It can’t have taken the founders of this establishment long to come up with the name. The glass-
fronted hotel sits right on the vast and gorgeous Wilderness Beach, taking full advantage of its Indian Ocean views. Of course, not all rooms are sea-facing, but those that aren’t still get impressive vistas of the Garden Route’s verdant Outeniqua Mountains.

Rooms are decked out in shades of beige and turquoise, so you feel like you’re at the beach even when the region’s wet winter days prevent any actual sunbathing. Standard rooms are compact but well-designed, with Wi-Fi, iPod docks, flashy bathrooms and many with balconies. If you can afford to splurge though, the honeymoon suites with their wraparound balconies and floor-to-ceiling glass are definitely worth playing the extra for.

The beach is more for strolling along or photographing than for taking a swim – the riptides here can be lethal – but if you fancy a dip there is a small rooftop pool. More alluring though is the cocktail deck with its comfy couches and ocean-facing loungers. At best, you might see dolphins leaping through the waves, at worst, you get to hear the ocean as you watch the sun set, margarita in hand.

The restaurant serves the usual range of dishes, including steaks, seafood, and warming stews for the winter months when the wind can really let rip. A nice touch is the fact that you can eat in your room at no extra cost – ideal if you just can’t pull yourself away from the view. If you do decide to eat out, there’s a cluster of restaurants a short drive away though nothing much within walking distance.

With the beach so visible from every corner, a lot of people neglect to actually set foot on the sand, but do take the 100-or-so steps leading from the hotel down to the coast. And after you’ve pulled yourself back up them, reward yourself in the hotel’s spa.