Fodor's Expert Review St James Guesthouses

For a luxurious and private seaside retreat, a room in this casually elegant guesthouse—or even better, the whole house—is just the ticket. Originally built in 1877, this three-bedroom home in the lovely village of St James is strewn with Arabic rugs, antiques, and tasteful artwork, and can be rented entirely or by the room. Either way, you'll enjoy a well-equipped kitchen, a fabulous breakfast in the lovely light-flooded dining room, and a luxurious lounge with a working fireplace that flows onto verandah and pool areas outside. Other perks include a deck and barbecue area cleverly built so they remain sheltered even in the wind, a pizza oven, and complimentary minibars stocked with goodies and a generous range of both alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages. The nearby St James Manor and Homestead properties, which, like Seaforth, are managed by the luxury Rovos Rail Group, are equally magnificent. The Manor is all classic, old-world Edwardian, and the Homestead's rooms are reminiscent of the luxury train.