Sonnekus Boutique Hotel & Bistro in St James

Do not stay here, customer care is shocking, in fact, they don’t care, and they have serious issues with telling the truth. I couldn’t bear staying there after four days of major problems they had refused to help with, so I just left. I had paid up front in good faith as they demanded, in return they delivered a terrible experience and kept all my money. I asked details about accommodation before booking where they had the opportunity to let me know about construction work, but didn’t. Senior management even denied it was taking place when we raised it as an issue after our arrival, even though we had workmen walking through the room, constant noise and told by Kelvin when taking us to the room that there were major works taking place. Lack of security. Lack of privacy. I was in the bathroom when suddenly 2 workmen were in the doorway!?! You can’t open the curtains in the room as the guest sitting area is in a conservatory off the room - it’s a bizarre arrangement. Bathrooms are shared with other rooms, something else they fail to tell you. Water pouring out of the wall (which they blamed on the council - even though an internal wall) so had to change a bucket every few hours so their property didn’t flood. Couldn’t get hold of them for four days, Precious, the senior manager (?), refused to discuss, meet or talk on the phone. She couldn’t be disturbed at the weekend and would only communicate by email, then blamed every issue on somebody else or just denied it taking place. She said she was unwell, despite her staff telling me she was on the beach and didn’t want to be disturbed.

Sonnekus – St James Sonnekus in St James offers a beautiful and timeless setting with a laid-back, elegant charm. We sat outside on the patio, where the vibe was relaxed, the views of the ocean were breathtaking, and the sounds of the waves created the perfect backdrop for a leisurely Sunday morning. It’s directly opposite Danger Beach, making it an ideal spot to soak in the beauty of the coast while enjoying a good meal. The cappuccino with almond milk was delicious. It was smooth, creamy, and the perfect way to start the morning. For my breakfast, I ordered the Healthy Hummus Avo Toasty (R115), and it did not disappoint. A generous portion of nutty, creamy hummus was spread over a large, perfectly toasted slice of sourdough bread. There was a good amount of ripe avocado, and the addition of mushrooms was a thoughtful touch that added depth to the dish. I also added an extra poached egg, and to my surprise, I received two perfectly soft poached eggs, with golden yolks that draped beautifully over everything. It was hearty, balanced, and incredibly satisfying. Everything I wanted and more. While the food did take a little while to arrive, we didn’t mind at all. It was a beautiful day, and the setting made it easy to sit back, relax, and take it all in. My boyfriend ordered the Eggs Benedict with salmon (R140), and while I didn’t taste it myself, he declared it the best Eggs Benedict he’s ever had. That alone guarantees we’ll be back for another visit soon! Overall, Sonnekus combines stunning views, excellent food, and a laid-back atmosphere that still feels classy and timeless. It’s the perfect spot for a relaxed weekend breakfast or brunch by the sea. Highly recommended!

Just a wonderful place. Gorgeous bedrooms, very attentive staff, lovely cookies with your tea/coffee in the room, and super close to the beach, the railstations for the Blue Train, and some great bars/restaurants in either direction. 5 mins walk to Kalk Bay. Loved my stay here.