Tag Archives: Hermanus

‘Hayden Quinn: South Africa’ episode 5: Whale of a time in Hermanus and Stanford, no mention of its wine stars!

Hayden Quinn Hermanus old harbour‘Hayden Quinn: South Africa’ focused on the Overberg last night, visiting Hermanus and Stanford, as well as Elgin, but this was not mentioned, being described as being just outside Hermanus!  It was a whale of an episode highlighting the Southern Right whale visitors, the sustainable apple and pear farming in Elgin, and Marianna’s sustainable restaurant in Stanford.  No mention was made however of Hermanus’ produce nor its world-renowned wines in the Hemel en Aarde Valley!

Hayden raved about the Southern Right whales, which visit  Hermanus’ Walker Bay from July, he said incorrectly (they arrive from the Antarctic from May onwards) until early December.  On the Facebook page of ‘Hayden Quinn: South Africa‘ it is incorrectly claimed that Hermanus is the ‘Whale Watching Capital of the World‘, copywriting nonsense.  Hermanus is however known as the offering the best land-based whale watching in the world, which is something different, and Hayden did say words to this effect in the episode!

To add some real adventure to his visit to Hermanus, Forest Adventures’ Clinton Lerm (infamous for wanting to change the name of the village to ‘Lermanus‘ when his family tried to take over the tourism management of the town, to their own Continue reading →

Whale Cottage Portfolio celebrates 18th anniversary!

Whale Cottage 18thOn Women’s Day 18 years ago we opened our first Whale Cottage in Hermanus, then on the main road, but moved to a lovely seaview home twelve years ago.  Subsequent Whale Cottages were opened in Camps Bay, Franschhoek, and Plettenberg Bay.

We salute our guests, our suppliers, and our women-only staff, for their contribution to the success of our Whale Cottage Portfolio.

We also salute all South African women for their contribution to our country’s economy and social well-being on Women’s Day today.

Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com  Twitter: @WhaleCottage

Tipping: has the Restaurant gratuity reached the tipping point?

TipsThere is nothing that makes a lovely dining experience leave a sour taste in one’s mouth more than the tip drama!   Is tipping an old-fashioned habit that should cease given that most waiters are full-time employed?

It appears that tipping is on the decline, in America at least, and the reasons may be the poor economic climate, the declining service levels, the fact that waitroning still is not a career, that restaurants increasingly are adding a service charge, or that restaurants have realised that tips may in fact spoil the whole dining experience.  It is of course the most bizarre business practice for a patron to have to pay the ‘salary’ of the restaurant staff!

Recently my colleague and I were invited to try a restaurant in Hermanus.  There were no Ts & Cs mentioned in the invitation, but on arrival an increasingly cocky waiter told us that desserts were extra.  He neglected to tell us that one coffee and one glass of Continue reading →

WhaleTales Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines: 25 July

WhaleTalesTourism, Food, and Wine news headlines

*   Good news for our local tourism is the updated forecast of the economic growth of the UK, now at 3,2%, for 2014, the highest growth of all developed countries!   The UK was once the most important tourism source for Cape Town.

*   five hundred at The Saxon is the only South African restaurant to be included in Huffington Post‘s international list of Best New Chef”s Tables, praised for its six course Tasting Menu, each course prepared by Chef David Higgs paired with Ruinart champagne.  Cost is R4900.

*   We are delighted to have been included in the 100 Africa Travel Experts on Twitter list.

*   Wesgro has released a video to promote Cape Town and the Western Cape, with a host of activities locals and visitors Continue reading →