Coot Club

Rooms

Coot Club’s houses and cottages are scattered around the lagoon edge and come in various shapes and sizes. All are fully equipped for self-catering and have their own private outdoor spaces, so you can be as independent as you like.

The five boathouses (sleeping 4-8) are contemporary constructions set along sandy pathways and slightly away from the main area, so they feel more secluded. There are three Port boathouses (3 bedrooms), one Stern boathouse (2 bedrooms) and one Starboard boathouse (2 bedrooms). Each has its own colour scheme but all have stylish Scandi-rustic decor with lots of rattan and tongue and groove, deep sofas and woodburners. Floor-to-ceiling sliding windows let the light flood in and maximise the phenomenal view; the main bedrooms and open-plan living spaces look directly over the glittering lagoon and out towards the mountains. It’s all about indoor-outdoor living here.

The four Leeward cottages are set slightly further inland, closer to the Clubhouse and the main pool. They’re rustic on the outside; small, stylish and beautiful on the inside. They all feature a double bedroom and a colourful ensuite bathroom (with a clawfoot tub), but the Larges are more roomy and can sleep a child on a single sofabed. The Suites have romantic wood-fired hot tubs, but all of them enjoy views across the fynbos from their private verandahs.

The traditional stone cottage Lawns is the largest of the lot, sleeping 10 in total. It has 3 bedrooms, each one with a pretty ensuite, and a mezzanine level that can sleep extra kids on single beds.

Features include:

• Cots available
• Fan
• Fireplace
• Hairdryer
• In-room treatments available
• Safe box
• Toiletries
• WiFi

Eating

All-day dining takes place at the Clubhouse, Coot Club’s casual, sociable restaurant and bar, located in the historic Spookhuis.

Breakfast is included and consists of croissants, fresh fruit, homemade granola and creamy yoghurt, plus a tempting menu of hot dishes cooked to order, from avo and smoked salmon on toast to Coot Club's fry up, and pancakes for the kids. Lunch features a selection of light bites, while dinner is a set menu of generous sharing plates. The food is delicious and wholesome: a typical spread for the table might include pan seared salmon with lemon and dill risotto, slices of juicy filet steak with slow roasted tomatoes, chunky chips with aioli, and a crisp Caesar salad. We loved not having to order and helping ourselves to different dishes. There’s usually a meat and a fish or veggie dish, but let them know in advance if you have any dietary requirements. On summer weekends, families feast outside on simple crowd-pleasers like pizzas cooked in a wood-fired oven, homemade burgers and barbecues on open fires. Picnic platters can also be brought to you out on the lawns. Listen out for the ship’s bell an hour before sunset, when drinks are served at the Clubhouse and menus of the day are shared.

Of course, you can self-cater in your own kitchen if you prefer. Coffee, tea, milk and sugar are provided, and other groceries can be picked up locally (though best to stock up before arrival). And if you fancy a meal out, drive (15 mins) to Stanford, which has a growing culinary scene and a Saturday morning fresh produce market. Madre’s Kitchen serves local, seasonal fare in an intimate setting, while Springfontein Eats is the place to go for a special occasion.

Features include:

• Bar
• Breakfast
• Kids' meals
• Restaurant

Activities

• Onsite activities include paddleboarding, kayaking, fat biking, lawn games (boules, volleyball), table tennis, early morning guided bird walks and self-guided nature walks
  
• Sailing is a must for experienced sailors only
  
• Go on a beach excursion (additional cost) into the Walker Bay reserve (an open safari vehicle departs in the afternoon from Coot Club and lasts approximately 3 hours, including sundowner drinks)
  
• Shore-based whale-watching from the nearby beaches or a Marine Big 5 boat trip is a must in season (June to November); Walker Bay is one of the best places to see the Southern Right Whales; there are dolphins aplenty too.
  
• Take a guided quad biking tour of the lagoon wetlands or have a relaxing massage or spa treatment (both available at the neighbouring lodge at extra cost)
  
• Wine tasting at one of the local wineries. Don't miss Maanskijn, South Africa's smallest vineyard where two inspiring young guys are producing new wave organic wines - we particulary enjoyed their Brunch Club bubbly
  
• Unique experiences can be arranged with a local marine forager and artist (min. 4 people, book well in advance)
  
• Stroll the streets of charming Stanford village, browse the antique shops and stop for a cuppa or lunch at one of its restaurants
  
• Explore the stone-age wonders of Klipgat Cave, where humans lived over 70,000 years ago

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Birdwatching
• Boat trips
• Hiking
• Kayaking
• Mountain biking
• Plantlife / flora
• Pool table
• Private guided tours
• Quad biking
• Sailing
• Shopping / markets
• SUP
• Swimming
• Table tennis
• Well being
• Whale watching
• Wildlife
• Wine tasting

Kids

Coot Club is heaven for kids. There is so much for youngsters to do here, and the setup is ideal for families. There are accommodation options to suit group sizes of 2-10, and you can self-cater or be catered for at the Clubhouse restaurant. Lots of outdoor activities are completely free of charge, and the milkwood forests and lagoon will provide hours of fun.

Best for:

All ages

Family friendly accommodation:

If you want to be closer to the central area (restaurant, bar and pool), opt for Lawns; it is the largest (sleeping up to 10), with 3 bedrooms (2 doubles + 1 twin) and a loft dorm room with 4 single beds for kids. Or, for more privacy and spectacular views, choose a Boathouse (sleeping 4-8), which comes with 2 or 3 bedrooms plus 2 sofa beds, and is set slightly further from the Clubhouse (5-minute walk along a sandy path). Note: the Boathouses have showers only, no bathtubs.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available, Family Rooms

Distances:

• Airport: 2 hours
• Hospital: 35 minutes (Hermanus)
• Shops: 15 minutes (Stanford), 35 minutes (Hermanus)

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Coot Club lies along the Hermanus Lagoon, on the Western Cape of South Africa. The bucolic village of Stanford is a 15-minute drive away. Hermanus is 30 minutes, Cape Town is 2 hours.

By Air
The nearest airport is Cape Town International (140km).

From the Airport
Your best option is to hire a car at the airport as Coot Club is isolated and you’ll need a vehicle to explore the region.

By Car
From Cape Town, there are two main routes to get to Coot Club: the scenic ocean route along the R44, which takes about 2.5 hours, and the more direct route along the N2, which takes 2 hours. Note: the last 15 minutes is on a gravel road. If you want to hire a car see our car rental recommendations.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.