Ellerman House
Grand historic mansion meets living art gallery — old-world gravitas with genuinely warm South African hospitality. Art, wine, and food are treated as equal pillars, not afterthoughts. Formal but never stiff.
Book BAR ROC in advance — advance booking is marked as essential and sundowner tables with the best ocean views fill up fast.
Why It Matters
One of the most significant private collections of South African art in the country, displayed throughout the property. Holder of 2 Michelin Keys (2025) and a Relais & Châteaux member. The mansion has stood over Bantry Bay since 1906 — over 115 years — making it one of Cape Town's longest-running luxury addresses. Multiple consecutive Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards (2020–2023) and Gold List 2020.
Ellerman House is a Cape Edwardian mansion built in 1906, perched on the slopes of Lion's Head above Bantry Bay. Just 13 individually designed rooms and suites, plus two exclusive-use contemporary villas, all with Atlantic Ocean views. It's the kind of place where the art on the walls is museum-grade, the wine cellar holds 9,000 bottles, and the staff knows your name before you arrive. This is not a factory hotel — it's more like staying in someone's extraordinarily well-curated home.
Where You'll Stay
7 room types available
Classic House Room
From USD1,400 / nightClassically styled in soothing shades of slate, silver, and charcoal. Generous windows let in good light during the day, and heavy drapes make for a proper blackout at night. No ocean view and no terrace — the trade-off for entry-level pricing at this address. Cosy and well-appointed, with South African art and every amenity, but if you're spending serious money to be here, consider stepping up.
30 sqmDeluxe House Room
From USD3,600 / nightSeven of these rooms sit at the top end of the main house offer, each individually decorated with French doors opening directly onto your own private terrace overlooking the ocean. At 44m², these are generous, and the combination of private outdoor space with Atlantic Ocean views is what makes them the sweet spot in Ellerman House's room lineup. Prized South African art adorns the walls.
44 sqm
Deluxe Spa Room
From USD2,600 / nightTwo spa rooms share a private sun deck and swimming pool, surrounded by lush tropical planting. Tucked beside the spa itself, these rooms trade the ocean view for a more secluded, garden feel. Elegant and understated to match the spa's restful ambience. Ideal for couples travelling together who want private outdoor space without committing to villa pricing.
37 sqmEllerman House Suite
From USD3,800 / nightAt over 1,100 sq ft (102m²), these suites feel like a proper apartment. Full en-suite bedroom plus a separate lounge, dining room, and expansive private terrace with unobstructed Atlantic Ocean views. Prized examples of South African art from the owner's private collection are displayed throughout. Quiet exclusivity at its most comfortable — the kind of space you don't actually want to leave.
102 sqmSuperior House Room
From USD1,700 / nightSame 30m² footprint as the Classic but the key upgrade here is the majestic bay window framing the Atlantic Ocean. Warm woods and a palette of wheat, caramel, and tawny bronze give it a cozier, sunnier feel. Still no terrace, but waking up to that ocean view makes a real difference to the daily rhythm of a stay here.
30 sqmVilla One
From USD14,600 / nightAn exclusive-use contemporary villa accommodating up to 10 guests across five en-suite bedrooms (three or five bedroom configurations available). Multi-level layout: spa and two optional Deluxe Spa Rooms on Level 1; main living, study, TV lounge, dining room, kitchen, and private infinity pool on Level 2; three en-suite bedrooms including two with ocean views and one facing the Twelve Apostles range on Level 3. Private chef included. Suspended pool deck for al fresco dining. Ideal for multigenerational families. Children of all ages welcome (unlike the main house).
696 sqmVilla Two
From USD12,500 / nightA three-bedroom exclusive-use contemporary villa best suited for groups of friends. At 432m², it's slightly more compact than Villa One but shares the same clean architectural lines, private entertainment areas, ocean views, and dedicated hospitality team. Private chef included. Bold, sophisticated design that complements the character of the historic main house.
432 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
4 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
The world-class concierge team can organise virtually anything in and around Cape Town: helicopter tours, Table Mountain cable car, Cape Point hikes, Robben Island visits, Zeitz MOCAA gallery access, Winelands day trips, Antarctic expedition flights, and private dining reservations at top restaurants like FYN and Indochine.
Complimentary daily wine tasting hosted by Ellerman House's expert sommelier. Selections from the property's 9,000-bottle private cellar, including rare releases and coveted vintages acquired at private auction. South Africa's finest labels.
Daily sunset ritual — a craft gin trolley arrives with a selection of mouthwatering canapés while the sun sets over the Atlantic. Typically held in the garden or at BAR ROC.
Weekly sunset sessions by local Cape Town musicians performed in the terraced indigenous gardens. Complimentary for guests.
In-house art guides lead private tours through the Ellerman House art collection — works spanning over 200 years of South African history displayed throughout the house, gallery spaces, and gardens. Includes pieces by William Kentridge, Irma Stern, Thomas Bowler, and more. Sculpture tours of the garden are also available. Private tours of Cape Town's best galleries and museums can also be arranged with curator or artist access.
Complimentary entry to the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa is included in the hotel rate for all guests. One of Africa's most important contemporary art museums, located at the V&A Waterfront (14 minutes away).
Private yoga sessions on request — Vinyasa and Hatha-based practice focusing on breathing, movement, and meditation. Suitable for beginners. Advanced sessions with specialist instructors from Cape Town's wellness community also available at additional charge.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
A fully-equipped gym with what the hotel claims is the best view in Cape Town — a wall of sliding glass doors opens to a lawn framing the ocean. Technogym Excite equipment including treadmill, stationary bicycle, rowing machine, elliptical trainer, free weights, medicine balls, and exercise mats. Sauna and changing rooms on site.
Stocked daily with homemade cakes, cookies, savoury snacks, fresh fruit, and health-conscious options. Tea and coffee station. Complimentary for hotel guests.
Full restaurant menu available to order in-room at the same price as the dining room. No tray surcharges.
24-hour laundry and shoe cleaning service available. Turnaround within 24 hours.
A well-stocked library with fiction and nonfiction titles, international magazines, and an after-dinner fireside seating area. Computer and printer available for guest use at no charge.
Lush gardens planted with native fynbos and iconic South African species, cascading in terraces between the house and the ocean. Sculpture by South African artists is displayed throughout. Also the venue for weekly sunset music sessions.
A heated 6m x 20m competition-length lap pool on the lower garden terrace, with direct Atlantic Ocean views. Striped sun loungers available for those who prefer soaking to swimming.
A curated retail space featuring South African-designed and handmade products — each piece selected to reflect the country's creativity and cultural heritage. Good for unique souvenirs.
Available throughout the property and in the chauffeur-driven transfer vehicle. No data limits.
Vehicles stored off-street under 24-hour security team and CCTV cameras. Complimentary for guests.
Chauffeur-driven luxury vehicle transfers to/from Cape Town International Airport (26km, approx. 30 minutes) included in the rate.
BUILD YOUR ELLERMAN HOUSE PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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