De Hoop Nature Reserve, South Africa
Lekkerwater Beach Lodge
Off-grid coastal lodge
De Hoop Nature Reserve, South Africa
Opened
2019
Price
$$$$
Rated for
Local Design LuxeOutside the door
The house
Natural SelectionOff-grid coastal lodge
Solar power runs the lodge, where guests gather around a communal oak table after days along the wild coast.
“The seven neutral-toned suites face a mesmerizing view of white beaches and blue horizons, which are on view through floor-to-ceiling windows.”
What it’s good at
Remarkable
Dune-perched chalets overlooking calving southern right whales in the marine reserve.
Notable
All-inclusive regional wines, resident naturalist excursions, and crisp linens facing the sea.
What they say
Also in Condé Nast Traveler and AFAR.
The white, wooden-walled, glass-fronted rooms, set along a cliff like a spine of boxy sheds, are hardly architectural marvels. But they’re airy, light, and comfortably furnished.
Tucked away
A place apart: the property is the destination.
Fynbos scrubland covers the surrounding dunes, rolling down to clear tidal pools and miles of empty white sand.
The rooms
Each chalet opens onto a private sea-facing deck, with a wood-burning stove to warm coastal nights.
The water
Bring a swimsuit.
Pool and hot tub
An outdoor plunge pool rests on the main deck, and a wood-fired hot tub sits down among shoreline rocks.
At the table
Chefs cook from an open kitchen, and dinners sometimes move down onto the sand for a beach braai.
How it began
State President F.W. de Klerk held bush summits here in the 1990s, shaping South Africa's transition to democracy from this secluded shoreline.
De Hoop Nature Reserve
More like this
Morukuru Family De Hoop
“Off-grid coastal outpost”
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.