About us – Eastbury Cottage Guest House in Hermanus

Eastbury Cottage Guest House in Hermanus was established 26 years ago in the summer of 1995 when the property comprised of numbers 36 and 38 Luyt Street and the main dwelling gazed out over a big expanse of lush green lawn.  Sheltered under the 2 enormous Brazilian Pepper trees, stood a guest cottage which soon found its way into the Guest House holiday accommodation portfolio of the Hermanus Tourism Bureau, a portfolio which was steadily growing to meet the influx of foreign visitors after South Africa gained its democracy.

Due to her divorce in 1997, owner, Jenny Bowes Meyer (a well known local artist) decided to subdivide and sell no 38. Sadly this portion included the lawn and original guest cottage, but Jenny kept the main dwelling with its outbuilding (double garage) that had a very characterful roof structure and lent itself to restoration.  Renovated, this became known as the present Garden Cottage and Jenny welcomed the first guests on the eve of the Whale Festival that September of 1997.  During the years that followed and driven by success, The Courtyard and Loft were added and then very recently the Rose Room was added to the portfolio.   Eastbury Cottage has found its niche in the tourism and hospitality trade of Hermanus and assures it’s guests a comfortable and relaxing stay. The Tourism Grading Council of South Africa www.tourismgrading.co.za  has accredited Eastbury Cottage 3 stars in their accordance with their grading standards criteria.

Jenny, married to retired Master Mariner, Captain Graham Fenn of Cape Town for the past 6 years, has handed over the managing of Eastbury Cottage in its entirety to her very capable and efficient  sister, Denise.  Owner, Jenny, continues to do the marketing for Eastbury.

Graham and Jenny returned to Hermanus in October 2016 and are now at the helm of THE MAYFLOWER  at 18 Flower St where they have renovated the old Maple Leaf Bakery and created two lovely spacious “upper deck cabins”.  The Mayflower opened its doors on the 1 October 2016 to welcome guests to the Whale Festival.

In March 2018 our wonderful staff were thanked for their good and long service at Eastbury Cottage.  Together, Vivian (15 Years), Max (15 Years) and Pretty (17 years) have served at Eastbury for a combination of 47 years.  We are so proud of you and especially grateful for your part in making Eastbury Cottage the popular establishment in Hermanus that it is today. Thank you from Denise (Manager) and Jenny (Owner)

Eastbury Cottage Staff, at your service:

Our Manager, Denise Bowes Halbert, who was with us from 1 February 2018, sadly leaves us some time in early 2021 (subject to Covid restrictions being lifted) to follow her dream to be with her children in Australia.  Denise has made many friends at Eastbury and the guests have loved her and will miss her tremendously.  Stepping into her shoes from February, will be family friend, Janet Wishnia.

Janet, is no stranger to Eastbury Cottage having spent 3 months of lock down with Denise, one of her best friends.  When Denise made the decision to go to Australia to assist her daughter, Janet immediately accepted her retirement package from her company to make herself available.  The wonderful Eastbury Cottage vibe and Hermanus had embraced her!  We are so happy to welcome Janet as manager at Eastbury Cottage on the 1 February 2021 and wish her a long and happy stay with us.   I’m sure our guests are going to love her efficiency, her warm nature and her amazing sense of humour.

Pretty (Veliswa Khanzi, her Xhosa name), pictured on the right, joined Eastbury Cottage in 1998 and is the head housekeeper.  Pretty, a bit shy, but with a disarming smile, is very thorough and makes sure the guests a treated to spotless accommodation.  No task is too much for her to please her guests.

Vivian, Ncediwe Lusawana, (her Xhosa name), pictured on the left, a family friend of Pretty’s, joined Eastbury Cottage full time in 2005.  Vivian has a bright personality and can be seen enthusiastically whizzing around from unit to unit getting her tasks done. Vivian will be leaving us in Novmeber this year for a few months to add to her family.  We wish her all the best and look forward to welcoming her back when her baby is a little older.  We welcome Andiswa in Vivian’s place

Max, Zibekile Gijana (his Xhosa name) joined the Eastbury Cottage team in 2001 as part time handyman and gardener.  He is a blessing to Eastbury Cottage and never fails to impress Jenny with his willingness and skills in repairing, restoring and maintaining the buildings, furniture and garden. Max is also responsible for maintenance at the Mayflower where his lovely and capable wife, Vuyelwa is the housekeeper.

Our staff are part of our Eastbury Cottage family and we are so grateful for their loyal support over the past 23 years.