Whalesong Lodge is a small Fair Trade accredited guesthouse perched on top of the rugged De Kelders cliffs overlooking the picturesque Walker Bay, just two hours from Cape Town. Our 5 rooms are all spacious, comfortable and well-appointed, and our large open-plan lounge and dining area flows out to a wooden deck where you can sit and enjoy sundowners while watching the sun set over the sea, and spectacular whale watching (from June - December). At Whalesong Lodge you will find a warm welcome and a homely environment, while our attention to detail ensures the highest quality of service. Come and stay with us and find out why so many guests return time and time again to enjoy our hospitality, comfortable surroundings and spectacular location.
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HOTEL STYLE
Trendy
Romantic
Languages Spoken
English, Afrikaans, German
Location
83 Cliff Street, De Kelders, Overstrand 7220 South Africa
Whalesong Lodge
359 reviews
Getting there
Car recommended
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travelers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Whalesong Lodge exceeded my expectations in all ways! Antje makes me feel so at home and she has been so patient and helpful in all my enquiries! The breakfast and cold cuts for dinner on demand are so nicely plated that I feel like I am having high tea in hotel! Even afternoon snacks and the chocolate given every evening are so nicely plated too! The honeymoon suite view is sooooooo good! I had such a lovely 4 days stay and I wish I could’ve stayed longer. There are so many activities in Gansbaai and I would stay longer if I had known earlier that it is such a nice and quiet town! I should have spaced out my activities rather than squeezing everything in the 4 days so that I can enjoy whale song lodge longer! Highly recommend to everyone who wants to enjoy the sea with great views away from the busy city life.
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Date of stay: September 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
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Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
When I arrived at Whalesong after a long journey I walked in, landed on the balcony, was handed a pair of binoculars and saw my first ever Whale. This lodge is in an exceptional location and had all the finishing touches you could ever wish for; chocolates by your bedside, coffee is presented when you telepathically communicate you want some, the best platform for viewing whales in this area (literally). At Whalesong you also get a true taste of the ethos of South Africa with respect to community. The staff are like a family and the host is always around to help with everything/to generally chat about life. The decor is top notch and the soap/hand lotion is to die for. We stayed in a double room which had its own balcony, I can imagine the suite would be fabulous for a special occasion.
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Date of stay: December 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I had the chance and did book the suite - it was worth every penny. Whales were in great numbers in the bay and I could watch them without even leaving the bed. But of course I did leave it. One could watch them from the shower as well as the bath tube as well as from the attached little balcony - actually from everywhere in and outside the house. It's located directly at the sea. The lodge itself is very well equipped and has a beautiful host who was helpful in every aspect - booking restaurants, sea excursions etc. I shall return!
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Date of stay: September 2022
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â oviously the suite, the rooms in the back have a limited or no sea view
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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What a beautiful guest house, with super nice views. The hostess Antje and her team have looked after us very well, and the atmosphere in the house was very homely and very cozy. Rooms are super nicely decorated, and were neatly kept. More than fine breakfast every morning. Would go there again!
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Date of stay: August 2024Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Each room in The Whalesong Lodge is differently designed and decorated making this feel like a real home away from home. Lots of attention to detail went into everything at the lodge and in the rooms, there are cookbooks, travel memorabilia, little hearts, candle holders - everything is special. Breakfast is served at the big table like in a family home, or you can eat in your room for more privacy. The honesty bar is brimming with good wines, local beers and even champagne. Antje and her friendly helpers are always at hand making you feel very well looked after. It's extremely clean and tidy, quiet and relaxed - the whole place is just beautiful. The whales are frolicking in the ocean in front of the terrace, one doesn't ever want to leave! Thank you for your superb hospitality - I will definitely be back!
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Date of stay: October 2021
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â All rooms are lovely, the suite has the best views. The same view can be seen from the terrace...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Stanley Carpenter, Owner at Whalesong Lodge
Responded Oct 16, 2021
Thank you for the lovely review. Been such a pleasure sharing our space with you. Looking forward to welcoming you back again. Wishing you all the best.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Fantastic little place with a cozy atmosphere, direct beach view and very friendly hosts. Antje makes you feel like home. The breakfast is superb and she also makes some cold cuts for dinner on demand that are very tasty. It was our first trip to South Africa and e started there. We loved the place and will likely come back.
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Date of stay: December 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip: Must see: Walker beach (walking distance from the Lodge). Book a dinner at Schneider´s (superb...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Today is September 5th. The South African winter has just ended and spring is beginning. It is the beginning of the blooming of the fynbos. The beautiful coastal landscape around the guesthouse is currently adorned in the beautiful colors of the spring blossom. It is crisply cold outside, with temperatures that feel like they are in the single digits. Inside, the fire is crackling. It is 6:30 p.m. and the sun is setting in the Atlantic Ocean. The lights of Hermanus on the opposite bank of the large bay are beginning to reflect in the water. The sky, the clouds and the mountains are turning creamy, golden and pink tones. Our day of hiking on the wonderful coastal trail ends with an exquisite cheese and sausage platter, gilded with a 2013 Hermanuspietersfontein. In the ocean directly in front of the guesthouse, sperm and humpback whales are enjoying the start of spring and are constantly appearing on the water's surface. Another day at the Whalesong Lodge is coming to an end and after a restful sleep in the comfortable bed, we look forward to the new day with a lovingly prepared breakfast. The warmth and attention to detail of Antje and her team will make the days in De Kelders unforgettable forever.
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We were able to spend two nights in Antje and her staff's Bijou and it was simply perfect! We were greeted with a warm smile by Vve and this warm and personal hospitality continued throughout our entire stay. They remembered that we wanted dinner and had already made a reservation in a really great restaurant. The turndown with an excellent praline rounded off the day. The breakfast and the dinner platter, which you can pre-order, were excellent and presented with attention to detail. In between, the attentive, very friendly, unobtrusive, efficient service. At the large table where everyone eats together, there were exciting encounters and interesting conversations with other travelers. Very enriching for us. Then the view: we were speechless! 1st row to the whales, beautiful terrace, always with a coffee or tea. You have to experience it to be believed. The room, all the details and generally the whole house were decorated with a lot of love. Selected, harmonious interior, the perfect feel-good atmosphere. There is much more to write, we can highly recommend this accommodation.
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Date of stay: October 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip: Frühzeitig buchen!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We spent 2 nights in the Whalesong Lodge, but we would have loved to have stayed there for several days. The lodge is on a hill with a direct view of the sea and in July you can see whales from there. The lodge is decorated with love and the hosts are wonderful. You can walk right along the cliff from the lodge, which is a great experience. The famous Klipgat Caves are about 1.5 hours away on foot or easily accessible by car. We loved it and will definitely come back again at some point.
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Date of stay: July 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Breathtaking views of the whales, beautiful sunsets and the reflection of the full moon sets over the ocean is unbelievable all from the luxury of your bed or bath in the the honeymoon room and balcony. A must to stay in when visiting. It was definitely worth waking up early to watch the sun rising on the right and the moon setting on the left .
Friendly ,welcoming and thoughtful staff, that take customer service to the next level. The aromas of freshly baked nibbles hits you on the way down the steps from your room, reminded me of my granny's baking. The choc chip cookies where my favorite.
Amazing walking trails along the sea, with hidden gems along the way. With a wide range of intesting things to see along the way. Caves full of bats, lizards running around on the incredible rock formations as the poping colours of the flows blooming catch your eyes. We definitely had a soul fulling weekend away.
No doubt about it we will be returning!
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Date of stay: August 2021Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Stanley Carpenter, Owner at Whalesong Lodge
Responded Aug 26, 2021
Thank you for this great review. Was awesome having you staying with us. Trust that one day we will be able to welcome you back again to refill your soul. :)
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
There are more places to choose from in the De Kelders area.
PRICE RANGE
$171 - $183 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
South AfricaWestern CapeOverberg DistrictOverstrandGansbaaiDe Kelders
NUMBER OF ROOMS
5
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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