TLDR - A wonderful, relaxing place with amazing food and staff.
My family has been visiting Pumula Beach Hotel for longer than I have even been alive. My grandparents were the first to discover it, and they created so many memories there. It started as a quaint and humble place that my dad grew up loving, especially the time he spent fishing with my grandad in those early years. Later he brought my brother and me there as well, sometimes just for lunch or dinner, even though it was a 1.5 hour drive. That alone says something about how special this place is.
When we stayed longer, those visits became some of my core childhood memories (and adult memories). I am a huge foodie, and honestly, you EAT when you go to Pumula. I have never had a bad meal there. The rooms are cozy, the sound of the waves is incredibly calming, and as someone who struggles with insomnia, I slept like a baby every night I stayed there.
There is always something to do, whether it is the large swimming pool, the giant outdoor chessboard, mini golf, or the many planned activities for both kids and adults. The staff have always gone out of their way to make us feel welcome and at home. One year when I visited for my birthday, they surprised me with an entire chocolate cake!!! They absolutely did not have to do that, especially since I had already stuffed my face, but I still managed a slice, got a bit of cake takeaway, and shared the rest with the staff. And let me tell you, that cake was amazing!!!
My mom fought cancer for a long time and one of her final bucket list wishes was to visit Pumula one more time. We spent a week there together. But because of complications from cancer she could only fully enjoy two of those days, but she told us it did her soul good to be back there. The staff were incredibly kind and thoughtful during that visit, even helping her find a coffee strainer so she could make what she called “proper coffee,” which meant the world to her. Last year September, she passed away.
On March 15th this year, we returned to spread some of her ashes at her favourite rock pools. The same place where she once saw dolphins up close and where we spent hours exploring all the little pools and sea creatures together every year. She even once accidentally 'donated' her phone to one of those rock pools, which became a family joke we never let her forget haha! This was one of her dying wishes, to always be a part of that place. It felt like the most natural and meaningful place for her to rest.
That is how special this place has been to our family, and how special it will always be. If I had the chance, I would visit far more often than I do. But this economy is rough hey. Pumula Beach Hotel is not just somewhere we stay, it is part of our family’s story and I highly recommend it to anyone else who just wants to relax and eat great food.
