I had never been to St Francis Bay before and I didn’t know what to expect. All I knew was it was a seaside town and would prove a welcome holiday after early mornings on Safari.
But St Francis certainly exceeded my expectations. About an hour’s drive from either Port Elizabeth or Plettenberg Bay, it is an ideal stopover before or after Safari and certainly preferable to PE, which is no great shakes. At St Francis you can avoid the hustle and bustle of the city and instead relax on secluded beaches, watch the waves wash up on shore and indulge in seafood while the rest of the world passes you by.
We arrived at the Sands after a wonderful time on Safari at Kichaka Luxury Game Lodge but we were about ready for some rest and relaxation. And lucky for us, that is exactly what The Sands specialises in! A thatched and intimate guesthouse with just 5 rooms, it exudes that whitewashed and airy feel that is the hallmark of all great seaside retreats.
All the rooms were spacious and boasted wonderful views of the Indian Ocean, with four rooms downstairs and one upstairs with its own private deck and jacuzzi! Light colours and a wooden feel immediately made me feel at home, and far more relaxed than I could ever be in a glitzy hotel. The garden boasted an infinity pool and ended with a set of wooden steps that led straight down to the beach. So the sun, sand and sea were really just footsteps away from our room!
On our first night, we enjoyed a sumptuous supper in the restaurant – chilli prawns to start, followed by fresh linefish and topped off with a decadent dessert of ice-cream and chocolate mousse. And breakfast was just as good, with a selection of cooked dishes to compliment the fresh fruit and baked bread. And the best thing about it all was that I could enjoy my meal while savouring endless views of the deep blue sea.
If the truth be told, we didn’t really explore the Port or the nearby beach of Cape St Francis, but there was no real need to leave the guesthouse. We reclined in the swimming pool at the front and wallowed in the jacuzzi each evening – and when we did leave our sanctuary, it was just a short stroll down to the soft sandy beach and warm Indian Ocean waters.
All in all, The Sands was the ideal place to relax and actually have a holiday!
Contact us to plan your seaside escape to The Sands or tailormake your holiday!