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!
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Planning an evening out? Just pick up the phone and dial the restaurant, booking your table and arranging transport in one phone call. This free service adds a special charm to dining out. What a wonderful addition to an excellent evening of good food and wine, a warm ambience and music than to be collected and dropped off at your front door and the 
