South African leisure and hotel management company First Group has recently added two resorts in the Western and Eastern Cape to its management stable.

Shaun Lamont, MD of First Group, says the acquisition of Brookes Hill Suites in Gqeberha, and Hermanus Beach Club in Hermanus – famous for its whale watching – will broaden the group’s offering. 

Hermanus Beach Club, built on the rocky coastline of Hermanus in the Overberg district, is 100km from Cape Town. All units have their own built-in braai, selected DStv channels and a private balcony or patio offering partial sea views. The well-equipped kitchens suit its self-catering status.

The Beach Club has entertainment for all ages, including tennis and squash courts, adult and children's swimming pools, putt-putt, a gym, pool tables and communal braai areas. Hermanus has several tourist attractions like the blue-flag Grotto Beach, as well as its famous whale-watching opportunities and well-known wineries, including Creation Wines.  

Brookes Hill Suites overlooks Algoa Bay in Gqeberha, and the ocean is just 200m away. Just a minute’s walk from a top-rated beach, the resort features an outdoor pool, and each apartment has a patio or balcony, WiFi, a fully equipped kitchen, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, and private parking. Gas braais are available on request, and guests can also enjoy a communal wood-burning braai in an area next to the gazebo.

“Brookes Hill Suites lends itself to the traditional family beach holiday and is well-positioned for keen walkers and bikers,” said Lamont. The Boardwalk Casino, Shamwari Game Reserve, Splash Waterworld, dolphin- and whale-watching excursions, the 18-hole Humewood golf course, and Bayworld marine-themed museum are all on its doorstep.