Homeliness and hospitality.
Set amongst 24 acres of gardens and fynbos just outside the Garden Route town of Plettenburg Bay.
There are 15 standard, deluxe and luxury rooms. All are ensuite and air-conditioned, with small private patios. Beds are bounceable, with a plethora of pillows and hot-water bottles on cool nights. The style is elegant and modern, and very definitely South African, with muted greys, blacks and silvers, and plenty of natural materials.
Food is something that Laird’s Lodge prides itself on. There are hearty breakfasts to start the day, and most guests will head out for lunch, returning in time for a cup of tea (and a slice of cake) beside the pool. Evening meals are the real scene-stealers: gourmet, four course dinners, eaten with your fellow guests. Afterwards, there are drinks in the lounge, and gossiping long into the night. This is more of a haven to chill out in, rather than a hive of activity, so there’s a small pool to relax beside in summer, and a cosy lounge with a log fire in the winter.
The Garden Route is a place where you can race around and explore, or do nothing at all. Just across from Laird’s Lodge is an elephant sanctuary, and the beautiful Tsitsikamma Forest is about 40 minutes away. There’s excellent hiking in the area, several good golf courses, and some rather pretty beaches. During season (June-November) there are whale watching trips, and dolphins can be spotted throughout the year.
If you’re not sure what to do during your stay, be sure to ask a member of staff- they’re absolute mines of information!