The Whale Cottage Portfolio turns 13 today, having opened in Hermanus in 1996 as one of a handful of B & B’s in the seaside town, known to offer the best land-based whale watching in the world.  It was therefore apt that the guest house was called “Whale Cottage”, being housed in a lovely Victorian cottage on Main Road when it opened.   Seven years ago the guest house was moved to Westcliff Drive, with a lovely unspoilt seaview.

The Whale Cottage Portfolio has grown to four guest houses in the past 13 years, to include Whale Cottage Camps Bay, Whale Cottage Franschhoek, Whale Cottage Plettenberg Bay and the ‘birthday child’ Whale Cottage Hermanus.

Owner of the Whale Cottage Portfolio, Chris von Ulmenstein, said it would not have been possible to run and grow the Whale Cottage Portfolio without her faithful and hardworking staff, loyal suppliers, and the many thousands of wonderful guests who have visited the Whale Cottages, many of whom have become regular return guests or recommend Whale Cottage to others.

It is fitting that the 13 th birthday of Whale Cottage coincides with the celebration of Women’s Day today, as the Whale Cottage Portfolio has an all-women team.    “I have found women employees to be far more reliable and better home-makers, and therefore I will always employ a woman first.” said Ms von Ulmenstein.

Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com