Boarding my plane on a cold and rainy late afternoon in Cape Town, excitement brews as I make my way to Gqeberha (formerly known as Port Elizabeth) – where I will spend three nights at Sun International’s gorgeous, regal-looking 4-star The Boardwalk Hotel & Spa.
I land about and hour and 20 minutes later, where my jovial driver awaits me. Swiftly, I head to the hotel, which is about a 10–15-minute drive from the airport.
Greeted by friendly staff at reception, check-in is seamless. I head to my Luxury King room, which is tastefully decorated, and consists of a beautiful, spacious bathroom. By now, the sun has set, and a cold breeze blows as I open the balcony doors. Too dark to admire the views, I head down to the lobby instead.
My friend and I briefly explore the hotel, after which we head to the in-house bar for some much-needed refreshments. After a few hours, we say our goodbyes and head for bed.
The sunrise the next morning is remarkable. There, from my sea-facing room, I see the horizon erupt in swathes of pink and orange – the sun slowly peeking in the distance. The waves of the ocean are gently lapping; the hues of the sunrise reflecting on the water.
As if on cue, the birds awaken – and I marvel at the chirping of weavers right outside my room. Being a novice birder, this excites me! “Oh, those are Cape Weavers!” I excitedly exclaim.
I head down for breakfast, where a scrumptious buffet is laid out. I leisurely fill my belly before exploring more of the city. Coming back, we head to the Boardwalk Mall, situated right outside the hotel. We grab some supper and drinks before calling it a night.
The next day is a relaxed one. I get my 30-minute workout in at the hotel’s fitness centre, before taking a dip in the large indoor heated swimming pool. Next on our itinerary is a relaxing neck, back and shoulder massage at Camelot Spa, which is also located inside the hotel. What an experience! It’s one of the best I’ve had so far.
After a brief siesta, my friend and I meet up at the Pool Bar. It’s not open during the winter months but promises to be a fun space to relax in during the warm summer months. The doors lead out to the expansive outdoor pool, with stunning views of the ocean. We unwind for a bit and watch the sun set – again, the skies erupting into hues of pink and orange.
As night falls, it quiets down, and one can only hear the gentle breeze outside. We head to our respective rooms, where I plonk down and let out a deep, relaxing sigh.
This is my last night here. Tomorrow we’ll head back home, to Cape Town… But for now, I take in all the scents and scenes one last time. Thank you, The Boardwalk Hotel & Spa, for a blissful and beautiful stay!
More about the hotel
- There is a casino on the premises.
- There is an array of restaurants and bars to choose from.
- There are some options of activities to do.