Coot Club

Set on a private nature reserve along South Africa’s famed Whale Coast, Coot Club is a sanctuary of natural beauty. The Maanschynkop mountains rise in the distance, their green slopes blanketed with blooming fynbos. Below, the Klein River lagoon shimmers and echoes the calls of crested coots. 

Winding along the coastline, shifting dunes give way to an arc of white sand where the Atlantic crashes in. It’s here, between July and November, that southern right whales nurse their calves. From the dunes, watch in awe as these magnificent creatures breach or glide beside them during a guided boat trip. 

Closer to Coot Club, you can kayak across the glassy waters of the lagoon, paddling alongside yellow-billed ducks. Or cruise along the Klein River to glimpse an astonishing array of birds that call this habitat their home. On foot, you can explore walking trails through the fynbos, following the tracks of caracals and bush pigs. Other active adventures include sandboarding, sailing, waterskiing and tubing.

The hotel’s accommodations blend in seamlessly with their surroundings. On the edge of the lagoon, Scandinavian-style boathouses sit against the staggering backdrop of the Maanschynkop mountains. Their vaulted ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows make for a calming atmosphere, bathing the space with plenty of natural light. You’ll notice a coastal theme throughout, which takes its cues from the lagoon, dunes and fynbos beyond.

Tucked away amidst gnarled milkwood trees, traditional stone cottages offer a retreat infused with historical charm. Beautiful gardens frame their outdoor verandas where wood-fired hot tubs provide you with the perfect spot to lounge under the stars. 

In the summer months (December to February), dining at Coot Club is a convivial outdoor affair. Share meals beneath ancient milkwoods or beachside, gathered around a South African braai (barbecue). When the weather cools, fires crackle in the hearths of the historic Spookhuis, setting the scene for cosy evenings and hearty cuisine.