Mosselberg On Grotto Beach Hermanus

boy + girl + 4 seasons in a day = marriage. This was my second visit to Mosselberg Guesthouse, and I was once again suitably impressed by the beauty of the space, the location, the sublime views, the decor, and the atmosphere of peace and serenity.

My first impression was "wow, look at that view!" I believe the architects executed the vision perfectly. Great care was taken to consider the Fynbos which makes up the garden with a winding path down to Grotto beach, a second tick in my books. All the entertainment areas open onto a large deck via huge sliding doors, so one really feels close to nature. The high ceilings enhance the sense of space, and the uncluttered decor and beautiful art are very tasteful.

Of course, there's always a downside, not serious but annoying. There's only one guest lavatory downstairs. Hence, the 140-odd guests had to either queue up, use the guests' bathrooms, or fall off the deck and somersault into a bush, unsavoury. I wondered whether this would pass health and safety laws abroad, or how SA tourism graded the establishment? Second niggle: most ladies wore heels on the night, and most heels got stuck between the decking. Not so great if you're mooching up to your beau and your leg gets stuck in mid-pirouette, and then, to add insult to injury, leaving our gorgeous stilettoes ruined. I overheard a guest (master builder by profession) comment on the lack of railings around the deck, too. Aesthetically pleasing, but not so safe or child friendly. Public liability springs to mind. The management and staff were professional, friendly, well-trained, and discreet. I’d happily recommend this guesthouse any day of the week. Room Tip: Book a room with a view."