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Just in time for whale season, the most famous hotel in Hermanus has had a refresh.
The Marine Hotel is a Hermanus landmark that has watched over Walker Bay since 1902. Now, after a a smart refurbishment of its ground-floor public spaces, it’s looking fresher than ever!
The refurb extends to a complete redesign of its Pavilion Restaurant, which means that – while we’d certainly recommend booking a room for the night – if your pockets aren’t deep enough to stay you can pop in for lunch and soak up the old-school grandeur of this iconic Cape Hotel.
The new-look restaurant combines the feel of a contemporary brasserie with a light-filled greenhouse, while retaining many of the historic details that have defined the hotel for more than 120 years.
Designed by Dawn Dickerson and Carmel Naudé of HotCocoa Interiors and Design, the room takes its cues from the fynbos landscapes surrounding Hermanus. Greens, timber and textured finishes run throughout the space, with a dramatic installation of 50 glass pendant lights suspended above a canopy of botanical greenery.
The restaurant’s original black-and-white tiled floors have been retained, alongside the hotel’s arched windows and sweeping views across Walker Bay. New additions include green marble accents, timber tables with traditional turned legs, curved velvet banquettes and upholstered chairs featuring fynbos-print backs. It’s almost enough to distract you from the views across gardens and the Cliff Path to the whales strutting their stuff in Walker Bay!
Time Out Guide: Where to go whale-watching in the Cape
The refurbishment also brings a new menu from head chef Oelof Vorster, working alongside Liz McGrath Collection group executive chef Tronette Dippenaar.
Vorster joined The Marine at the end of 2022, following stints at several of the Cape’s best-known restaurants, including Le Chêne at Leeu Estates and Jordan Restaurant. Here, his new menu puts seafood and seasonal Overberg produce at the centre of the plate.
Best dish? In the middle of winter I'd go straight for the green seafood curry of line fish and mussels, served with fragrant rice and pickled onion, while dessert brings the Marine Pavlova, combining orange curd and white chocolate mousse.
And, of course, a number of dishes on the menu retain their link to the hotel’s late founder, Liz McGrath. These include the Dalewood Huguenot cheese soufflé and the dark chocolate fondant, both long-standing favourites across the Liz McGrath Collection.
The Pavilion forms part of a broader revamp that also includes The Marine’s reception area, cocktail bar and adjoining public spaces, and with Southern Right whales returning to Walker Bay for the winter season, the timing could hardly be better.
Need to know:
Where: Marine Drive, Hermanus
Opening hours: The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with tables available to hotel guests and outside diners by reservation.
Booking: Reservations are recommended for non-residents.
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