On occasions words are not enough to express an experience. Emily Moon is a very special place with its location, quality of accommodation and food. The staff were so helpful and always greeted you with a smile and just couldn’t do enough for you. Our suite overlooked the river and the view was extensive and stunning. Inside was so charming and very comfortably furnished with lots of personal touches for any type of traveller. Opening the curtains in the morning was like gazing out onto a nature programme as the outside was framed perfectly. There was a choice of two restaurants: Simon’s Bar and Emily’s restaurant. The quality of the food in both was exquisite and was served with a smile. Simon’s Bar is more casual with pizzas to die for. Emily’s is more formal in choice but has a range of dishes all prepared with clear professionalism. We had a two night stay and were disappointed to leave. It really is a place to stay and eat.
elizarenn
What a fantastic experience! From the luxurious and comfortable room (how nice to have a fireplace to come “home” to after dinner!) to the kayaks for our use on the river to the EXCELLENT restaurant to the peaceful atmosphere, we cannot say enough how much we enjoyed our stay.
883janel
Lovely environment but the meal was rushed - we had to ask to slow it down a few times. Staff were poorly dressed. Dirty sweaters, shirts with holes. But the food was the real disappointment. While some dishes were lovely like the liver and calamari starters, a lot was shocking. Mussels were not washed properly and were sandy leaving a layer of sandy grit at the bottom of the bowl. The rocket was unwashed and soily so not edible. Steak was a great cut but poorly cooked. No searing. And the Indian butter chicken curry was flavourless. All in all not the food one would expect from such a restaurant and at the prices. The food used to be much better. Just plain dismal.
Therese S
We have just returned from a 3 night stay at Emily Moon. It is a beautiful quirky and relaxing place. The food was superb and the staff are very friendly and helpful, we particularly enjoyed the main restaurant, outstanding service and great atmosphere. We will definitely be back.
leloaks
I booked to stay at this hotel but then covid happened and we were unable to travel to South Africa due to lockdowns in both countries. I contacted the hotel and they said that they would keep the money I had paid as a deposit until we were able to travel. Our other hotels had refunded us in full but assuming we would eventually travel there I didn't protest. We finally rebooked our trip but the hotel did not have availability on the night we had planned to stay in that location and so I asked if they would be able to refund the deposit given they could not provide accommodation. They agreed to this and after much back and forth I finally received some money from them, though when I looked at the amount it was half of what I was expecting. I emailed them to ask why and after chasing a few times they said it was due to bank fees (even though I confirmed with my bank they did not take any payment). When I questioned this, they did not reply so I had to chase multiple times and then finally got a curt email from someone saying they charged 15% admin. fee (for what I don't know), and the rest was bank fees which was 'my responsibility'. It still didn't make any sense so I asked for a copy of the bank transaction which was provided, along with a rude email about how they view the matter as closed and will not respond to any emails sent by me. I looked up the bank who completed the transaction and found out that their foreign currency fees are about 30% of the amount transacted. This in addition to their 15% admin fee has meant I have lost half my deposit. The full charges were at no point made clear to me, nor was I given a full explanation as to where all the money went. Why they could not refund the transaction on the original card and therefore have to pay no bank fees I do not know. It does not make sense that a hotel that presumably has many international customers is not set up to deal with them financially in a fair and straightforward way. Overall a very poor and rude customer service with terrible communication on the ridiculous and extravagant costs of refunding! International customers beware, if you have any issue of them you can kiss your money goodbye. We had hoped to stay with them on a future trip but that is definitely not going to happen now.
charlbrownlee
We absolutely loved our stay at Emily Moon. The accommodation is "rustic chic" and feels incredibly homely as soon as you arrive. The restaurant is beautiful, especially when lit up at night with candles. Every night the restaurant is very busy so make sure you book! The breakfast was also great, and both mornings we loved sitting outside overlooking the lovely river views. Our room was stunning (room 12), with a lovely big, very private balcony overlooking the river and beautiful scenery. Incredibly comfortable beds, little seating/lounge area, and lovely big bathroom and dressing area. The pool area for the guests was also lovely, with very comfortable sun loungers with a lovely view. We would highly recommend to anyone else looking to stay in the Plettenberg Bay area.
Rosieradlett
We spent three nights at Emily’s Moon and wished it was for longer. Our room was perfect with the most idyllic outlook. Total privacy and quiet. We thoroughly enjoyed the outdoor shower and sitting on the veranda enjoying the peace of the meandering river. The restaurant is outstanding and the service excellent. We actually never ventured into Plett as the food was too good where we were! We were lucky to be there on a Friday evening and enjoy the ‘party’ at Simon’s bar. The pizzas are the best we’ve ever had and the music and dancing was an added bonus. What a fabulous atmosphere! Breakfast at Emily’s is superb and the bircher muesli divine. Just totally loved the whole experience and can’t wait to return next time we are in SA!!
elizabeth_sarah_t
We stayed at Emily Moon overnight. So didn't make use of all the facilities, it has a absolutely charming, quirky Boho feel. The staff were friendly and super helpful, our room was lovely the view from the room was stunning, everything just worked and was easy and wish we had had another night there to be honest. The food in the restaurant was excellent and the wines were good, if a little on the sweet side for my palate. The owner came and had a little chat when we were waiting for our breakfast and shared a little of the history of the family that own the property which was lovely. I honestly have nothing negative to say about our stay and I would recommend it. It's full of ambience and character.
JanetP1589
We stayed at Emily Moon for 4 nights from 27th December to 31st December as part of our trip along the Garden Route. A little way out of Plettenberg (3 miles) but a fabulous place. This is a really quirky place with bags of character. The rooms are large with a sitting area, dressing area and excellent outdoor terrace overlooking the river. The hotel has a two restaurants both of which are excellent. On the nights we were there the restaurants were extremely busy which gave the place a lovely atmosphere. The main restaurant serves a good range of food and the other restaurant is a pizza restaurant. We tried both and was not disappointed. The pizzas are excellent and everything is reasonably priced. We would definitely visit again if we are in this part of SA.
Thomas W
Emily Moon was an absolutely amazing experience - we stayed for 3 nights during our honeymoon in one of their superior luxury suits. The room had everything you would want with amazing privacy and views. We really felt welcomed and the owners stopped by on a number of occasions including at breakfast and dinner to give personal tips and recommendations for the local area and restaurants, which was a really nice and personal touch. The food and drinks at Emily’s restaurant and pizza bar were outstanding. Overall we would definitely recommend Emily Moon and look forward to staying again in the future.
I am in love with this place and can't get over how thoughtfully designed it is. Everywhere you turn feels like you're discovering a secret. Stone walls, lush gardens, and uniquely carved archways beg you to explore. Our suite was enormous, beautifully appointed, super comfortable, with stunning views of the river. We ate at Emily's restaurant for dinner, which was excellent, and breakfast the following morning was equally delicious. My only complaint is that we only had enough time for one night! I hope we can return soon and next time I will definitely plan for more time here!
Q8760WZgrahamd
This is a most charming and unique lodge with Grant the owner most welcoming. The rooms are furnished with old world charm decor and the bathroom is huge. The views are to die for the food and service was excellent.
Sacls-za
Emily Moon is a unique place with stunning views, calmness, peaceful in nature. This is our fourth visit and love the different suites with character. Always made to feel very welcome and suites cater to all our needs. Substantial, enjoyable breakfast menu with vegan options. The Emily restaurant menu has various options my favorites are vegetarian curry, prawn pasta. The wine list is excellent. We haven’t tried Simons restaurant yet but it rocks on Fridays with music which creates a great vibe! All in all, it’s always a great experience.
564ameliat
My husband and I came here for our honeymoon. It was stunning! We stayed in a suite overlooking the river, it was so spacious and luxurious. Upon arrival, we showed up to rose pedals sprinkled throughout the room and a bottle of sparkling wine. We had dinner at the restaurant one of the nights and it was the best dinner we've ever had! Cannot wait to come back!
Diane G
This is one of the most stunning places we have ever stayed. Beautifully appointed rooms overlooking the banks of the Piesang river, where you can go canoeing. The design is Africa meets India with wonderful artefacts all around and 2 swimming pools for guests to use. massage is available from your bedrooms on the deck- listening to the birds while having a massage, what could be better! The food in the restaurant is also excellent.
On occasions words are not enough to express an experience. Emily Moon is a very special place with its location, quality of accommodation and food. The staff were so helpful and always greeted you with a smile and just couldn’t do enough for you. Our suite overlooked the river and the view was extensive and stunning. Inside was so charming and very comfortably furnished with lots of personal touches for any type of traveller. Opening the curtains in the morning was like gazing out onto a nature programme as the outside was framed perfectly. There was a choice of two restaurants: Simon’s Bar and Emily’s restaurant. The quality of the food in both was exquisite and was served with a smile. Simon’s Bar is more casual with pizzas to die for. Emily’s is more formal in choice but has a range of dishes all prepared with clear professionalism. We had a two night stay and were disappointed to leave. It really is a place to stay and eat.
What a fantastic experience! From the luxurious and comfortable room (how nice to have a fireplace to come “home” to after dinner!) to the kayaks for our use on the river to the EXCELLENT restaurant to the peaceful atmosphere, we cannot say enough how much we enjoyed our stay.
Lovely environment but the meal was rushed - we had to ask to slow it down a few times. Staff were poorly dressed. Dirty sweaters, shirts with holes. But the food was the real disappointment. While some dishes were lovely like the liver and calamari starters, a lot was shocking. Mussels were not washed properly and were sandy leaving a layer of sandy grit at the bottom of the bowl. The rocket was unwashed and soily so not edible. Steak was a great cut but poorly cooked. No searing. And the Indian butter chicken curry was flavourless. All in all not the food one would expect from such a restaurant and at the prices. The food used to be much better. Just plain dismal.
We have just returned from a 3 night stay at Emily Moon. It is a beautiful quirky and relaxing place. The food was superb and the staff are very friendly and helpful, we particularly enjoyed the main restaurant, outstanding service and great atmosphere. We will definitely be back.
I booked to stay at this hotel but then covid happened and we were unable to travel to South Africa due to lockdowns in both countries. I contacted the hotel and they said that they would keep the money I had paid as a deposit until we were able to travel. Our other hotels had refunded us in full but assuming we would eventually travel there I didn't protest. We finally rebooked our trip but the hotel did not have availability on the night we had planned to stay in that location and so I asked if they would be able to refund the deposit given they could not provide accommodation. They agreed to this and after much back and forth I finally received some money from them, though when I looked at the amount it was half of what I was expecting. I emailed them to ask why and after chasing a few times they said it was due to bank fees (even though I confirmed with my bank they did not take any payment). When I questioned this, they did not reply so I had to chase multiple times and then finally got a curt email from someone saying they charged 15% admin. fee (for what I don't know), and the rest was bank fees which was 'my responsibility'. It still didn't make any sense so I asked for a copy of the bank transaction which was provided, along with a rude email about how they view the matter as closed and will not respond to any emails sent by me. I looked up the bank who completed the transaction and found out that their foreign currency fees are about 30% of the amount transacted. This in addition to their 15% admin fee has meant I have lost half my deposit. The full charges were at no point made clear to me, nor was I given a full explanation as to where all the money went. Why they could not refund the transaction on the original card and therefore have to pay no bank fees I do not know. It does not make sense that a hotel that presumably has many international customers is not set up to deal with them financially in a fair and straightforward way. Overall a very poor and rude customer service with terrible communication on the ridiculous and extravagant costs of refunding! International customers beware, if you have any issue of them you can kiss your money goodbye. We had hoped to stay with them on a future trip but that is definitely not going to happen now.
We absolutely loved our stay at Emily Moon. The accommodation is "rustic chic" and feels incredibly homely as soon as you arrive. The restaurant is beautiful, especially when lit up at night with candles. Every night the restaurant is very busy so make sure you book! The breakfast was also great, and both mornings we loved sitting outside overlooking the lovely river views. Our room was stunning (room 12), with a lovely big, very private balcony overlooking the river and beautiful scenery. Incredibly comfortable beds, little seating/lounge area, and lovely big bathroom and dressing area. The pool area for the guests was also lovely, with very comfortable sun loungers with a lovely view. We would highly recommend to anyone else looking to stay in the Plettenberg Bay area.
We spent three nights at Emily’s Moon and wished it was for longer. Our room was perfect with the most idyllic outlook. Total privacy and quiet. We thoroughly enjoyed the outdoor shower and sitting on the veranda enjoying the peace of the meandering river. The restaurant is outstanding and the service excellent. We actually never ventured into Plett as the food was too good where we were! We were lucky to be there on a Friday evening and enjoy the ‘party’ at Simon’s bar. The pizzas are the best we’ve ever had and the music and dancing was an added bonus. What a fabulous atmosphere! Breakfast at Emily’s is superb and the bircher muesli divine. Just totally loved the whole experience and can’t wait to return next time we are in SA!!
We stayed at Emily Moon overnight. So didn't make use of all the facilities, it has a absolutely charming, quirky Boho feel. The staff were friendly and super helpful, our room was lovely the view from the room was stunning, everything just worked and was easy and wish we had had another night there to be honest. The food in the restaurant was excellent and the wines were good, if a little on the sweet side for my palate. The owner came and had a little chat when we were waiting for our breakfast and shared a little of the history of the family that own the property which was lovely. I honestly have nothing negative to say about our stay and I would recommend it. It's full of ambience and character.
We stayed at Emily Moon for 4 nights from 27th December to 31st December as part of our trip along the Garden Route. A little way out of Plettenberg (3 miles) but a fabulous place. This is a really quirky place with bags of character. The rooms are large with a sitting area, dressing area and excellent outdoor terrace overlooking the river. The hotel has a two restaurants both of which are excellent. On the nights we were there the restaurants were extremely busy which gave the place a lovely atmosphere. The main restaurant serves a good range of food and the other restaurant is a pizza restaurant. We tried both and was not disappointed. The pizzas are excellent and everything is reasonably priced. We would definitely visit again if we are in this part of SA.
Emily Moon was an absolutely amazing experience - we stayed for 3 nights during our honeymoon in one of their superior luxury suits. The room had everything you would want with amazing privacy and views. We really felt welcomed and the owners stopped by on a number of occasions including at breakfast and dinner to give personal tips and recommendations for the local area and restaurants, which was a really nice and personal touch. The food and drinks at Emily’s restaurant and pizza bar were outstanding. Overall we would definitely recommend Emily Moon and look forward to staying again in the future.
Restaurantji Recommends
I am in love with this place and can't get over how thoughtfully designed it is. Everywhere you turn feels like you're discovering a secret. Stone walls, lush gardens, and uniquely carved archways beg you to explore. Our suite was enormous, beautifully appointed, super comfortable, with stunning views of the river. We ate at Emily's restaurant for dinner, which was excellent, and breakfast the following morning was equally delicious. My only complaint is that we only had enough time for one night! I hope we can return soon and next time I will definitely plan for more time here!
This is a most charming and unique lodge with Grant the owner most welcoming. The rooms are furnished with old world charm decor and the bathroom is huge. The views are to die for the food and service was excellent.
Emily Moon is a unique place with stunning views, calmness, peaceful in nature. This is our fourth visit and love the different suites with character. Always made to feel very welcome and suites cater to all our needs. Substantial, enjoyable breakfast menu with vegan options. The Emily restaurant menu has various options my favorites are vegetarian curry, prawn pasta. The wine list is excellent. We haven’t tried Simons restaurant yet but it rocks on Fridays with music which creates a great vibe! All in all, it’s always a great experience.
My husband and I came here for our honeymoon. It was stunning! We stayed in a suite overlooking the river, it was so spacious and luxurious. Upon arrival, we showed up to rose pedals sprinkled throughout the room and a bottle of sparkling wine. We had dinner at the restaurant one of the nights and it was the best dinner we've ever had! Cannot wait to come back!
This is one of the most stunning places we have ever stayed. Beautifully appointed rooms overlooking the banks of the Piesang river, where you can go canoeing. The design is Africa meets India with wonderful artefacts all around and 2 swimming pools for guests to use. massage is available from your bedrooms on the deck- listening to the birds while having a massage, what could be better! The food in the restaurant is also excellent.