The Marine

The Marine Review

In an incomparable cliff-top setting, this venerable hotel has sumptuously decorated rooms. The decor is a tad conventional. There are four-poster beds, and the creams and beiges with touches of blue and white give the hotel a very refined, gentrified air. But the sea-facing rooms, some with private balcony and all with underfloor heating, provide whale-watchers with grandstand views over Walker Bay. The Sun Lounge feels a whole lot more contemporary than the hotel, and you can linger over tea or drinks, and the two restaurants tempt with sophisticated menus. The Pavilion ($$$$), with wonderful views of Walker Bay, serves up-to-the-minute fare. Smoked snoek, calamari, prawn, and herb ravioli is a delicious first course, as is the potato gnocchi with wild mushrooms, cured ham, and celeriac velouté. Mains include roast rack of Karoo lamb with forest-mushroom mille-feuille, roasted beetroot, and lamb jus. Desserts are stunning, making many diners wish they'd left room for more. Make time to visit the hotel's wine cellar, as it specializes in wines from the Walker Bay region.