Benguela

Everything. From the moment you walked into to place, it is just breathtaking. The detail and class is unbelievable. The food was to die for.

The shower is very slippery. Be Careful.

Loved the location and beautiful room with fantastic view. Host was exceptional. Delicious breakfast.

Jonathan è un proprietario piu che accogliente e premuroso. Appena arrivati ci portato sulla scogliera per poter vedere le balene e ci ha prenotato un ristorante superlativo .La sua struttura è arredata in modo raffinato e ricercato. E' stato molto cordiale e ci ha preparato una colazione superba . Super Consigliato

il poco tempo che ci siamo stati

Efficient & friendly staff. Clean facilities & room with a balcony & views. Amazing breakfast👍👌

None

The staff and the view were incredible

Nothing

We had such a relaxing stay, Jonathan and Godwin made sure we were very comfortable. Quiet location, beautiful room, amazing breakfast...

A beautiful home away from home. Very peaceful and Godwin took good care of us.

Great host. Delicious breakfast. Fantastic view over the bay. Great place to sit out in the sunset. Host was very helpful in booking restaurant and tours.Secure parking at the premises.

Ich hatte Benguela gebucht wegen dem viel gelobten Abendessen… Dieses Abendessen sollte am Samstag ( Ankunftstag) stattfinden, laut whats app Nachricht. Erst mal war niemand auffindbar als wir ankamen und wir irrten durch das Haus. Nach einer gefühlten Ewigkeit kam dann jemand und hat uns das Zimmer gezeigt. Als ich nach dem Abendessen fragte, wurde mir gesagt, dass es kein Essen gibt. Am nächsten Morgen mussten wir früh weg und haben kein Frühstück. Am nächsten Tag wollten wir um 9 Uhr zum Frühstück, aber es war niemand da. Der Wirt hatte verschlafen und 6 Gäste saßen da und warteten. Sowas geht leider gar nicht.

Der Service

Jonathan is ein perfekter Gastgeber in seiner wunderschönen Lodge. Die Lage ist toll, man überblickt das Meer. Das ganze Haus ist sehr geschmackvoll eingerichtet.

Superfrukost! Trevlig hjälpsam ägare

Das Zimmer, der Ausblick und vor Allem das Essen war ein absolutes Highlight. Jonathan ist ein wahrer Meister in der Küche und hat uns sowohl beim Frühstück, als auch bei dem Abendessen absolut verzaubert. Wir empfehlen jedem, unbedingt dort zu Abend zu Essen! Abgesehen davon ist Jonathan einfach ein wunderbarer Gastgeber, wir haben unheimlich viel gelacht und eine ganz wundervolle Zeit dort verbracht, an die wir gerne zurückdenken. Wir werden aufjedenfall wiederkommen!

Excellent Breakfast, familiar atmosphere, Jonathan is great.

Easily accessible and clean

Nothing

Nettes kleines und vor allem sehr persönliches Hotel. Das Konzept mit einem großen Tisch bringt viele interessante Gespräche mit Menschen, die man sonst nicht getroffen hätte. Es entsteht eine sehr schöne Atmosphäre. Zur Walker Bay kann man zu Fuß gehen und nach Hermanus beziehungsweise zum Grotto Beach fährt man circa 25 Minuten.

Die Wände sind sehr hellhörig. Und irgendwie macht die Terrasse unter deren Möbel den Anschein, als dass sie etwas Überholung ungs bedürftig sind.

This place is special. A spacious serene guest house filled with the owner Jonathan's art collection. If he has enough guests to attend, he will cook you a Dinner to remember!

Very little!

Oh my word! Jonathan is amazing and so friendly! He is the best chef and just such an exceptional host. I loved our stay there and will definitely recommend Benguela to everyone!

The place feels like home. Staff are friendly, and the rooms are beautiful. Would definitely recommend the place to family and friends.

Easy to find. Good location. The layout made interaction with other guests simple and very enjoyable. Wonderful food. Terrific host. I cannot recommend this place enough.

Everything

Nothing

The host was very welcoming and friendly. the food was very good and the property is down the road from the beach and rock caves. We will definitely visit again.

Nothing, we enjoyed every bit.

This was one of the highlights to our trip to South Africa. This was a recommendation by some friends. We stayed in a large bright room with views of the ocean for two nights. Jonathan, the owner and chef, cooked up a delicious multi course dinner on both of those nights. We must have been at least 14 people at the dinner which was a lot of fun. All different nationalities. As I am not a red meat eater, Jonathan switched up my meal to accommodate me while serving a meat dish to everyone else. I really appreciated it. Jonathan and his staff were very friendly and accommodating. The place is clean, comfortable and good value. I’m already looking forward to going back. Would not hesitate to recommend.

Was für ein tolles Erlebnis in einer liebevoll ausgestatten Unterkunft. Unbedingt das 5-Gänge-Menü buchen, es ist ein Erlebnis. Hier kocht der Hausherr mit Leidenschaft selbst. Wir waren mit einer Gruppe mit 12 und 6 Südafrikanern, die eigens nur für das Dinner angereist waren, vor Ort. Eine tolle Erfahrung. Besonderer Dank gilt Janeen, die sich zusätzlich um unsere Haitour gekümmert und diese organisiert hat, obwohl unsere ursprüngliche Tour witterungsbedingt abgesagt wurde.

We wanted a restful weekend away and we defs found that at Benguela. Loved the location which was close to the Klipgat caves. The room was comfortable and the breakfast & coffee top notch.

A very last minute booking for us when we were in the area, but what a find. The rooms are all really nice, spotlessly clean and comfortable, we were lucky enough to have a bay facing room so could actually watch whales from our window😍 Even the communal areas are fantastic, with a great collection of artwork all around. The host, Jonathan, was another level of excellence, both friendly and informative and also an excellent chef. We had breakfast, with all the guests being served at the large dining table, which works really well as everyone gets chatting and passing on their experiences and recommendations. I believe that they (dependant on the number of guests) offer a similar experience for an evening meal, again with Jonathan offering whatever is available and it has great reviews. We didn't get to experience it as we were so last minute, but if breakfast is anything to go by, I'm sure it would be great. The area is really quiet and relaxed and perfectly safe. All the staff were super friendly and helpful, to they extent of even washing my car without being asked, just because it was parked under their trees and the local birds could of 'been busy'. Overall, a fantastic find which I'd 100% recommend, thank you Jonathan and the team.

Everything was great, no complaints here

A very last minute booking for us when we were in the area, but what a find. The rooms are all really nice, spotlessly clean and comfortable, we were lucky enough to have a bay facing room so could actually watch whales from our window😍 Even the communal areas are fantastic, with a great collection of artwork all around. The host, Jonathan, was another level of excellence, both friendly and informative and also an excellent chef. We had breakfast, with all the guests being served at the large dining table, which works really well as everyone gets chatting and passing on their experiences and recommendations. I believe that they (dependant on the number of guests) offer a similar experience for an evening meal, again with Jonathan offering whatever is available and it has great reviews. We didn't get to experience it as we were so last minute, but if breakfast is anything to go by, I'm sure it would be great. The area is really quiet and relaxed and perfectly safe. All the staff were super friendly and helpful, to they extent of even washing my car without being asked, just because it was parked under their trees and the local birds could of 'been busy'. Overall, a fantastic find which I'd 100% recommend, thank you Jonathan and the team.

We had an absolutely wonderful time at Benguela Lodge – it was already our fourth stay, and every time it feels more and more like coming home. From the very first moment, Jonathan’s warmth and genuine hospitality make this place truly special. He is such a caring and charming host, and it’s always a joy to see him again. We always choose a room with a wide sea view – it’s simply breathtaking. Falling asleep to the sound of the ocean and sometimes even spotting whales right from the room is pure magic. A real highlight is Jonathan’s five-course dinner, which he prepares himself on certain evenings. Each evening begins with a lovely aperitif, followed by perfectly paired wines that match every course beautifully. The food is outstanding, creative, and full of flavour – and sharing the long table with guests from around the world makes it a truly unforgettable experience. Benguela Lodge is not just a guesthouse – it’s a place filled with warmth, heart, and soul. We can’t wait to come back again!

Jonathan ist Gastgeber durch und durch. Wir haben Benguela ausgesucht, wegen Jonathans Kochkünsten. Das 5-Gang-Menü mit den dazu abgestimmten Weine und Bier - einfach zauberhaft. Das Zimmer war dann nur noch Nebensache.

Keine grosse Privatsphäre. Auf der Terrasse begegnet man dann direkt den Zimmernachbarn.

Excellent views and stylist decor

They didn’t have the special evening meal on that night which apparently is amazing

From the beginning till the end ❤️❤️🙏🙏👌👌

Everything was perfect

We had two wonderful days at Benguela's in Gansbaai. The view at sunset from the deck to the ocean was incredible. Janathan and his team made our stay a full pleasure.

We had an exceptional dinner with Jonathan.

No TV

Jonathan is a great host. The Breakfast we enjoyed was superb. The room really comfortable and the pool refreshing to swim in!

Loved the interior, sea views. Stunning breakfast.

Good size room, friendly host. Quirky interiors!

A little remote, but host was great dropping us and collecting from restaurants… JTs

The owner was lovely and made us feel so welcome

Not enough parking available for all guests so had to park outside which I was worried about

The owner is awesome. Very kind and helpful The room was comfortable and with everything one need Breakfast was great and the ☕️ the best I had in SA

Not close to the beach The bath and toilet are in the room with no separation (I didn't mind)

Staff are very welcoming Place is very well situated

The pool was a bit green

Quirky property full of art and random furnishings. Breakfast is good. Staff friendly and helpful.

Intermittent noise from the air conditioning unit made it impossible to sleep with it turned on. Pool was undergoing repair on the day we arrived so we couldn’t use it, but hadn’t been informed in advance.

Everything exceeded our expectations. I will definitely recommend this to anyone. Kind regards Johan Parking arrangements

Jonathan was a great host, amazing breakfast and the location was excellent.

Nil

We stayed one night at Benguela. The room was very big and the bed good. The service was excellent and we has a very nice breakfast. Safe parking and close to gansbaai. Perfect for what we needed. Good value for money!

Perfect location for staying and whale watching.We booked the superior suite with overlooking the ocean. The interior of this B&B is artificial and the place is quiet and relaxing. Jonathan, the owner of this place , is a fantastic host, helpful and an outstanding cook. We enjoyed an outstanding five course dinner with bubble and corresponding wine . Janeen was really helpful in trying to find solutions for alternatives because our Whale Tour was cancelled because of to much wind. We have already booked 3 days for next year at this amazing place.

The view, the help yourself sweetie counter and the cat.

Almost tries too hard. Lovely decor. Minimal choice offered at breakfast but what was offered was delicious. Maybe a small menu offered the night before would have allowed for some personal choices.

What an amazing find! Some of our group of 8 wanted to enjoy shark cage diving and we came across Benguela and struck lucky. The whole atmosphere is one of relaxed sophistication, with beautiful and quirky decoration and artwork. The bedrooms lead out on to a pool area, which is quite intimate, but was not a problem as our group had taken the rooms. There is a stocked fridge in the room and the shower has plenty of power. The real Gem of this place is Jonathan and his team. We opted to join for dinner which was the most amazing experience at the big, shared table. The experience started with gathering in the lounge for drinks and meeting the couple of other guests, then moving into the incredible dining room for a 5-course banquet, complete with paired wines. All the time being entertained by Jonathan and his very friendly hounds. Breakfast the next day was of course both tasty and beautifully presented. We had a couple of other requests. Like borrowing some towels and checking out later – all of which were kindly met with pleasure from our very accommodating host. We would be very happy to stay again…… you can book for the dinner even if you are not staying. Highly recommended.

The property is in a quiet residential area and while its a very quick walk down to the sea, there are very few other commercial establishments to maybe get a coffee. (the one we walked down to happened to be closed on Tuesdays)

Very modern and chic

The pool wasn’t great and not very private

Wonderful host, lovely home and the best breakfasts!

Lovely place to stay with outstanding food. Terrific host. Near to fabulous restaurants.

The stay at Benguela was superb. We stayed for one night and were able to enjoy the dinner experience. It was so nice to come together and interact with the other guests, as well as Jonathan. The food was amazing. The staff is very attentive. We were helped in every way. Loved our stay!

During our trip on the Garden Route, we wanted to go sharkdiving, so we intended to pass by Hermanus. However, upon finding Benguela on Booking, we decided to pass by Gansbaai instead. What a great choice that was! We could book a sharkdiving experience via a recommendation of the hotel and had a wonderful stay too: (i) our room had a pool view and was spacious, (ii) the property lies in a very quiet neighbourhood, so although the pool lies next to a road, there is no noise as there is no traffic, (iii) the owner Jonathan is an excellent host that manages to find a good balance between his guests’ privacy and the social angle and (iv) the dinner he cooked for us and the rest of the guests was excellent - it was also a nice experience to meet some of the other guests and hear about their backgrounds and travels. We would definitely recommend!

Most rooms are situated around the pool, which allows guests from other rooms to look into your room when the curtains are not closed. However, it’s a small property so people generally just stay in front of their own room. Also, be aware that this is more like a Bed & Breakfast than a hotel. Finally, note that there are two (very kind) greyhounds walking around on the property. It’s lovely if you like dogs (like us), but be aware if you don’t.

Remarkable host - Jonathan is a class act, with wonderful social and cooking skills. It is an experience to spend time with him. His accommodation is top notch, with a true touch of class. A memorable stay.

The occasion was good

The host was rushed and made empty promises. He basically let us in and then disappeared.

Everything, very friendly, lovely room, amazing view and beautifull arts and books and just plain exceptionally nice. The bed was VERY comfortable

nothing, all was great!

Benguela turned out to be a lovely B&B, with a comfortable large room overlooking the ocean. It's high on a hill in a suburban part of town (Gansbaai and de Kelders), so very quiet and relaxing. Jonathan, who runs the place, is a fantastic host, not just charming and helpful, but an outstanding cook. He provides a whole dinner party each night (by prior arrangement) and serves a five course meal which is simply outstanding (and very very good value. Gansbaai itself has a surprising number of excellent restaurants, and there are many more outstanding restaurants nearby in the town of Stanford. We had a great stay (early January 2024) and will always remember it.

What an amazing find. We spent 3 nights here. Such a lovely place. Jonathan was so nice as were his staff. Breakfast was delicious and all very fresh food. Very clean. Such a lovely home. The area is beautiful. Perfect if you like walking. We will definitely be back.

A very pleasant house with a lovely host in Jonathan. Beautiful breakfast to set you up for the day and a lovely room which was spacious and a very nice bathroom, even though it takes an age for the water to heat up. The bedroom has curtains but no nets, so you have to draw the curtains for privacy which blocks out the light and the lovely views, and people do walk past. There is no tv which didn’t bother us, but for those who do it might be an issue. If there is no evening meal you have to cab/drive into town, I recommend the “Blue Goose”. There is a walkable pub but it’s fairly basic. Lots of lovely walls and the area is beautiful and safe.

Very modern and very arty.

The windows need nets and not just curtains. You have to close the curtains for privacy (people walk by outside) which spoils the lovely views.

Friendly host, great atmosphere and lovely accommodation

Everything was perfect. The location was excellent, the view was beautiful, the room was delightful and the reception from the staff was great.

X

My stay was excellent the place is beautiful and the staff are very friendly. I enjoyed the stay and the location of the accommodation. The breakfast was excellent and made for each person specifically

The host and staff were very friendly

Nothing

Hospitality

NA

JONATHAN IS A SUPERB HOST. THE BREAKFAST WAS A SURPISE EVERY MORNING AND NEVER DISAPPOINTED. THE 4 COURSE DINNER PAIRED WIHT THE BEST WINES WAS AN ABSOLUTE TREAT. A MUST VISIT FOR FOODIES AND PEOPLE ENJOYING GREAT HOSPITALITY!!!

GOING HOME!

Godfrey was hosting us as the owner/chef Jonathan was not present. He was welcoming and friendly and we were given the choice of a standard room and a king room. Of course we chose the king room. It was spacious and comfortable. And had sea view! The interior decoration of Benguela is from another world: lots of art and a mix of vintage and modern. Wonderful! Breakfast was good too.

Unfortunately we were at Benguela that one night that the chef was absent so we missed out at - what promised to be - an excellent dinner.

Super B&B. Perfect location for whale and shark spotting, ocean view, friendly staff, excellent dinner&breakfast prepared by owner- 5-star cook, quiet big rooms… this B&B is a dream to stay over and visit the ocean coast line