Crush Mag: Paws in Paternoster

The Cape West Coast is a magical place, renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, rich maritime heritage, and captivating fishing villages like Paternoster – a charming coastal time capsule that beckons visitors no matter what the season. Paternoster may not seem like a go-to place during a frosty, wet winter, however, another side to its captivating essence is revealed during these months. Cold winds whip across the Atlantic Ocean and storms unleash their power and it is precisely at this time that a weekend break here becomes an enchanting experience. Don’t believe us? Read on.

WINTER ON THE WEST COAST

The Gonana Collection, located in Bekbaai, Paternoster, is a perfect spot to escape the city for a weekend and actually embrace the weather, rather than shy away from it. The Collection comprises a main guesthouse with 7 rooms and an Apartment, as well as 3 separate Studios, 2 separate Houses and a 3-bedroomed Villa.

For any traveller to the area, there’s an accommodation style to suit. Even better, they offer pet-friendly accommodation options, making this a truly rare find.

ALOE HOUSE

We booked Aloe House, a one-bedroomed unit just a stone’s throw from the beach and the main guesthouse. The contemporary Afro-Scandi decor blends local flavour with the owner’s Swedish heritage, and together this results in a stylish palette of natural tones and textures. The look is hygge minimalism, with thoughtful comfort at every turn.

We loved the soothing hues, the chic accents and the fact that everything has been thought of with both functionality and luxury in mind. From electric blankets that warmed up the bed to just the right level of toastiness to comfy robes and soft mohair blankets to cuddle under.

The look is hygge minimalism, with thoughtful comfort at every turn.

AN ECO-WISE GETAWAY

The collection is guided by environmentally conscious principles, which was an important consideration when developing in a heritage community such as Paternoster. Solar electricity heats the saltwater pool and runs the properties – the absence of loadshedding was a very welcome change.

All bathroom beauty products are local and paraben-free and bottles are refilled instead of being replaced. The honesty bar stocks no plastic, strict recycling is in place, rainwater is harvested and grey water is used where possible. These are just a few of the many eco-conscious practices in place.

PET-FRIENDLY ACCOMMODATION AT GONANA

As dog lovers, we’ve always felt a pang of guilt when leaving our furry friends behind while we venture off to explore new destinations. The fact that Gonana offers pet-friendly accommodation in its Apartment, Houses, Villa and Studios allowed us to have a fun family getaway, with our two Boston Terriers along for the adventure. Gonana was the recipient of the Afristay Pet-Friendly Destination 2022 Award, so as well as being great for humans, it’s fabulous for your four-legged friends as well.

Gonana kindly catered to our boys with a comfy bed each, which they sniffed and investigated at length, as well as a tasty bag of treats on arrival. Pets can be a tad unsettled in new environments, but as soon as they found their spots in front of the fireplace, there was no further convincing needed!

COSY COMFORT

The self-catering units at Gonana have been stocked very thoughtfully; from a well-equipped kitchen with everything you need to prepare light meals, to the inclusion of basics like olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper. There is also an honesty bar with wine, soft drinks, local gins and snacks, which was a welcome addition to a self-catering space.

The real clincher for us though was the fabulous indoor fireplace. It just gives the unit a different charm and it becomes the perfect place to embrace cosy moments catching up or indulging in the simple pleasure of a good book.

The guesthouse sells wood, firelighters and matches, so you can get started as soon as you arrive. We got the fire going as soon as we set foot in the door and had it pretty much going during our entire stay, warming the unit and making it hard to leave!

GONANA GUESTHOUSE

Gonana Guesthouse itself is located directly on the beach at Bekbaai and you can walk out of your room and pretty much directly onto the beach. We took gaps in the storming weather to walk down from Aloe House to take the dogs for walks along this unspoilt stretch of beach, which borders the Cape Columbine Nature Reserve.

There is a stillness and remoteness to West Coast beaches that is unparalleled and, during stormy weather, the beauty is elevated almost to eerily ethereal levels.

At Gonana Guesthouse you can also enjoy a gorgeous breakfast spread, which you can book for at R150 pp if you are self-catering. The team at the guesthouse lay out a fabulous spread in a communal dining space that includes yoghurts and cereals, fresh bread and baked goods, a hot breakfast selection and excellent coffee.

There is a stillness and remoteness to West Coast beaches that is unparalleled and, during stormy weather, the beauty is elevated almost to eerily ethereal levels.

BE EMBRACED AT GONANA

The overarching feeling we got from the Gonana collection is that it knows the idyllic space that it occupies. There is no need for pomp and circumstance, it is thoroughly comfortable knowing the serene beauty and the warm hospitality it offers.

Being that Aloe House is so well equipped and the fireplace so alluring, we didn’t feel the need to do much other than a few walks on the beach, and I can’t think of a weekend away that has been quite as unencumbered and restorative.

Paternoster itself, with its untouched beaches and unhurried pace, is a place that nurtures the soul and rejuvenates the spirit. Here, the rhythm of life follows the ebb and flow of the tides, creating a sense of harmony that is both comforting and revitalising. Gonana, which means ‘to embrace’, thoroughly lives up to this name – a stay here is like a warm hug for your soul.