Coot Club- Klein River Lagoon, South Africa
The first thing that strikes you about Coot Club is its stunning natural setting. Sitting on the banks of the Klein River estuary, in a 465 hectare private conservation area, backed by the verdant Maanschynkop Mountains, it’s a wildlife haven, with one of the world’s most prolific whale nurseries just off the coast. Its relaxed, country club style living, where guests can make themselves at home in one of the cottages or boathouses, dipping in and out of the clubhouse and its convivial restaurant.
There’s plenty to occupy you – from whale watching to wine tasting, and you have a dedicated concierge team on hand to organise it all for you.
At A Glance
Luxury Lodge
Why We Love It:
For its quite spectacular setting, at oneness with nature and the array of activities at your fingertips.Style:
Contemporary country club chic.Location:
On the banks of the Klein River Lagoon, at the foot of the Maanschynkop Mountains and on the edge of Walker Bay Nature Reserve.Rooms:
Stone cottages amongst milkwood trees with firepits in their gardens, and contemporary style boathouses overlooking the lagoon.Swimming:
The waters of the lagoon and two pools.Children:
An idyllic location for families, with plenty to do.Accessibility:
There are no facilities for guests with limited mobility.rooms
Inspired by the characterful villages in the area, especially Stanford, the stone cottages and boathouses are a mix of cosy tradition and contemporary design. Everything is serviced daily and each one is very private. There’s a strong nautical theme here, with the Leeward Quarters featuring double rooms, some with the space for an extra bed for a child. The Lawns Quarters is a pretty stone house with two ensuite double rooms and a loft room that can sleep up to four children.
With plenty of outside space, it comes with a BBQ, firepit, as well as a mezzanine balcony. Close to the water, with large verandas, stunning views and plenty of very comfortable living space, the Boathouses range from two to three bedrooms. They also feature kitchens, making them ideal for independent travelers. The Stone Cottages are rustic modern in design, beautifully spacious and also come with a kitchen. Set amongst milkwood groves, they are secluded and range from one to two bedrooms.
food
Guests have the freedom to choose between independent catering, or taking advantage of the very flexible (and delicious) offering in the Clubhouse. From breakfast, to an à la carte lunch, and through to a daily changing dinner menu, the focus is on authentic home cooking, showcasing South Africa’s fabulous culinary culture. And just down the road in Stanford, you’ll find an excellent selection of restaurants.
activities
Nature and wildlife lovers will be in seventh heaven here – with the mountains behind, the ocean in front and miles of pristine beaches. The Walker Bay Nature Reserve and estuary have an important and flourishing bird population, where you’ll find over 120 species. There are numerous nature walks you can take – book a guide who can point out many of the things you might miss.
There are complimentary kayaks and paddle boards for exploring the waters of the estuary, as well as wake boarding, waterskiing and sailing. And if you’re more of a land lover, there are bikes for guests’ use. Beach based whale watching tours are hugely popular (the season runs from July to November), whilst boat tours to see these magnificent creatures are taken from nearby Gansbaai. Spend an afternoon in pretty Stanford or Hermanus, with their cafés, galleries and boutiques, or explore the Overberg region and Hemel-en-Aarde Valley and their vineyards. Back in time for a sundowner on your terrace or the clubhouse lawns.
family
Families are perfectly catered for at Coot Club. Much of the accommodation is designed for families in mind; there are plentiful activities on land and on water, a play zone and childminding available.
sustainability
Coot Club is fiercely protective of this exceptionally stunning part of the Western Cape, with conservation at its heart. Each guest directly contributes to the protection of the surrounding ecosystem, with a Conservation Levy, which includes much endangered plant life. The club supports education outreach programmes and is involved in monitoring much of the region’s unique wildlife.
Location
South Africa, Africa
On the banks of the Klein River Lagoon, at the foot of the Maanschynkop Mountains and on the edge of Walker Bay Nature Reserve, close to the village of Stanford. It’s just half an hour from Hermanus and two from Cape Town.
