Once the stately home of Sir John and Lady Ellerman, this Relais & Chateaux property is one of the finest hotels in Cape Town and offers the ultimate in luxury and relaxation.
Ellerman House is a beautiful Cape Edwardian mansion perched on the cliffs of Bantry Bay, with views over the Atlantic Ocean and Robben Island, and just ten minutes from the heart of Cape Town.
Owner Paul Harris converted the property in to a hotel in 1992, but it still retains the intimate feel of a family home, with only thirteen rooms and two adjacent private villas.
What’s more, the hotel is not open to the public, which really helps to create a sense of exclusivity, privacy and luxury.
Rooms in the main house all face out towards the ocean and each one has a private balcony where you can sit and admire the view with a drink or even have dinner served, as we did on the night we arrived.
The interiors are glamorous, but understated, with antique furniture, huge wardrobe space, king size bed, beautiful artworks from Harris’ private collection and comfy armchairs in the lounge area.
Away from the main house, two private three-story villas are also available for groups or families and these are designed in a more modern style and both feature a private pool and chef.
This is the kind of hotel that from the minute you arrive, it’s very hard to think of any reason to leave, such are the levels of comfort and indulgence on offer.
Aside from relaxing by the heated swimming pool, Ellerman House features a gym, library, world-class spa facilities, an art gallery, a cigar lounge, a whisky lounge and an amazing wine cellar where the hotel’s sommelier is available to tutor you on South African wines.
During summer, breakfast is served outside on the veranda overlooking the sea and the menu has everything from a full cooked breakfast to homemade pastries, fruit and yoghurts.
A modern European menu is available throughout the day offering fresh salads, pastas and meat dishes depending on what is available in Cape Town’s local markets.
Aside from the exquisite setting and five-star facilities, it’s the incredible service and extra little touches that really make Ellerman House an exceptional place to stay.
The kitchen, for example, can make up any simple dish you can think of and in between meals there’s a 24-hour guest pantry where you can grab drinks, cakes and sweets.
Staff are ready to help with any request you might have, from booking a table at a local restaurant to assisting with airport transfers and picking up your laundry (at no extra cost).
On one occasion, a staff member noticed us looking for ice in the pantry and three minutes later they had bought us a full ice bucket without us even asking.
Finding the perfect balance between luxury and homeliness, Ellerman House is a truly special place to stay and undoubtedly one of the finest hotels in Cape Town. If you’re planning a visit to Cape Town soon, Ellerman House is worth making the trip for alone.
Book with Bon Vivant!
Ellerman House is a Virtuoso hotel, therefore every booking made through Bon Vivant Travel will receive an upgrade on arrival, subject to availability, daily full breakfast and a bespoke wine tasting with their sommelier.
Contact us now to book.
