86 luxurious sea-facing rooms, each with its own balcony. Nothing to obscure your matchless view of the whales at play in the sapphire Indian Ocean. Satellite television and a private heated outdoor pool. Cotton linen, fluffy towels and air conditioning. Restaurants and cocktail bars just a sunset stroll away. What more could you possibly want?

The Diaz Strand Hotel and Resort is situated right in the heart of South Africa's Western Cape Garden Route, in the historically-rich and exceedingly beautiful town of Mossel Bay.

The 4-star Hotel, opened on 1 July 2004, is named in honour of the famed Portuguese navigator, Bartolomeu Diaz, who landed here in Mossel Bay in 1488. The Hotel is themed on the long and vivid history of the area, and with luxurious suites named after Diaz and his companions, you will feel yourself at once surrounded by the charm of heritage.

Our staff will welcome you with warmth, and will ensure that you experience attentive and considerate service throughout your stay. As management, we believe that excellence can be achieved only through the combined efforts of all the members of our team, and so pay particular attention to helping individual staff members reach their potential.

The Diaz Strand Hotel and Resort is ideal for special functions, weddings and your next business conference.

The hotel offers guests a choice of 86 Luxury Rooms and Suites, including two beautifully-appointed Honeymoon Rooms, romantic Joao Grego, the Honeymoon Suite, and Bartholomeu Diaz, the extravagantly opulent Presidential Suite.

Each room has its own sea-facing balcony, where guests can dreamily watch the whales and dolphins at play in the bay below. All rooms are finished in rich cherry-wood, and the en-suite bathrooms in lustrous marble. The bathrooms of the three Honeymoon units romantically overlook the ocean. The two suites each have a spacious bedroom and a separate lounge leading out onto the balcony.

All rooms and suites have the following features:

• Individual sea-facing balcony
• Cherry-wood finishes
• En-suite bathroom with luxury amenities and marble surfaces
• Individually-controlled air conditioning
• Minibar fridge
• 100% cotton linen and hypo-allergenic pillows
• Writing desk
• Mood lighting
• Opening windows
• Radio and satellite television
• Telephone
• Hairdryer
• International plugs and shaver sockets.

Accommodation is on a bed and breakfast basis, and self-catering 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom rentals are also available for larger groups and families.

The Diaz Strand Hotel and Resort offers a wealth of culinary choices for the epicurean guest.

Bahia dos Vaqueiros: With magnificent panoramas of both the Indian Ocean and the Outeniqua Mountains visible through its windows by day and the sparkling lights of the town by night, Bahia dos Vaqueiros is undoubtedly Mossel Bay's premier fine-dining restaurant.

The restaurant's ceiling is adorned with The Fantasy of the Discovery of the World - the largest ceiling fresco in the southern Cape, painted by a team of artists led by Andre Knoesen, who was also responsible for artwork at Sandton City's Mandela Square. Our executive chef incorporates locally-grown fresh produce into his dishes to create a crisp and contemporary fusion cuisine.

The walk-in cellar, Vinho Barcos Rabelos, boasts a selection of exclusive award-winning icon wines; in addition, guests have the opportunity to learn more about the spectacular wines of the Cape through regular gourmet food and wine evenings.

A wide range of the best international brandies, whiskies and beers is served at the ladies' bar, Cantina Donnas. House cocktails are also available in this stylishly modern venue. Just outside Cantina Donnas there is an open-plan lounge area, where guests can take time out and breathe in the vibe.

The restaurant seats 70 people; bookings can be arranged for functions if required.

Rosebud Restaurant: The fully-licensed Rosebud Restaurant serves a superb variety of meals to beachgoers, in a casual bikinis-and-beachtowels atmosphere. Breakfast, lunch or dinner can be enjoyed at the Rosebud, with the choice of a buffet meal or a mouthwatering variety of a la carte dishes.

Guests can laze in the sun whilst enjoying an ice-cold draft on the Beer Garden deck, with its superlative views stretching out over the resort and ocean.

Art Cafe Pizzeria: Enjoy our mouth-watering pizzas and pastas or go into raptures over our freshly baked cakes and delicacies, combined with a range of exotic coffees - all served in a trendy atmosphere, with superb views of the outdoor pool, the palm trees, and the beach.

Pirates Tower Cocktail Bar: Pirates Tower Cocktail Bar, with a menu of around 40 different cocktails, is situated right on the beach and has fantastic 360-degree views of the ocean and resort.

The town of Mossel Bay holds many delights for those who, like Dias, will take the time to explore.

Take a trip to the magnificent Point area, or visit one of the nearby game farms; don't miss the Dias Museum Complex, where, amongst other things, you can take a tour of the 1988 replica of the caravel on which Dias and his men sailed into the Bay.

Local tour operators offer splendid cruises around Seal Island, or for the intrepid, why not try shark-cage diving?

In Mossel Bay, there are a number of charming curio shops, as well as a wide variety of excellent restaurants and coffee shops, and the world-class Garden Route Casino is just a few minutes out of town.

The Resort offers a wide range of leisure activities:

The Outdoor Rim-flow Pool with its crisp clear blue water, is reserved exclusively for the use of hotel guests. There are ample deck chairs at the pool's edge and under the palm trees; drinks and teas are served here for the convenience of our guests.

The Indoor Heated Pool is situated next to the Jacuzzi Garden and Wellness Centre.

Within touching distance of the captivating coastline and the cool waves, Lazy River captures the essence of Diaz Strand - fun, action and excitement. Ride the tubes with friends, or simply wallow in the water, work on your tan and drift along without a care in the world.

Those who prefer a somewhat faster ride, can take in a superb high-speed view of the ocean whilst zooming down the seaside Supertube.

Play a round on either of the two aptly-named Adventure Golf courses, or pick up a set of clubs and head out to the Mashie Golf course ? all three courses have fantastic views of the beach and ocean.

Helicopter rides can be arranged from Diaz Strand; the experience will afford you spectacular aerial views of Seal Island, the Point and the town of Mossel Bay.

Diaz Adventures, an on-site adventure company, offers a range of activities in and around the resort, boat trips around Seal Island, whale-watching, sea-kayaking, abseiling, and scuba-diving, either at sea or in the on-site training tank.

Situated as it is, right in the heart of the Garden Route, the Diaz Strand Hotel is an ideal venue for conducting business. We offer a number of facilities and services to assist you in this regard.

Conferencing facilities:

The Pero Dias Conference Centre can accommodate 750 people cinema-style or up to 300 seated at tables, and with its modern facilities, including a stage and nearby break-away rooms, it makes for an ideal conference venue in a matchless setting.

The breathtaking Starlight Room, situated on the 12th floor of the hotel can seat 24 people at tables and up to 40 people cinema-style. This is the perfect venue for award ceremonies or product launches. The views are spectacular, and the balcony is the ideal spot to host a spit-braai or cocktail evening; catering can be arranged if required. The venue can accommodate up to 80 people seated.

The boardroom is available for use by arrangement, and is equipped with all meeting necessities, including an overhead projector.

Business Centre:

• Business lounge with Internet access
• Telephoning
• Faxing
• Emailing
• Scanning
• Car hire can be arranged
• All postal requirements can be supplied by Reception
• Incoming mail will be held for you
• Wake-up calls can be requested
• Wi-Fi facilities in each room.

All Room Rates include a full South African Buffet Breakfast.

Rates vary between Peak and Value Seasons. Please enquire for applicable rate.

Please note: Children under 9yrs will be accommodated with adults in an Executive room.

(Surcharge of R45 per child - Maximum of 2 children - under 9 years)