News / Press - Pure Sea Boutique Lodge

A getaway for the soul: Pure Sea Lodge, Gansbaai, South Africa

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0200

The lodge is located in Gansbaai just 2.5 hours from Cape Town (40 minutes past Hermanus) in a utopia known as Romansbaai Beach & Fynbos Estate. Upon entering the gates I was greeted by several zebras — a dazzle, if you will (where my collective noun peeps at?!) — and already knew I was in for a treat.
But the real welcome comes in pulling into the Pure Sea Lodge entrance. I think I had to scrape my jaw up off the ground to make it through the front door.

The attention to detail and care infused into every inch of this lodge is obvious as soon as you walk in. The lovely Björn & Pichyanee greet you with warm smiles, my man Nico (who whips up a mean g+t might I add) was there to retrieve our bags, and the floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall windows reveal the panoramic view of Walker Bay below that will make you feel like you’ve just entered the seaside sanctuary your brain never knew existed but your soul kinda did.

The lodge is curated with biophilic design — a celebration of nature and its healing potential, influencing modern design by “promoting design with natural materials such as wood, stone, coco and rattan, as well as natural fabrics.” Every touch is incredibly thoughtful and tasteful and doesn’t miss a beat, right down to the soothing jazz playing softly in the background (I obv sneakily Shazamed immediately and now all I play in my flat is the song radio for Blue Moon by Billie Holiday, channelling my Pure Sea energy all day while working from home).
The lodge is set up on the hill just a 2-minute walk up from a white-sand beach that is technically public but basically private, as no one but the Pure Sea guests really access it. The beach is framed by turquoise blue water, perfect for a refreshing cold dip, a craggy coastline and kelp leaves framing rock pools along the wonderfully rugged shores. To the right is De Kelders, the most insane whale-watching spot I have ever seen (check out my reel here!) and across the bay is my beloved Hermanus, which we all know is a favourite spot of mine (view the Hermanus love here and here).

The bliss is palpably felt as you settle in here. The only sounds are the waves caressing the beach, the cicadas buzzing during golden hour, and birds chirping softly — you are truly immersed in nature. The lodge is artfully designed to maximize this immersion, featuring a cushioned netted hammock, a pool area with body-conforming lounge chairs looking out towards the sea, as well as a kolkol (wood-fired hot tub) and sandy path weaving through the fynbos down to the beach. I swear I’ve never been on a hammock that comfy OR been in a kolkol that is actually hot before (trust me I’ve tried! thought they were a scam 😅) but Pure Sea somehow delivers on every single aspect. Sunsets are on special here, and the staff even organizes beautiful picnics for beach sundowners and bubbly & tapas platters for glorious soaks in the kolkol.

The rooms are inspired by the earth as well, with neutral tones and soothing strokes, giving thoughtful touches like motion-censored lighting in the bathroom, Japanese-inspired alkaline “Kangan water” (extra healthy, fresh, and restorative), foot faucets outside of each room to wash off the sand, custom-branded eco-conscious sunscreen and beauty products, and a set of high-quality binoculars in each of the rooms for marine viewing. The TV magically rises out from the end-of-bed ottoman (a requirement for the lodge’s star rating but designed not to distract us guests from the real entertainment, the natural scene in front of you)… this place is A DREAM.

We had an exquisite few days here at Pure Sea Lodge and although there could never be enough time here, my stay left me feeling so incredibly recharged and refreshed. Truly a seaside refuel for the soul.

I am so so over the moon to be able to offer this amazing stay to my Adventurelust travellers who are looking to truly disconnect from the day-to-day clutter, connect with nature, and elevate their soul by the sea. Get in touch to book your stay!

2024 LUXE TRAVEL AWARDS https://luxeawards.co.za/winners/

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0200

On the magical evening of March 19, 2024, South Africa’s luxury hospitality scene was illuminated in grandeur as the winners of the inaugural Luxe Travel Awards were announced. Set against the exquisite backdrop of SIBA the Restaurant in Cape Town, a gathering of 100 elite figures from the luxury hospitality world came together to honor the zenith of achievement in the South African hotel industry. This celebration marked a significant moment, showcasing the unrivaled elegance and service excellence that define the nation’s leading hotels, setting new benchmarks for luxury and hospitality.

https://maroelamedia.co.za/nuus/sa-nuus/glansryke-kruger-hotel-wen-gesogte-prys/

Sat, 23 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0200

Wanted online by Richard Holmes 15 November 2022

Mon, 28 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0200

It’s been quite the year, right? By November, we’re all firmly focused on the finish line that pops up somewhere around mid-December, hopefully with a holiday in waiting. And where better to wash away the stress of 2022 than a seaside escape? Somewhere away from the bustle of a city. Where the white noise comes from ocean waves, not the office air-con, and you have space to breathe in, breathe out, and repeat.

Somewhere like Pure Sea Lodge, perhaps?

Perched on the shores of the Western Cape’s Walker Bay, within the Romansbaai Beach & Fynbos Estate outside Gansbaai, Pure Sea Lodge is the end-point of owners Bjorn and Annick’s own search for wellness. When the cold waters of the Cape proved the solution to chronic illness, the Belgian couple moved to South Africa to create a space for others to soak up the serenity of this seaside locale.
Pure Sea Lodge in the Western Cape’s Walker Bay.
Image: Supplied
Today Pure Sea offers just four suites – no kids under 16 – in a subtly elegant lodge that draws on biophilic design. Here, textures of wood, stone and rattan echo the natural surroundings, with both the Scandi-chic private suites and airy public spaces leading effortlessly onto sandy paths towards the sea. The estate offers an expanse of lonely shoreline, along with walking trails in the estate, while Annick brings her wellness experience to the compact menu of treatments offered at the lodge.

Words: Richard Holmes
15 November 2022

Getaway Magazine Feature November 2022

Mon, 07 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0200

Article Excerpt

Situated among the fynbos clad dunes of Gansbaai lies a space that will make any emotionally exhausted traveller’s eyes light up. Pure Sea Hotel is a boutique lodge to indulge, revel in and experience the healing powers of nature. Built with its surroundings in mind, and may soon be consumed by them, as soon as the fynbos saplings on the roof take root.

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