Emily Moon River Lodge
Quirky, eclectic, bohemian African. Intimate and personal — not a slick resort. Think collectors' home meets river hideaway.
Simon's Bar operates on a first-come, first-served basis (no reservations) — arrive early for a spot on the sunset deck
Why It Matters
Michelin Guide and Tablet Hotels listed. Owned and personally curated by the Valentine family since 2006 (previously Mullers Lodge). Emily's Restaurant is a destination in its own right on the Garden Route, and Simon's Bar above it serves what the lodge calls the best wood-fired artisan pizza on the route. Two pools — one guest-only and very private down by the river. Children 8 and older only, so it stays genuinely quiet.
Perched on a ridge above the winding Bitou River, about 5km east of Plettenberg Bay town, Emily Moon is a 16-suite boutique lodge that feels more like a personal art collection than a hotel. The Valentine family — collectors and art dealers — have filled every nook with hand-picked artefacts from Africa, Asia, and Polynesia: Zanzibari carved doors, Samburu spears, Kelims, old maps, sculptures. The restaurant and bar are local institutions in their own right, and the views of the river wetlands and distant mountains are genuinely hard to leave.
Where You'll Stay
4 room types available
Deluxe Superior Luxury Suite
The top-tier option at Emily Moon. Six of these individually themed suites each tell a character story tied to the lodge's founding legend. Expect serious space: a sprawling living area, en suite bathroom with separate soaking tub and shower, underfloor bathroom heating, and your own wooden viewing deck looking over the Bitou River and wetlands. Every surface has something worth examining — personally collected artefacts from across Africa and beyond. Outdoor shower included.
King
Family Suite
Two family suites are the lodge's nod to multigenerational travel — though note the strict 8-and-older child policy. Each has a separate room for two children alongside the main suite. Same artefact-rich décor, wooden viewing deck, and river-facing orientation as the other suites. Best combined with the lodge's canoe hire to keep kids occupied on the Bitou.
King (plus separate children's room)
Luxury Suite
Eight suites making up the bulk of the lodge's rooms. Same high standard of individual decoration and artefact collection as the Deluxe tier, with private wooden decks, river views, and the full amenity package. Available in king or twin-bed configuration. The bathroom has both a bath and shower; underfloor heating keeps things comfortable in cooler months.
King or Twin
The River House
A separate self-catering property located on the Piesang (Banana) River, about 8km from the main lodge. Six stylish bedrooms, seven bathrooms, and four outdoor showers. Entirely self-contained with indoor and outdoor living spaces. Suitable for groups of six or more. No daily housekeeping as per the main lodge but gives the full river-life experience with even more space and privacy.
The Property
Eat & Drink
2 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
On-site shop with art, handicrafts, and curios — consistent with the Valentine family's background as art dealers and collectors. A good spot to pick up something genuinely local.
The Bitou River wetlands directly below the lodge are rich with water bird life. The lodge provides in-room bird identification sheets. The property also notes easy access to the Keurbooms marshland (a 2km walk) where the Keurbooms River meets the sea.
Paddle directly from the lodge up the Bitou River into the wetlands. Lifejackets provided. One of the simplest and best ways to experience the birdlife and landscapes that make Emily Moon's location special. Some sources list this as complimentary; others as available for rent — confirm at check-in.
Close to the lodge is The Crags area with various eco-tourism animal sanctuaries. The Cheetah trail combines fynbos walks with close encounters with free-ranging cheetahs. Also nearby: Elephant sanctuary, Monkeyland primate sanctuary, and Birds of Eden.
Fishing rods available for hire from the lodge to cast into the Bitou River.
Bikes available for hire (some sources note complimentary use as part of standard rates) to explore the local farm roads and trails around the lodge. The area around the Bitou River and Keurbooms marshland is flat enough for casual riding.
Several walking trails in the vicinity of the lodge and along local farm roads. The 2km walk to Keurbooms marshland is a highlight.
The James Room is a multi-purpose venue seating up to 100, set in a garden. Available for weddings, conferences, seminars, product launches, art exhibitions, and theatrical productions. Sound and screen projection, WiFi, flip-chart included. The River Deck is a separate outdoor ceremony location on the edge of the Bitou River. Emily's Restaurant can be booked for receptions. Enquiries: events@emilymoon.co.za.
Whales visit the bay offshore from July through December. The lodge can help organise ocean safari trips from Central Beach (about 6km away). Dolphins and seals are also common.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Complimentary WiFi is available in the reception area and public spaces. Note: in-room WiFi connectivity has been flagged as unreliable by some reviews — confirm at booking if strong in-room WiFi is essential.
Breakfast is included in standard room rates and served on the terrace with river views and birdsong. Guests consistently rate it highly.
Each suite is set within an indigenous garden, and a boardwalk leads from the main lodge down to the river pool and canoe launch.
The main pool near the restaurant area is accessible to non-guests dining on-site. The second pool is down steep steps by the river — smaller, fully private, guest-only, and set on a lawned area with sunloungers and umbrellas. The guest-only pool is significantly quieter and recommended.
All suites include a fireplace — particularly welcome during the cooler Garden Route evenings from April to September.
Daily newspapers included in the rate.
Complimentary car washing is included in standard rates.
On-site private parking available to all guests at no charge. No reservation needed.
BUILD YOUR EMILY MOON RIVER LODGE PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
Start Planning