Hotels with a Pool in Hermanus
Hermanus has a pool for every kind of stay, because the town spreads from the Old Harbour along Walker Bay to Voelklip, Sandbaai and the Kleinriver Lagoon. The hotels on this page include a tidal pool on the cliff, an infinity pool on the beachfront, rooftop pools at the harbour, heated pools and garden pools. I compare them by pool type and by what surrounds the water: the Cliff Path, the beach, a spa or a hot tub. The sections below explain how the cliff, the harbour and the beach areas differ, so you can choose the setting first and the pool second.
Hermanus is a seaside town on Walker Bay, known for whale watching from the Cliff Path, its Old Harbour and the Whale House Museum. The sea is cold and the surf strong at times, which makes hotel pools and tidal pools popular. Restaurants and galleries sit close to the water, and the Kleinriver Lagoon is a calmer alternative.
Tidal Pools, Infinity Pools and Heated Pools
On the Cape coast the sea is cold and the surf can be strong, so a hotel pool is the easier way to swim, especially with children. This page lists hotels with a tidal pool, an infinity pool, a rooftop pool, a heated pool and a year-round outdoor pool. I read each description for the pool type and what comes with it, and I note when a pool is the main feature and when the hotel is better known for its location. The Marine Hermanus, W-Collection Esplanade Hermanus and Harbour House Hotel are among the most useful options.
The Marine Hermanus is a cliff-top hotel overlooking Walker Bay with direct access to a tidal pool and the cliff path, plus spa and pool facilities and sea, mountain or garden views. Guests rate it 9.3 out of 10. W-Collection Esplanade Hermanus has direct beachfront access, an outdoor swimming pool, a sun terrace and sea-view rooms, and some units have private pools. More than two thousand guests rate it 9.3 out of 10. These two are the best places for a pool with the sea beside it, and both work well for couples and for families.
Harbour House Hotel in the old harbour area has several parts. Harbour Square rooms have a rooftop pool and ocean views, Manor House rooms have direct beachfront access and an infinity swimming pool beside a sun terrace and a lush garden, and Adventure Pads has a year-round outdoor swimming pool and a garden. The hotel also has a wine bar and a restaurant. I would choose it for a harbour stay with a pool, and I would ask which building you are booking, because the pools differ from one to another.
One Marine Drive Boutique Hotel & Spa has a seafront location, a heated outdoor pool and a sun terrace, with sea-view balconies and a short stroll to the cliff path. Mosselberg on Grotto Beach is a boutique villa in Voelklip with a heated pool, a courtyard and self-catering rooms, a short walk from the beach, and guests rate it 9.4 out of 10. The Gregoire Boutique Villa has an outdoor pool and a hot tub, with easy access to the Cliff Path. Heated pools make these three good for cooler days.
Misty Waves Boutique Hotel has a lush garden with an outdoor pool, balconies over the Atlantic and spa treatments, a few metres from the historic centre. Schulphoek Seafront Boutique Hotel is beachfront in Sandbaai, with an outdoor pool, a garden and a complimentary shuttle around Hermanus. The Thatch House Boutique Hotel stands on the Kleinriver Lagoon with an outdoor pool and a tennis court, and guests rate it 9.7 out of 10. Birkenhead House lists a pool and a spa on a beachfront between two swimming beaches, so it suits a quiet, upscale stay.
A traveller's takeI recommend The Marine Hermanus if you want a pool with the sea beside it, because it has direct access to a tidal pool and the cliff path. For an infinity pool on the beachfront, I would choose Harbour House Hotel - Manor House. For a heated pool and sea-view balconies, my pick is One Marine Drive Boutique Hotel & Spa.
9.7PoolThe Thatch House Boutique Hotel, Hermanus
Elegant boutique hotel on Kleinriver Lagoon with pool and tennis
The Thatch House suits families and couples who like water and a refined setting. It sits on the banks of the Kleinriver Lagoon, and elegant suites look over the lagoon, the garden or the mountains. Guests can use the outdoor pool and the tennis court, and the hotel can arrange lagoon cruises or paddling and various dining experiences. Hermanus lies outside any malaria risk area. The location is secluded rather than in the middle of town.
9.5PoolThe Gregoire Boutique Villa
Boutique villa with ocean views, a pool, and hot tub near Cliff Path
The Gregoire Boutique Villa in Hermanus has individually decorated suites that mix modern comforts with old-world charm, many with terraces overlooking the sea, the pool or the garden. An outdoor pool and a hot tub are on site, and the Cliff Path is within easy reach for whale watching, cycling and hiking. The setting is refined, so it suits couples and families with older children. Guests give it 9.5 across 8 reviews.
9.4PoolMosselberg on Grotto Beach
Boutique villa near Grotto Beach with a heated pool and sea views
Mosselberg suits small families and couples who want a self-catering villa a short walk from Grotto Beach in Voelklip. Rooms have kitchenettes, and the heated pool and the courtyard are the places to sit. Sea views come from select areas and balconies. Golf, cycling and watersports are nearby. Hermanus lies outside any malaria risk area. There is no full hotel service, so plan on cooking or eating out.
9.3PoolThe W-Collection Esplanade Hermanus
Beachfront Hermanus stay with sea views, private pools, and a spa
The W-Collection Esplanade suits families who want to be directly on the beach in Hermanus. Rooms have air-conditioning, kitchen facilities, private bathrooms and a balcony or terrace, with sea views, and family rooms are available. Some units have private pools, which parents may like. The outdoor pool, the sun terrace, the restaurant and bar with outdoor seating and the spa round out the stay. Hermanus lies outside any malaria risk area.
9.3PoolThe Marine Hermanus
Cliff-top elegance with sea views and direct tidal pool access in Hermanus
The Marine Hermanus is a five-star cliff-top hotel overlooking Walker Bay, with elegant rooms that have sea, mountain or garden views. Guests have direct access to a tidal pool and the cliff path, and there are dining options and a lounge for local wines. Spa and pool facilities are on site, and the hotel is described as family-friendly. A 9.3 rating from 855 reviews is outstanding. I would recommend it for couples and for families wanting a refined seaside stay.
9.2PoolBirkenhead House
Luxury beachfront suites with spa, pool, and wine estate access
Birkenhead House is a luxury beachfront hotel in Hermanus, set between two prime swimming beaches. Its suites are individually decorated, and the property has a spa, wellness facilities and a pool. The Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, known for its wine estates, is a short drive away. A 9.2 rating from 47 reviews is outstanding, though the sample is small. I would recommend it for couples and honeymooners who want the sea and a refined stay.
8.9PoolSchulphoek Seafront Boutique Hotel
Beachfront boutique hotel with an outdoor pool and shuttle service
Schulphoek is a beachfront boutique hotel in Sandbaai, best for families who value calm and design over activity. Bedrooms are spacious and modern, there is an outdoor pool and a garden, and the original mid-century art and furniture give the hotel its character. A complimentary shuttle runs around Hermanus, so you can explore without a car, and the concierge desk helps with plans. A seasonal restaurant is on site. Hermanus lies outside any malaria risk area.
8.7PoolHarbour House Hotel - Harbour Square
Sea-view family rooms with balconies, a pool, and spa facilities in Hermanus
Harbour House Hotel at Harbour Square in Hermanus has family rooms with sea views and balconies, which is the main draw. Each room has air conditioning, a private bathroom, a work desk and free WiFi. Guests can use an outdoor swimming pool and spa facilities, and there is a restaurant serving lunch, a bar and an outdoor dining area. Free on-site private parking is included. Guests score it 8.7 across 137 reviews.
8.7PoolMisty Waves Boutique Hotel
Luxury boutique hotel with ocean-view balconies and a private cinema
Misty Waves Boutique Hotel is a four-star property just metres from Hermanus' historic centre. Rooms are chic and elegant, some with balconies over the Atlantic Ocean, and a lush garden holds an outdoor pool and a private cinema. Spa treatments are available, and the Cliff Path for whale watching is easy to reach. An 8.7 rating from 1,194 reviews is very good. I would recommend it for couples and whale-watching stays.
8.7PoolHarbour House Hotel
Ocean-view hotel in Hermanus with a wine bar and multiple pools
Harbour House Hotel is in Hermanus's old harbour area, with ocean views and a wine bar. Guests choose between Harbour Square rooms with a rooftop pool and self-catering suites, or Manor House rooms with garden and pool views from a balcony or patio. The mix suits couples and families who like to self-cater. An 8.7 rating from 1,124 reviews is strong and well tested.
8.6PoolOne Marine Drive Boutique Hotel & Spa by The Living Journey Collection
Seafront boutique hotel with heated pool and cliff path access in Hermanus
One Marine Drive suits families who want a quiet seafront base in Hermanus. The heated outdoor pool and the sun terrace are the focal points, and stylish air-conditioned rooms include some with sea-view balconies. The famous cliff path is a short stroll away, which makes coastal walks easy with children. Hermanus lies outside any malaria risk area. It is a quiet, elegant boutique stay rather than a resort with activities.
8.1PoolHarbour House Hotel - Adventure Pads
Family-friendly hotel in Hermanus with a pool and city-centre location
Harbour House Hotel Adventure Pads is a city-centre base in Hermanus, a short walk from the Old Harbour. Family rooms have air conditioning, a private bathroom and free WiFi. The garden, terrace and year-round outdoor swimming pool give children somewhere to burn energy, and the restaurant serves South African cuisine alongside a bar. Free on-site private parking is included. Guests score it 8.1 across 104 reviews, so expect a simple, practical stay.
7.4PoolHarbour House Hotel - Manor House
Beachfront hotel with an infinity pool, spa, and sea-view balconies
Harbour House Manor House suits families who want direct access to the beach in Hermanus. There is an infinity pool, a sun terrace and a lush garden, and rooms have private bathrooms with bathrobes, free WiFi and sea-view balconies. Parents can use the spa and the hot tub. The restaurant serves lunch and an à la carte breakfast, and the bar is relaxed. The location is central and a little busy, which is convenient for exploring Hermanus.
Local tips
- Choose the pool type first: a tidal pool at The Marine Hermanus, an infinity pool at Harbour House Hotel - Manor House, or a heated pool at One Marine Drive Boutique Hotel & Spa.
- Ask which building you are booking at Harbour House Hotel, because Harbour Square, Manor House and Adventure Pads have different pools.
- For cooler days, look at the heated pools at One Marine Drive Boutique Hotel & Spa and Mosselberg on Grotto Beach.
- For a pool with a hot tub, look at The Gregoire Boutique Villa, which lists an outdoor pool and a hot tub.
- The sea can be cold and the surf strong on the Cape coast, so a hotel pool is the easy choice for children.
- Combine a swim with a walk on the Cliff Path, which is close to The Marine Hermanus and Misty Waves Boutique Hotel.