Sandcastle is an approx. 1600 square meters lodge that can best be described as ‘African Moorish Adobe’ and is quite organic in its structure, but extremely opulent and luxurious in its proportions and incorporates the magnificent views of the coast and the valleys, which can be seen from all the bedrooms and living areas.
The 2 master bedroom suites each have a king size bed and TV. The 2 other en suite bedrooms have two 3/4 beds each. The annex provides accommodation in two bedrooms, one with a king size bed and the other with two 3\4 beds, sharing one large bathroom plus shower and a large lounge cum kitchen. The integrated design of the gourmet kitchen allows the cook to still enjoy the vistas and converse with the other guests. There are 2 electric ovens and an electric hob, in addition to the gas grill and two gas cooker plates. There is a large walk in cold room and freezer room and a smaller refrigerator in the kitchen for continuous use. The separate scullery is equipped with a dishwasher. The TV/playroom is equipped with the latest technology regarding audio-visual. The lounge is the ideal place to enjoy a drink from the walk in bar and watch the magnificent African sunsets, or on those colder days enjoy sitting here in front of one of the many large open wood-burning fireplaces found through out the house. Should you need to contact home or the office, the study is equipped with a computer with Internet connection. The front patio looks out over a large heated rim-flow swimming pool, to a great view of the beach and the sea. On windy days the central courtyard protects you while you swim in the small heated plunge pool or eat your pizza from the outside pizza oven. The Lodge is fully serviced from 07H00 to 16h30 every day by women from the nearby village. Their duties include cleaning, laundry, making fires, laying the table and preparing fruit salad for breakfast in the morning.

At Wesley, there is a very good coffee shop the Cottage Kitchen that offers snacks and lunches. Their trading hours are 08H30 to 17H00 daily. Should you require lunches or dinners to be prepared for you at the Lodge, the proprietor of the coffee shop, Jenny Moodie, will do so providing this is arranged 48 hours before.

The Fish River Sun Hotel (20Km) has an 18 hole golf course, two restaurants and the restaurant at the Impequeni Sun Hotel, which is 15km down the road, offers a nice Sunday Buffet lunch.(Booking advisable)
Port Alfred, which is 50km west of the Lodge, is a small town with an interesting marina development and at least 10 different eating places. Here you will find doctors, dentist, a hospital and several supermarkets as well as all the other stores that you are likely to be looking for. Antiques and brick-a-brac shops are here in abundance
En route to Port Alfred, the Great Fish River estuary is a wonderful sight. This of course was the border that the Xhosas and the early settlers fought so strongly for. The bird life and the fishing here are superb.
Should you want to travel further, Bathhurst is a quaint settlers town, 15Km outside Port Alfred with the oldest pub in South Africa – offers great pub lunches. This small village even has a lady who believes in fairies, well then who doesn’t?!! You can visit her little original settlers cottage and buy a fairy or gnome. At the top of the hill you will find the sentinel, which commemorates the place from where the 1820 settlers set off to go and find their farms.
Grahamstown (95Km) is an historic academic town, with Rhodes University and some of the finest schools in our country. The town is charming with great museums and architecture. We can recommend a very good B& B there, Aucklands, for those who want to spend a night or two.
The Garden Route begins at Port Elizabeth, which is your gateway to some of the most scenic drives you will see on your way to Cape Town.

Jeanette and Barry have 2 daughters, Cara aged 19 and Romy aged 15. Barry's business interests have included timber, aviation, property developement and the safari industry. Jeanette's are facilities planning and human resources as well as charitable work for Freeme Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre. We live in Sandhurst, Johannesburg South Africa and visit Sandcastle most school vacations throughout the year as the weather there is pretty good year round. With a suitable exchange property we might take another family along with us.