Cape Town, South Africa· Western Cape
Nearest park
Table Mountain National Park
Rating
4.9 (398)
From
$1,000/ night
Ellerman House is Cape Town's most prestigious boutique hotel, a magnificent Edwardian mansion perched above the Atlantic seaboard in the exclusive enclave of Bantry Bay. Built in 1906 for shipping magnate Sir John Ellerman, the property has been meticulously restored and transformed into a thirteen-room retreat that regularly tops lists of Africa's finest city hotels, seamlessly blending early 20th-century grandeur with contemporary South African art and design. The thirteen rooms and suites — including two private villas — each offer unique layouts and views, decorated with museum-quality South African art drawn from one of the country's most significant private collections. Works by Irma Stern, William Kentridge, Pierneef, and other masters hang throughout the property, making it as much gallery as hotel. Rooms feature handcrafted furniture, marble bathrooms, Frette linens, and terraces with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, Bantry Bay, and Lion's Head. The Wine Gallery is a jewel in Ellerman House's crown — an underground tasting space featuring an extraordinary collection of rare South African wines spanning decades. Guided tastings led by the in-house sommelier are a highlight, covering iconic estates from Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Swartland. The culinary program matches this vinous excellence, with a private chef preparing bespoke menus for guests using seasonal produce from Cape Town's exceptional suppliers. The terraced gardens cascade toward the ocean, with a heated infinity pool, sun deck, and spa tucked into the lush landscaping. The location provides easy access to Cape Town's cultural highlights — the V&A Waterfront, Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch Gardens, and the Cape Winelands are all within easy reach. Yet the serenity and privacy of Ellerman House ensure it feels worlds apart from the bustle of the city below.
Museum-quality South African art collection
Underground Wine Gallery with rare vintages
Panoramic Atlantic Ocean views
1906 Edwardian heritage mansion
Heated infinity pool above Bantry Bay
Private chef bespoke dining
Two private villas available
Works by Irma Stern and Kentridge
WiFi
Heated infinity pool
Spa
Private chef
Wine Gallery
Bar
Fitness center
Laundry and pressing
Airport transfers
Concierge service
Library
In-room safe
A private chef creates bespoke multi-course menus for each guest, adjusting daily based on seasonal produce and guest preferences. The Wine Gallery offers curated tastings of rare South African vintages. Light lunches are served poolside, and breakfast is a luxurious affair with fresh pastries, Cape fruit, and cooked dishes to order.
Activities include Wine Gallery tastings, guided art tours of the collection, Table Mountain excursions, Cape Winelands tours, helicopter flights over the peninsula, shark cage diving, Cape Point day trips, V&A Waterfront shopping, Robben Island visits, and private chef cooking demonstrations.
While Ellerman House is an urban property, Cape Town offers exceptional wildlife experiences nearby. Table Mountain is home to dassies (rock hyrax), and the Cape Peninsula hosts African penguins at Boulders Beach. Whale watching from Hermanus is accessible as a day trip, and the Cape Winelands support diverse birdlife.
Cape Town is best visited from October to April, when warm summer weather, long days, and clear skies make it ideal for exploring the Winelands, beaches, and Table Mountain. Winter (June–August) brings dramatic storms and whale watching season, with cozy fireside evenings at Ellerman House.
