Ellerman House

Style

Edwardian art enclave

Setting

Cliffs over Cape Town

A bastion of culture and elegance in Bantry Bay, Ellerman House is an art-filled escape in an Edwardian mansion. Each of the 13 rooms is spacious and bright, but the hotel offers plenty to explore outside the room. The estate pays tribute to South African culture, with two centuries of local art spread throughout the house, including in a dedicated gallery. Outside, stroll the terraced gardens or grab chairs by the ocean-facing pool. Even the restaurant is a tribute to the country, with elevated regional specialties best paired with local wines from the 7,500-bottle collection.

Facilities

Rooms

Thirteen, including two suites.

Checkout

11am. Earliest check-in, 2pm.

More Details

Rates include buffet breakfast, airport transfers, beverages (excluding wine), wine tastings, sunset cocktails, art tours, laundry and shoe cleaning. A 24-hour pantry is stocked throughout the day with fresh fruit, baked goods and beverages.

Also

The hotel is not wheelchair-accessible.

Fitness Center

Free Internet Access

Laundry

Pool

On-Site Restaurant

Room Service

Spa

At the Hotel

Gardens, on-site parking, gym, spa, library, 24-hour guest pantry, free WiFi. In rooms: television, heated floors, air-conditioning, in-room bar and snack drawer, hair dryer, organic amenities, free bottled water, international adaptor. Villa rates also include your own private chef.

Our Favourite Rooms

Each of the 12 rooms has unique accents, but the rooms in the Deluxe House have private terraces and prime ocean views.

Poolside

Tucked into gardens on the lower terrace of the hotel, the adults-only heated lap pool has Atlantic Ocean views. It’s flanked by black-and-white-striped lounge chairs.

Spa

The spa holds four individual treatment rooms and a couples' massage room, along with a sauna and steam room. Treatments include massages, facials, beauty treatments and stretches that are ideal after long-haul flights. There's also a small gym with a sauna.

Packing Tips

Bring a taste for fine wine: The staff maintain a collection of 7,500 bottles showcasing the best of South African varietals and vintages. Try some at the free daily wine tasting, then request a tour of the wine gallery.

Also

The hotel is home to a renowned collection of more than 1,000 works of South African art, spanning 200 years. The Contemporary Gallery holds pieces from some notable talents, including Wayne Barker and Angus Taylor.

Children

Over-12s only, so plan to leave the younger ones at home unless you book Villa One (all ages) or Villa Two (over-8s).

Gallery

Food & Drink

Top Table

Choose a table by the window for perfect views out to the water.

Dress Code

Plan on smart slacks and scarves to suit the art, view and fine wines.

Hotel Restaurant

Open only to hotel residents, the Ellerman House restaurant pays tribute to local flavours. Chef Grant Daniels combines his Cape Malay heritage with the ingredients contemporary South African cuisine and refined French techniques. The kitchen sources organic produce from local markets for dishes that change seasonally, and can include a hearty braise lamb shoulder similar to what Daniels enjoyed at family meals as a child. With large windows facing the bay, the elegant room is ideal for romantic dinners paired with a bottle from the hotel’s wine cellar.

Hotel Bar

The contemporary Bar Roc is a great place to try South African spirits, including the house Ellermantini, made with South African gin. There is a full bar menu, with burrata, pork belly and other dishes. The bar hosts local musicians every Monday. The Wine Gallery is open by request for tastings and tours.

Last Orders

Breakfast is available from 7am to 11am, lunch from noon to 3pm and dinner from 6pm to 10pm, though the staff gladly accommodate guests’ preferred times; Bar Roc is open to guests anytime.

Room Service

Though there is no dedicated room service, guests can dine any time of day, wherever they would like, choosing options from the restaurant menu.

Planes

Cape Town International is a 30-minute drive from the hotel. Direct flights are available on British Airways. For longer-haul flights or alternate airlines, expect to connect through Johannesburg, the country’s hub. Transfers are included.

Trains

Cape Town Station is a 10-minute drive from the hotel, and connects to the wine country.

Automobiles

Many people heading out to explore the wine country or drive down the cape like to hire a car. The hotel offers free valet parking.

Worth Getting Out of Bed For

Ellerman House is a tribute to some of South Africa’s best treasures, including wines from the nearby Winelands and art from prominent South Africans. Explore both with guided tours and tastings. The hotel can arrange for a custom tour of the art collection with a guide, who can share stories of the works and describe the annual charity art auction, held on-site, which raises money to provide local schools with state-of-the-art technology. Enjoy South African wines at the daily tastings, or arrange for a tour of the Wine Gallery, which uses interactive multimedia to catalogue the bottles; the space also holds a brandy lounge and champagne cellar, ensuring the ideal tipples for every taste.

On warm sunny days, nab sun loungers by the pool, ideally facing out over Bantry Bay. The hotel is a nice stroll away from the beach, though the Atlantic waters off Cape Town are often too cold for all, but the bravest of swimmers.

There is plenty to see in beautiful Cape Town. Head for photogenic Bo-Kaap, which was originally founded by freed slaves, and is still home to many of their descendents. Stroll the streets peeping the bright, candy-coloured homes, or hire a guide to better absorb the area's rich history. Learn more about the history of South Africa, including apartheid, with a visit to Robben Island, off the coast of Cape Town. Nelson Mandela served the majority of his 27-year sentence here. The prison is now a museum, which has preserved Mandela's cell. The hotel can arrange for ferry and tour tickets.

Cape Town is quite cosmopolitan, with fantastic shops and cafes packed with glamorous locals. Head for Greenmarket Square, home to stylish Bree Street and boutiques like Missibaba and Sam, stocking South African-produced goods.

Earn or Redeem Points with World of Hyatt

This Mr & Mrs Smith hotel participates in the World of Hyatt loyalty program. As a member, you can earn and redeem points and enjoy exclusive benefits for qualifying nights. .