Birkenhead House

Birkenhead House occupies a cliff-top site in Voelklip, on the eastern edge of Hermanus, roughly two hours' drive from Cape Town along the Whale Coast. Its position directly above Walker Bay puts it among the closest accommodation in Hermanus to the cliff paths used for land-based whale watching, with southern right whales visible from the property itself during the June-to-December season. Part of The Royal Portfolio collection, the hotel is designed as an oversized beach house rather than a formal hotel, with a relaxed, design-forward interior of white walls, natural materials, and wide glass frontages framing the ocean. It has just eleven suites, each with sea views and most with private balconies or terraces, giving the property an intimate, house-party feel rather than a conventional hotel layout. Meals are taken in the sea-facing dining room and are typically included in an all-inclusive rate, with a set daily menu built around fresh seafood and Cape produce. Facilities include a cliff-edge infinity pool, a small spa offering in-room and treatment-room therapies, and a gym. Service is highly personalised, with a guest-to-staff ratio geared toward couples and honeymooners, including private transfers, tailored excursions, and butler-style attention throughout the stay.