as Walker Bay). The valley stretches from the coastal town of Hermanus to inland areas, with grapevines and wineries as far as the eye can see.

The first modern vines were planted in the valley as late as 1976, with the first vintage being released from the region in 1981. Since then, the area has become a widely-known and renowned source of some of the best Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs in Africa. If you do decide to visit this stunning part of wine country, you should definitely seek accommodation in Hermanus. The town provides easy access to the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, not to mention awesome coastal views. In this article, we will identify the best hotels in the region to help you choose the best luxury accommodation for your trip to South Africa.

Selkirk House

The Selkirk House is a beautiful and luxurious bed and breakfast located directly adjacent to Hermanus Mountain, boasting panoramic ocean views over Walker Bay. Though there are only five rooms available, and thus must be booked far in advance, the accommodations offered are unmatched by other hotels in Hermanus. The house includes two lounges, a fully stocked bar, a pool, a covered sea view patio, a library, and many other excellent features that ensure a comfortable vacation experience. Each of the rooms also offers a private terrace with a view of the sea or Hermanus mountain, as well as a fully stocked minibar, flat screen TV, and Wi-Fi access. In addition, a full breakfast is served every morning. These nice features do come at a higher price, and bookings must be made far in advance. In addition, the bed and breakfast does not allow any children under 12 to stay there. However, if you are on a business trip or romantic getaway, the Selkirk House is ideal for your trip to the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley.

Ocean Eleven

This beautiful guesthouse is built in the Old-World Colonial style and offers unmatched sea views. In fact, it was recently included in the London Times as one of the Top 20 Views in the World (with a room). Not to mention the solid accommodations: each of the rooms includes a mini bar, satellite TV, a fully-equipped kitchen, and Internet access. This hotel is a better price than the Selkirk House, offering similar features. Plus, there are no age restrictions on guests – so you can bring the family! It unfortunately does not offer a continental breakfast, and only some of the rooms have air-conditioning. Overall, the Ocean Eleven is a solid five-star guesthouse that has had overwhelmingly positive reviews by previous guests. It is a wise choice for someone visiting Hemel-en-Aarde with a family, or on too tight of a budget to afford the Selkirk House.

Mosselberg on Grotto Beach

This house is a modern-style villa located only a five-minute walk from Grotto Beach in Hermanus. Coming it at a similar price to Ocean Eleven, it offers a plethora of features that will make your vacation experience top-tier. A stay at Mosselberg on Grotto Beach will include a breakfast made from fresh local produce, a classy lounge with a billiards table and a bar, laundry service, table tennis, and a mini library. Plus, each of the rooms has a minibar, with free Wi-Fi access throughout the residence. Mosselberg on Grotto Beach is also very kid-friendly. The game room and DVD library are huge draws to families with young children, and the guesthouse prides itself on properly accommodating these types of customers. This bed and breakfast is a fantastic choice for a trip to the Hemel-en-Aarde valley, particularly for a family vacation!

The Marine

This is the first offering on our list that is a full-size hotel. Located on Hermanus’ cliff path, this hotel is marketed towards people who have come to South Africa to watch whales and dolphins. Most of the luxurious rooms include unmatched views of Walker Bay – ideal to catch a sight of some sea creatures. This hotel is definitely top-of-the-line. Included in any stay is a complementary bottle of wine, free bottled water, a free newspaper, and free Wi-Fi (among many other features). One of the biggest draws for this hotel is secured parking, keeping your belongings and rental car safe. The Marine is a lovely hotel with many more rooms than the previously-mentioned guesthouses. In addition, there are two saltwater pools at the hotel – a heated pool and a tidal pool. There is also an amenity-packed spa, as well as a gallery of South African artwork to immerse oneself in the local culture. The Marine is the most expensive hotel on our list, but would provide an unbeatable vacation experience for any traveler to this region.

Marine Square Hermanus

This collection of luxury suites is the best option for a traveler on a budget. The rooms come in at a lower price than any other rooms on this list, but at a cost of amenities. The suites are self-catered – so no room service. However, the views from these suites are pretty amazing. Each suite also offers a private balcony for sea viewing. In addition, there is Wi-Fi in each unit – but it has a 1 gigabyte limit. However, the suites do offer free underground parking for your rental car. The amenities at Marine Square Hermanus may be sparse, but for a solo traveler or someone on a budget the low price could be a great draw for these decent suites. Plus, if you are visiting Hemel-en-Aarde Valley for a wine tour, you won’t be spending much of your time in your room anyway.

Hopefully this list will help you make a wise choice for your South African vacation. Whichever accommodation you choose, a trip to Hermanus and the nearby Hemel-en-Aarde Valley will be an unforgettable experience.