The Marine - where you can have a whale of a time

Millions of acres of clear blue sky, majestic mountains, and rolling waves - and rollicking whales, of course.

One thing I do remember very clearly, and I'm speaking about something that happened more than a decade ago, was the feeling of being in a hotel that was posh and overpriced. At that time it smacked of snobbery. Or, in clearer language, I felt out of my depth, like an interloper who was crashing a party.

A place where you can feel you fit in

None of these feelings tested true when we visited recently. Yes, The Marine is a luxury, five-star hotel and a member of The Liz McGrath Collection and the Relais & Châteaux Association and, as such, is priced at a premium, but I didn't detect the slightest hint of snobbery nor did I notice incongruency between what they billed and what they provided.

Got time for a quick one... Or a place to linger, longer.

From its proud position on the brow of the cliff overlooking Walker Bay, The Marine commands attention. The two-storey whitewashed structure gleams like a jewel in the emerald reflection of the lawns and the sapphire glow from the sea. The timber framed sash-windows of the upper level and picture windows of the ground floor have just one job - to bring the bay, and its most famous visitors, into the hotel. During whale season from June to

November the bay teems with whales and their calves that come to our watersto give birth. I counted 50 or 60 whales in the bay when we were there in October.

Solution? Take a spotting scope, and watch the whales in comfort

A place for some 'me' time - the lounge.

Day visitors to Hermanus will also get an eyeful of these leviathans but the view into the bay from the first floor's elevated position is the most spectacular. I think we had a better whale-watching experience from our bed than we did on the whale-watching cruise we did earlier in the day, which, because of 10m swells, left me queasy and frightened.

The lounge and bar areas are sophisticated but unfussy and the overall impression is of lightness and easy comfort. Similarly, the pool enclosed by a high-walled courtyard to offer privacy and protection from the wind, is all about making guests feel comfortable and welcome.

Exceptional value

The rooms are comfortable, and at a price that is great value.

Perhaps when the original structure was built the trend was not to have restaurants with views but today it feels decidedly odd not to have a sea view when dining in the seafood restaurant at The Marine. What was also odd, given that the kitchen is under the direction of Relais & Châteaux Association nominated Grands Chef Peter Tempelhoff, a title as sought-after as Michelin Stars, is that it was so affordably priced. To dine on two courses for R205 or R245 for three courses represents exceptional value for cuisine of this quality.

The man to blame if you leave somewhat heavier than when you arrived... a master of excellent cuisine at a very reasonable price.

Breakfast in The Pavilion restaurant was also a highlight and an affordable and accessible opportunity to enjoy the hotel and its staggering views without being an in-house guest. You would be crazy to visit Hermanus with a plan to see the whales and not start here.

Rooms, including breakfast, are available from R4,400 for the remainder of the year.

For more information go to http://www.collectionmcgrath.com/marine/.