Give me a comfortable place to sit, a lovely sea view and something chilled in my glass, and I am generally quite happy to leave the afternoon’s plans undecided. During my stay at Harbour Club in St Francis Bay, the penthouse veranda made a particularly convincing argument for doing exactly that.
I thoroughly enjoyed my stay. The combination of great facilities, an excellent view, delightfully comfortable bed and a gleaming, modern bathroom made the penthouse somewhere I was happy to spend time. Having that view waiting outside added considerably to the pleasure.
Set in Port St Francis, Harbour Club offers a choice of studios, standard and superior two-bedroom apartments, and penthouse accommodation. There are options for a couple slipping away for a coastal break, families on holiday or friends getting together for a few days beside the sea. Restaurants and the beach are within walking distance, making it an appealing base for a visit to St Francis Bay.
The studios make an appealing choice for a couple or a solo traveller, with queen beds and the convenience of self-catering facilities. A fridge, microwave, kettle and toaster make it easy to keep a few holiday essentials on hand, while a furnished patio provides somewhere to sit outside.
For families or friends travelling together, the standard two-bedroom apartments offer separate bedrooms, ocean views and the practical comforts needed for a longer stay. The superior two-bedroom apartments overlook the harbour and coastline, with a balcony from which to enjoy the setting. Both categories include a washing machine, smart television and fibre Wi-Fi, along with access to the swimming pool and braai facilities.
The pleasure of the penthouse
My accommodation had the qualities that make a holiday feel easy. Comfortable bedding matters enormously, however attractive the photographs of a property might be, and I appreciated the modern bathrooms just as much. Together with the facilities and the outlook, they made for a thoroughly enjoyable stay.
Access was by lift or stairs, a useful choice when you are staying upstairs and have luggage to move.
The penthouse’s kitchen includes a fridge, microwave, kettle, toaster, washing machine, crockery and cutlery, as well as a smart television and fibre Wi-Fi. Guests also have access to braai facilities, basement parking and a swimming pool, with housekeeping and backup power adding practical convenience. These are the sorts of things that help you settle in, particularly if a weekend develops into a longer holiday.
For me, however, the veranda was the favourite spot.
I loved sitting there with a chilled beverage, watching the day come to an end, the lights come on in restaurants across the harbor and the boats returning to their moorings. There is considerable pleasure in having nowhere urgent to be and a view that deserves your attention. I was very happy to give it mine.
The following morning, I was back with a mug of coffee, watching the sun rise across the bay. Same seat, different drink, another excellent reason to linger. It is a lovely way to begin a day in St Francis Bay, even if it does make getting up from your chair rather difficult.
Guests can choose to stay on a bed-and-breakfast basis or opt for self-catering. Having the facilities to prepare your own meals is useful, but I went with bed and breakfast and thoroughly enjoyed that decision.
My breakfast combined health and continental favourites, with plenty of fruit, a yoghurt cocktail and pastries. It was delicious, and a very pleasant way to follow that first mug of coffee on the veranda. Breakfast is certainly something I would include on my next visit.
A base for exploring
When you do feel inclined to head out, there is plenty to keep you occupied. Harbour restaurants offer an easy outing for a meal, while the wider area has beaches, village shopping, canal cruises and coastal walks. Golfers have St Francis Links and St Francis Bay Golf Club to consider, and a trip to Seal Point Lighthouse provides another reason to explore nearby Cape St Francis.
That balance is part of Harbour Club’s appeal. You can fill your days with activities and return to comfortable accommodation, or allow the day to revolve around a walk, a meal and some time overlooking the water. I would happily make room for both.
Give someone a harbour escape
Harbour Club’s gift vouchers are an appealing option for anyone looking to give a birthday present, mark an anniversary or thank someone properly. They also lend themselves to staff incentives, long-service awards and farewell gifts.
The choices include a two-night stay or a “pay three, stay four” option, with studio, two-bedroom and penthouse accommodation available. You can also enquire about extras such as a continental breakfast delivered to the apartment, a canal cruise, a Sunset Rock picnic or a meal voucher for Joe Fish or Full Stop at Cape St Francis Resort.
Having enjoyed the penthouse myself, I can certainly see the attraction of giving someone a few days there. A morning coffee with that view would be a very welcome present.
Voucher dates are subject to availability and the applicable terms, including peak-period restrictions. Contact the reservations team to arrange the gift and confirm the details.
Contact Harbour Club
Address: Alikreukel Avenue, Port St Francis, St Francis Bay, 6312, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Telephone: +27 82 456 3500
Email: bookings@harbourclub.co.za
Website and bookings: harbourclub.co.za
Contact form: Contact Harbour Club
Facebook: The Harbour Club at Port St Francis
Instagram: @the_harbour_club_st_francis
For a stay in St Francis Bay, Harbour Club gets my enthusiastic recommendation. I thoroughly enjoyed the penthouse, and those quiet moments on the veranda have stayed with me.
I’ll be back soon.
