Testimonials

Thank you so much for the amazing time we spent at the cottage. the view, the bird life and been so close to the sea was breathtaking. Your kindness and friendly smiles and chats made us feel so welcome. We have been there 3 times already, the most recent was the 16th August 2024 and have loved every visit. Definitely will visit again. Kind Regards Juanita and Steve

August 2024

We did have the privilege to visit this beautiful place. The owners are the most friendly people we met. The cottages are super clean and so cozy. If you want to go and unwind this is the best place to go..thanks for a great stay.we will be back soon

August 2024

Thanks to a wonderful stay at Bretton Beach. The cottage is super clean and the view fantastic. If you want to go and forget about the big city this is the place to stay.  Our hostess is one of the most friendly people. They are like family and always have an ear to listen. No problem too big or small. Thanks for a safe stay. We will be back soon. Feels like home.

August 2024

We went to Bretton for the school holidays in April 2024.  With a self catering its usually “limit stock”.   Bretton was well stocked with from books, puzzles, backup light for load shedding to a kitchen that is very nicely equipped. Clean bedding was provided to us during our stay as well. Once or twice the owner passed by to hear if we need anything or just to say hallo. With the cottages away from each other your privacy was golden. Definitely a place to feed your soul. Thank you Lee for a really fantastic stay.

April 2024

This time around, we stayed for 5 nights. As always, Colin & Lee are on hand to assist with any requirements.
The cottages are very private with amazing sea and beach views.
The cottages are well equipped. The Braai area and trash were cleaned daily.
We will definitely be back. Thank you.
PS: Our Kids had a great time.

April 2023

Lee and Colin’s place by the sea in Port Alfred is a real treat for both body and soul, this is the third time we have stayed here. In our opinion, the place has exactly everything you need for a nice relaxing stay, rustic, simple and very charming. A rare gem. Lee, Colin and their employee David are all helpful, sweet and nice people. We could have stayed for weeks, again. Thank you very much.

Niels and Marie from Denmark      March 2023

We had the best vacation staying at Bretton beach cottages.
We arranged beforehand to take our fur babies along and could even spend this awesome time at the beach with them.

The cottage had everything necessary and was very neat and clean.
Also only a few meters from the beach.

Our braai area was cleaned every morning quite early, without us even knowing it.

It was nice and private. The plus point was definitely the gas stove and geyser so loadshedding was not a problem either.

I will most definitely recommend this place and make use of them again in the future.

Amour   February 2023

The cottage that we stayed in, had a beautiful sea view. The cottage was ideally equipped with everything that we needed. Despite the water shortage in Port Alfred, we were adequately supplied. The owners are friendly and welcoming, we were even given information regarding a place to enjoy the best fresh fish. The bird life, visible from the comfortable patio was incredible. This is an ideal place to stay if you are seeking to be close to the beach, in tranquil surrounds. It is not luxury, just perfectly down to earth comfort in the natural surrounds of God’s stunning creation.

March 2022

Go to sleep with the sound of the sea and see the sunrise above the horizon in the morning. We have just returned from the best holiday at Bretton Beach Cottages. Beautifully situated in the coastal dunes and within an easy walk down to the beach. One can explore among the rocks or go for walks along the sand. The cottages are well maintained, secure with comfortable beds and all you need for a self catering holiday. Hosts Colin and Lee are warm and friendly and always available if help needed. Although private and away from it all, the small town of Port Alfred is close by and offers antique shops, book shops and places to go for coffee and eats and other amenities should you need. We have come to holiday here for many years and are so blessed to have such an uncommercial, unspoiled, beautiful private place to holiday. Thank you Colin and Lee.

January 2022

What a relaxing and easy place to stay with our very busy 6 year old and 1.5 year old! Right on the beach, so pleasantly safe and with easy access to the quiet secluded beach, a dream come true for any adults/parent(s) trying to singlehandedly manage two small kids. Tidal pool as well!!
Fantastic mattresses for wonderful nights sleep. Wow I haven’t been so calm and happy in a long time. Thanks Lee and Colin for this wonderful affordable piece of paradise and being so happy to assist us so last minute and also being so thoughtful of the better unit option for our busy baby boy.:)

October 2021

Our splendid weekend at the cottages is one we will always remember with warmth and gratitude.
We were so excited for a weekend at the coast and were not disappointed! Waking up to the view of the sea and being able to walk right onto the Beach was a special treat – all of which is due to the perfect location of Lee and Colin’s cottages. Besides that, we had everything we needed and were very comfortable and secure in the cottage. I know I’ll be repeatedly recommending them!
Thank you again!

July 2021

We stayed at Bretton Beach for the first time, unfortunately only for a weekend, but had a wonderful time. The cottages are clean, spacious and very well appointed. We only had to bring towels and our food as everything else was provided. The cottages are suitable for both families and couples. The cottages are in a very peaceful location and we were blessed to get one with a stunning ocean view. The beach is stunning for long walks, swimming and surfing. The owners are very friendly and happy to help with any queries you may have. We are already looking forward to returning very soon for another stay and most definitely longer.

February 2021 Donna

Thank you once again to Colin & Lee for a wonderful stay. My cottage was clean & comfortable and had everything I needed for my relaxing 3 week stay. It’s worth the trip over from the UK every time. The views are spectacular and the peace and quiet in your unique setting can’t be beaten in Port Alfred. You always go the extra mile with your welcome and I can’t recommend your cottages highly enough. I can’t wait to come back.

Fiona February 2020

We had a very lovely time and stay at Bretton Beach Crest

We would defiantly recommend you to family and friend’s and will be back again for sure

Thank you once again for the lovely time we had at your establishment

Kind Regards

Armand.   November 2019

Bretton Beach Crest was one of the nicest, secluded, well kept destinations we have ever visited.
The cottages are exactly what one needs for the ultimate break away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The view from the porch cannot be beaten and the owners made us feel at home. Port Alfred offers so much for the tourist and Bretton Beach Crest is the jewel in the crown of the sunshine coast.
We have found our “go-to” holiday destination and cannot wait for our next visit!

Braam   September 2019

Very neat and well equipped. Friendly owners. We enjoyed it and will certainly return

Mandie     June 2019

Thank you for our stay at Bretton Beach over the long weekend. As last time it was very enjoyable. We will most certainly visit again.

We were also lucky to pick up one of your scarce Nautilus shells –  found it on the rocks to the right of Bretton (Kenton way) on the sharp corner.

Thank you again for a lovely stay.

August 2018

We have stayed here a few times, and it seems to get better every stay. We had the most amazing weekend.  Our cottage had the most spectacular view, and the braai area was so secluded from people and the wind. The hosts Colin and Lee are also so helpful and nothing seems too much for them.

August 2018

Thanks for an amazing weekend of pure relaxation. What a perfect setting with the most stunning sea views!   The cottage had everything we needed and was priced just right. We will definitely be back!

March 2017  Mandy

We have had a wonderful week end at Bretton Beach and we will definitely be back again.  Thank you once again, this is a truly special place.

February 2017   Ceri

It’s more than worth the long trek from the UK to come and stay at Bretton Beach as often as possible. The stunning location and the beautiful and private cottages are the best that I’ve found anywhere in South Africa. Colin and Lee are wonderful hosts and are happy to share their local knowledge. The cottages provide a total escape and are equipped with absolutely everything you need for a comfortable stay. The value they offer is amazing. If you’re a single traveller, a couple or a family this is a perfect place to come to. I always leave with a heavy heart but then start looking forward to my next visit!

February 2017  Fiona

Once again we had an awesome stay, the cottage was perfect and the view was just what we needed. Our kids kept us busy on the beautiful beach and dunes.

I would just like to thank you once again, everything was perfect !!!!!

April 2016   Leroy Crossman

It is not often that one stays in a place that is a truly pleasant surprise. We were quite anxious that paying R350 a night we could not expect much. It was quite the opposite: a cottage with a spacious verandah and a lovely sea view, spotlessly clean although simply furnished, everything that one would need in a kitchen (and more), a supply of fresh drinking water and a great cold outside shower. The cottage was set in the natural dune bush so there was total privacy which was surprising as there are 9 cottages.

Imagine the difficulties posed by taking twelve teen-aged boys away to the coast for a week on a sport’s tour with a limited budget.   For the past six years I have done exactly that. We attend the annual school’s boat race every December and every year I make the same arrangements. After all, why change something that works.    Bretton Beach Crest has hosted us for the past six years and, as long as I am in charge of our club, will continue to host us for the ongoing future.

As a rowing coach, I have a serious requirement to provide an environment that facilitates relaxation and removes distraction. Comfort of my athletes is of extreme importance, as is their ability to shower and constantly feed themselves. Logistics are important to me as a coach. Access to the shops and the river should be easy.   As an educator, I have a requirement to keep my students safe, to ensure that their activities are not interfering with anyone else’s and to constantly engage their minds with the acquisition of knowledge.  As a parent and an adult, I have a need to ensure that the children in my care are happy and are enjoying themselves. They need to be entertained and need to feel comfortable enough to include me in their activities and also be able to find their own space.

Bretton Beach Crest satisfies all my requirements. The cottages and their sensational setting in the dense vegetation on the beach dunes, provides a connected isolation which is exceptionally conducive to relaxation. You simply have no choice but to unwind and relax. The shaded road and walkways, the magnificent sweeping sea views, the wild un-spoilt beaches and the never ending sound of waves crashing on the beach are an absolute tonic and invigoration for anyone.

To have such a large group of diverse teenagers in one place and yet never have an issue arise between them speaks volumes for the amount of space and the range of activities that are available. Whether they are walking on the beach, relaxing on their beds, playing cards on the veranda, looking out for wildlife under the shaded canopies or simply sitting atop a dune taking in the sea view, the boys never feel as though they are on top of one another.   Don’t get me wrong, this secluded paradise is so easy to access from the town and so conveniently situated that it adds to my stress relief. Nestled perfectly between the new shopping center at Rosehill with its commercial luxury of Spar and Woolworths and the center of Port Alfred, everything I need is simply a mere five minute drive away.

Colin and Lee Howard, the owners, have over the years become friends and continue to take pride in the accommodation that they offer. Their hands-on supervision of the premises is unobtrusive yet effective and lost keys or requests are efficiently dealt with in a friendly manner.

The cottages offer just the right balance of comfort and rural charm. Every-thing you need is present. My athletes sleep well at night and I have never had a boy complain of being stiff or sore after a night’s sleep. This is quite an accomplishment and certainly a testimony to the quality of the beds provided.    I sleep well at night too. Knowing that my students are comfortable and relaxed, knowing that I can simply allow them to spend time on the beach the next day and knowing that they are secure and safe allows me the opportunity to rest easy. The annual boat race has become a personal highlight for me every year. It is an opportunity that I get to personally relax but also to have a group of boys that are so comfortable that they give me the opportunity to get to know them better.

I would be remiss if I only sung the praises of Bretton Beach Crest. Everything has a down side. Every year I have to leave and it is with a heavy heart that I pack my bags on the last morning. Somehow, there is a small consolation as we load our bags and one or two of the more junior boys catch my eye and smile. We know! We’ll be back next year!

December 2015

Trevor Dedlow (MIC Rowing King Edward VII School)

Well equipped, clean and affordable. Wonderful views and close to the beach. Highly recommended for a short or long stay.

Probably one of the nicest places to stay along the Sunshine Coast. Excellent value for money, comfortable, with amazing views over the ocean and friendly owners. You actually feel like you’re in your own private little nature reserve, surrounded by the dunes and mikwood forest. Can’t wait to get back.

Thank you very much for accommodating us. We really recommend Bretton Beach Crest for anyone who wants to escape the rush of city life. The cottages have everything that a person needs. You are so close to nature and wonderful bird life. You hear the sea when falling asleep and when you wake up.

Thanks yet again to Colin and Lee for another perfect stay in Port Alfred! Both Axel and I loved our stay with you in Cottage 2. The setting and seclusion are second to non and the cottages have everything you could wish for. The only noise you can hear is the sound of the ocean and it’s the perfect holiday spot for couples and families. The cottages are in a safe and very secure area and the surrounding natural beauty and wildlife are just stunning. It will always be my home from home every time I visit. The warm welcome and hospitality plus all the local knowledge that Colin and Lee have mean that you will get the very best not only from Bretton Beach but also the surrounding area. It is the most beautiful and welcoming place. Thank you!

Dear Colin and Lee Howard

Thank you for the stay at Bretton Beach Cottages.
We loved it there, we had such a great time, and will make a point of it to come back every year!
The Units are private, clean and got everything you need inside. The Location is perfect, the views amazing, and the bird life phenomenal
And to top it all off, every morning you wake up to sound of the waves!!

Kind Regards
The Botha Family 🙂

Dear Colin and Lee,

Just a quick note to say how much we enjoyed our stay at Bretton Beach. You are so lucky to live in such a beautiful part of the country!

Hope to see you again soon!

Kind Regards

Peter, Lynda and Megan

To Lee and Colin Howard

Thanx a lot for a fantastic stay at Bretton Beach no 3. The view is so beautiful. All the cottages is peaceful, still and have a nature atmosphere.

We enjoy it very much and look forward for next year

Ansie Lubbe

We had a most relaxing time at the Bretton Beach Cottages despite the stormy weather outside. The cottages are nicely secluded and shielded by greenery, have marvellous views of the ocean and we were happy to find the cottages well-equipped and spotless. We thoroughly enjoyed the lovely surroundings and the pristine beach. Thank you for your kindness and hospitality! Hopefully we can someday return for a break-away weekend!

Colin & Lee,
What a piece of heaven on earth you have there!! We completely fell in love with Port Alfred and your cottages setting, nothing but the sound of the waves and birds song. Thanx for making family holidays affordable, first time we could actually afford beach front accommodation. We all had a blissful time & can’t wait for our next trip. We can highly recommend Bretton Beach Cottages.
Be blessed.

We wish to thank Colin and Lee for the most unforgettable time in “our” cottage. I really can’t tell you how much we enjoyed staying there!!!! Everything was just perfect!!!! The only problem is that we should have stayed for our entire holiday!! You will definitely see us next year.   I will send you a photo of the fish we caught.
Many thanks again, you are two lovely people and we are very privileged for sharing your place!!!   Take care and God Bless!!!!!!!

2 Weeks of absolute bliss. Friendly hosts, fantastic views, convenient proximity to shopping centres, etc. The list goes on. The tranquil atmosphere was only disturbed by the old biplane from 43 Air school looping overhead now and then. Their air show was only one of the many things to see in the area. Our children disappeared around 8 in the mornings only to be seen again when they got hungry.  Bretton Beach Crest will undoubtedly see us again.

Upon arriving at our destination I turned to my brother and said: “It’s nice to finally be home”.  After going to Breton Beach Crest for 21 years (me only being 21 years old) it has definitely become a home away from home with a friendly little whale beckoning you in; and welcoming you back.
Bretton Beach Crest is a refuge from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, a serene setting situated in cultured Port Alfred on the Sunshine Coast where one can easily relax and restore your weary body and soul – and so close to the beach you can almost hear the sea knocking on your front door!

Bretton Beach Crest is not only a place to relax, but offers many delights to the adventurous at heart. One can spend hours investigating the rock pools, playing on the beach with your family or walking along the romantic shores as the sun sets in a pink haze. Other adventures include, for instance, boat trips on the Kowie River, surfing on East beach, horse riding, fishing, deep sea fishing and even snorkelling or diving – just take a look inside the helpful guide placed in every cottage at Bretton Beach Crest to get you started.

Bretton Beach Crest is the best example of the popular term: ‘location, location, location.’ It is situated at the edge of town, but at the same time only a stone’s throw away from the town centre and the new Rosehill mall, making trips to the supermarket effortless. A sense of privacy is created with the indigenous bushes surrounding the cottages and paths that lead to the beach. Every cottage has a beautiful view of the sea or is placed so as to have one by taking just a few steps outside. The cottage we visit every year, for example, now has a bench placed at its lookout over the sea, built by the caring and goodhearted Colin and Lee Howard- owners of Bretton Beach Crest.

Bretton Beach is a lovely private beach with cool tides and beautiful dunes. There is also a tidal rock pool on the beach (called the ‘kiddies pool’), where children can spend their days investigating the sea life and swimming safely. As I walked past it today I felt sad that I am too grown up to be able to splash around in that little pool. The towns blue flag beach, Kelly’s, is also any teenager’s dream, with lots of people, hotdogs sold on the side and wonderful swimming conditions.

The cottages themselves come equipped with everything you could possibly need. Comfortable beds and chairs, dining space, kitchen, a television (which we seldom use because Port Alfred in itself is much to entertain), enough closet space for the whole family and all the other essentials. The design of the lovely little cottages reminds me of a fisherman’s house, complete with little stoep and braai area. We have spent hours on the stoep, braai-ing and chatting the night away, listening to the sound of the waves crashing, with the flames of the fire dancing in the background.
If braai-ing or cooking is not your forte, Port Alfred offers some fantastic culinary experiences. The Bretton Beach Crest guide is, again, a good place to get a glimpse of what is available, but I feel the best way is to take a drive around town and strategically plan your way through all the breakfast, lunch and dinner places – as you will definitely want to try them all! The nightlife in Port Alfred is vibrant: even though there are not a multitude of places, quality has clearly been valued over quantity. I, a 21year old, seldom find myself without something to do after 8 in the evening.

Bretton Beach Crest is a place of absolute tranquil relaxation and indulgence in the enjoyment of life. Every holiday spent here as a child, teenager and now young adult has been a wonderful experience. Every year I pack my holiday bags gleefully in anticipation of going back to the place that has become our home away from home.

Ons was al verskeie kere by hierdie vakansie-oord en dis elke keer die moeite werd. In hierdie rustige atmosfeer kan jy nie anders as om net te rus en ontspan nie.  Sal altyd weer terug gaan!

Thank you so much for our cottage with a R1 million view! We really enjoyed our stay – it was like having a secluded island of our own.

Vir die afgelope paar jaar gaan ons graag met vakansie by Bretton Beach. Vir ons wat klein kinders het gee dit vir ons so bietjie tyd af van die dolle gejaag van die allerdaagse lewe. Met geen paaie/verkeer om die huisies is daar nie die alewige bekommernis dat een van die kids omgery gaan word nie. Die strand is sigbaar en slegs ‘n kort afstand van die huisies. Die groot see swembad op die strand is seker die grootste trekpunt vir die kinders en geniet ons almal die tyd in die water sowel as op die strand.

Die huisies is ten volle selfsorg (met opsionele skoon maak dienste), heel eenvoudig, maar gerieflik. Weereens geen bekommernis dat die kids die plek gaan afbreek nie. Rus en vrede vir ‘n moee mamma en pappa.
‘n Groot Dankie aan Lee en Colin vir ongelooflike vakansie herinneringe. Julle is wonderlik

I stayed at Bretton Beach for the entire month of February and had a wonderful time. The cottages are clean, spacious and very well appointed. I only had to bring towels as everything else is provided. The cottages are in a very peaceful location with stunning ocean views and are suitable for both families and couples. Bird life is abundant in the area and it’s a great base for exploring the surrounding Eastern Cape. The owners are very friendly and happy to help with any queries you may have. I’m already looking forward to returning next year for another long stay.

We visited Bretton Beach for the first time December/January. We found that the accommodation was excellent for what you paid for. The rates were very reasonable and fair. The dustbins are service every day and there is a maid facility on requests at a very reasonable rate, which makes the stay even more relaxing. The cottages are so well spaced that you have absolute privacy. The setting in bush over looking the sea gives you the best of both worlds, and the bird life is stunning. The beach is only 5 mins walk away. We were able to see 5 whales breaching from our porch which was the highlight of the visit. Colin and leigh are exceptional hosts and they are honest. What I appreciated the most was that I had paid for one extra day but decided to leave early and I did not expect a refund, but got one. Highly recommended in a secure and quiet setting and is suitable for all ages.

My husband and I (and the kids of course!) would just like to thank Lee and Colin for the perfect holiday we had at Bretton Beach Crest!!! The place is wonderful and our view was stunning!!!   In our 17 years of marriage, we decided, THIS ONE was our best holiday ever!

After a long drive from Bronkhorstspruit (50 kilos from Pretoria) we were very surprised by the friendly welcome we received from Colin and Lee Howard from Bretton Beach Crest. Our stay was excellent and we enjoyed the view and saw some whales while we were sitting on the stoep. My husband had a bypass and that was just the thing he needed to rest and relax.  Every thing we needed was there and the cottage were very clean.  As it was our first time in the Eastern Cape we explored quite a lot.  Thank you very much, we will definitely recommend Bretton Beach Crest to our family and friends.