One Marine Drive

Before you decide where to stay for that weekend break in Hermanus, it’s best to decide why you’re there.

Is it to tee up at the golf course? Book a B&B on that side of town. It’s a 27-hole layout, so there’s plenty to keep you busy.

Or is it to head up the valley in search of the fine wines of the Hemel-en-Aarde? You might want to look at a farm stay instead.

But if you want easy access to the Cliff Path for whale-watching, as well as the ease of walking to the shops and restaurants of the town centre, then One Marine Drive ticks all the right boxes.

Set on the western edge of the centre – a 10-minute walk at a leisurely pace – it sits directly opposite the ocean and the famous Cliff Path, with Fick’s Pool, the tidal pool and seaside restaurant, just about on the doorstep.

Turn right for a coastal walk to New Harbour. Turn left for Hermanus’s restaurants, galleries and Old Harbour. In season, guests in the front-facing sea-view rooms can pretty much watch for whales in Walker Bay without leaving their rooms.

Why stay at One Marine Drive?

Well, apart from the chance to watch cetaceans from your couch, there’s plenty more.

Let’s start with the location. One Marine Drive sits right on the seafront, with just Marine Drive and a patch of grass separating you from the Cliff Path. From here, the Overberg’s your oyster. During my stay, I walked the entire length of the path, from Klein River Mouth at Grotto Beach to New Harbour, so you can pretty much leave your car in the free underground parking.

The Old Harbour, Village Square and the restaurants of the central dining strip – best for sea views – are close enough to reach without hunting for parking.

That makes it a great choice for locals looking for a low-key stay that’s all about slowing down. Despite being close to the centre, the hotel sits just far enough from the busiest part of town to avoid much of the evening bustle. Leave the car, forget about rushing around ticking off the sights, and simply soak up the seafront locale.

What are the rooms like?

The 16 rooms are spread across six categories, from Classic and Deluxe rooms to Superior Sea View rooms, Junior Suites and the larger Columbine and Agulhas suites. Standard features include king-size beds, air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, televisions, safes, pod coffee machines and speciality teas.

The décor is bright and contemporary, leaning into marine blues with occasional pops of colour. The linen is white and crisp, and the bathrooms are clean and modern. All come with showers, while some have baths too.

The main choice you need to make is whether you want to pay a little extra for a sea view. The better rooms are in the original building and have generous balconies facing Walker Bay, while the impressive Columbine Suite (in the new section added in 2022) adds a separate living area and balcony. In all rooms sliding doors do a great job of blocking out road and sea noise, so a good night’s sleep is all but guaranteed.

If you’re watching your budget, the lower-category rooms enjoy similar décor and facilities but face the surrounding suburbs, with no sea view. Then again, the Cliff Path is on the doorstep, so perhaps you’d rather save the bucks.

What is the service like?

The staff here are genuinely welcoming, attentive and friendly. Sometimes this leans towards a slightly casual approach, so don’t expect truly polished five-star service. Some details slip by unnoticed, and you may need to prompt staff about specific requests, but it’s a small blip in an otherwise welcoming space. 

What is the food like?

Breakfast is included and offers both a continental buffet and cooked-to-order hot dishes, so you will be well fed before venturing out for the day. The dining room is spacious, but the best tables are outside on the terrace overlooking Walker Bay.

There is an all-day menu ranging from sandwiches and pasta to cheese platters, but, to be honest, there’s little reason to dine in. For lunch, head across the road to Fick’s, where you’ll find Spanish-inspired small plates. At dinner, Fisherman’s Cottage in the heart of the town centre is your best bet.

What else is there to do?

The hotel has two small swimming pools with loungers that remain nicely sheltered even when the wind picks up along the seafront. More adventurous swimmers should probably head for Fick’s tidal pool across the road.

There’s a small lounge and bar for a drink before dinner, and a Zest Spa offering treatments on site. Staff can help arrange whale-watching cruises or wine tasting tours in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. But the hotel’s best activity remains the most obvious one: step outside and follow the Cliff Path along the coastline as you watch for whales.

The verdict

One Marine Drive might not have the extensive facilities or old-school grandeur of other luxury hotels in and around town, but it offers what most travellers are really looking for: a comfortable room, authentic service, secure parking and a convenient location. Level up to a sea-view room and you have a pretty remarkable whale-watching escape without breaking the bank.

Time Out tip

As part of the Living Journey Collection’s ‘GR8 Cape Escape’ special, you’ll enjoy 25 percent off when you stay for three nights or more in winer (valid until 31 August 2026).

Want to go whale watching?

Start here, with our comprehensive guide to where – and when – to see whales in and around Cape Town.

Disclaimer: How we review at Time Out 

Time Out’s local experts anonymously test and experience the best of the city wherever possible, and we always review independently. Hosted or complimentary experiences never influence our ratings, and we never accept payment for editorial reviews or recommendations.

We only publish reviews for places, productions and experiences we genuinely recommend. Starting at a three-star rating, which is still a good review:

3 stars - good
4 stars - excellent
5 stars - outstanding

Read more about how Time Out reviews here.