The Marine is perched on the edge of the earth, in one of the most beautiful, natural landscapes the world has to offer - nothing between the hotel and the Antarctic other that a few thousand miles of ocean. The "whales-eye" view of the life on the mainland is of a dramatic mountainscape overflowing with African fynbos, the indigenous Cape flora.

Located on the sea front at the end of the village main street, the Marine was built in 1902 by Walter McFarlane, who had moved to Hermanus from nearby Elgin in the 1880's.

Liz McGrath became the new owner of the Marine Hotel in March 1998 and so began the complete makeover of this historic hotel.

As with it's sister properties, namely the Cellars-Hohenort and the Plettenberg, the world class quality that has become the hallmark of Liz McGrath was injected into the Marine. This was achieved by using exceptionally talented designers to ensure the highest standards of style, elegance and comfort in both the bedrooms and the public areas of the hotel.

After a concerted nine-month restoration period, the Marine reopened in October 1998 as a five star hotel and secured its position among the finest hotels in the world. This grand old lady has never looked so glamorous - a fitting tribute to those who built the Marine a century ago - but now possesses all the amenities a modern sojourner could wish for.

The Marine has 42 individually decorated bedrooms and suites, each with its own private facilities. Commanding views extend across Walker Bay or over the beautiful internal courtyard, finely manicured gardens and the Overberg Mountains.