Where to stay in Paternoster

Take a break on the West Coast

The Beach Camp
Just outside of Paternoster, this campsite encapsulates the laid back vibe of this small West Coast town—striking a balance between being eco-friendly as well as accommodating. There’s no electricity, but there are hot showers and the beds in the A-frame huts and tents are comfortable. It’s right on the beach in the Cape Columbine Nature Reserve, making it the ideal place to escape the rat race.

What you need to bring: You need to bring a sleeping bag or duvet but tents and mattresses are provided. There’s no electricity so bring a torch and a cooler box with ice bricks if you’re self-catering and make sure to bring warm clothes. You can buy wood from The Beach Camp and, if you let them know in advance, they can make dinner and breakfast for you.
Trivia: The Beach Camphas appeared in a number of local TV shows. Justin Bonello’s ‘Cooked in Africa’ was shot there three times and it has starred in ‘Going Nowhere Slowly’ and ‘Pasella’ to name just a few.
Top tip: Book in advance using the live online booking system on their website. As it’s in a nature reserve there are no dogs or electronic music allowed – so bring your guitar and jam under the stars.
Cape Columbine Nature Reserve | Paternoster | West Coast | Western Cape | +27 (0)82 926 2267      

ah! Guesthouse

This four-star guest cottage reflects its owners’ personalities; warm, colourful and comfortable. All the rooms are air-conditioned with on-suite bathrooms, LCD TVs, satellite TV, DVD players.There is a communal sitting room and library as well as a shared patio and splash pool.

What you need to bring: The rooms are well-equipped with all the necessary items.
Trivia: For bookworms and movie fanatics they offer a small library with a wide range of books, magazines and DVDs to keep you entertained during your stay.
Top tip: Celebrated chef Arnold Hoon offers innovative breakfasts and four course dinners in the communal dining room. Make sure to book beforehand to secure your place at the table where you can watch the chef preparing your meal.
Mosselbank Street | Paternoster | West Coast | Western Cape | +27 (0)82 786 0651 or +27 (0)82 464 5898     
The Paternoster Hotel

A boutique hotel that has four rooms with a sea view and six without; all are en-suite and include breakfast. They also have a three bedroom self-catering house which has a lock-up garage, TV with DSTV and an outdoor free-standing braai place. The hotel also has a bar and restaurant, which is known for its crayfish. This is a relaxed, friendly place to stay which offers olden day charm appropriate for this little fishing village.

What you need to bring: Bring towels and food if you are staying in the self-catering houses.
Trivia: Originally built in1863 by the community using local limestone, the hotel housed a shop, jail cell and snooker tables as well as a community hall. In 1940 the building was converted into a hotel.
Top tip: Bring a pair of panties to add to the collection hanging in the bar. This tradition was started in 1974 but they were taken down in 1983 after a reverend had tea at the hotel and reported it to the police. The underwear was removed, earning the policeman responsible for the task the unfortunate nickname of ‘Panty’ Basson. The practice started up again in the nineties and there is an impressively large amount of underwear now hanging in the bar.
Main Road | Paternoster | West Coast | Western Cape | +27 (0)22 752 2703 /773
Farr Out B&B
The B&B is on the outskirts of Paternoster next to the Columbine Nature Reserve. Your hosts, Marion Lubitz and Deon van Schalkwyk, speak fluent English, Afrikaans and German. Farr Out has four luxury rooms, three of which have their own entrances and terraces. The rooms are beautifully decorated and well-equipped. During the week a continental breakfast is served while you can expect an English breakfast on the weekends. There’s a teepee to braai in if the weather’s playing up and for groups of four or more you can request a three course West Coast meal. There’s a sheltered reading spot in the garden and a pond with hand fed Koi fish (ask when they’re being fed to give it a try yourself).
What you need to bring: The rooms are well equipped with all the usual items including bath towels and a small fridge.
Trivia: Farr Out supports the community project KELP(Kelp Environmental Learning Project). Seaweed is turned into unique artwork that can be used as vuvuzelas. These can be purchased from the B&B.
Top tip: Enjoy star-gazing with a difference from the 1.40m deep, wood-fired hot tub.
17 Seemeeusingel | Paternoster | West Coast | Western Cape | +27 (0)22 752 2222

We also stayed at Abalone House. Looking for somewhere to eat? We found that Paternoster is the gastronomic capital of the West Coast.

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