About this hotel
General information
Forest Lodge is the flagship of Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, set above Walker Bay close to the southern tip of Africa. The 3,500-hectare reserve lies between mountains, forest and ocean and protects 1,031 plant species, seven of them new to science and around a hundred endangered, along with ancient milkwood forests, some more than a thousand years old. The lodge sits on raised ground at the edge of one of these forests, with 180-degree views over the fynbos, the bay and the horizon.
There are just 16 freestanding suites, scattered between the forest and the fynbos, so the mood is quiet and secluded. Stays are full board: breakfast, a light lunch and dinner, soft drinks and the minibar are included, as are most of the land-based outings on the reserve. Grootbos runs its own foundation, which supports fynbos conservation and training programmes for local communities, and is regarded as a world reference for sustainable tourism. Forest Lodge welcomes children aged 12 and over.
Location
The reserve lies on the Western Cape coast, on the R43 between Stanford and Gansbaai, 13 km beyond Stanford. Cape Town is about 160 km away, roughly two hours by car, either over the mountains on the N2 or along the coastal R44 through Hermanus. Walker Bay spreads out below the lodge, and the drive passes the Hermanus wine route, the Stony Point penguin colony and the Harold Porter botanical garden.
Spa
The Forest Lodge spa is tucked into the milkwood forest and reached along a wooden walkway between the trees. Its three treatment rooms, one of them for couples, open through glass sliding doors onto the forest. The menu centres on tension-releasing massages and facials using natural products from Dr Hauschka, Nautilus and Bellabaci. The spa also has a modern gym with treadmills and rowing machines looks out into the trees, and the Immersive Wellbeing programme combines time in nature, a dedicated menu and treatments.
Sports & leisure
Days revolve around the fynbos, the sea and long walks along the coast:
- botanical drives in an open-top Land Rover, flower safaris and a guided walk through the ancient milkwood forest;
- guided or self-guided walks using the reserve’s trail maps, plus walks dedicated to birdwatching;
- horse riding from the reserve’s own stables through the fynbos or along the beach, for beginners and experienced riders alike;
- coastal outings: Walker Bay beaches, a guided visit to Klipgat Cave, whale watching from the shore (best from July to December) and sunset picnics;
- a marine safari with Dyer Island Cruises in search of the Marine Big Five — southern right whales, great white sharks, bottlenose dolphins, Cape fur seals and African penguins — along with boat trips to Dyer Island and shark cage diving;
- fatbike rides over the dunes and along the Walker Bay coastline;
- a Lady Stanford cruise down the Klein River from Stanford towards the Hermanus estuary;
- a day out to the southernmost tip of Africa and a tour of the Grootbos foundation’s conservation and community projects.
Restaurants & bars
The restaurants at Grootbos are reserved for resident guests. Breakfast is a buffet with an à la carte menu, lunch is light and dinner is served à la carte. Much of the kitchen’s herbs come from the reserve’s own organic farm, honey from bees foraging on its flowers and fish daily from Gansbaai harbour, while still water drawn from an aquifer on the reserve is bottled in glass.
- the lodge restaurant — a contemporary dining room with sweeping views over the reserve and the bay, and a deck for watching the sun set;
- Wine Cellar — a collection of wines and champagne, also used for intimate dinners with sommelier-chosen pairings;
- Forest Boma — open-air dinners by the fire beneath a forest canopy strung with fairy lights;
- the lodge’s lounges and bar, plus picnics on the beach or out on the reserve and sunset cocktails.
Swimming
Forest Lodge has a heated infinity pool looking out over the coastline. For time by the sea, the reserve arranges outings to the Walker Bay beaches and picnics on the sand.
Rooms
Forest Lodge has 16 freestanding suites in a single category, all facing the sea and the fynbos. These are the only suites at Grootbos where every one has its own outdoor shower.
Each suite has underfloor heating and heated towel rails, air conditioning, a smart TV, Wi-Fi, a minibar, tea and coffee facilities, a safe, a hairdryer, Just Pure toiletries, gowns and slippers, a yoga mat and a pool bag with towels.
Luxury Suite
A freestanding suite at the edge of the milkwood forest, with a bedroom with a large canopy bed and an en-suite bathroom with a freestanding bath and rain shower, a second shower room, a lounge with a fireplace, and a private deck with panoramic Walker Bay views and an outdoor shower. Sleeps two adults; up to two children aged 12–17 can stay on a sofa bed.
Photos are for illustrative purposes only. Actual room layout, furnishings, décor, views and amenities may differ from those shown and may vary between rooms of the same category. Hotel and room descriptions are based on information provided by the property and are believed to be accurate at the time of publication, but are not guaranteed. The hotel may renovate or change its rooms, facilities, restaurants and services at any time without notice. The final details of your stay are confirmed at the time of booking. See our Terms of Use.