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to form the complex known as Seahurst Hotel. This hotel was an attractive and most pleasing

structure with well maintained gardens and an impressive driveway from the Main Road.
Captain Gentry was appointed proprietor in 1909. In 1911 he built an attractive thatched

bungalow which would later act as the tennis pavilion. This bungalow and the tennis court

were added on the south side of the hotel alongside the Main Road. At the same time a third
house on Kimberley Road was added to the complex and its prestige as a holiday destination

was established. (Figs. 4.8 & 4.9.) In 1915 Captain Gentry moved to the St. James Hotel.

Circa 1920 saw the rather dramatic demise of this popular and attractive hotel. A flat roof

extension consisting of an enlarged dining area, bar, billiard-room and reception area was

added to the front of the hotel. (Fig. 4.10). It added nothing to the beauty of the hotel and the
heydays of this hotel waned. The additions spoilt the ambience, the gardens and the attractive

entrance. The Tudor effect was lost and all semblance of splendour was gone. Later the tennis

court was turned into a garden and sold off. This included the pavilion, which was later
converted into a cottage. A huge Norfolk pine graced the garden of this cottage for many

years. Financial disruption followed and eventually this hotel, which at the time had catered

for wealthy up-country and overseas guests, was converted into a Convalescent Home during
the Second World War.

After the war on 26 November 1945 Seahurst Hotels (Pty) Ltd sold the premises to Good
Hope Hotels (Pty) Ltd. and the name was changed to Robin Gordon Hotel. Good Hope Hotels

went into liquidation in 1963 – a period when many of the seaside hotels at Muizenberg were

closing, especially with the introduction of star-ratings. After a series of owners, including
Mrs Isabella Miller, the hotel was demolished in 1994, the landmark Norfolk pine was felled

together with a fine 100-year old palm tree, and a 52-unit housing complex now occupies this

site on Main and Kimberley Roads.

The Kalk Bay Hotels pre-1883

The history of the hotels of Kalk Bay can be divided into two distinct periods: pre-1883 and

post-1883.