South Africa | Hermanus
Luxury Suite in Birkenhead House
- Overview
- Spot
Welcome to Birkenhead House
Floating high on the cliffs of Hermanus, the luxurious villa overlooks the whale-watching paradise of Walker Bay. This pure luxury villa is the perfect destination for anyone looking for a life by the sea.
Times gone by
Hermanus has a wonderful history and has always been popular with holidaymakers. On 25 October 1952, the original Birkenhead Hotel was opened, named after a British warship that sank in Walker Bay in 1852. Voëlklip became known worldwide as a seaside resort.
As visitors fell in love with the area, the property market began to boom. This had a negative impact on the hotel market. In 1989, the Birkenhead Hotel was demolished to make room for the high demand for property. Three years later, Phil and Liz Biden bought a plot of land and built a holiday home on it. After the great success of their other two luxury holiday homes, La Residence and Royal Malewane, they decided to follow suit with Birkenhead House. This was recently followed by Birkenhead Villa.
Wine and gastronomy
The Birkenhead House and Villa are, of course, world-class kitchens. Here the way of cooking merges. The food at the Birkenhead Villa and House is a delicate blend of modern African and traditional French cuisine, with strong influences from Asia and Italy. On offer are homemade breads, ice creams and sorbets, as well as strawberry scones and fresh local fish. From fan fish, red roman and cod to langoustines and mussels, everything is on offer here. Soups are a delight and you can enjoy a number of flavours. From vanilla peanut to roasted pepper tomatoes. Located in a unique wine region, Birkenhead House offers an extensive complimentary selection and an expertly curated reserve list that includes the country's finest wines.
Lavishly prepared meals and seafood are served in your favourite spot at Birkenhead Villa: on the sea-view terrace, in the split-level atrium beside the pool or in the glass-fronted dining room. Of course, room service can also provide you with a sumptuous menu in your private suite.
Naturally, only very fresh ingredients are used in the preparation of the dishes, which are exquisitely presented. The menus and meals can be customised to suit guests' requirements. The award-winning chef, who is internationally recognised, plans all meals on a daily basis.
Spa and fitness
Birkenhead House offers three treatment rooms and an extensive range of spa massages, aromatherapy and reflexology treatments
Unwind after an eventful day with revitalising sea air. The fully equipped fitness centre offers more activity.
Boutique
At Birkenhead House you will also find an exceptional boutique with a fine selection of art, clothing, jewellery and accessories for seaside living - all hand-picked by Liz Biden, the owner.
Luxury suite
Exclusive suite for 2 on 40 square metres. These well-appointed suites have partial sea views, a king-size bed, air conditioning and a flat-screen TV. One of these suites also has a private terrace with plunge pool.
Birkenhead House has a total of 11 rooms and suites. Except the Luxury Suite, Deluxe Superior Room, Superior Room and Standard Room. Please send us your enquiry for other room types or combinations.
All rooms are equipped with: Air conditioning, coffee machine, stocked minibar, safe, telephone, hairdryer, digital TV, international adapters.
Included in the price
All meals and snacks
Stocked minibar
Coffee and tea specialities
Laundry service
Shuttle service to Hermanus
House wines and local drinks
Additional services on request
Transfers
Spa Services
Hard Facts
Hotel
40 sqm
2 persons max.
1 rooms
1 bedrooms
1 floor/s
Configuration
- Swimming pool
- Lake/sea view
- Spa area
- Gym
- Flat screen TV
- Hair dryer
- Garden furniture
- Deckchairs
- Seaview
- Minibar
- Restaurant
- Safe
- Telephone
Collections
- Corporate & Family Events
- Family Time
- Funny Friends
- Gourmet & Wine
- Sun - Sea & Sand
Style
- Art works
- Modern
Service
- Concierge
- Massage
- Housekeeping
- Villa-Hotel Service
- Laundry service
Service
- Welcome drink
Setting
Only an hour and a half from Cape Town, Birkenhead House is superbly located in unspoilt natural surroundings. The luxury retreat offers everything the discerning sojourner could wish for: from uninterrupted views and diverse activities to the very finest in international cuisine, and richly appointed accommodation enhanced by rich fabrics and antiques.
Activities
Discover why Hermanus is world-renowned as South Africa’s premier whale watching destination when you embark on an unforgettable voyage around Dyer Island. Nature lovers can lose themselves in the beauty of the lush mountain trails and walks, study indigenous birdlife, or experience the adventure of deep-sea fishing.
Inquisitive travelers can venture out on tours to Stanford, local wine farms and townships, while others can relax with a round of golf, yoga or a leisurely bike ride. For those who crave a more adrenalin-filled experience, shark cage diving is available, as well as quad biking riding, sea kayaking and scuba diving.
The Wales
From May to December, the Southern Right Whale (Eubalaena australis) graces Walker Bay with its massive presence. August is the height of the birthing season. Many calves, that are literally a couple of hours old, with their very protective mothers, are seen from the wonderful vantage points at Birkenhead House & Villa. These magnificent mammals were threatened by extinction and international protection was granted to the species in 1935.
The Beaches
Looking out from the terrace, you can see two of Hermanus’ best beaches just a few steps away. The beach on the left is Voëlklip, (Afrikaans, meaning ‘bird rock’). This beach lends itself to great bathing. The beach on the right is called Nanny’s or Kamma Bay. Pack a picnic basket and a couple of beach bats and balls, should you feel energetic.
Grotto beach is the longest strip of white sand in Hermanus, and has been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag Status. This award requires: cleanliness, environmental protection and rehabilitation, full time lifeguards and security. Grotto lies to the left of Birkenhead House & Villa, an easy ten-minute walk away along the world-renowned cliff path.
The walks
Nestled in a narrow coastal plain between the mountains and the ocean, Hermanus offers walkers several trail options, all of which feature spectacular views of the coastline and the beautiful Fynbos-covered mountains. Fernkloof Nature Reserve boasts unrivalled birds-eye views of Walker Bay for those with high energy levels.
Over 1100 different plant species have been collected and identified within the reserve, an area of only 15 square kilometres. This makes it one of the 6 floral kingdom of the world, and compares well with the UK’s total number of 1500 species! For a more sedate walk, the relatively flat cliff paths that trace the coastline of Hermanus from one end to the other afford enjoyment of rugged scenery and some excellent whale watching.
An 8km walk from Birkenhead House & Villa into the centre of town is a perfect opportunity take in all the scenery. It is possible to be collected after a refreshing drink in one of the cafés overlooking the sea. This walk will take approximately an hour and a half. Truly magical!
- Airport approx. 110 km
- Sea approx. 200 m
- Beach approx. 100 m
Services
Firstclass Cars
The villa right on the beach and mobile. Firstclass Cars cares about your car rental - with or without a chauffeur.
Firstclass Jets
Turn your arrival and departure a great experience, avoid waiting times at airports.
Firstclass Boats
Vacation on a private yacht is like the perfect synergy of private villa and hotel.