Paternoster Dunes Boutique Guest House
Paternoster Dunes Boutique Guest House
18 Sonkwas St Paternoster, Western Cape, Paternoster, Saldanha Bay Municipality 7381 South Africa
Full view
View all photos(306)306
Room & Suite (79)
Videos (1)
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
View prices for your travel dates
Contact accommodation for availability.
There are similar hotels available.
View allDid you already book this hotel?
Tell us so we can help you plan.
Avg. RÂ 3,921 /night, 1/20 - 1/21
RÂ 3,959
per night
RÂ 3,565
per night
RÂ 3,171
per night
Jan
Feb
20 Jan
Today
22 Jan
24 Jan
26 Jan
28 Jan
30 Jan
01 Feb
03 Feb
05 Feb
07 Feb
09 Feb
11 Feb
13 Feb
15 Feb
17 Feb
19 Feb
Reflects recent average nightly prices reported by our partners, and may not include estimated taxes or fees. Price at checkout may differ.
Cheaper
Average
Higher
About
#5 of 15 guest houses in Paternoster
Location
Rooms
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
The key ingredients to a luxury break are accommodation and location. Situated in the secluded Bekbaai area, Paternoster, Paternoster Dunes Boutique Guesthouse offers vast, unbroken sea views, mellow elegance and functional sensibility. Guest amenities include a lounge with fire place, honesty bar, a small library, a court yard pool and complimentary afternoon tea. Book a visit at on site Dunes Beauty for a relaxing massage.
Read more
Suggest edits to improve what we show.Improve this listing
Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Pool
Free breakfast
Beach
Board games / puzzles
Couples massage
Adults only
Street parking
Wifi
Pool / beach towels
Outdoor pool
Bar / lounge
Breakfast available
Complimentary tea
Wine / champagne
Facial treatments
Foot massage
Full body massage
Hand massage
Head massage
Massage
Neck massage
Pedicure
Non-smoking hotel
Outdoor furniture
Sun loungers / beach chairs
Private check-in / check-out
Laundry service
Ironing service
Room features
Bathrobes
Air conditioning
Housekeeping
Safe
Bottled water
Flatscreen TV
Electric blanket
Bath / shower
Private bathrooms
Hair dryer
Room types
Ocean view
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to TGCSA - Tourism Grading Council of South Africa.
HOTEL STYLE
Ocean View
Trendy
Languages Spoken
English, Afrikaans, Xhosa
Hotel links
Location
18 Sonkwas St Paternoster, Western Cape, Paternoster, Saldanha Bay Municipality 7381 South Africa
Getting there
Somewhat walkable
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Grade: 52 out of 100
52
Cape Town Intl Airport
144.9 km•
See all flights
Car Hire
20 Restaurants
within 1 kilometer
Reviews
5.0
726 reviews
Reviews summary
This summary was created by AI, based on recent reviews.
Powered by AI
Paternoster Dunes Boutique Guest House emerges as a beachfront gem, with many guests lauding its inviting atmosphere and tasteful decor. The serene location is perfect for peaceful walks, complemented by excellent service that includes personalized touches, despite a few hiccups with room allocation.
While opinions on value vary, the comfort and cleanliness of the rooms receive high marks, as do the amenities, which feature delectable breakfasts and delightful afternoon treats.
Location
Beachfront
Atmosphere
Welcoming
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Mixed
Cleanliness
Spotless
Service
Attentive
Amenities
Outstanding
Was this helpful?
Tripadvisor is not responsible for this summary or the opinions in it. For more information, please read the traveller reviews and learn more about how the site works.
Traveller rating
- 603
- 100
- 15
- 4
- 4
Time of year
Traveller type
Language
Selected filters
- Filter
- English
Popular mentions
Sort by:
Detailed Reviews
Property's Favourite Review
Walking right out of your room onto the beach is so great! The room is really comfortable as is the bed. The lovely communal sitting area where the tasty breakfast is served has a fantastic sea view. The staff are so helpful and took our delayed arrival due to flight problems in their stride, rearranging our restaurant bookings for us.
Read more
Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from , Owner at Paternoster Dunes Boutique Guest House
Responded 04 Sept 2023
Much appreciated, thank you.
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Top was the service we received in advance by WhatsApp, with very much information and details about our booking. Very cool was that from the guest house for each evening a reservation was made in a different restaurant. We were then free to go eat there or change the reservations, but the idea and the selected restaurants were great.
Then all the staff was very friendly and accommodating, but Arlene was the "good soul" for us, the pearl. We thought at first that she owned the guesthouse, but she said that she "only" worked there, but the well-being of the guests was close to her heart. Her customer orientation and hospitality were sensational, you can feel her passion in dealing with people and how she passes on her enthusiasm to the guests. She had one morning off and it was immediately noticeable, the staff present were also friendly but lacked that certain "something". I would hire her in a heartbeat for a job related to customers and this despite the fact that we were only guests for six days. Her personality, attitude and enthusiasm for life made the difference to the other staff members.
The location of the guest house is sensational, we were on the terrace from the "Breeze" room and had direct beach access. And also quickly to the Paternoster waterfront. The beaches are wonderful for long walks, although we saw many dead seals this time. Apparently there are problems in this regard all along the west coast due to insufficient fat reserves due to malnutrition. The guest house was super secure in the entrance area and also with the room, we never felt unsafe. Every breakfast was different and also the special services like laundry or a surprise for breakfast or even the use of the beauty offer were top. We will definitely miss the sound of the sea.
Nothing was really negative. It would be nice if there was a sunshade or awning on the terraces facing the sea, as it gets very hot there during the day. You can then move to the courtyard, but the sea view is missing. This would enhance the rooms facing the sea.
And as a suggestion maybe some fresh fruit / fruit salad next to the yogurt or cereal for breakfast.
Otherwise, we would have had to look a long time for improvements.
Then all the staff was very friendly and accommodating, but Arlene was the "good soul" for us, the pearl. We thought at first that she owned the guesthouse, but she said that she "only" worked there, but the well-being of the guests was close to her heart. Her customer orientation and hospitality were sensational, you can feel her passion in dealing with people and how she passes on her enthusiasm to the guests. She had one morning off and it was immediately noticeable, the staff present were also friendly but lacked that certain "something". I would hire her in a heartbeat for a job related to customers and this despite the fact that we were only guests for six days. Her personality, attitude and enthusiasm for life made the difference to the other staff members.
The location of the guest house is sensational, we were on the terrace from the "Breeze" room and had direct beach access. And also quickly to the Paternoster waterfront. The beaches are wonderful for long walks, although we saw many dead seals this time. Apparently there are problems in this regard all along the west coast due to insufficient fat reserves due to malnutrition. The guest house was super secure in the entrance area and also with the room, we never felt unsafe. Every breakfast was different and also the special services like laundry or a surprise for breakfast or even the use of the beauty offer were top. We will definitely miss the sound of the sea.
Nothing was really negative. It would be nice if there was a sunshade or awning on the terraces facing the sea, as it gets very hot there during the day. You can then move to the courtyard, but the sea view is missing. This would enhance the rooms facing the sea.
And as a suggestion maybe some fresh fruit / fruit salad next to the yogurt or cereal for breakfast.
Otherwise, we would have had to look a long time for improvements.
Read more
Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: November 2021
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from , Owner at Paternoster Dunes Boutique Guest House
Responded 12 Nov 2021
Your review helps us to add value to our service. Due to Covid, we do not have a buffet style breakfast anymore. However, cereals are available on request.
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
A lot to digest? Read an AI-generated summary of recent traveller reviews.
This was probably one of the best stays at a guest house that I've ever had. The location of the guest house is on the one end of the town, so it makes for a more peaceful location. On arrival we got a warm welcome and shown around the guest house explaining our guest house and and our room. They also took the initiative and made bookings for us prior to us arriving, at all the popular restaurants in the area for dinner for each day that we staying there. That was a nice touch, as we were not very familiar with the area and what it had to offer. We really enjoyed their selection of restaurants. The rooms were very well equipped, clean and had everything we needed...their attention to detail is excellent. Our room on the ground floor had an excellent view of the beach and sea. Our back door opened out just above the beach. There were always security guards patrolling the area outside, so we always felt safe. Housekeeping was very good, and always done at a convenient time. The common area is by the bar, lounge and breakfast is very cozy and welcoming, and has a nice fireplace for those colder days. The view of the beach and sea from the dining area is superb and you get almost a 180 degree view. The breakfasts supplied were delicious and relatively healthy. There was always coffee/tea and baked goods out for the guests for the entire day. The bar is an unmanned honesty bar, and everything is available for the guests to help themselves to. The guests just have to annotate what they have used, and settle the bill at the end of the stay. The staff were always attentive and friendly, and always checking up on us to ensure that we have everything we need etc. Even on our departure, we were surprised with little snack bags for our drive back, which was very thoughtful. I highly recommend this guest house, and we would definitely return for another stay!
Read more
Date of stay: October 2021
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from , Owner at Paternoster Dunes Boutique Guest House
Responded 29 Nov 2021
Thank you, much appreciated!!
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This is a small boutique guest house set with direct acess to the beach. It ishs a delightful tranquil place with helpful staff. It is close the the harbour and alhso emost restaurants are within easy walking distance. It is an ideal place to chill out and relax. the upstairs room has no balcony and one of the downstairs rooms has a rather narrow patio but is very secluded.
Breakfasts are a buffet with the option off a cooked dish which was different on each of the three days of our visit. The staff were particularly helpful in arranging evening meals.
All in all a delightful stay.
Breakfasts are a buffet with the option off a cooked dish which was different on each of the three days of our visit. The staff were particularly helpful in arranging evening meals.
All in all a delightful stay.
Read more
Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: February 2020
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from OwnerDunes, Owner at Paternoster Dunes Boutique Guest House
Responded 30 Apr 2020
Our location is one of our main selling points. We strive to go the extra mile. Thank you.
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Everywhere in Africa, the employees in hotels and restaurants smile at you, they laugh all the time, everyone is happy. Not here. This makes you already feel uncomfortable. Here you are not asked at breakfast if you want another pot of tea. Or had any other wishes. Here there is only the absolute minimum. The most expensive room, a suite, is on the first floor and has virtually no sea view, despite the fact that the house faces the sea, and certainly no access to the water. There are no loungers in front of the house for the residents of the expensive suite. There is a breakfast room on the first floor with a very nice view, but you only sit on small chairs at breakfast. What should you do all day? At least nothing here. There is a completely ridiculous tiny courtyard with a pool of water maybe 2m x 3m and a couple of loungers around it, appalling. Nobody really wants to be there. No, I didn't like it at all. All the good reviews are a complete mystery to me.
Read more
Date of stay: February 2022
Value
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from , Owner at Paternoster Dunes Boutique Guest House
Responded 16 Feb 2022
Sir, maybe the problem lies with your attitude. Our rooms and rates, with amenities, are clearly described across all platforms. Your room was not a sea front room . You attended breakfast only one morning, to like nothing. You did not have breakfast the other mornings during your stay. Our reviews speak for themselves.
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Paternoster Dunes were just perfect. The staff are very friendly and efficient. The rooms is beautiful and we could see that a lot of thinking went into the fitting and setup of the room and the small things make a big difference. We enjoyed our stay very much and will definitely use Paternoster Dunes again.
The only suggestion that we would want to make is that we would have liked Kyknet on the DSTV channels
The only suggestion that we would want to make is that we would have liked Kyknet on the DSTV channels
Read more
Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: December 2019Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from OwnerDunes, Owner at Paternoster Dunes Boutique Guest House
Responded 14 Jan 2020
Multichoice/DSTV prescribe the selection of channels businesses can make use of. New DSTV business packages are to be implemented from February 2020.
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
A few years ago, my wife and I, accompanied by her brother and wife ( from overseas) stayed at Paternoster Dunes and were accommodated in two delightful sea facing rooms, AQUA and SALT. Two gentlemen were running the establishment and were most attentive. Last week, my wife and I revisited Paternoster Dunes. When we booked, we were told that the sea facing rooms were not available, but we recalled walking past gardens and the swimming pool on the way to our rooms, and thought this would be our outlook. We were very mistaken. We were booked into a room called TRANQUIL. The first problem is a step on entering the room, about which there is no warning. On closing the door, one sees doors opposite opening onto a small area facing a brick wall. There are two small chairs and a table looking down towards the sea. The room was more like a cave, and I would have suggested that the owners turn it into a storeroom. In fairness, we did receive robes and the usual soaps, shampoos etc which one would expect of a boutique establishment. We had booked for four nights but, after staying for two, we decided to check out as the room was so depressing. On checking out, the lady handling the accounts advised that we had paid 50% deposit, so a further amount of approximately R4000 was due, which I paid. To my utter astonishment, the lady did not even enquire why, having paid for four nights, we were leaving after two nights. She was totally disinterested in the fact that we were foregoing almost 200 British pounds to get away. She gave us two small packets of sweets and we departed, very disappointed. Paternoster Dunes is in a stunning location, but I would caution anyone about staying in any but a sea facing room- unless partial to a dark, viewless room. TonyC Howick.
Read more
Date of stay: September 2022
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â Stay in ' Salt' or 'Aqua' rooms
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from , Owner at Paternoster Dunes Boutique Guest House
Responded 05 Oct 2022
Dear Sir, our sea front rooms are very popular. The correspondence between reception and you indicates that these were not available for your requested dates. The amenities of our courtyard room had been sent to you before you confirmed the booking. We follow a cancellation policy commonly used in the hospitality industry. All our guests can make use of the communal lounge, bar and indoor/outdoor patio with stunning views across the bay. Our website and booking platforms reflect the look and feel of our amenities.
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This is one of the most pleasant guest houses we have stayed in - it ticks all the boxes. Location is superb, right on the beach, everything you want in a guest house is there and works properly, excellent breakfast and good management. We can highly recommend it
Read more
Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: September 2021
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Paternoster Dunes Boutique Guesthouse, Owner at Paternoster Dunes Boutique Guest House
Responded 20 Sept 2021
Your recommendation is highly appreciated, thank you.
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We booked a room that was big but not sea-facing. Upon arrival we were informed that the manager changed our booking to have a wonderful sea view. The small details and amenities in the room definitely show extra attention to detail and added to the comfort of our stay. The honesty system with the bar and the afternoon tea cake was such a nice touch. The staff was very friendly and helpful and we would def recommend this place to all out friends wanting a quite time away from everything. Thanks especially to Bernadette and Kwanda for your hospitality.
Read more
Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: November 2020
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Paternoster Dunes Boutique Guest House, Owner at Paternoster Dunes Boutique Guest House
Responded 10 Dec 2020
Thank you , we do believe that attention to detail adds value to our product. Thank you to our South African guests supporting us during the pandemic. It is heart warming and much appreciated.
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
A welcome return to Paternoster after a few years' absence. As they say, it's 'location, location, location' and this is perfectly situated on the beach. The left- and right-hand side rooms facing the beach are the best. We stayed in Breeze this time and enjoyed the terrace and the sound of the waves. Comparing and contrasting with our previous stays, plus points include better Wifi, a good breakfast with daily specials (the Bircher muesli was delicious, so were the yoghurt with fruit salad and scrambled eggs with feta, avocado and tomatoes). Small touches include a pair of scissors to open those fiddly instant coffee sachets and different coloured face cloths but I did miss the coffee making machine and its pods - nothing better than an early espresso on the terrace. A comfortable bed, nice linen and a jar of those yummy South African oatmeal biscuits as well as a good massage in the spa complete the list.
On the minus side (apart from the lack of coffee machine), some issues with accounting (we were charged for two aperitifs we hadn't had, which were taken off the bill immediately; the staff not remembering we had paid a deposit, chasing payment but not acknowledging our bank transfer). No water in the fridge on arrival, which was supposed to be remedied straight away but was not so we had to ask for it 24 hours later. Also, no desk/work area in the room so we had to work in a very uncomfortable position at each end of the credenza. I know most people are just on holiday but we're not all retired and some of us digital nomads are still working (we could have gone upstairs in the lounge but prefer to work in our room first thing, as a rule). Overall, though, a very good stay.
On the minus side (apart from the lack of coffee machine), some issues with accounting (we were charged for two aperitifs we hadn't had, which were taken off the bill immediately; the staff not remembering we had paid a deposit, chasing payment but not acknowledging our bank transfer). No water in the fridge on arrival, which was supposed to be remedied straight away but was not so we had to ask for it 24 hours later. Also, no desk/work area in the room so we had to work in a very uncomfortable position at each end of the credenza. I know most people are just on holiday but we're not all retired and some of us digital nomads are still working (we could have gone upstairs in the lounge but prefer to work in our room first thing, as a rule). Overall, though, a very good stay.
Read more
Date of stay: November 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from , Owner at Paternoster Dunes Boutique Guest House
Responded 11 Dec 2022
Thank you for your review. Regarding the negatives, you have cancelled/postponed your booking a couple of times, therefor it took a bit longer to locate your payments. Our rooms don't have coffee machines, and it is not advertised as such. The coffee stations in the rooms incude a kettle, tea, coffee and rusks. Afternoons complimentary Nespresso, tea and cake is served in the communal lounge, Our rooms are comfortably appointed, however, there is no space for additional desks. Our communal lounge provides six tables to work from. We do apologise for the water issue, it should have been addressed straight away.
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Good afternoon, The climate in Paternoster is cool but fresh. Hopefully we will have good rain by then and you might be lucky to see flowers. Relax around the pool, enjoy our white wide beaches and good restaurants. We have "Dunes Beauty" offering massages and facials etc. I can also bring you in contact with a tour guide if you are interested in day trips.
Looking forward to meet you.
Jeanette
Hi Cristina
Most of the restaurants in Paternoster can offer you gluten free meals on request.
Kind regards,
Natalie
"The guesthouse will make reservations for you to some great restaurants in the area ! "Read full review
"There is load sharing, when electricity is turned off, in this area, but The Dunes must have a generator, because we did not lose power."Read full review
…
PRICE RANGE
RÂ 2,908 - RÂ 3,396 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
paternoster dunes boutique guest house hotel paternoster
LOCATION
South AfricaWestern CapeSaldanha Bay MunicipalityPaternoster
NUMBER OF ROOMS
6
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect average nightly room rates, including taxes and fees that are fixed, known to our partners, and due at time of booking. Please see our partners for more details.
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim Your ListingPATERNOSTER DUNES BOUTIQUE GUEST HOUSE - UPDATED 2025 Guesthouse Reviews & Price Comparison (South Africa)
Frequently Asked Questions about Paternoster Dunes Boutique Guest House
Which popular attractions are close to Paternoster Dunes Boutique Guest House?
Nearby attractions include Paternoster Beach (0.9 km), Stone Fish Studio and Gallery (0.8 km), and Jem & Pantoffels (0.9 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Paternoster Dunes Boutique Guest House?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free breakfast, and a pool.
What food & drink options are available at Paternoster Dunes Boutique Guest House?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, a lounge, and complimentary tea during their stay.
Is parking available at Paternoster Dunes Boutique Guest House?
Yes, free parking and street parking are available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Paternoster Dunes Boutique Guest House?
Conveniently located restaurants include Noisy Oyster, Gaaitjie Restaurant Paternoster, and De See Kat Restaurant.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Paternoster Dunes Boutique Guest House?
Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay.
Is Paternoster Dunes Boutique Guest House located near the city centre?
Yes, it is 0.7 km away from the centre of Paternoster.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Paternoster Dunes Boutique Guest House?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English, Afrikaans, and Xhosa.
Does Paternoster Dunes Boutique Guest House have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the ocean view available here.