Lairds Lodge is a gracious Cape Dutch estate that speaks of welcoming tranquility. The attentive, friendly service and fine details - from percale linens to the traditional reed ceiling in the main dining room - envelope guests in relaxed luxury. There are several outside terraces to while away an afternoon with a glass of iced tea and a book; the inviting pool provides a wonderful environment to soak up some sunshine and the lounges provide the perfect backdrop on a cooler evening for a pre-dinner drink in front of the wood burning fireplace.
who's been there
Start planning your tailor-made trip by calling one of our South Africa specialists on 01993 838 550
Rooms
The guest rooms are all individually decorated with classic neutral tones and textiles that add a splash of colour. The décor is elegant and modern yet warm, with fixtures and finishing touches that perfectly tie the rooms together for functionality and comfort. The high ceilings enhance the already spacious rooms, as do the private terraces that spill out to the manicured lawns. Rooms are well appointed with en suite bathrooms, air conditioning, private terraces and flat screen TVs. Luxury rooms offer the enhanced features of heated towel rails and minibar fridges.
Location
A drive down the dirt road to Lairds Lodge can provide challenging, but as the main house appears into view, the beautifully maintained gardens welcome you to the estate. Located just eight kilometres from Plettenberg Bay and 23 kilometres from Knysna, guests are able to access the attractions of both with ease.
Food and Drink
Breakfast is quite the affair at Laird’s Lodge, with a wonderful selection of in-season fresh fruit, freshly baked muffins and croissants and cooked to order specialities. If you wish to dine in a restaurant close to the lodge there are not many options, but there is a gourmet restaurant on site for dinner. The restaurant offers a full dining experience from pre-dinner drinks on the veranda to a locally-influenced menu paired with Cape wines.
Families
This is a wonderful option for families travelling the garden route. With sprawling grounds perfect for a leisurely stroll and a koi pond for fish feeding, this property welcomes and caters to guests of all ages.
Honeymooners
The peaceful setting, flowing fabrics and perfectly manicured gardens make this Cape Dutch estate a perfect backdrop for romance.
Facilities and Activities
On site you'll find a well-stocked wine cellar, four cosy fireplaces, a library, a brazier heated courtyard, an outdoor swimming pool, eco-pool and koi pond set in landscaped gardens. Complimentary Wi-Fi can be accessed in reception areas.
Our opinion
The staff are incredibly friendly and are happy to help you plan your stay, ensuring you get the most out of your days. Lairds is perfectly positioned for exploring the entire Garden Route area, from wilderness to the Tsitsikamma forests.
Suggested itineraries featuring Lairds Lodge
Discover South Africa
Explore South Africa's bustling Cape Town, and journey along the scenic Garden Route, ending your trip with a safari in the Eastern Cape.
Highlights of South Africa self-drive
Explore the delights of Cape Town, beautiful Winelands Region and Garden Route on a self-drive itinerary, with time to view big game in the Eastern Cape at the end.
Plettenberg Bay itinerary suggestions
Nearby accommodation
Nearby places
Places & hotels on the map
Alternative places to stay nearby
Where possible, we like to offer a range of accommodation for each stop of your trip, chosen by our specialists as some of their favourite places to stay. To help you make the right choice, we give each property a rating based on its facilities and service, but we also look for hotels with distinct character or a location that can’t be bettered.
Anlin Beach House
As the name suggests, Anlin Beach House is a mere 100 metre walk to the stunning and unspoilt Robberg Beach. With its warm and inviting atmosphere, this popular B&B and self-catering accommodation is the perfect place to unwind in Plettenberg Bay.
Bayside Lodge
Whilst the guest house is simple we feel it offers excellent value within this sought after suburb of Plettenberg Bay and a great base for exploring the area.
Emily Moon River Lodge
Nestled along South Africa’s Garden Route and a short drive away from Plettenberg Bay, Emily Moon River Lodge is situated within the Vlei (wetlands), above the Bitou River. The lodge is set amongst beautiful and tranquil surroundings.
Hog Hollow Country Lodge
Situated in the heart of South Africa’s Garden Route, just 20 minutes from Plettenberg Bay, Hog Hollow Country Lodge offers wonderful scenic views. It is set amongst lush indigenous forest, surrounded by trails, with the Tsitsikamma Mountains in the distance.
Hunter's Country House
Hunter's has all the refined exclusivity of an English country house, but set amidst beautiful African flowers and trees in the heart of the Garden Route.
Kurland
Kurland is famous for helping to bring polo to South Africa, and attracts international polo teams from around the world during the short season.
Periwinkle Guest Lodge
A three storey guest house located adjacent to Robberg Blue Flag Beach and a short drive from Plettenberg Bay, Periwinkle Guest Lodge is the ideal seaside location to relax and unwind after a day of exploration.
The Plettenberg
The Plettenberg is one of the most luxurious options on the Garden Route. An elegant hotel with a wonderful colonial feel, it's situated on a rocky headland overlooking Plettenberg Bay. This is a hotel that really merits its great reputation.
Tsala
The wonderful setting amidst the tree tops, the fantastic rooms with their lovely African décor and the overall standards of comfort and service make this one of the best, and most interesting, places to stay on the Garden Route.
Experiences while staying here
The following activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences of the area where you’re staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident’s eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions. Our specialists can also suggest outdoor pursuits and activities, such as cooking classes, that will introduce you to the traditions of the area’s inhabitants.
Featherbed Cruise
This privately owned nature reserve covers much of the western Knysna Head, and affords wonderful views of the lagoon and ocean, whilst also being far less developed than the eastern, more easily accessible Head.
Sailing & Sea Kayaking
There are a few outfits that offer sailing trips into Plettenberg Bay as well as sea kayaking. Apart from spectacular off-shore coastal scenery, it is very likely that at some stage, a close encounter with the marine animals will occur so you can get very close to them.