Quick Facts
E 28°20'19''
Budget Getaways Review
When last have you ventured past the Kei border? We bet not since your longhaired student days: Old Faithful limping under its load of surfboards, rods and fellow academics (but miraculously always getting there in the end), the endless supply of Old Brown and stash of Durban poison hidden in a bankie under the seat, Dire Straits giving it stick down the N2. Man, those were the days…
While you've long since evolved into Mr Respectable, the sweet taste of freedom is still there for the taking in the Eastern Cape. Cue Morgan Bay and The Mitford Hotel!
Morgan Bay is a humble little seaside resort about 100 kays north of East London. Flanked by towering cliffs, rolling grassland and a shallow lagoon on one side, and a vast expanse of beach and ocean on the other, the surroundings are distinctly Wild Coast.
A good old relaxed family establishment, The Mitford Hotel sits on the seafront, with views extending over the sea and surrounding cliffs.
Among the features: A restaurant and pub decorated in light beach decor; a chilled deck with sea views; a kiddies dining room feeding into the gesellig TV lounge; a flexible range of hotel rooms, most with Indian Ocean views.
For large families or groups, there's a self-catering flat ('Large Unit') sporting three double bedrooms, two bathrooms, a TV lounge, kitchen and balcony with sea views, and a garage.
The Deluxe Three-Bedroom Units are also geared for self-catering, with two bathrooms, a mix of Queen and single beds and a deck with braai area and views. A smaller alternative is the Deluxe Two Bedroom Unit; apart from one less bedroom, this unit offers the same facilities as the three-bedroom unit.
The Studio Rooms (B&B) are open-plan and best suited to couples. Each comes with double bed, kitchenette and balcony with ocean views.
Apart from the above, there are two Three Bedroom Units. No sea views or balconies here but a good option for the budget conscious and Rhodes students. These units have a shared bathroom and look over the garden.
Activities around Morgan Bay are mostly outdoors and beach-based: fishing and swimming, frolicking with the kids in the lagoon, hikes along the cliff tops, horse riding, a river cruise up the Kei River, sundowners and picnic hampers by arrangement...
“Our first stay in magical Morgan Bay couldn't have been a better experience!” crows one happy guest. Chances are you will feel the same.
"This hotel has an awesome view of the ocean & you feel as if you are sleeping right on the beach, it's that close! It is in walking distance of Morgan Bay lagoon and the caravan park where we hired a canoe and rowed up the stunning river. We found Milford to be very cosy and restful. The owners were friendly, the place had a very "homely" feel."
(visited January 2015)
"The Mitford is a "home away from home" facility. All the staff are professional, friendly and go the extra mile to accommodate your every need. You feel at home from the minute you arrive. The rooms and facilities are comfortable, clean and has everything you need for self-catering. The Hotel itself is 50m from the ocean and the views are spectacular. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and will most certainly be back."
(visited August 2014)
"Always a pleasure to visit the Mitford. Friendly and helpful staff make you feel welcome every time. And of course that view! Our first stay in a family unit, will definitely book that again in preference to single units if we are a group of friends."
(visited August 2014)
"Not a lot of hotels where one really feel at home. Well done."
(visited July 2014)
Where You'll Also Find Us
Arniston (Waenhuiskrans) • Barrydale • Beaufort West • Betty's Bay • Bonnievale • Bot River • Bredasdorp • Caledon • Calitzdorp • Cape Agulhas and Struisbaai • Cape Town area • Ceres • Citrusdal • Clanwilliam & Cederberg • Darling • De Rust • Franschhoek • Gansbaai • George • Grabouw & Elgin Valley • Greyton • Heidelberg • Hermanus • Knysna • Ladismith • Laingsburg • Lamberts Bay • Langebaan • Malgas • Matjiesfontein • McGregor • Montagu • Mossel Bay • Napier • Oudtshoorn • Paarl • Paternoster • Plettenberg Bay • Porterville • Prince Albert • Pringle Bay • Pringle Bay, Betty's Bay and Kleinmond • Riebeek West and Riebeek-Kasteel • Riversdale • Riviersonderend • Robertson • St Helena Bay • Stanford • Stilbaai • Strand, Gordon's Bay and Somerset West • Swellendam • Tulbagh • Uniondale • Velddrif • Vermaaklikheid • Wellington • Wilderness • Witsand • Worcester & Hex Valley • Yzerfontein • Baviaanskloof • Cape St Francis • Cape St Francis & St Francis Bay • East London • Graaff-Reinet • Hogsback • Jeffreys Bay • Makhanda (Grahamstown) • Middelburg • Nieu-Bethesda • Rhodes • Sutherland