Coot Club
WALKER BAY NATURE conservancy, SOUTH AFRICA
Slow down, step away from the treadmill of expectations and rekindle a sense of adventure through the simple pleasures of life.
Coot Club is all about hitting the reset button and spending time with family and friends, rising early for a meditative walk, or paddling across the lagoon in tune with the rhythms of nature.
STAY. PLAY. RESET.
Between the Maanschynkop Nature Reserve mountains and Walker Bay Nature Reserve, the Klein River flows into one of South Africa’s most important estuaries, rich in birdlife and endemic plant diversity. Just two hours from Cape Town, Coot Club is set on 464 hectares of private nature reserve on the south bank of the Klein Rivier Lagoon. The closest village is Stanford, a quaint community where life is simple and gentle.
With a variety of striking, architect-designed accommodation, inspired by the traditional boatsheds on the edge of the Klein Rivier Lagoon, each villa is designed to suit couples, families and multi-generational groups. Weathered tones and textures allow the buildings to blend into the natural landscape. Positioned in the fynbos thickets for ultimate privacy, the views across the mountains and glassy waters are mesmerising. Just on the other side, a 17-kilometre stretch of footprintless sand beckons.
The one-of-a-kind retreat offers families and couples the opportunity to rediscover the simple pleasures of play. Sailing boats, enjoying warmth of the sun after a bracing swim, SUPing and laughing, floating lazily across the lagoon in a kayak, walking in the fynbos, lazy braais with friends, and ice-cold drinks and a crackling campfire…
FAST FACTS
RATES
Boathouses:
2024: R 6 500 – R 15 500
2025: R 7 150 – R 17 100
per unit per night
Quarters:
2024: R 4 500 – R 15 550
2025: R 4 950 – R 17 100
per unit per night
ACCESS
Fly:
Cape Town
International Airport
Drive:
Stanford is 1 hr 45 minutes from Cape Town International Airport. 1 hour from Franschhoek.
CHILDREN
Coot Club welcomes children of all ages. There is a variety of family accommodation as well as child-friendly activities and dining options. The area is malaria free.
What we love
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
Located on a lagoon with the sea a short hop over a sand dune belt, this is a special piece of land with a unique sense of place.
Freedom & connectedness
Where young and old(er) can enjoy the rhythms of nature and do as little or as much as you want.
Summer & winter
An enjoyable, year-round destination, with brisk walks and roast dinners in the cooler months to alfresco braais and lazy summer swims when the temperature heats up.
Whale-watching
From July to November, watch the Southern Rights and Humpbacks from the beach.
COOT CLUB
The impact of your stay
Coot Club is committed to the conservation of the environment in which they operate, with every guest stay and conservation levy directly contributing to the protection of this fragile wonderland, including the Walker Bay Nature Conservancy. The founders and shareholders are united in the common interest of protecting vulnerable areas of biodiversity and maximising the sustainable economic potential for the greater community.
The Coot Club is a member of the Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy.
Every stay contributes through:
- Each guest over the age of 13 pays a Conservation Levy of R 250 per day which supports the wider protection of the area through:
- The ongoing clearing and eradication of alien vegetation to allow the endemic flora and fauna to thrive.
- Clearing firebreaks, fire season will tear through an area causing huge destruction.
- The employment of many local individuals to work on these conservation functions.
- A portion is also being set aside for socio-economic opportunities in the area with the long-term aim of being able to support small business.
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coot club
Boathouses
Tucked into the fynbos along the lagoon shore with stunning views of the mountains beyond, the Boathouses blend into their surroundings and have been built within the strict guidelines of the local area. Choose between a 2 or 3 bedroom Boathouse ideal for families or groups of friends. Each Boathouse has a spacious and airy open-plan lounge, dining and kitchen with a fireplace and bedrooms leading off this space. Fold-away doors open up completely with stairs leading down to a grassed area and the fynbos beyond.
The interiors are light filled and inspired by a contemporary nautical theme, you can fall out of bed and directly into the lagoon for your morning swim (or kayak).
The Clubhouse is the hub of Coot Club. Have breakfast on the terrace, as well as lunch, dinner and snacks. Enjoy the lagoon or explore the greater area with assistance from the team who will help you to plan and book other activities that are well off the tourist trail.
SEASONALITY: Open all year
CHILDREN: All ages
Boathouses
3 THREE-bedroom &
2 two-bedroom
coot club
Quarters
The previously known Stone Cottages will undergo substantial renovations, including new layouts, interiors, and outdoor spaces. These cottages are now referred to as Leeward Quarters and will consist of two small and two large units, each accommodating two guests. Little Lawns will be transformed into a Leeward Small. This upgrade aims to narrow the style and price gap between the Leeward Quarters and the Boathouses. The four new Leeward Quarters are scheduled to be ready from September 1, 2024.
Lawns Quarters, one of the original stone cottages at Coot Club, is nestled within the milkwood forest, away from the lagoon’s edge. The serene surroundings feature rolling green lawns adorned with milkwood trees, providing a tranquil setting just steps away from the lagoon. The spacious quarters accommodate up to four adults in two bedrooms, along with up to four children in the upstairs loft area.
The one-bedroom Leeward Quarters are ideal for couples or small families, situated amidst the milkwood trees. A generous verandah offers views of stunning fynbos gardens teeming with vibrant birdlife.
Guests can explore the nearby area and savor meals at the Coot Club Clubhouse, which offers a daily menu featuring locally sourced fresh produce for lunch and dinner.
SEASONALITY: Open all year
CHILDREN: All ages
Quarters
4 one bedroom units
& 1 two bedroom Units
Coot Club
Featured Offer
Honeymoon Offer
Stay 3 Pay 2 when honeymooning at Coot Club in the Leeward Quarters or the Starboard Boathouse. The couple also receives a romantic turndown and a bottle of bubbles on arrival.
Valid: 15 January – 15 December 2024 & 2025
Coot Club
Featured Journey
Kruger & Cape
This seamless combination of experiences offers the best of game viewing and scenic splendour of the Kruger National Park followed by the perfect base from which to explore Cape Town and the Overberg area.
Coot Club
Location
Getting there
FLY
The closest commercial airport is Cape Town International, which is 1hr 45 minutes drive away.
DRIVE
Easy driving access with good roads to Stanford, either via Hermanus, or take the country route through Caledon. From Cape Town the drive is 2hrs 30 minutes. From Hermanus 30 minutes and Gansbaai 15 minutes.
Availability
Contact
Email:
res@cootclub.com
Tel:
+27 66 507 4361
Office Hours:
Monday to Friday, 8am – 5pm. Based in Stanford.
