I’m literally lying in his bed with a beautiful high-powered lawyer asleep next to me. My enormous suite costs a cool R5000 a night, and the sea view from my four-poster bed is simply stunning.

Like a scene from a Hollywood romantic comedy, the pretty blonde begins to stir as the early morning sun dances across the tranquil waters of Walker Bay, cue the Southern Right whale jumping gracefully in the background, and you begin to understand why Brad Pitt chose to stay at The Marine Hotel in Hermanus.

Perched atop the cliffs of one of the world’s top whale-watching spots, this five-star boutique hotel is pure class. The type of place reserved for romantic getaways, movie stars, travel writers, CEOs, people traveling on the pound, and those who simply appreciate the finer things in life. Needless to say, I fall into the travel writer and aspiring Brad Pitt category.

Aside from the frolicking whales on your doorstep, what makes The Marine so refreshingly different from other five-star hotels is its understated approach to excellence and the personal attention to detail, all the while without the pretentious over-the-top decorum which is usually a feature of top hotels.

The individually designed and decorated suites ensure you feel like you’re staying in your very own guest house, while the genuinely friendly service from the front desk right through to the chefs and waiters is right up with the best I have ever experienced. And while The Marine does seem perfect in every way, it actually has one huge flaw — you don’t want to leave the property. Big mistake.

Forget for a moment the famous whales which you can see from your room and just about every other area in the hotel, and take the time to experience an array of different activities in and around the charming Cape coast town.

Toothy encounters

Just a 40-minute drive from Hermanus is Gansbaai, the great white shark diving capital of the world, and a place where mine and Brad’s similarities — rugged good looks and beautiful women — became further intertwined.

However, if slipping below the deep blue and coming face-to-face with these awesome yet misunderstood creatures is not your cup of tea, then do the opposite and take to the skies with a helicopter tour, or even better, a paragliding flight. Both options offer wonderful views of the coastline and surrounding mountain scenery.

If you’re more a fan of terra firma, then the Fernkloof Nature Reserve, with over 50 kilometres of good hiking trails and well over one hundred different bird species, is perfect for day hikes if the ‘hustle and bustle’ of Hermanus becomes too much to handle. The other option for a bit of outdoor adventure, if you’re not a fan of using your own two feet, is a horseback trail or quad biking.

With all this activity on offer you’re bound to get a little bit peckish. If you are lucky enough to stay at The Marine, then a meal in the aptly named 'Seafood at The Marine' is not to be missed. If you’re not staying at The Marine, then a meal at the 'Seafood' is also a must. Needless to say the food is incredible, and while I could almost certainly exist on a daily diet of fresh oysters, prawns, crayfish and the linefish of the day, there are plenty of other eateries in and around town that deserve your credit card.

Have lunch in a cave

One such restaurant that can't be beaten for atmosphere or position in Hermanus is Bientang’s Cave. A restaurant right on the shores of Walker Bay and carved into the depths of a century old cave which was the home of Bientang, the last known Koi strandloper to have lived in the area.

Aside from the unique setting and the daily seafood specials plucked fresh from the ocean, Bientang’s Cave is perfect to just wile away the afternoon with a bucket of cold beers or a crisp chardonnay retrieved from the inner depths of the cave’s cellar. Oh, it’s also the closest you’ll get to the whales without actually being on a boat.

As great as it is to enjoy the whales from the shore and the Walker Bay cliff path, there’s something quite special about being next to these majestic and gentle giants at sea while on a whale cruise. There are numerous operators in the area; however, you can't go wrong with Hermanus Whale Cruises, who have been giving excellent guided two-and-a-half hour cruises since licences were first granted back in 1998.

According to regulations the operators are only allowed to approach the whales within 50 metres, however, if the whales turn and approach — which they frequently do — then the boat is allowed to remain right alongside them for up to 20 minutes, allowing for breathtaking viewing of these romantic creatures.

If you've got Brad Pitt's wallet and a lady to impress, then The Marine is certainly your best bet in terms of watching whales from the pampered comfort of your suite. However, with numerous accommodation options available and the whales playing in the bay, you definitely don't need to spend a small fortune to have fun in Hermanus — next time this travel writer is taking his (un)lucky companion for a simple picnic on top of the cliffs.

For more info...
• Visit the website of the Marine Hotel to find out more and make a booking.
• Hermanus Whale Cruises offer boat cruises in Walker Bay.
• Visit www.hermanus.co.za to find out more about the town.