Paternoster Accommodation: The Top 10 Places to Stay

Like the lighthouse nearby that acts as a beacon to sailors, Paternoster is a West Coast magnet, drawing visitors who wish to wind down and be immersed in this wild, elemental coastline. The once-sleepy fishing village has been awakened by creatives – chefs, artists, hospitality hosts – keen to get to grips with the magic of this special place.

It’s now abuzz with new flavours, new dwellings and new activities, but the heart and soul and heritage are still there to enjoy. Whether you do this by feasting on seafood, spending hours beachcombing, making time for sundowners every day or discovering quaint nooks and hidden gems, this is a seaside escape that lives up to your daydreams…

For that idyllic combination of coastal comfort, style and atmosphere, we’ve selected 10 of the best places to stay on your next West Coast holiday.

Which are your favourites? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.

Strandloper Ocean Boutique Hotel

Setting On the far eastern edge of town (with miles of ocean in front and wilderness alongside), this ultra-stylish eco-retreat is “barefoot luxury” epitomised. It’s both elemental and modern, designer and natural, contemporary and timeless. A mini whitewashed “village” of its own, festooned with bougainvillaea, where the “roads” are wooden boardwalks. Stay in an Ocean Suite and you’ll have direct access to the beach 500 metres away; in a larger Nature Suite, built on the banks of a dry riverbed, an unspoilt and wild West Coast landscape opens out in front of you. This is the place to fall into a gentle daydream of sky, sea, sand and space – and to be thoroughly pampered with five-star service. (Winner of the Best Small Boutique Getaway Hotel Worldwide at the 2022 Hotel of the Year Awards.)

The lodgings

• 16 rooms (sea-facing, nature-facing or courtyard)
• extra-length king beds with pillow menu
• ensuite with shower and egg-shaped bath (plus outdoor showers in some rooms)
• lounge area with fireplace in suites (plus loft space in Nature King Suites)
• B+O music system, smart TV with Netflix
• minibar and tea-and-coffee facilities
• breakfast in bed and evening turndown
• private terrace or outdoor deck
• onsite gourmet restaurant and bar
• onsite spa with signature Kalahari Experience
• communal sundeck with 20-metre-long heated saltwater pool
• communal lounge with fireplace
• bicycles for exploring town

Good to know The hotel offers a range of signature activities such as guided coastal bush hikes, picnics, kayaking and birdwatching riverboat safaris.
Child friendly? No, older than 12 only
Pet friendly? No
Sleeps 32 in 16 rooms
Wifi? Yes
Cost From R6 000 to R13 000 (depending on season and room type)
Where to find it Patterson Slot, Paternoster
MAKE A RESERVATION

Oystercatchers’ Haven

Setting In the quieter Bek Bay area, just 40 metres from the shore, this boutique four-star guesthouse oozes serenity and old-world charm: think antique sash windows and furnishings, oriental rugs, reed ceilings and stable doors, enlivened by notable African art pieces. Every light-filled guest room has a prized ocean view and a glorious patio – so close you can almost feel the sea spray; the perfect spot for breakfast and sundowners.

The lodgings

• 4 spacious rooms with king, queen or twin beds
• ensuite walk-in showers
• lounge seating in rooms
• minibar and coffee and tea-making facility
• private patio or balcony
• satellite TV
• Room 3 (Honeymoon Suite) has a separate lounge with a small library and art-film collection
• communal lounge, dining room and library
• communal verandah with plunge pool

Good to know Smuggler’s Cottage B&B next door is child- and pet-friendly.
Child friendly? No, over 12 years only
Pet friendly? No
Sleeps 8 in 4 rooms
Wifi? Yes
Cost From R2 299 per room per night
Where to find it 48 Sonkwas Street, Bek Bay, Paternoster
CHECK AVAILABILITY + BOOK DIRECT

Abalone Hotel

Setting These days, Paternoster has something for everyone – look no further than this five-star hotel, which wouldn’t be out of place in a big city. Fresh from a recent revamp, which has created more airy, light-filled spaces and an aesthetic inspired by its location, it offers a sophisticated stay for urbanites who like their creature comforts. With rooms arranged around a central courtyard and a gorgeous pool, with an on-site spa and a bar and restaurant (think instant access to an eggs Benedict breakfast, a sushi lunch platter, fine Cape wines and cocktails), it wraps everything you could want in one stylish package – just 200 metres from the beach.

The lodgings

• 2 standard loft rooms, 4 standard suites (overlooking the courtyard), 9 luxury suites (courtyard view) and 3 superior seaview suites
• king-size beds, plus optional extra bed for a child
• ensuite bathroom with bath and/or shower
• tea/coffee-making facilities and minibar
• smart TV
• private balcony and/or patio (in luxury and superior suites)
• air-conditioning
• communal heated swimming pool
• restaurant and bar
• wellness suite with sauna and heated pools

Child friendly? Yes
Pet friendly? No
Sleeps 2 adults per room + 1 child on request
Wifi? Yes
Cost From R2 069 per night; R300 per night (child under 12)
Where to find it 3 Kriedoring Street, Bek Bay, Paternoster
MAKE A RESERVATION

Abalone Pool Villas

Setting Yes, you read that right: Paternoster has villas – a sparkling, sophisticated duo set on the hillside above Gaatjies Beach, offering fantastic views of the coastline. These elegant, modern homes offer some of the finest self-catering accommodation in the area, each with its own glistening infinity pool blending into the blue horizon. The furnishings are plush and contemporary, with all the state-of-the-art luxuries you’d expect from villa life. It’s the ideal place for two couples or a family of four to kick back in style, enjoying long lazy meals and sparkling sundowners. And when you want a break from cooking, one of the world’s best restaurants (Wolfgat) is close by.

The lodgings

• 2 bedrooms with king or twin beds
• 2 bathrooms with bath and/or shower, plus an outdoor shower
• fully equipped kitchen (with dishwasher)
• living area with fireplace
• pool patio with loungers and couches
• braai area
• smart TV with Netflix and iPod dock
• air-conditioning

Good to know The villas are part of Abalone Hotel, a five-minute walk away.
Child friendly? Yes
Pet friendly? No
Sleeps 4 per villa
Wifi? Yes
Cost R6 300 per night
Where to find it 45 St Augustine Road, Kliprug, Paternoster
MAKE A RESERVATION

Gonana Guesthouse

Setting Hugging the shores of a private beach in the tranquil area of Bek Bay, this eco-chic guesthouse is the epitome of a serene seaside escape. Swedish entrepreneur Jonas Sandström’s beach house boasts a stylish Scandi-African aesthetic inspired by the surrounding elements of sea, sand and sky, providing the perfect backdrop to unwind in style. Sip your morning coffee on the soft sand next to the waves after a sumptuous breakfast, or soak up the incredible sunset (there really is nothing like it!) with a crisp glass of bubbly before enjoying dinner at one of the wonderful nearby restaurants. Heaven on Earth!

The lodgings

• 6 double rooms (queen or twin beds), 1 triple room (queen bed and single bed) and 1 duplex studio (twin beds upstairs, sofa bed downstairs)
• ensuite bathrooms with shower
• private outdoor terrace (in all rooms except one)
• communal dining table in breakfast room
• communal upstairs lounge with fireplace
• outdoor deck
• solar-heated saltwater swimming pool
• walkway leading directly onto the beach
• daily buffet breakfast made with local, organic produce
• honesty bar

Good to know There are also two off-grid beach houses for self-catering guests.
Child friendly? No, over 12 years only
Pet friendly? Yes, selected rooms
Sleeps 18 in 8 rooms
Wifi? Yes, except in dining area
Cost R2 750 per night for two adults sharing
Where to find it 42 Sonkwas Street, Bek Bay, Paternoster
CHECK AVAILABILITY + BOOK DIRECT

Gelukkie

Setting The saying “Don’t judge a book by its cover” comes to mind when pulling up outside the wrought-iron gates of this hideaway on a farm just outside town… The unassuming private property opens up to reveal a quaint Karoo-like oasis where lush indigenous plants, water features, stunning outdoor decor and passionate hosts, Ruth and Andrew (and their friendly pooches), await. Whether you lounge around with a good book, siesta on the outdoor bed or stargaze with a bottle of wine, this hidden gem is the ideal spot for a little me-time or romance. Set away from the beachfront, it’s a quieter escape from the crowds but a two-minute drive to the sea and a short walk from the brewery.

The lodgings

• 3 one-bedroom self-catering cottages: Klein Gelukkie, Nog ’n Gelukkie and Los Gelukkie
• king-sized bed
• ensuite bathroom with a shower or bath (plus an outdoor shower at Klein Gelukkie)
• well-equipped kitchen
• dining area and lounge with a fireplace
• patio with seating
• private garden with a braai (plus a firepit at Nog ’n Gelukkie)
• shaded double daybed in the garden (except at Los Gelukkie)

Good to know Gelukkie hosts “Garden Days” on the first Sunday of every month, with food, music and a bar.
Child friendly? Yes
Pet friendly? No
Sleeps 2 per cottage
Wifi? Yes
Cost  From R1 350 per cottage per night (minimum 2-night stay on weekends)
Where to find it Seemeeu Crescent, Pelgrimsrust, Paternoster
CHECK AVAILABILITY + BOOK DIRECT

Zula Beach House & Cottage

Setting A rhapsody in blues (and white), to echo the sea and sand right on the doorstep, this four-bedroom solar-powered thatched house and studio-style bungalow channel a cool surfer-chic aesthetic. Situated on the quieter Langstrand beach, a popular surfing and kitesurfing spot to the east of town, this accommodation option is all about friendly gatherings, generous meals, long walks on the beach and the laidback coastal lifestyle. The house is super-spacious, with many areas for relaxing, but it’s the wooden deck out front with its built-in couches that will have you transfixed by the views of the bay.

The lodgings

• house with 2 double ensuite bedrooms (king beds), 1 dorm-style loft with four twin beds and a bathroom, and 1 teenage pad in the attic with double or twin beds
• open-plan cottage with king bed (or twin beds) and separate bathroom with shower
• fully equipped kitchen (including blender, baking tools and coffee maker)
• living area with wood-burning fireplace
• furnished patio with dining table and gas braai
• satellite TV (plus Netflix and bluetooth sound system in the house)
• beach umbrellas and snorkelling gear
• books, board games and toys
• outdoor shower with sea view

Good to know The house and cottage (in a private garden at the back with sea views) can be rented together or separately.
Child friendly? Yes
Pet friendly? Yes (2 dogs max in each)
Sleeps 10 (6 adults + 4 children), 2 in the cottage
Wifi? Yes
Cost House: from R7 000 per night
Cottage: from R2 000 per night
Pets: R200 per dog per night
Where to find it Langstrand Road, Mosselbank, Paternoster
CHECK AVAILABILITY + BOOK DIRECT

Sugar Shack

Setting Built in the style of a fisherman’s cottage, self-catering Sugar Shack oozes rustic charm with its beamed reed ceilings, simple, architectural lines and eclectic decor filled with pops of colour. The covered verandah and braai area, which overlooks a small olive orchard, keeps the wind at bay, allowing for easy year-round entertaining. The hammock is perfect for nodding off to the sounds of the sea after a leisurely lunch, while the upstairs deck overlooking the rocky shoreline is the ideal spot to gaze out at the turquoise horizon (the beach is a two-minute walk away). This is laidback West Coast living at its best.

The lodgings

• 3 double bedrooms (2 ensuite)
• 3 bathrooms (2 with showers, 1 with a Victorian bath), plus an outdoor shower
• open-plan gourmet kitchen (think KitchenAid appliances and Le Creuset pots)
• spacious lounge and dining area with a fireplace
• covered verandah with braai
• upstairs sundeck with sea views
• satellite TV, DVD player and board games

Child friendly? Yes
Pet friendly? Yes
Sleeps 6
Wifi? Yes
Cost From R3 800 per night
Where to find it St Augustine Road, Kliprug, Paternoster
MAKE A RESERVATION

Bekkie Paternoster

Setting On the ocean’s edge at Bek Bay, this smart self-catering option feels like a real family holiday house, decorated with an eclectic mix of seaside bric-a-brac and artworks, weathered furniture finds and antiques. It’s also fitted out with everything you’d need for your holiday and those memorable meals enjoyed with stunning front-seat views of the bay. Miles of beach are right on your doorstep, and views of the Columbine lighthouse in the distance complete the atmospheric picture.

The lodgings

• 4 bedrooms (3 ensuite)
• 4 bathrooms (plus guest toilet)
• open-plan kitchen with gas hob plus an upstairs kitchenette
• 3 living areas
• cast-iron fireplace
• 2 outdoor braais plus one inside
• satellite TV
• double garage
• inverter

Good to know Ask about special midweek rates. Sister lodging Paternoster Dunes, a guesthouse just down the street, offers massages, facials and beauty treatments.
Child friendly? No, over 10 years only
Pet friendly? No
Sleeps 8
Wifi? Yes
Cost From R6 500 per night (minimum 2-night stay)
Where to find it 26 Sonkwas Street, Bek Bay, Paternoster
MAKE A RESERVATION

Things to do in Paternoster

• Miles of rocky coastline and beaches to explore.
• Kayak around the bay with seals, dolphins, penguins (and whales in season).
• Enjoy a sunrise or sunset horse ride on the beach.
• Go e-biking around the village and surroundings.
• Visit the Cape Columbine Lighthouse and nature reserve (it has picnic/braai spots).
• Get your thrills with a beach-buggy ride.
• Check out the Art Shed at the Wharf and the Paternoster Art Route.
• Explore the quirky Hobnobbery collective.
• For local tipples, head to Paternoster Brewery and Paternoster Wine & Tasting Lounge.
• For live entertainment and events, find out what’s happening at Die Koelkamers.
• Buy fish and seafood straight from the boats (crayfish season is November – January).
• Book a table (far in advance) at chef Kobus van der Merwe’s Oep ve Koep or Wolfgat.

Discover all of the Cape’s hidden gems – subscribe to our weekly newsletter.