Located a footstep away from the beach, The Sands @ St. Francis Bay is one of the top places to stay in St Francis Bay.
As a beach holiday destination there are few places to beat St Francis Bay. Long beaches, fantastic estuary, beautiful scenery, a port and a marina and a host of great eateries and adventure activities make this a great place to visit.
This 5-Star establishment combines a great location, top facilities, fine dining and excellent hospitality to create a unique holiday destination offering. Many of their previous guests agree!
You will also be happy to know that The Sands is just a short drive from Port Elizabeth and the PE airport and is within reach of all that makes the J-Bay, St Francis and Tsitsikamma areas popular with visitors.
Personal Experience
In all of South Africa there are only a couple of hundred homes and hotels that are situated on the beach. The Sands @ St Francis is one of these.
If, like me, you love the ocean, then this is the place to stay. I seem to fall asleep so much quicker with the rhythmic roll and crash of the waves. Waking up on the beach means an early morning swim and stroll along the sand.
The last time I stayed at The Sands, it was full moon. My girlfriend and I sat on our private veranda sipping a glass of wine and quietly chatted while watching the hypnotic shimmer of the moon’s reflection of the vast Indian Ocean.
Our room, on the ground floor had sliding doors that opened onto the front lawn and swimming pool and we kept these open all through the day. The fresh sea breeze was lovely.
Another reason why I enjoy this great guest house is that it has all the comforts and amenities of its five stars but also has the relaxed and comfortable feel of a beach side holiday home.
Breakfast is best enjoyed on the veranda of the dining area where the view towards the port or across the bay is spectatcular.
I can’t wait to return.
Accommodation at The Sands @ St. Francis Bay
The Sands provides accommodation in five luxurious en-suite bedrooms. The bedrooms offer spectacular views of the Indian Ocean through large sliding doors and private decks.
Each room has a King-sized bed with the finest Percale linen and fluffy goose down duvets.
In-room amenities include mini-bars and hospitality trays with mini Espresso machines, quality bathrobes and towels, TVs with DStv, hairdryers, air-conditioning and heating, heated towel rails, electronic safes, direct-dial telephones as well as a Jacuzzi bath.
There is also a dedicated Honeymoon Suite for romantics. Aside from the in-room amenities already listed above, the honeymoon suite offers an extra outdoor shower and Jacuzzi on its timber deck where you can enjoy a glass of champagne or a sundowner.
Make an online booking HERE. Find their rates HERE as well as amazing Specials HERE.
Facilities at The Sands @ St. Francis Bay
There are several facilities at the hotel to make your stay a pleasant one. Guests have access to a porter service and luggage storage facilities; turndown, dry cleaning and valet services as well as ample, secure parking for your vehicles.
Visiting business executives also have access to secretarial services as well as a business station with internet, fax, email and photocopying facilities.
For your convenience, they help with airport transfers and their tour/sightseeing desk will assist you in planning your tours and excursions.
There are two pool decks as well as a pool deck lunch and beverage service. For your relaxation, try their steam room. Beauty therapy treatments can also be arranged.
The Octagon Restaurant, with its spectacular Indian Ocean views and talented chefs makes dining at The Sands something to look forward to. Enjoy from continental buffet breakfasts, interesting lunch options to three-course candlelit dinners. The a la carte menu their many seafood dishes are also highly recommended. Remember to explore their Honesty Bar, the Director’s Cellar and their Guest Lounge.
Activities in St Francis Bay
From tame activities like beach walks and sunbathing to adrenaline-filled adventures like sand-boarding, St Francis Bay has something for everyone to make the most of their stay.
From your base at The Sands, you can enjoy a round of tennis, squash or golf, explore the various popular birding spots in the area; join a river/canal boat cruise at sunset with a bottle of wine and a picnic basket; try paddling and SUP, cycling or visit the nearby Boskloof Nature Reserve.
The local NSRI Station, Lookout Point, the St Francis Community Garden, the Cape St Francis Nature Reserve, old colonial buildings and Bruce’s Ocean Museum & Café are also popular stops.
Since it’s a coastal town, boat-based Whale and Dolphin Watching is available from Port St Francis as well as kite and wind surfing, ship-wreck diving and fishing.
The Sands @ St. Francis Bay is located at 8 Frank Rd, St Francis Bay. Here is their location on Google Maps. For bookings, call +27 (0) 42 294 1888 / +27 (0) 41 502 3050; email thesands@pehotels.co.za or visit them online at www.thesands.co.za. Follow them on Facebook HERE.
