Get a room: Ellerman House

Time Out magazine has decreed that Cape Town is its best city in the world for 2025. We pronounce this ultra-cool and elegant legend of a hotel as one of its finest spots.
2 mins read

Set in a grand Edwardian-style residence dating to 1906, Ellerman House offers understated luxury, discreet glamour and a dollop of warm African hospitality in the Mother City.  And is there a better view in Cape Town than from the lawns of Ellerman House? With paragliders soaring off Signal Hill to your right, sunset to the left, and Robben Island out in the deep blues of Table Bay straight ahead, I doubt it.

The setting

Perched on the mountain slopes above Bantry Bay, neatly protected from the summer southeasters, Ellerman House is both an eyrie and an exclusive idyll. Not that you’re far removed from the city. The chi-chi beaches of Clifton are just around the corner, a 10-minute wander will have you on the buzzy streets of Sea Point, and the same by Uber Black sees you in the city centre or V&A Waterfront. Local tip? Don’t miss out on a dip in the Saunders’ Rock tidal pool just down the hill from the House.

Picture: Supplied.

The vibe

This may be one of the most celebrated hotels in Cape Town, with a proverbial mantelpiece full of awards, but Ellerman House happily does away with formality and fuss to have guests feeling at home from the get-go. Bags are whisked from the car by the doorman, while a manager offers you a quick tour of Ellerman – yes, we’re on first name terms by now – before delivering you to your room. Check-in formalities? Forget it.

Service is unfailingly polished and personal, with ever-present staff quick to freshen up the pool loungers or remember just how you like your martini. Ellerman House gin, by Inverroche, and a twist of lemon for me, please.

You’ll spend happy days on the glorious pool terrace, broaden your palate with a tasting in the striking Wine Gallery, or work on your wellness in the intimate spa, where a new Polar Plunge pool will indulge your Wim Hof fantasies.

Rooms

Understated elegance is the name of the game here, and with just 13 rooms in the main house (plus two exclusive-use villas alongside) there’s plenty of attention to detail: bespoke Botany Bay amenities, thoughtful arrival gifts and a mini-bar filled with proudly Capetonian bites. The seven Deluxe House rooms are the standouts, with cosy lounge areas and private terraces serving up superb sea views. Sleep with the door open to make the Atlantic your nocturnal soundtrack.

Picture: Supplied.

Dining and wining

It’s no wonder guests often choose to dine in rather than explore the city’s restaurants. Head chef Kieran Whyte serves up an ever-changing à la carte menu of approachable fine dining that taps into local culinary traditions and a pantry of the city’s best suppliers. Summer dinners on the terrace are a delight. The wine list is extensive, tapping into the 7,500-bottle cellar on site. Don’t miss the Rhône-style Ellerman House Red Blend crafted by winemaker Erika Obermeyer. Breakfast, included of course, is a fabulous affair on the sun-splashed terrace.

What you’ll love

The Pantry. Whyte stocks this not-so-secret nook with an array of sweet and savoury snacks to keep those hunger pangs at bay. A slice of cake for elevenses? A few snacks for the beach? You’ll find them here, gratis, all hours of the day and night. It’s one of many inclusions that take the sting out of the room rate. Except for wine and champagne, all drinks are included during your stay. As are the sundowner canapés. The poolside cocktails. The guided wine tasting. The airport transfers … must I go on?

Picture: Supplied.

Oh yes, the art

First Rand co-founder Paul Harris, who bought Ellerman House in 1988, is an ardent art collector, and you shouldn’t leave without delving into the hotel’s private collection (1,000 works and counting). Landscapes by Bowler line an entire hallway, Pierneefs grace the walls of one lounge (Kentridge takes care of the other), and there’s hardly a wall that isn’t filled with work by African artists acclaimed and ascendant. The on-site art gallery has a more contemporary focus, including large-scale works by Angus Taylor and – the latest addition – Willem Boshoff. If it all feels a little overwhelming, ask for a (complimentary) tour from the dedicated in-house art guide.

Sign up to Currency’s weekly newsletters to receive your own bulletin of weekday news and weekend treats. Register here.

Richard Holmes

Though he spends plenty of time at 35,000 feet, Cape Town is where freelance travel writer Richard Holmes calls home. He’d rather go aisle than window, is leaning into on-board only, and drinks sauvignon blanc as a last resort. He’s travelled to all seven continents, and watches planes fly over with envy. Find him @on_another_plane on Insta.

Latest from Pleasure

Don't Miss