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5.0
#3 of 14 hotels in Plettenberg Bay
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.
Bathed in dazzling sunshine, The Old Rectory Hotel & Spa is a luxurious hideaway just a few sandy steps from the beach in Plettenberg Bay. The charming heritage building – a National Monument which has been immaculately restored and reimagined as an enchanting boutique hotel – comprises 18 stylish suites as well as a sparkling swimming pool with a deck shaded by ancient milkwoods, a tranquil in-house spa and a popular bistro-inspired restaurant. The hotel is also perfectly positioned for days of fun and exploration, providing easy access to Plett's wide, white-sand beaches, the long, narrow Keurbooms Lagoon, the dense indigenous forests that unfold along the coastline and the raw beauty of the Robberg Nature Reserve.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Trendy
Romantic
Languages Spoken
Afrikaans
Location
Cnr Bull and Meeding Street Corner Meeding Street, Plettenberg Bay 6600 South Africa
The Old Rectory
232 reviews
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.
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The Old Rectory Hotel emerges as a favorite for its enviable location, nestled conveniently between serene beaches and the bustling town center. Guests laud the spacious and well-appointed rooms, although an isolated remark about cleanliness does surface.
The hotel's gleaming cleanliness, historic charm, and a plethora of amenities including delectable dining options contribute to its appeal. While opinions on value vary, the exceptional service and warm, elegant atmosphere are consistently praised, with many visitors noting the attentive staff and inviting ambiance as highlights of their stay.
Location
Convenient
Atmosphere
Elegant
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Remarkable
Cleanliness
Pristine
Service
Attentive
Amenities
Outstanding
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Despite the rating I have given, this review has caused me a bit of difficulty because we stayed when it wasn't at all busy - maybe only one third of the rooms occupied but because it was so quiet it suited us really well and feel that, had it been much fuller it would have put a strain on the facilities. So, in the end we were glad and so thought it excellent, particularly as we secured our stay at way below the headline rate. The place is charming. You can hear the sea (only a stroll away) but not see it. The room we had was reasonably sized (we had a garden room) which was reasonably private and quite well appointed although the bed was softer than others we have had in properties with the same rating. We were shown a pool view room on request but preferred ours. The communal pool and deck area was very pleasant but facilities may be stretched if it was busy - only 10 sunbeds and a small plunge pool. The breakfast was very good and freshly cooked items can be ordered. We ate in the 1777 restaurant twice and I'll write a separate review for that. All the staff were very friendly and helpful, providing very good service - more staff than guests during our stay. Had we stayed during a busy period and paid the full rate I think we would not have enjoyed it nearly so much and expected a property on the beach with bigger rooms for the associated rate. This presents us a problem when considering a return as you wouldn't know the occupancy until you arrive. A higher price would also deter us for the facilities provided. Maybe the normal high price deters bookings so, bizarrely, we benefitted all round.
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Date of stay: January 2020
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 Samantha Swart, General Manager at The Old Rectory
Responded 07 May 2021
Dear Sagatourist, We are happy to hear that you enjoyed your stay with us and that the service was friendly and efficient. Naturally, hotel occupancy will fluctuate throughout the year, however, as a hotel that has run at 100% occupancy for a few seasons, we run the facilities quite smoothly and with ease during the busier periods. Thankfully the facilities have been designed to cater for the amount of guests we can accommodate, and still keep its charm and heritage. Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. We look forward to your next visit. Warm Regards, The Old Rector Family
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This is a wonderful little boutique hotel in the heart heart of Plett, just a few hundred meters from the Beacon Isle beach. Our stay was faultless - big beds with quality linen, great toiletries, a massive hot shower, lots of attention to detail. The hotel itself is decorated with care and attention, with great art and interesting features eveywhere you look. We enjoyed a drink in the little bar as well as dinner in the restaurant, and again, everything was delicious, the staff were amazing and we loved it. The breakfast was so generous that we felt stuffed (scones! oats! eggs! smoothies! the list goes on). We loved our stay here and wouldn't hesitate recommending it or stay there again next time we are in town.
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Date of stay: April 2021
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 Samantha Swart, General Manager at The Old Rectory
Responded 05 May 2021
Dear emmainsa, We greatly appreciate your positive feedback. We are so happy to hear that your experience with us and the team was faultless. We take pride in our beautiful property and have done our best to honour its history through our attention to detail. Thank you for choosing to stay with us and we hope to welcome you back in the future. Warm Regards, The Old Rectory Family
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Old, heritage building with all the modern amenities! Rooms are large and spacious with open, walk-in rain shower and open separated bath tub. I loved the remote controlled fan! The white paint gives this property a classic look, chic and elegant. The surroundings are full of lush greenery. Beach is within a few minutes walk. You will wake up in the morning to a choir of local birds! They have great staff, always with a smile on their face, passionately trying to make each guests stay a memorable one. Sam from front desk was phenomenal. They take pride in explaining the history of this property. I’m sure they love working here as much as I enjoyed my stay there. A must stay when you are in the garden route!
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Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Travelled on business
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 Samantha Swart, General Manager at The Old Rectory
Responded 07 May 2021
Dear Inasu Chirayath, Your kind words are deeply appreciated. We do take pride in our History and thoroughly enjoy being part of such a remarkable team. Being able to bring such a beautiful piece of history back to life is quite special but being able to share it with people is what makes it magical. We are so happy to hear that your experience with us was a memorable one and trust that we loved having you here as much as we love working here. Thank you for choosing to stay with us and we hope to have the privilege of welcoming you back in the future. Warm Regards, The Old Rectory Family
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If you’re looking for excellence on every level, The Old Rectory Boutique Hotel & Spa ticks all the boxes!
From the moment you arrive, you’re greeted by friendly staff who’s only aim is to please and serve with a spontaneous, vibrant attitude that adds to the atmosphere of this little gem.
The decor and art works will make you pause on your way to your elegantly decorated bedroom with the beautiful pool deck that entices you to simply never want to leave the hotel.
The food is of such high standards and presented so well that every dish is a piece of art on a plate! As you enjoy your well presented and excellent meal, you can hear the roaring ocean, a meagre 30 meters from the Hotel.
The Spa is peaceful and presents you with options to enjoy, relax and rejuvenate your mind and body.
We cannot wait to visit here again! Do not pass through Plett and miss staying here! One night will become three and more!
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Date of stay: February 2021Trip 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 Samantha Swart, General Manager at The Old Rectory
Responded 05 May 2021
Dear Stephanie D, Thank you for taking the time to write such an amazing review. Your kind words spark an incredible amount of pride. We are genuinely thrilled to hear that your overall experience with us was remarkable. We understand the importance and value of each interaction and through this understanding, we all work towards the same goal which is meeting and exceeding our guests expectations. We hope to have the honour of welcoming you back in the near future. Sincerely, The Old Rectory Family
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Position, position position! I adored everything about this hotel. Never have I ever experienced such attention to detail. (Not even at the Corinthia in London which used to be my favourite hotel.) We were greeted with ice cold elderberry flavoured water and the final touch of our stay was receiving a brown paper packet with glass bottled water and crunchie cookie snacks. I can list at least another 20 unique little touches, but I do not want to be the person that ruins all the delightful surprises. The decor is sublime - elegant, earthy and the thought provoking original art displayed throughout the establishment pulls the story of this renovated historical treasure together. We found all the staff super friendly and professional to a "T". The GM is a gem and has trained the team to a well oiled machine. Two of my favourite touches were the flamingo's in the main guest WC and all the Gluten Free options offered on the Breakfast buffet. We will definitely return - planning a romantic winter getaway in the area. Counting the sleeps:)
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Date of stay: December 2019
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:Â We loved our Garden Suite with the private garden.
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.
We recently stayed for 3 nights at this wonderful accommodation, it was delightful from the moment we entered the reception and were greeted with the warmest welcome by Jessica and immediately felt at home. We were given a brief history and tour of the building which is the oldest in Plettenberg and made us feel extra special. It is a lovely boutique hotel only a few minutes walk to the beach. There are only a small number of suites which make it feel intimate and they are beautifully furnished with a nice balcony overlooking the gardens and pool. The restaurant offers a varied menu and our evening meal was one of the best we had in SA, and was complimented with wonderful wines and service. Lunches and breakfast were also excellent. We will always have amazing memories of our special time at the Old Rectory, THANK-YOU
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: October 2022
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 Samantha Swart, General Manager at The Old Rectory
Responded 12 Nov 2022
Dear Travel Buds, this incredible review of yours has touched our hearts. Thank you so much for taking the time to share it with us. It is always so rewarding to have guests like yourselves that remind us why we do what we do. From the moment you arrived, you met everyone with kindness and appreciation and for that, you will never be forgotten. To know that your dining experience was one of the best you had in SA is an honour that cannot be expressed with words. Thank you for noticing every small detail and the effort that was put into it, it truly inspires us to keep going the extra mile. If ever you find yourselves back in SA and in the area, we will be here to welcome you back with open arms. Wishing you all the best and a prosperous festive season. The Old Rectory Family
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This was our first night in South Africa and this small guest house set the bar high for the rest of our holiday. The Old Rectory is in a quiet residential area, very close to the beautiful Hobie Beach. We arrived in a power outage - the Old Rectory has no generator - but still received a bright and friendly welcome. In fact all the staff were super helpful and went out of their way to make sure we had everything we needed.
We ate in the restaurant in the evening - the food was excellent. I can particularly recommend the butternut squash soup and the lobster bisque. Breakfast was served either in the restaurant (1777, so called because the hotel is the oldest surviving building in Plett, built in 1777) or the terrace outside where we were charmed by the birds. The banana bread French toast was simply delicious.
All in all a perfect base for exploring the area (Tsitsikamma is a must).
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: September 2022
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 Samantha Swart, General Manager at The Old Rectory
Responded 06 Nov 2022
Dear JEP01, thank you for taking the time to share such a charming review. We are honoured that you chose to spend your first night in SA with us and even more so that you enjoyed every aspect of your stay. We take great pride in providing quality service and ensuring a memorable stay for our guests. We are delighted to know we achieved just that. Thank you for validating the team and for recommending the restaurant. Please know that your kind words have been shared with chef Dayne and the team. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back in the future. The Old Rectory Family
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The Old Rectory is the perfect place to stay while exploring the Garden Route. Located close to the beach, it has an exceptional staff. A special mention must be made of Jessica who went out of her way to make us comfortable. She seemed to be everywhere - at the reception, at the restaurant, in your room (if you asked for something). The rest of the staff were also very courteous and hospitable. We had a wonderful 3 day stay at this property. Would love to go back.
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Date of stay: January 2020
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 Samantha Swart, General Manager at The Old Rectory
Responded 07 May 2021
Dear ANJUGOELA, Thank you for your wonderful review. We are delighted to hear that your stay with us and that your experience with our team was exceptional. The value of hospitality is immeasurable. Being able to positively influence our guests travelling experience is truly a gift. We hope to have the privilege of welcoming you back in the future, hopefully for a longer stay. Warm Regards, The Old Rectory Family
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Very pricey as we stayed over the New Year period but….we loved it. The pool area and service is fantastic. Private and sheltered from the wind (the beach is a 30sec walk away). We easily spent a whole day relaxing by the pool. The staff went all out for NYE, the dinner, entertainment and service was soooooo nice. Lots of little details that made the night special. Even got a box of delicious biscuits with a nice New Years message as a gift.
Enjoyed the boardgames available to guests. Scrabble was a fun activity pool-side with a cocktail.
We were in room #1, with only one other neighbour and a private courtyard. Very nice.
The rooms are affected by loadshedding (no wifi, tv or electrical outlets will work). Power is still on in the reception area where you can access the wifi if required.
We really enjoyed Plettenberg Bay and this hotel in particular.
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Date of stay: December 2022Trip 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 Samantha Swart, General Manager at The Old Rectory
Responded 21 Jan 2023
Dear Gresch, thank you for taking the time to share such a lovely review with us, it is highly appreciated. Our pool deck is definitely a favorite amongst many, a space to lose track of time and be perfectly okay with it. We are overjoyed to know that you enjoyed your New Year's Eve dinner with us, we always try to think of everything as it’s the small details that always mean the most. Thank you for choosing to go into the new year with us. Wishing you all the best and we hope to welcome you back in the future. The Old Rectory Family
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We stayed at The Old Rectory as part of our honeymoon. The room was spacious with really nice linen and the bed was very comfortable. The shower had great pressure and there were luxury bath products. There was a fantastic breakfast selection from fruit platters to baked treats to egg dishes. The staff were all friendly and full of helpful suggestions of what to do and where to eat. The beach is in walking distance and we saw so many whales and dolphins. We had such a great time!
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: October 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 Samantha Swart, General Manager at The Old Rectory
Responded 07 May 2021
Dear Kate407, We are delighted to hear that your time with us was so special and that your interactions with our team were friendly and helpful. It is always magical to see whales and dolphins in our Bay and you just so happened to be on your honeymoon too! Thank you for choosing to spend such a special occasion with us and we hope to welcome you back in the future. Congratulations once again! Wishing the two of you all the best and an abundance of love and unforgettable moments. Warm Regards, The Old Rectory Family
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There are more places to choose from in the Plettenberg Bay area.
PRICE RANGE
RÂ 9,166 - RÂ 11,961 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
South AfricaWestern CapePlettenberg Bay
NUMBER OF ROOMS
18
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.
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