Ellerman House, Cape Town

In short… An elegant, art-filled home hidden on the cliffs of Cape Town’s Bantry Bay with standout service and unparalleled views.

The surroundings…The drive from the airport to Ellerman House winds around Cape Town’s curves, with equally spectacular vistas of Table Mountain and the Atlantic. Thirty minutes from our departure (though my driver tells me that with traffic it can take upwards of an hour), we weave up the hillside through the exclusive Bantry Bay area to Ellerman House. Tucked below Lion’s Head peak, the oceanfront views, again, are nothing short of stunning.

The vibe… A former private residence (built in 1906 by shipping magnate Sir John Ellerman and originally called Florida House), Ellerman House continues to think of itself as a home rather than a hotel. The luxe yet relaxed setting feels just that — if said home had impeccable service and an extensive private collection of South African art. There are multiple public spaces throughout, including a library complete with a fireplace and collection of fiction and nonfiction titles as well as magazines to pull from, comfortable drawing rooms and a wide, sunny terrace to take in the views — and breakfast or lunch. In addition to the many pieces that fill the house, there is also a dedicated art gallery on the property featuring a rotation of contemporary works that included pieces by Nelson Makamo, Dianne Victor and Penny Siopis, among others during my visit. The property’s lush and carefully curated gardens feature a variety of indigenous South African plants, from proteas (the national flower of South Africa) to grass-like restios to vibrant Bird of Paradise.

The property has housed Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates, and Denzel Washington and the expert service will ensure you feel just as much a notable guest. Friendly yet professional, the team is extremely kind and always ready and able to help, whether you’re looking for a second cup of tea, directions to the 24/7 pantry, or to arrange a wine tasting in Franschhoek (about an hour drive away).

The rooms…While the main areas of the property are certainly not lacking in spots to sit and enjoy the cliffside views, my favorite lookout point was from my room’s private terrace. The French doors in my room — one of the Deluxe House Rooms — opened to a wide terrace that overlooked the pool’s chicly-striped loungers in the foreground below and the ocean just behind. The room itself was spacious and comfortable, with a sitting area, ample closet space (big enough to make me regret I wasn’t staying long enough to properly unpack), elegant furnishings, an extremely comfortable king-sized bed and en-suite bathroom. Each of the property’s 11 rooms, two suites and two villas are individually designed and decorated. Some are done in ocean-evoking blues and whites, others in more creams and tans — all with a mix of modern and antique furnishings and each including different pieces from the private art collection. I can say with conviction that you’ll want to come back to explore/stay in them all.

The wellness… One of the best massages I’ve had in a long time (the deep tissue Bellabaci Massage which utilizes cupping therapy). The spa itself is located just past the main house and includes four treatment rooms as well as a sauna and steam room. Treatments include a wide variety of massages, facials and body wraps using South African brands such as Environ and Healing Earth. Should you choose to book Villa One, you will also have exclusive access to the spa area as well as a dedicated therapist throughout your stay. (Even when Villa One is booked, other guests can continue to book treatments in one the rooms situated toward the front entrance. If you’re looking to work out, a small yet well-outfitted gym includes a yoga deck and looks out over the ocean below.

The food & drink… Head for a sundowner at Bar Roc or, should you prefer to watch the sunset with a drink in the privacy of your room, the complementary in-room bar has everything you need to make your own sundowner including locally-produced gin and other craft spirits, mixers, a small cutting board stocked (and re-stocked daily) with a lemon and knife — and perhaps most importantly, a fresh delivery of ice in the latter part of the afternoon that remains chilled and ready for you care of an insulated ice bucket.

In terms of dining, Curate, Ellerman House’s newest fine-dining restaurant, was just about to open when I stayed and so, while I didn’t get a chance to eat there (think multi-course tasting menu highlighting seasonal ingredients led by Head Chef Kieran Whyte), I did sneak a peek inside. Just steps from the main house, Curate is set in the beautiful Wine Gallery designed by South African sculptor Angus Taylor. I did get the chance to enjoy dinner at OneEighty, Ellerman House’s more casual restaurant in the main house, which features a two- or three-course menu to choose from that changes daily. We shared an excellent South African chenin blanc from Stellenbosch, which paired perfectly with the night’s soup (squash purée with pumpkin seeds) and pan-fried local Kingklip (a mild, slightly sweet white fish).

Be sure to… pop into the guest pantry for a snack between meals! It’s open 24/7 and the bountiful options are prepared fresh daily, running the (health) gamut from green juice to freshly-baked cakes to rusks (crunchy South African biscuits) to savory tarts and more.

Date of stay… April 6 – 8, 2025