At a Glance
- Two‑year, $7.75 million overhaul kept Edwardian grace while adding eco‑tech and local design, trimming Ellerman House’s energy use by 30 percent without closing a single day.
- Thirteen rooms and two secluded villas front the Atlantic, showcasing museum‑grade South‑African art, and tablet butler service for tailored comfort.
- Guests enjoy curator‑led art tours, Cape‑centric tasting menus and a spa cantilevered above waves, featuring rooibos rituals and dawn yoga—ideal for a memorable festive retreat.
Situated on the granite slopes of Bantry Bay with Table Mountain at its back and the endless Atlantic at its feet, Ellerman House is a discreet 5‑star retreat that marries turn‑of‑the‑century elegance with contemporary South‑African flair.
This season, the 13‑room former private mansion—now among Cape Town’s most coveted addresses—invites discerning travellers to savour art, wine, and warm Cape heritage in one unforgettable setting.
Grandeur re‑imagined
A painstaking two‑year refurbishment—completed for R140 million ($7.75 million) without a single day’s closure—has layered soft modern textures onto Edwardian bones.
Local artisans restored original teak staircases and stained‑glass windows, while Cape Town designers introduced hand‑woven mohair, Fynbos‑inspired palettes, and eco‑smart systems that cut energy use by 30 percent.
Suites of distinction
Each of the 13 bedrooms and two ultra‑private villas faces the Atlantic, their terraces framing sunsets that wash Lion’s Head in rose‑gold light.
Bespoke furniture, museum‑quality South‑African art, and quietly intuitive tech (think silent climate control and tablet‑based butler call) create sanctuaries of effortless repose.
Seasonal pleasures
Festive days unfold at a gentle pace: sunrise swims in the temperature‑controlled lap pool, curator‑led tours of the hotel’s 1,000‑piece art collection, and dégustation lunches on the Champagne Terrace.
Evenings shimmer with jazz trios and tasting menus that spotlight Cape seafood, heirloom garden produce, and rare vintages from Ellerman’s fabled 7,500‑bottle cellar.
Cuisine with a Cape soul
Executive Chef Kieran Whyte crafts daily menus that honour South Africa’s culinary tapestry—line‑caught kabeljou, Karoo lamb, wild‑harvested herbs—paired to boutique estates like Sadie Family and Klein Constantia. The open kitchen invites conversation; the Vinotèque invites discovery.
Wellness in harmony
Down a sculpted stone path, the Spa offers sea‑salt scrubs, rooibos‑infused massages, and a hydrotherapy pool cantilevered above crashing waves.
Yoga mats unfurl on the lawn at dawn; guided hikes up Table Mountain depart after breakfast.
A holiday above the horizon
At Ellerman House, art, ocean, and African hospitality converge. This Christmas, trade bustle for cliff‑top calm—where every sunset is a private exhibition and every moment feels personally curated.
