Morgan Bay Hotel — Hotel in Great Kei Local Municipality

Bruce and Frances Bowden run this small bed and breakfast in their old family home overlooking the magnificent Morgan Bay beach. I booked with them through their website and most of the arrangements were easily made through one of their daughters. Although the town is very small, it can be easy to miss as the "Bed & Breakfast" sign is very low key on the house wall, but if you ask anyone where the Bowdens live, they will know.||||They have three rooms. One double room is small, but has an en suite bathroom, while each of the larger twin and double rooms has its own bathroom (one shower and one bath) a few steps away along the covered porch. I was a little unsure about this when we booked the larger double room, but a small light is on all night and robes are provided for nighttime bathroom trips.||||Our room was very comfortable, with a great brass bed with very good linens and excellent pillows. Extra blankets available for cooler nights. Tea (two types) and coffee making facilities which were topped up every day, as was the water decanter. Fresh flowers on the dresser were a nice touch. Our room used the shower bathroom, which had shampoo and conditioner, plus good soap. Good quality bath towels were kept in our room, and Bruce would hang them out to dry on the laundry line behind the house when he thought they were a little damp.||||Breakfast was one of the main highlights of our stay. Table(s) were set up on the porch with bright linens and equally colourful crockery. The beautiful view across the Bay was matched by the food. Grapefruit or pineapple followed by fresh fruit salad, various quality cereals and yoghurts. Next Bruce made his presentation of the homemade scones or flapjacks from Fran's kitchen. Homemade jams and marmalade with lovely creamy butter completed the first half of breakfast. Then we were given a serving dish of bacon, tomatoes, sausages, fried potatoes and other goodies to eat with the perfectly cooked poached eggs we had each requested. Brown toast (homemade of course) was available in case we hadn't had enough food. And did I mention excellent coffee and tea from a pot with a cosy.||||When we needed just to relax and not go exploring, we sat on the porch and read, dozed or simply appreciated the Bowden's beautiful garden and seascape beyond. And Frances was always ready to offer us tea or coffee. This was when we came to appreciate Bella, who really runs the house, even though she is merely a Staffordshire terrier. She enjoyed walking with us on the beach and never strayed too far, and even ran with me one morning up the hilly gravel road south of town. When she saw us come out of our room with packed bags at the end of our stay, she just lay down quietly and refused to look at us.||||Staying here is like staying with family rather than a commercial establishment. You need only read the numerous comments in the visitors' book to see how Bruce and Frances have created a worldwide family of Morgan Bay and Bella fans. I hope that we will have the opportunity to visit them again.||||On a practical note, there are very few places to eat and drink in the town. The Morgan Bay Hotel has a separate bar and restaurant (The Deck) for non-guests - the food is not bad, the beer selection is excellent, and the service is welcoming. You can also buy wi-fi vouchers at the hotel and use their public areas to to...

It's my last full day at Morgan Bay Hotel, and I feel it’s an experience that will linger long after I've left. From the moment we arrived, we were impressed by the warmth of this family-run hotel. Nothing about it feels generic, which is something I value. If location is everything, then Morgan Bay Hotel has it all. Right on the edge of the beachfront, the views of ocean and cliffsides are cinematic. I enjoyed the leisurely and peaceful early morning beach walks. Even in peak holiday season, it's relatively quiet, perfect for slowing down and relaxing. Our room is comfy and stylish with a splendid ocean view, right from the bed! The bathroom is smallish, but with enough surface areas to put things down. It has a shower and bathtub. Note: slippers and robes are not provided. Hairdryer is available on request from reception, and it's a proper hairdryer. Even though our room is next to the communal area, it feels private and secluded. The room is accessible with a wooden ramp, and it's only a few steps to the communal areas and dining room. I love the jungle-themed communal areas and dining room with lots of greenery, natural textures, and playful design elements (see the fruit monkeys). Guests gather before and after meals, reading, chatting, playing games or simply gazing at the spectacular views. If it's silence and solitude you're after, there's an upstairs quiet lounge with interesting books and comfy seating - no kids allowed. I could actually write a separate review of the food; it gets a standing ovation from me. With a full-board experience, expect fresh, flavourful, and expertly prepared dishes. Breakfasts are hearty with many healthy options, and just as many sinfully decadent ones. The buffet lunch is a spoilt-for-choice affair, and the set dinners a culinary celebration. Did I mention elevenses, afternoon coffees and canapés at the bar before dinner? While the location and amenities are great, it’s the people who make Morgan Bay Hotel exceptional. The staff are friendly, attentive, and ready with a smile or helpful suggestion. This hotel clearly operates with heart, and every guest is treated like a valued friend. For a coastal retreat with comfort, beauty, and and family-friendly hospitality, Morgan Bay Hotel is it. This is a place I want...

Where do I begin! As a traveller with dietary restrictions (Vegan), we contacted the hotel and said that we'd bring up a bunch of Frys' Vegan products for meals etc, but they replied saying that they are more than willing to cater for me. And boy did they! Every meal was honestly excellent! They went out of their way to provide me with Soy milk for my breakfasts and tea/coffee every day, the chefs routinely came out of the kitchen to tell me about all of the vegan-friendly options on the menu and at the buffet, and I really felt that they thought of me with each meal. I was astounded by the number of other vegan options they clearly labeled on the 'Deck' menu, and their 'partnership' with VioLife was shown (proudly) on the front of the menu. I felt completely comfortable munching down on a huge bowl of 'cheezy' vegan nachos, which were filling, delicious and affordable! The staff were also incredibly friendly, and by the second day of our stay, they were already completely clued in to what I could eat or not. The hotel has also had some lovely renovations since I last stayed, and we spent many hours chatting and hanging out in the outside sheltered lounging area. The rooms were lovely and clean, and we all collectively had an amazing experience at the Morgs Hotel :) Also, their home-made vegan Tiramisu ice-cream and vegan Crème Brûlée were unbelievable (I knew from the 'crack' of the spoon on the top of the Crème Brûlée that I was in for a treat). I know this review is like 90% food based, but the food was so memorable! Any Veggie traveller going to the Eastern Cape, do yourself a huge favor and go to Morgan Bay! (tell them you're vegan before you go, as it takes time to prep the HOME MADE tiramisu ice cream,...