By Mabuyane Mabuza
Hermanus is one of those places that seems to operate at a different pace. The further you travel into the Overberg, the more the noise of city life begins to fall away, replaced by mountain air, the sound of the Atlantic and the gentle rhythm of a town that has learned to live comfortably beside the sea.
And sitting at the heart of that experience is The Marine Hermanus, an old hotel with an extraordinary story, an enviable position and just enough old-world character to make you feel as though you have stepped into another era.
This is what BMW South Africa chose as our home during the launch of its new iX3last week. As a firm lover of the Southern Cape, I was overcome with joy to learn that we were going to spend the night in Hermanus.
This is where history meets the sea
There are hotels that are built to impress, and then there are hotels that have accumulated their character over generations. The Marine belongs in the latter category.
Its story is intertwined with that of Hermanus itself. The town began life in the early19th century as a summer grazing area before its fishing and invigorating sea air attracted permanent residents and visitors. By the late 1800s, Hermanus had developed a reputation as a place of health and leisure, and hotels began to appear to accommodate the growing number of visitors.
The Marine’s own history dates to 1902, when Walter McFarlane and his brother-in-law, Valentine Beyers, acquired land to establish the hotel. It began modestly, with just 21 rooms and none of the electricity or running water in the bedrooms that we take for granted today, according to hotel management. Yet it was already considered considerably grander than its predecessor, the Victoria Hotel. That history is part of what makes the hotel special. It doesn’t feel like a modern hotel dressed up to look historic. It feels like an old hotel that has been carefully brought into the modern age.
And then there is that view
Strictly speaking, The Marine overlooks the coastline and Walker Bay rather than sitting directly on a conventional sandy beach. But the sea is extraordinarily close, with the cliff path and tidal-pool coastline immediately outside the hotel. That proximity to the water is part of its magic.
Imagine waking up, opening the curtains and looking straight out onto the ocean. I took a salt bath to take it all in. Just water, mountains and, if nature is feeling generous, a whale breaching in the distance.
An old lady with plenty of life left in her
The Marine has undergone several transformations during its long life. It was expanded in 1918, hosted notable guests and grand occasions, and changed ownership several times. In the early 1980s, it was acquired by David Rawdon, who closed it for four years for extensive renovations. Then came another important chapter.
Renowned hotelier Liz McGrath took on the restoration of the property. After an eight-month restoration, The Marine reopened in October that year as a five-star hotel.
Today, it is part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World collection and retains the sense of occasion that comes with staying somewhere that has been part of the fabric of a town for more than a century. There is an elegance to it, but it isn’t intimidating; it is charming. It is the kind of charm that comes from polished floors, beautiful old-fashioned details and carefully considered interiors.
The Rooms
The Marine has 40 individually styled rooms and suites, rather than the anonymous uniformity you sometimes find in larger contemporary hotels.
There are Double Rooms, Luxury Double Rooms with balconies, Luxury Double Rooms with sea views and Premier Suites. The standard Double Rooms feature king-size beds that can be converted into twins, en-suite bathrooms and, in some cases, private balconies.
The sea-facing rooms are, naturally, the ones I would be tempted to choose. There is something special about staying somewhere where the view is part of the room. The Premier Suites offer considerably more space, with some featuring separate lounges, while the sea-view rooms provide the opportunity to watch life unfold across Walker Bay. I was fortunate enough to stay in a sea-view room.
More than somewhere to sleep
The Marine has the facilities expected of a luxury hotel without allowing them to overwhelm its character. There is a heated saltwater pool in the internal courtyard, the Carchele Beauty Spa, a fitness studio and The Collection Boutique. There is also complimentary Wi-Fi, on-site parking and breakfast options, while the hotel can cater for various dietary requirements.
But the greatest facility may simply be the cliff path outside the door. You can spend an hour walking beside the sea without getting into a car. That, to me, is the ultimate luxury.
What will a stay cost?
This is where The Marine moves firmly into the luxury-hotel category. Rates vary according to season, room type and availability. Current published 2026rate information indicates that Double Rooms can start at around R4,450 per night, while published seasonal rates show higher prices for sea-view rooms and Premier Suites.
As an indication, published 2026 rates are approximately:
- Double Room: from around R7,285 in low season to R10,175 in peak season
- Luxury Double Room with Sea View: around R11,185 to R16,035
- Premier Suite: around R15,900 to R21,160
Rates can change, however, and special packages may offer better value. Breakfast is included in the hotel’s standard rates, and guests have access to the pool, spa, fitness facilities and other hotel amenities. So, no, The Marine isn’t competing with the budget accommodation market. But that isn’t really the point. You aren’t paying simply for a bed.
