Coot Club: Port Boathouse

On the water’s edge of the Klein River estuary is Coot Club – a dreamy, retro-inspired holiday resort and conservation wonderland just outside of Stanford. It’s the ultimate weekend getaway, where abundant birdlife flits through the fynbos and 400-year-old milkwood thicket surrounds a scattering of stone cottages and the historic Spookhuis. That “ghosthouse” is now the Clubhouse, around which all the action happens. It’s a natural playground perfect for a fun-filled family getaway, with action-packed days of water-play and several accommodation options. 

Choose between three boathouses (Starboard and Stern have two bedrooms, while Port has three), four one-bedroom stone cottages (two Leeward Suites and two Leeward Large, with a sleeper couch for a child) and the recently renovated Lawns stone house, which boasts three bedrooms and a four-bed loft ‘dorm’ area.

Good to know
There is a minimum two-night stay and a daily conservation levy of R275 per adult guest. Breakfast is complimentary, and a childminding service is available (extra fee).

THE LODGINGS

The tin-roofed, timber-walled, nautical-themed Boathouses are sure to make your stay extra-special. Port Boathouse is ideal for a family or group of friends, with three bedrooms, sofa beds for two additional children under the age of 13, vaulted ceilings and lagoon views.

Bedrooms + bathrooms

• 3 bedrooms (two beds and two twin beds), plus two sofa beds
• 3 bathrooms (two ensuite and one separate)
• Bathroom amenities

Indoor + outdoor living

• Complimentary WiFi in public areas
• Open-plan living area (lounge, dining and kitchen) 
• Wood-burning fireplace
• Fully equipped kitchen
• Tea and coffee facilities
• Snug room with two sofa beds
• Verandah/deck and private garden

THINGS TO DO

On the property

• Swimming in two pools, the lagoon or ocean
• Paddling on the lagoon (kayaks and SUPs supplied)
• Explore on a fatbike (supplied)
• Lawns for games (boules, volleyball, etc)
• Games room with foosball, table tennis, pool table and board games
• Morning yoga
• Picnics, braais and meals at the Clubhouse
• Daily sundowners on the jetty 
• Nature walks, including to Walker Bay Beach
• Whale-watching from the dunes (in season)
• Guided quad-biking
• Sandboarding trips
• Motorised watersports and sailing

In the area

• Explore the village of Stanford, its shops and weekly farmers market
• River cruises on the Klein River
• Wine farms
• Visit Hermanus or Gansbaai