Stanley Island
“This is one of the best hidden gems in South-Africa that we have discovered thus far: a luxury self-catering lodge with restaurant on site, situated on a private island on the Garden Route, with wild-roaming zebra right at your garden. And it’s super affordable staying here. Oh my!”
Imagine an idyllic sanctuary where the tranquility of a private island meets the luxury of a premier lodge. I was so surprised when I discovered this spot. Stanley Island is nestled in the heart of South Africa’s Garden Route, or well, just off shore Plettenberg Bay! This private island retreat, encircled by the serene waters of the Keurbooms River, is a haven for anyone yearning for a rejuvenating escape. We had the best time. The highlight? Waking up with zebra roaming around the garden, right in front of our room!
As soon as you arrive at Stanley Island by boat (all included, come and go!) you are enveloped by an overwhelming sense of peace. The island’s lush landscape creates a serene retreat far removed from the clamor of daily life, while it’s just a short boat ride away. There are three different lodges to choose from, all self-catered and decorated so beautifully. I really liked the interior. Good news: there is also a very good restaurant on site called Stowaway, where we had our dinners. Highly recommended and very affordable, just like staying at the lodge itself. Oh and did I mention breakfast, it was soooo good!
Shorea Lodge is their first lodge and is situated close to the banks of the river. It is the perfect space for family or friend gatherings with two seperate units that each sleep four (upstairs and downstairs). A two minute walk over the bridge onto our sand banks where you can enjoy your very own beach. Each unit has been uniquely designed with a handcrafted finishes and a local flare.
Acacia lodge is situated at the grazing area where you can catch their famous zebra and maybe a visiting bushbuck. Acacia Lodge has the best of both worlds – it is close to the Lapa where the swimming pool is and still provides a tranquil atmosphere to relax and getaway from the hustle and bustle of world. Acacia has an upstairs unit that can sleep four with beautifully curated finishes. And downstairs you can find two units that each sleep two, that open up onto the lawns for your morning coffee with the zebra.
We stayed in the last lodge, Elegia Lodge. It has four deluxe units that each sleep two. These deluxe self-catering have either kingsize and queen size en-suite bedrooms with free-standing bath and shower, and a fully equipped kitchen with open plan lounge and outdoor patio/balcony overlooking the zebra waterhole.
The Keurbooms River, which surrounds the island, adds another layer of natural beauty. We took a leisurely boat ride at sunset, highly recommended. Another not to be missed experience: book a picnic! They will provide you with a basket full of the good stuff, just pick a spot and enjoy your picnic. It was so hot that we took it right to the pool, but there are some lovely spots on the island itself. You can even opt to take a seat wherever the zebra are!
It was really a stay to remember. Just imagine waking up in a luxurious room to the first light of dawn filtering through the trees, sipping your morning coffee on a private deck overlooking grazing zebra in the garden… I loved it!
One last thing, we missed it, but from mid December to the beginning of January their renowned pop-up bar is up and live. The Island Beach Bar is a cocktail bar and restaurant nestled on a beach of South Africa’s only private island in Plettenberg Bay!
