What is The Marine Hermanus?

The Marine Hermanus is a Selected hotel located in Hermanus, South Africa. It has been recognized by the Michelin Guide for its exceptional hospitality and unique experience.

How many Michelin Keys does The Marine Hermanus have?

The Marine Hermanus has been awarded Selected by the Michelin Guide, indicating a very special stay.

Where is The Marine Hermanus located?

The Marine Hermanus is located in Hermanus, South Africa, in the Africa region.

What makes a Selected hotel special?

Selected hotels provide very special stays with excellent service and a unique sense of place.

How do I book The Marine Hermanus?

You can view more details and booking information for The Marine Hermanus through the Michelin Guide website. Each Michelin Keys hotel offers a unique booking experience tailored to their guests.

The Marine Hermanus | Selected in Hermanus, South Africa

Name: The Marine Hermanus
Address: Hermanus, Africa, South Africa
Rating: 4.5

The Marine Hermanus, a Michelin Key Selected property, consistently earns high praise for its breathtaking clifftop location, exceptional service, and elegant atmosphere, establishing itself as a premier luxury destination in Hermanus, South Africa.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for The Marine Hermanus is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently rating it as "Exceptional" or "Wonderful." Review scores are consistently high across various platforms, often above 9 out of 10. The hotel is widely regarded as a luxury experience, offering first-class splendor and elegance.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently rave about several standout features:

Location: The hotel's unrivalled clifftop position overlooking Walker Bay is a major draw, offering spectacular sea views, especially for whale watching between July and November. Direct access to the famous cliff path and public tidal pool is also highly valued.
Service & Staff: The attentive, polite, and exceptionally friendly staff receive frequent commendations for their professionalism and willingness to go the extra mile. Personalized touches, such as being greeted by name, hot water bottles in beds during turndown, and complimentary car washing, are often highlighted.
Design & Ambiance: The hotel, a "Grand Old Lady" with over 121 years of history, combines old-world charm with modern amenities and sophisticated comfort. Its interiors are often described as beautifully decorated, classy, and clean.
Amenities: The heated outdoor saltwater pool, full-service Carchele Beauty Spa offering various treatments, gym, and relaxing Sun Lounge with ocean views are popular amenities.

3. Room Quality

The rooms at The Marine Hermanus are described as comfortable, spacious, and elegantly designed. They often feature soothing tones, sometimes with highlights of blue and green, inspired by the natural surroundings. Key features include comfortable beds, premium bedding, clean bathrooms with excellent water pressure, mini-bars, refrigerators, and air conditioning. Many rooms boast magnificent views of the sea, mountains, or the hotel's internal courtyard and gardens. Some suites offer private balconies, fireplaces, and separate lounges. Sound insulation is generally good, though some noise-sensitive guests have noted street noise in certain rooms.

4. Dining Experience

The dining experience at The Marine Hermanus is highly regarded.

The Pavilion Restaurant: This elegant restaurant offers breakfast and dinner, with a focus on fresh, seasonal, and local ingredients from the Overberg region. Breakfast is consistently praised as generous, high-quality, and delicious, featuring an incredible spread of fresh fruit, baked goods, and hot à la carte options. Dinner menus include fresh seafood, such as signature fishcakes, bouillabaisse, and lavish seafood platters, alongside land-based options like wagyu burgers and steaks, and a selection of vegan and vegetarian dishes.
The Sun Lounge: Overlooking Walker Bay, it's an ideal spot for drinks, snacks, and a highly recommended afternoon tea.
General: Guests appreciate the option to dine al fresco on the terrace with sea views. The restaurant also boasts a glass wine cellar stocked with top South African wines.

5. Service & Staff

The service at The Marine Hermanus is consistently highlighted as exceptional. Staff members are described as attentive, polite, friendly, helpful, and professional, making guests feel welcome from arrival to departure. The hospitality is compared favorably to other high-end properties, with managers actively checking in with guests. Special touches like turndown service with hot water bottles and complimentary car washing further enhance the guest experience.

6. Location & Accessibility

The Marine Hermanus boasts a "perfect" and "fantastic" central location in Hermanus City-Centre. It is perched directly on the cliffs overlooking Walker Bay, providing unparalleled views and opportunities for whale watching from the hotel itself. The hotel offers direct access to the famous cliff path, ideal for walks. Many restaurants, shops, and local attractions like Village Square, Old Harbour, and the Whale Museum are within a short walking distance. The hotel offers free, gated, and guarded parking, with staff assistance for maneuvering and unloading. Cape Town International Airport is approximately a 1 hour 15-minute drive away.

7. Value & Pricing

While The Marine Hermanus is recognized as a luxury experience, guest opinions on its value and pricing are mixed. Some guests find it to be a premium price and "not worth its value" or simply "expensive", suggesting other places might offer a similar experience for less. However, many others consider the exceptional service, stunning location, and overall luxurious experience to be well worth the cost. Room rates vary depending on the season, occupancy, and length of stay. Standard double rooms and luxury doubles with sea views are available. As of recent data, a room at The Marine was booked for as low as $391 on KAYAK, with Friday typically being the most expensive day. Rates usually include a full English breakfast.

8. Common Complaints

While largely positive, some recurring issues and criticisms have been noted by guests:

Dining Consistency: Some guests have found the evening menu to be limited or uninspiring, and some have reported fish being overcooked. Issues with booking tables at the restaurant were also mentioned.
Service Inconsistencies: Isolated reports mentioned inconsistencies with breakfast service and transfers.
Room Maintenance/Minor Issues: A few guests reported a persistent smell in some rooms, attributed by staff to "city works," and issues with room locks or sash windows not latching properly. One review mentioned shower stalls being at an awkward angle.
Facilities Access: There was a report of the pool being closed for renovation without prior communication. Another noted a lack of service at the pool. The absence of a lift might be a concern for some guests, especially those staying on upper floors.
WiFi Coverage: Some guests experienced issues with Wi-Fi not reaching pool or terrace areas.
Sea View Disappointment: A few guests were disappointed with the sea view from their particular room.