Cape Town, South Africa
Ellerman House
Ellerman House describes itself as being for ‘discerning guests accustomed to the finer pleasures of life’ and everything about this glorious hotel reflects that statement. The Cape Town mansion we’d all have in our dreams, it’s a superb Relais & Chateaux hotel with unrivalled views across the manicured gardens to Robben Island, and the beyond to the bay. Perhaps the principal attraction to guests, many of whom return year after year, is the discreet yet attentive service giving you the impression that you are among friends.
Ellerman House describes itself as being for ‘discerning guests accustomed to the finer pleasures of life’ and everything about this glorious hotel reflects that statement. The Cape Town mansion we’d all have in our dreams, it’s a superb Relais & Chateaux hotel with unrivalled views across the manicured gardens to Robben Island, and the beyond to the bay. Perhaps the principal attraction to guests, many of whom return year after year, is the discreet yet attentive service giving you the impression that you are among friends.
Ellerman House describes itself as being for ‘discerning guests accustomed to the finer pleasures of life’ and everything about this glorious hotel reflects that statement. The Cape Town mansion we’d all have in our dreams, it’s a superb Relais & Chateaux hotel with unrivalled views across the manicured gardens to Robben Island, and the beyond to the bay. Perhaps the principal attraction to guests, many of whom return year after year, is the discreet yet attentive service giving you the impression that you are among friends.
Ellerman House describes itself as being for ‘discerning guests accustomed to the finer pleasures of life’ and everything about this glorious hotel reflects that statement. The Cape Town mansion we’d all have in our dreams, it’s a superb Relais & Chateaux hotel with unrivalled views across the manicured gardens to Robben Island, and the beyond to the bay. Perhaps the principal attraction to guests, many of whom return year after year, is the discreet yet attentive service giving you the impression that you are among friends.
Location
The house is located in Bantry Bay, just south of Cape Town, where the slopes of the Lion’s Head mountain meet the Atlantic Ocean. A verdant oasis built into the mountainside, the palatial property is surrounded by pristine lawns edged with indigenous shrubs and trees, which are alive with birdlife.
Accommodation
Once a charming private home, Ellerman House offers a personalised and ultra-luxe experience with just thirteen uniquely styled rooms, and two gorgeous exclusive-use villas. All of the dwellings exude comfort and sophistication, featuring exquisite decor, lavish en-suite bathrooms and lots of thoughtful details that make this a home away from home.
Many of the elegant rooms have either views of the undulating ocean or a private terrace, with some benefiting from both. The two spacious Deluxe Spa Rooms share a shimmering swimming pool and sun soaked deck, perfect for two couples travelling together. The Ellerman House Suites have the addition of a private dining room, lounge and expansive private terrace, but the real gems in the Ellerman’s crown are the two sprawling villas.
Many of the elegant rooms have either views of the undulating ocean or a private terrace, with some benefiting from both. The two spacious Deluxe Spa Rooms share a shimmering swimming pool and sun soaked deck, perfect for two couples travelling together. The Ellerman House Suites have the addition of a private dining room, lounge and expansive private terrace, but the real gems in the Ellerman’s crown are the two sprawling villas.
Ideal for multigenerational families or groups of friends, the villas have three or five en-suite bedrooms, sizable entertainment spaces, and private infinity pools with breathtaking views of the ocean vista. Your private chef will prepare meals in the villa’s well-equipped kitchen, while the rest of your dedicated hospitality team are on hand to meet any other needs.
The shared facilities at Ellerman House include a large heated pool set within the perfectly tended gardens; attractively furnished lounges and library; and a tranquil spa with a colour therapy steam bath, sauna, and infinity pool. Head to the dining room where you’ll experience exemplary cuisine paired with a glass of one of the 9,000 wines maturing to perfection in the gallery.
The shared facilities at Ellerman House include a large heated pool set within the perfectly tended gardens; attractively furnished lounges and library; and a tranquil spa with a colour therapy steam bath, sauna, and infinity pool. Head to the dining room where you’ll experience exemplary cuisine paired with a glass of one of the 9,000 wines maturing to perfection in the gallery.
Experiences
- Join the hotel's expert sommelier for daily wine tastings, savouring interesting and unique bottles from the unrivalled collection.
- For art lovers, private tours of the unique Ellerman House art collection are available, with striking pieces spanning more than two centuries. If you’re hungry for more, head out to peruse the galleries of Cape Town, accompanied by a specialist guide.
- Soak up the sun in the showstopping one-and-a-half acre garden while listening to the weekly performance from talented local musicians.
- Begin the day peacefully with a private morning yoga session.
- Spend the day in the spa, relaxing and recharging with a menu of massages and treatments on offer.
- Sip a sundowner with a selection from the craft gin trolley and sample canapes, as the South African sun melts into the ocean in a puddle of golden hues.
- Take a fascinating tour of the city’s cultural hotspots, immersing yourself in the rich tapestry of language, literature, food, fashion, ritual and religion.
Positive Impact
We prioritise working with properties that collaborate with local communities and address location-specific needs from education to anti-poaching. We assess our partners to ensure the people we work with share our values of ensuring our trips continue to act as a force for good. Here we share some of the positive impacts your stay here contributes to.We prioritise working with properties that collaborate with local communities and address location-specific needs from education to anti-poaching. We assess our partners to ensure the people we work with share our values of ensuring our trips continue to act as a force for good. Here we share some of the positive impacts your stay here contributes to.
Community
Education is the focus of Ellerman House’s corporate social responsibility programme; a worthy cause in a country where English language and numeracy skills are all but absent in many elementary phase classrooms. The Harris family’s response to this challenge has been the establishment of Click Learning; a non-profit education initiative that deploys online literacy and numeracy programmes in under-privileged primary schools across the country.
Community
Since 2011, Ellerman House has opened its doors to host the annual charity art auction, ArtAngels. Each year's event includes a limited auction of fine art pieces, kindly donated by some of South Africa’s most revered artists. The ArtAngels event has raised well over £1 million for education in South Africa.
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