Hermanus Esplanade - Your Questions Answered

Everything you need to know about the Hermanus Esplanade — from its fascinating history as one of Hermanus’s original hotels to why it’s the perfect base for your visit to South Africa’s whale watching capital. Book your apartment directly and skip the platform fees.

What is the Esplanade Hotel’s history?

The Esplanade has one of the most storied addresses in Hermanus. The site was originally developed by Johnny Stemmet, a local baker who built Stemmet’s Private Hotel here in 1927 — one of the thirteen hotels that served the town during its golden era as a growing seaside resort. By 1933 it had become the Esplanade Hotel, taking its name from the seafront promenade it overlooks.

Hermanus itself grew from a small fishing village — named after the farmer and fisherman Hermanus Pieters — into one of South Africa’s most beloved coastal destinations, driven largely by the extraordinary whale watching in Walker Bay. The Esplanade sat at the heart of that transformation.

Today the building has been fully modernised as the Esplanade Hermanus, offering contemporary self-catering apartments that retain the property’s prime beachfront position. Our apartment gives guests the best of both worlds: nearly a century of Hermanus hospitality and all the comforts of a modern, well-equipped home.

Book directly at hermanusairbnb.co.za/rooms/ and stay at the address that has welcomed Hermanus visitors since 1927.

Is it worth going to Hermanus?

Absolutely. Hermanus is widely considered the land-based whale watching capital of the world, and that alone is reason enough to visit — but the town offers far more than whales.

The 12 km Cliff Path winds along the shoreline, offering dramatic ocean views and frequent whale sightings from June through November. The town centre is compact and walkable, with excellent restaurants, independent galleries, and a vibrant fresh-produce market. Wine farms are within 20 minutes’ drive along the Cape Whale Coast, and the Walker Bay Nature Reserve offers hiking, fynbos, and birdlife just outside town. Cape Town is roughly 90 minutes away, making Hermanus an easy standalone destination or a natural extension of a Western Cape itinerary.

The best time to visit is whale season — June through November — with September and October being peak months when Walker Bay is alive with Southern Right Whales breaching and calving close to shore. It is an experience unlike anything else in South Africa.

Staying at the Hermanus Esplanade puts you right in the heart of it all — steps from the Cliff Path, restaurants, and the Old Harbour.

Where to sleep in Hermanus?

The Hermanus Esplanade offers two exceptional self-catering apartments in a secure, centrally located building — ideal for couples or small groups wanting a home-away-from-home in one of South Africa’s most beautiful coastal towns.

Sea View apartment (1 bedroom, sleeps 2): The standout feature is the private patio with unobstructed ocean views — guests regularly watch dolphins and Southern Right Whales from their balcony during whale season. The apartment includes a fully equipped kitchen (Nespresso, dishwasher, oven), Smart TV, air conditioning, WiFi, Afriearth toiletries, secure parking, and communal pool access.

Mountain View apartment (2 bedrooms, sleeps up to 4): A tranquil retreat with a private patio overlooking the pool and the mountains beyond. Includes a fully equipped kitchen, DSTV, WiFi, a dedicated workspace, in-unit washing machine, secure parking for two vehicles, and communal pool access.

Both apartments are walking distance from the Cliff Path, restaurants, shops, and galleries. Long-stay discounts are available — 5% off 14 or more nights, 15% off 29 or more nights.

Book directly — no platform fees — at hermanusairbnb.co.za/rooms/