A beach guesthouse on the Indian Ocean

On the Beach is a guesthouse in Wilderness, a town along South Africa’s famous Garden Route, the amazing scenic road that follows the south-west coast, lapped by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. In the course of just two years the establishment has won two major awards: the World Luxury Hotel Award in 2016 and the five star rating of South Africa’s Tourism Grading Council in 2017. A balmy climate permits outdoor living all year round and visitors flock to the area’s long sandy beaches to enjoy an extensive offering of activities from canoeing to climbing, surfing, mountain biking and hang gliding, and, of course, to relax in peaceful natural surroundings.
Some twenty minutes by car from George airport and only a few minutes on foot from the centre of Wilderness with its boutiques and restaurants, On the Beach boasts a truly unique position: this guesthouse really is built “on the beach”. The super-fine, golden sand can be accessed down a few steps from the large terrace-solarium, which is sheltered from the sea breeze by a continuous clear glass wall.
The visitor reception area includes a comfortable lounge, dinner and bar areas and overlooks the solarium where breakfasts, light lunches and drinks are served. The area alongside is furnished as an open-air relaxation space, with sun loungers and large umbrellas. A second solarium on the first floor faces north towards the green foothills of the Outeniqua mountains, and provides the perfect place for soaking up the warm sun in winter. With its seven luxury suites, six of which boast large glass façades facing the beach, waves and surf, this boutique guesthouse was built to satisfy all the requirements of five-star accommodation. The interior is decorated in various shades of white, complemented by the delicate hues of wood furniture and panelling and enriched by marine colours in the lounge and on the fabrics of the upholstery and cushions.
For the floor, the designers selected Echo porcelain tiles from Monocibec, a ceramic material that conveys an impression of hand-crafted pine wood. Siusi colour tiles, in a large 16.20 x 100 cm format, create an environment that shimmers with light. This choice was inspired by the gentle slopes of the Siusi Alps, another favourite destination for travellers, and by the delicate lines of the beaches around Wilderness, for which the tiles are a perfect match.
Each suite has its own large “salle d’eau” with shower and freestanding bath, and a mini-living area in one corner. Comfortable armchairs provide the perfect seating for reading, listening to music, talking and, when the time is right, quiet contemplation. The scene through the glass doors is unrivalled: the vast horizon is punctuated only by the waves of the ocean breaking on the beach and lulling guests to sleep at night with their regular rhythm.