Perched above Plettenberg Bay, The Plettenberg looks across the Indian Ocean, surrounding beaches and the hills of the Garden Route. The whitewashed buildings keep a residential scale, with rooms and suites using pale fabrics, local artwork and broad windows to make the most of the setting. Two pools occupy sea-facing terraces, while Amelia’s restaurant serves seasonal South African produce and the Sandbar provides a quieter place for drinks. Whales and dolphins are often visible offshore, and the town’s shops sit close by. Robberg Nature Reserve, forest trails and long beaches extend the landscape beyond the hotel’s elevated gardens.