Many hotels claim to make you feel at home, but very few really achieve it. From the moment we arrived at Ellerman House, a classic, discreet but surprisingly large Bantry Bay property, we felt like old family friends.
No sooner had we been welcomed into Ellerman House, than we were invited to drop all formalities. Their ‘home away from home’ ethos clearly runs deep. This was further emphasised with a raft of complimentary services, including a bottomless free minibar showcasing local wines and spirits and on-demand cocktails. On top of all that we were given laundry bags and told to put in anything we needed washing, free of charge to be returned to us daily. Heading downstairs, the character of the property revealed itself. The walls around the staircase and the elegant, but cosy library are filled with original artwork. Ellerman House also houses its own purpose-built gallery and boasts works by some of South Africa’s most prominent artists, spanning the past two centuries. We highly recommend taking an illuminating private art tour here to get the most out of this unique collection.
| Perfect for | Fly into | Right on time |
| The Insider | CPT | GMT +2 |
| While you’re Out There |
| Ellerman House’s location is perfect for beach lovers: Saunders Rock, Queens, Sunset and Clifton beaches are all just a stone’s throw away from the property. We’d recommend our favourite, but then, where’s the fun in that? Head out in your flip flops and explore for yourself! |
Cape Town is at the cutting edge of wine production and Ellerman House celebrates that with an extraordinary, dedicated wine gallery, brought to life through the hotel’s complimentary wine-tasting experience. Showcasing one the very best collections of South African wines in the world, this is an experiential space housing a staggering 7,500 bottles, many displayed in a jaw-dropping bespoke eight-metre long, giant, sculptural, corkscrew wine rack. This gallery incorporates an interactive multi-media wine library and a brandy-tasting lounge if plonk is not your thing. There is also a champagne cellar, stocked exclusively with rare and unique vintages of Dom Pérignon.
For all the wonderful offerings, what really won us over was the warmth of the staff. Everyone from the guest-services team to the wellness experts in the top-notch spa or the waiters and chefs seemed to genuinely care whether we were having the best possible experience.
Photography courtesy of Ellerman House
