The gift of Christmas lunch

If you thought a white Christmas was the ideal, think again! As temperatures in many countries across the globe continued to drop, Christmas lunch in sunny South Africa was truly blissful. Hats off to the chefs and staff at the Island Diner, making the day a complete success for many families.

Christmas lunch can be very stressful, especially when you have a big family. There’s plenty to cook, to prepare and to clean. This year, the Island Diner simplified matters for many families, offering a Christmas lunch buffet inside Indigo Bay.

There were two sittings, the first from 12h00 to 14h00. One hundred and thirty people were wined and dined to the point of pleasurable satiety in the first seating. After their meal, some families happily moved outside to allow the restaurant to be prepared for the second sitting. “That was really nice,” said a man with a British accent, while he and another couple enjoyed a Patron Tequila in the afternoon sun. “When ever you order online you never know, but today was lovely” he continued.

Inside, the waitrons speedily rearranged the restaurant, reset tables and set the food out. With the garnishes and finishing touches in place the next group of over a hundred people arrived. Within minutes- crackers shot off across the restaurant and champagne bottles were opened to celebrate Christmas with loving family members. In the corner of the room, the music began to play as customers made their way to the buffet.

From the eldest to the youngest, there was a dish that pleased everyone. The Christmas buffet menu offered a variety of assorted salads, meats, bakes, vegetables and desserts. One boy was happy piling his plate with heaped spoons of rice. He then returned for another helping twice the size of the first. By the time he made his way to the dessert table, he glanced at the table with cautionary eyes. After eyeballing the ice cream- one eye open, the other closed- he dished heaps into a bowl and walked back to his family smiling as he sat down.

Overall people were very happy and were able to celebrate Christmas sticking to the tradition that Christmas time is a time to share with family, to enjoy each other’s company and count their blessings. Fussing about the cooking and cleaning was not an option for these folk.

A couple sharing Christmas together said they were happy spending Christmas alone together and that they would have Christmas lunch at Indigo Bay again in the future. “It was very nice, especially with the view. It’s very relaxing” said another woman sitting at a table next to the window.

Here’s to Christmas, celebrating the gift of life and gift of good food!

Christmas Eve 2010

It’s the night before Christmas but Santa’s footsteps on the roof wouldn’t be heard at the Beacon Island lifestyle Resort. With the chatter and laughter coming from inside Indigo Bay- a restaurant inside the resort- Santa himself could walk right in and I’m sure no one would notice.

The tables are all full, at some tables, 18 or 19 people are seated, engrossed in conversation. On the smaller tables, near the ceiling to floor windows, wine bottles are glistening in wine buckets and the tinkle of the ice in the glasses sounds almost like Christmas bells in the distance.

For some guests at the hotel, they will be checking out in the morning, getting an early start to return to the rest of their families. For them, Christmas Eve is yet another memorable moment, the culmination of a fantastic holiday in Plettenberg Bay.

Food is flying off the grill, satisfying the demands of the hungry crowd. The food for nineteen people arrives at the same time surprising customers, “ah, the food’s here!”

With great company and conversation, superb food and amazing surroundings it’s difficult to think of a reason not to come back.

Indigo Bay is not the only place in the resort experiencing the Christmas festivities. Downstairs, Coral Reef is also full. The exquisite white and green décor provides a calming and relaxing atmosphere as soft music plays but when full, the cabin-like room erupts into a jubilant, cheery hub. With the waves crashing against the rocks, it feels as though you’re sailing in a boat, without the sea-sickness! Graced with elegance and finery, guests enjoy their Christmas Eve together ordering off the delectable, unique menu.

As the white foam froths between the rocks, the evening simmers to an end. Guests sleepily make their way back to their room with full bellies. As one guest pays the bill he comments on how much he enjoyed his stay at the resort. “You were here almost every night,” the woman behind the counter says. The customer from Hermanus replies, “Normally we search and search for a restaurant to go to but we enjoyed it here and the food was so good.” Reason enough to keep returning in the future I reckon. Wishing all those who are travelling back home a safe trip!

To see the photos from this memorable evening see the Island Diner Facebook page

Eating out the Kosher way

Tonight, the tables look different at Café Estoril. Places are set with plastic plates and utensils, reserved for special guests. It’s 19h00, the sky is still light and the tables are slowly becoming occupied. Guests greet each other across tables with smiles, winks and ‘hi, how are you’s. Hot on the menu this evening: kosher cuisine made easy in true South African style. Guests are able to select their choice of kosher meat, braaied to the crisp and accompanied with a fresh salad and/or baked potato.

Plettenberg Bay is an incredibly popular holiday destination, with a particularly high percentage of Jewish vacationers visiting the quaint sea-side town from December to January. Going to restaurants however, can often be a task for many Jews abiding by Jewish Halakhic dietary laws to which Kosher food pertains. The Island Diner has gone to great lengths to accommodate those who abide by Kosher rules by providing guests with a Kosher braai, which they can enjoy as a family.

The restaurant is vibrant and an energetic hum of conversation creates an electric atmosphere. The low lighting from the ceiling and the candles on the table provide a comfortable setting for an evening meal as a family. Across the floor, a father is trying to take food orders from his children who seem to look in every direction other than their father’s earnest gaze. Although kosher cuisine has been made easy, what may not be easy is getting your children to make up their minds. “So just normal steak then,” he calls out, “Ok, next, do you want a baked potato?...”

There is something informal about dining at Café Estoril that makes the restaurant feel something like eating at home or at a family member or friend’s house. The scenery is familiar, children running around, young adults gathering for a brief chat in the centre of the room and adults discussing the weather.

Slips with options of salad, baked potato, boerewors, chicken kebabs, lamb chops and rib eye circle around the tables as guests select a preference. The food is ordered from Maxi Discount Kosher Butchery in Johannesburg. As the food arrives on plastic serving tray’s and plates, guests unwrap their plastic utensils and enjoy their meals. “The kosher braai is incredible!” says a man sitting at the head of the table, “We had it here last year too.” The added effort provided by the Island Diner pays off as guests enjoy their meal together. Not feeling too far from home, the traditional South African braai is made more authentic with the use of plastic cutlery and crockery but, it retains the radiance of the stylish interior and friendly and proficient service.

Love is in the air

Plettenberg Bay, voted South Africa’s favourite friendliest holiday destination has also proven itself to be an ideal wedding destination. Wedding bells were ringing all day on Saturday, December 18th. In the parking lot outside the Beacon Island Lifestyle Resort, car horns were tooting excitedly as an entourage of vehicles decorated with ribbons of assorted colours drove by.

Sitting at the Café Estoril, all appears to be running smoothly and systematically; food and drinks appear on the tables promptly as new guests sit down for lunch after checking in. The staff members also have a moment to spare for a friendly chat between skirting tables on the run from the restaurants to the kitchen. A bride and groom walk through the lobby holding hands after celebrating a discrete matrimony in Coral Reef. As they leave, behind the kitchen doors, staff prepare for the next wedding where one hundred guests will be wined and dined proficiently.

“Beach weddings are becoming more and more popular” says Michelle, one of the staff members at the Island Diner. One can see why after seeing the magnificent white wedding of Zjardene Bester (daughter of South African triathlete and former Comrades Marathon winner, Nick Bester) and Stefan Kirsten, taking place right on the beach. Beach goers marvel at the decorations as the stroll by, taking pictures with their cell phones and digital cameras. “It’s so romantic” a girl of school-going age says to her friend amidst a crowd of on-lookers.

The podium upon which the loving couple share their vows over looks the Robberg Peninsula Nature Reserve in the distance as white horses on the sea crash on the shore before them. Mist rolls over the tops of Robberg contributing to the mystical atmosphere and behind the resort lightning adds to the natural beauty and wonder of the surroundings. The sky is a mixture of soft pale grey and blue hues, making the vivid whiteness more pronounced.

A string band plays as suave and sophisticated looking guests arrive. As they walk onto the beach, a beautiful flower girl hands them an umbrella as a few rain drops spout from the skies. Luckily the weather remains temperate as the wedding proceeds.

Back in the kitchen, starters and salads are prepared to feed the guests. The food is on the go for the restaurants and for the wedding which proves the Island Diner’s efficiency. In the interim, the crowd is offered cocktails and snacks while they wait to be seated, humbly chatting their way through congratulations and introductions. Finally, all the guests are seated and the bride and groom get a moment alone while they wait to be pronounced to the crowd as Mr and Mrs Kirsten They can’t take their hands off each other as they laugh and talk, drinking cocktails together with the ocean behind them.

Their first dance together raises hairs in admiration. The groom earnestly sings the lyrics to the Nickleback song they have chosen and the happy couple smile and dance superbly. A wedding notebook floats between the beautifully decorated tables and the sweet smell of lilies and roses fills the air. An unforgettable wedding for certain!

On the beach, another newly married couple are having their photographs taken. “There were 8 brides today,” says the woman packing up the furniture from the previous wedding. Plettenberg Bay is unquestionably a stunning place to get married and with the Beacon Island Lifestyle Resort and the Island Diner, perfection is guaranteed for your catering and location requirements.

The Sweet, warm Life

The clouds have rolled in across the ocean bringing with them some much needed rain. As seagulls glide through the air in a graceful motion, the waves are orchestrated by the rush of the wind, reaching a crescendo as they crash against the rocks. This view is much appreciated from the comfort and warmth of the interior, gazing out of the windows of the lounge or the restaurant at the Beacon Island Lifestyle Resort.

If you were planning an ocean adventure or an outdoor activity, today would be a good day to take a rain check. However, the wet weather should by no means dampen your mood. It is a great opportunity to spend some quality time with your family, enjoying a warm drink and some good food together.

The smell of chlorine in the lobby is also a good reminder that a warm Jacuzzi awaits you. As you step out of it, met by the crisp, cool freshness of the weather- a hot drink would serve you well.

The Island Dinner offers a range of hot drinks for occasions such as this. At a table in Café Estoril twin boys are drinking coffee from espresso cups, spooning the frothed milk into their mouths with a teaspoon while simultaneously pouring sachets of sugar into the small cup to sweeten the taste of the coffee. “Nice cappuccino, good choice dad!” their mother says as if to speak for them.

The coffee machine in the corner of the room is working overtime and the rich smell of coffee fills the air. A flask of half empty coffee stands on a warm plate and beneath it, another full flask is prepped to keep up with the mounting orders. The Island Diner uses an imported Italian blend of coffee called Molinari. It is smooth and flavoursome meeting the high expectations of serious coffee drinkers and also not-so-serious alike.

A range of selected teas is also available including the South African favourite, caffeine-free Rooibos tea. Although it isn’t on the menu, you can also get a red espresso or a red cappuccino which uses Rooibos tea instead of coffee. On the couches in the lobby, a picturesque family is sharing a pot of tea, playing cards and reading the newspaper as the rain trickles down gently.

Make an occasion of your tea-time and delight yourself and those you love with a sweet treat to go with your hot drink. “If you’re looking for sweetness, go for the lemon meringue but the carrot cake is also very good, it’s moist and tasty”- a hint from a well-informed staff member at the Island Diner. “Look how thick that meringue is” a woman expresses at the sight of the cakes on display. The cakes are fresh and delicious and are sourced from The Crags in Plettenberg Bay supporting local home-industry.

Let the weather entice you to indulge in the luxury offered by the resort and enjoy time spent together as a family in comfort with a warm ‘cuppa’ in hand!

Staff Show provides a night of fun!

The Staff Show put on by the members of the entertainment team at the Beacon Island Lifestyle Resort almost had me in tears of laughter on Monday night. The variety show included a number of different skits which included singing and staff members jostling around, clad in humorous outfits. Among the laughter and excitement the sound of pop-corn crunching, milkshake slurping and the “tsk” sound of soft drink cans filled the air.

Guests were urged to enjoy themselves and to become acquainted with the staff on a much more informal level. Uniforms were tossed backstage, replaced with wigs, tights and forged personas. One of the staff members could even be seen removing their clothes to Chris de Burgh’s Patricia the Stripper, which certainly got a rise from the crowd.

The highlight of the evening by show of applause was by far a rendition of Miriam Mabeka’s “The Click Song.” Coming in a close second was an Elvis impersonation. My personal favorite however was a performance of yet another Chris de Burgh favorite, Lady in Red. Wearing a furry, leopard print vest, cat claw gloves and a mask to match, I can certainly admit that “I’ll never forget the way the performer looked that night!”

A bit of the Plettenberg Bay and particularly the Beacon Island’s history was also shown from 1825 up to the present. Photographs showed the construction process in action when the resort was first built to what the rooms looked like in the 1980’s. Guests were treated to a sneak preview of what the new rooms will look like when they are completed after the revamp in 2011.

The resident band was fantastic and the night proved to be an all round success. The bright green mamba snake made up of staff members making their way through the crowd beneath a giant heap of green material ended the evening in delight. Adults were offered a green mamba shooter, providing the pinnacle of relaxation and fun, ending a beautiful day.

A grand applause can be offered to staff from the Island Diner serving refreshments and to the entertainment team from the resort for organizing the event. Please see photographs on the Island Diner Facebook page @

Season's Greetings to all new and returning guests

As I walked through Café Estoril at 10:30 am, the smell of breakfast wafted through the air. Nearly all the tables were full and the light chatter and clinking of cutlery and crockery was carried out through the wide open doors into the hum of the ocean. The Beacon Island Lifestyle Resort was already bustling; out at the pool available seats were diminishing quickly. It was a magnificent day to start the festive season.

On Saturday, December 11th a host of new and returning guests arrived at the resort, having a chance to settle in and unpack as a light drizzle came down. Today, guests began their vacation by relaxing and soaking up the dazzling sunshine. A few families were also scattered across the shore of their very own private beach area.

On this small section of beach, abandoned castles could be found between beach towels and umbrellas. A guest, Drnst Kromhout was buried in sand surrounded by his three small children. Drnst and his family are staying at the resort for a week after arriving on Saturday. They have been coming to Plettenberg Bay since 2007. “We love it here at the Beacon Isle,” he said while his little girl sat giggling, throwing sand on her father.

To the left of the beach area, a fun game of volleyball was underway. A crowd gathered on the skirts of the volleyball court watching the game with a view of central beach overhead. Talia Lewis and Paulo De Abreu, two youngsters made up part of the on-looking crowd.

Talia has been coming to the Beacon Island Lifestyle Resort since she was 3 months old. That was fourteen years ago and she says she likes it here because she doesn’t get bored, “and I get bored easily!” she adds with a teenage flair. “Here, there’s actually sun and you’re right on the beach. There’s also a lot to do.” Paulo agrees with Talia. “We body board a lot too” he says. The two have been friends since meeting at the resort three years ago.


The entertainment team has gone to great lengths to ensure that there is never a dull moment during a stay at the resort. To add to the great facilities, there is a jumping castle and daily activities for all to take part in. T-shirt painting, golf chipping, musical mats, egg throwing and water-balloon competitions were the side order of the day.

Watching proudly as his little girl makes hand prints on a T-shirt, returning guest, Paul Garfield says there has been a definite improvement at the resort since the Island Diner was established three years ago. “The first time we came which was about seven years ago, it was chaos. It’s much better now” he said. Paul is here from London with the other five members of his immediate family. He is also joined by his parents and his brother-in-law for a fantastic vacation.

As I made my way back towards the restaurant, the staff at Café Estoril were singing happy birthday to a little girl in a pretty blue dress. They sang in three different languages and as they finished singing she ran out of the lounge-room laughing excitedly, carrying a bunch of brightly coloured balloons. This season’s greeting turned out to be a spectacular occasion and with it brings much to look forward to!

To see the rest of the photos visit the Facebook Island Diner page. Simply type Island Diner into the search bar.

Save by purchasing a meal package

The Beacon Island Lifestyle Resort is undergoing a massive revamp in 2011. Time-share holders can now look forward not only to an upgrade of the rooms but also to the specials being offered by the in-house Island Diner restaurants. The Island Diner is offering guests food and beverage packages at great prices, ensuring added convenience and comfort for guests. You can eat and drink to your heart's content with these great deals!

As an accomplished restaurant, Island Diner offers delectable, wholesome meals. Guests are guaranteed good food, good service and splendid surroundings. Much like the system used by cruise ships and similar resorts in Mauritius, these meal packages are specifically designed for the benefit of the guest.

How the meal packages work: There are two packages available to guests.

The first is The Five Star Diner package. This package includes 5 breakfast meals (which includes a choice of one item from the cold menu i.e. yogurt or cereal, and one item from the hot menu i.e. bacon and eggs.) 5 lunch meals and 5 diner meals and free beverages. The package will cost R1550 per person. It is ideal for couples of all ages staying at the hotel for a week. Guests save up to R450 by opting to purchase this package.

The second package is the Blue Plate Room package. This option includes a check-in dinner, daily breakfast, lunch and dinner and a checkout breakfast and free beverages. This package costs R3999 per room. This option is ideal for families as the package is for two adults per timeshare week, which means that two children eat for free per room per timeshare week. Families can therefore save R1800 and more.

Why choose a meal package?

The Island Diner menus boast over 600 food and beverage items, with its diversity; there is something for everyone. There are a variety of meals available making dining one of the luxurious parts of your vacation.
The food is also prepared fresh on order, which means it is not offered as a buffet option. This is to ensure that the food is as crisp and nutritious as possible.
From an economic point of view, the packages allow guests to save more than 30% on their holiday.
If you are still undecided, purchasing a package also stands you a chance to WIN two tickets to see U2 LIVE in Cape Town. The first 250 packages sold will enter a lucky draw to see the show live. The winner will be announced on the 30th of January 2011.
In terms of expediency, these packages are ideal for vacationers- when you walk off the beach you don’t have to scurry around trying to find a place to eat. As a customer you know to expect great food and exceptional service and you can also socialise with other guests at your behest.
Dining areas open from 08h00 – 22h00 daily

Where to sign up:

Ask the Island Diner Management for more details or as you arrive at reception ask about the meal packages available.
We also oblige you to comment on this site, asking any relevant questions you may have, suggestions or thoughts.

Sunny Sunday afternoon

It’s a lazy Sunday afternoon in Plettenberg Bay; to not be outdoors on such a beautiful day would be sacrilege. Central Beach is jam packed with youngsters who have just finished school, making it difficult not to feel the holiday spirit in motion, even though the year hasn’t quite drawn to a close. It seems that summer has finally arrived and what better to do than spend some time soaking up some vitamin D, sipping on cocktails while marvelling at the spectacular views. The Island Diner has it all.

As I walked off the beach, leaving the rowdy beach vibe behind I sat down at a table at Café Estoril and looked out to the glistening ocean, feeling relaxed and at ease as the waves crashed on the shore. The restaurant is perfectly positioned for watching dolphins and provides a perfect complimentary backdrop for a fabulous meal. Café Estoril offers a diverse menu at affordable rates making it the place to frequent this holiday season.

Behind me a table of four are enjoying a fresh plate of oysters with a bottle of wine, laughing and chatting happily in the afternoon glow. In front of me, two mothers, still wet from a dip in the pool are drinking Cokes after playing with the kids. “It was the first time we’ve swam with the baby in the tube,” says the one mother to Dave, the manager. “It was so cute” she adds. Not only are the staff members friendly; they are efficient and the service is good making Café Estoril a perfect place to bring the family.

It’s also ideal for couples as the temperature and mood are set for romance. The lush grass provides the perfect spot to cuddle up to someone you love and enjoy the scenery together. A young couple is doing exactly that on this particular afternoon, lying comfortably with a bottle of wine chilling in an ice bucket, talking softly and laughing lightly while they watch a father and son play bat and ball. The Island Diner clearly makes Sunday afternoons all the more enjoyable.