the Luxury Hotel & Travel Guide
Garden Route, South Africa, Africa
Hotel Location
Address:
Birkenhead House Hotel
7th Avenue
Voelklip
7200
South Africa
7th Avenue
Voelklip
7200
South Africa
Telephone:
+ 27 (0)28 314 8000
Fax:
+ 27 (0)28 314 1208
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Hotel Description
Birkenhead House is named after the Royal Navy vessel HMS Birkenhead.
She was the largest iron ship of the navy in 1852, carrying one hundred and thirty crew members and four hundred and eighty seven soldiers on their way to the Frontier war, then in progress.
Her glory was short lived. On the 25th of February 1852, just before 2 a.m., the Birkenhead struck a rock off Danger Point, bringing her to a shuddering halt.
With the first shock, the rock tore through the bow plates of the vessel and the water poured into the forward troop deck, trapping the sleeping soldiers in their hammocks.
With the water inside the ship rising at the rate of a meter a minute, the end was in sight. Within half an hour of striking, the Birkenhead broke up and sank. Four hundred and fifty four people died on that fateful day.
The Land
The land has a wonderful history. On the 25th of October 1952 the Birkenhead Hotel was opened. Voëlklip was known world wide for the fabulous bathing and rolling lawns. Due to pressure from the hotels the golf course was developed.
Hermanus became “the place to be” with hotels competing for the overseas market. Many provided balls and dances, importing “big-name bands” for the events.
In 1969, one wing of the Birkenhead Hotel burnt to the ground. Due to many of the visitors falling in love with the area the property market boomed, which had a detrimental effect on the hotel industry. In 1989 the Birkenhead Hotel was demolished to make way for the demand for prime property. Three years later Phil and Liz Biden bought and built a holiday home on the property. After the huge success of developing their other two holiday homes, La Residence and Royal Malewane, into exclusive holiday destinations, they decided to follow suit with Birkenhead House.
She was the largest iron ship of the navy in 1852, carrying one hundred and thirty crew members and four hundred and eighty seven soldiers on their way to the Frontier war, then in progress.
Her glory was short lived. On the 25th of February 1852, just before 2 a.m., the Birkenhead struck a rock off Danger Point, bringing her to a shuddering halt.
With the first shock, the rock tore through the bow plates of the vessel and the water poured into the forward troop deck, trapping the sleeping soldiers in their hammocks.
With the water inside the ship rising at the rate of a meter a minute, the end was in sight. Within half an hour of striking, the Birkenhead broke up and sank. Four hundred and fifty four people died on that fateful day.
The Land
The land has a wonderful history. On the 25th of October 1952 the Birkenhead Hotel was opened. Voëlklip was known world wide for the fabulous bathing and rolling lawns. Due to pressure from the hotels the golf course was developed.
Hermanus became “the place to be” with hotels competing for the overseas market. Many provided balls and dances, importing “big-name bands” for the events.
In 1969, one wing of the Birkenhead Hotel burnt to the ground. Due to many of the visitors falling in love with the area the property market boomed, which had a detrimental effect on the hotel industry. In 1989 the Birkenhead Hotel was demolished to make way for the demand for prime property. Three years later Phil and Liz Biden bought and built a holiday home on the property. After the huge success of developing their other two holiday homes, La Residence and Royal Malewane, into exclusive holiday destinations, they decided to follow suit with Birkenhead House.
