Discover a world between mountain and sea. Find yourself in the lap of luxury, in a place where time behaves differently and abides by its own set of rules. Celebrate a nation by living in a home that exemplifies a country. Taste and embrace a culture. Allow yourself to be hosted by a family and tended by the best. An oasis in the heart of the mother city. This is Ellerman House.

Long before arriving at Ellerman House, Cape Townʼs dramatic natural beauty has the ability to seduce even the most weary or jaded luxury travellers. Approaching the hotel from the city, first there is the impressive scale of Table Mountain to contemplate before driving up and over Kloof Nek and winding down through the Glen with tantalising glimpses of Camps Bay and the Atlantic Ocean backed by the Twelve Apostles range. Driving from Green Point, with the Cape Town Stadium as a landmark, the coastal route to Ellerman House follows the natural curves of Signal Hill and Lions Head – mountain peaks around which many of the cityʼs most desirable residential neighbourhoods have been built – with views out to see encompassing ships at anchor, sailing boats and Robben Island.

On first appearances, Ellerman House looks more like a private residence than a hotel. Its original Cape Edwardian-style mansion and two ultra-contemporary villas share one-and-a-half landscaped acres of prime real estate in Bantry Bay, a small, upscale neighbourhood sheltered from the prevailing Southeaster that blows in the summer months. The property’s proximity to the sights and sounds of the ocean and its magnificent coastal views are not fully evident until one has entered through the security controlled front door of the main house and descended the art-lined wooden staircase to the lower floor. From here, a series of elegant lounges decorated in an understated style lead outdoors onto deep, shaded verandas. It is only from the vantage point of the generously proportioned, terraced lawns, edged with indigenous foliage and overlooking the ocean, that one begins to form an appreciation of Ellerman House’s unique location. This is the quintessential urban retreat for discerning travellers wanting complete exclusivity in Cape Town while having easy access to the city’s natural assets, sophisticated dining scene, vibrant nightlife, and melting pot culture.

Clifton’s four sheltered beaches, each with its own loyal following of sun worshippers, are within walking distance. Local attractions, such as the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway and world-class shopping are just 10 minutes by car. Further afield, the Cape Peninsulas fynbos-clad mountains, long beaches, seaside villages, and Cape Point Nature Reserve all await exploration. The Constantia valleys historic wine estates are 30 minutes away, while the famous vineyards of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek are only an hour’s drive from the city centre.

Authentic South African hospitality is at the heart of the Ellerman House experience. After all, a philosophy of sharing the beauty, bounty and diversity of South Africa is the reason why the hotel exists in the first place. The property is not open to the public, which means that resident guests have exclusive access to all of its amenities, from the restaurant, bar and wine gallery to the pool, garden, spa and gym. Guest privacy and security are top priorities in this exclusive environment, and the hospitality team prides itself on individualising every aspect of the experience. Managing the unique needs and special requests of each guest from check-in to departure is something that the team does with great passion, sensitivity and dedication. Whether its arranging private surfing lessons at Muizenberg beach or securing a last-minute table at one of the city’s sought-after, award-winning restaurants, the staff delights in helping to shape extraordinary moments.

ACCOMODATION

Welcome home! If home was a Edwardian estate on the dramatic slopes of Bantry Bay in Cape Town, with 13 individually decorated rooms and suites. Fall into the lap of luxury while enjoying the nest linens, master artworks, complementary in-room bar and all of modern life’s creature comforts.

CLASSIC HOUSE ROOM (1)  –  Shades of warm grey and charcoal complement this warm and intimate space with a distinct feel. This room has no terrace and no ocean view.

SUPERIOR HOUSE ROOM (1)  –  Sun-Filled and inviting, this room features some of the best ocean views through the large bay windows. This room has no terrace.

DELUXE SPA ROOM (2) – Snuggly adjacent to the Ellerman House Spa, the Deluxe Spa Rooms have a front row seat to the serene infinity pool overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The two rooms feature double sliding wooden doors that open to a shared pool and deck (the pool and deck are only available to these 2 rooms).

DELUXE HOUSE ROOM (7)  –  These spacious rooms are a traveller’s paradise with two sets of double doors opening up to a private terrace overlooking the indigenous garden. Each room is uniquely decorated and have spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean from the private terrace.

ELLERMAN HOUSE SUITES (2)  –  Each Ellerman House Suite has a spectacular ocean view, private terrace and a separate lounge and dining area. These large rooms are the epitome of luxury and comfort showcasing prized paintings and sculptures by South African artists.

VILLA ONE 

Modern architecture and a breathtaking private location with beautiful Atlantic Ocean views define Ellerman House’s completely exclusive accommodation. Separate to Ellerman House yet on the same property, Villa One offers all the benefits of an exclusive small hotel coupled with life’s ultimate luxuries – complete privacy and discreet, highly personalised service. Villa One is ideally suited to families. To complement the old-world elegance of the original Ellerman House, Villa One and its sister residence, Villa Two, add a glamorous, contemporary edge to the hotel’s classic style and re ned ambience. With accommodation for up to 10 people, spacious entertainment and relaxation areas and a private infinity pool, this villa epitomises the glamorous beach lifestyle for which Cape Town has become world famous.

VILLA TWO

Gravity defying, ultra-modern architecture and breathtaking Atlantic Ocean views define the latest addition to Ellerman House’s luxury accommodation. Separate to Ellerman House yet on the same property, Villa Two offers all the benefits of being attached to one of the most exclusive small hotels in the world coupled with life’s ultimate luxuries – complete privacy and discreet personal service tailor made to the individual. Designed with the discerning luxury traveller in mind, Villa Two is ideally suited to families or groups of friends. Complementing the old-world elegance of the original Ellerman House, Villa Two and sister residence Villa One add a glamorous, contemporary edge to the hotel’s classic style and refined ambience.

With three bedrooms, spacious entertainment areas and an infInity pool, the new villa epitomises the glamorous beach lifestyle for which Cape Town has become world famous. Like the original Ellerman House Villa One, it is the quintessential ocean-view retreat – set apart, high up and away from the crowds. Its Bantry Bay location, one of the most sought-after residential neighbourhoods in Cape Town, offers shelter from the prevailing Southeaster wind in summer and spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean.

ELLERMAN HOUSE ART

The Ellerman House art collection takes visitors to this fine hotel on a journey that explores the huge social and cultural shift that South African art has made from the mid-nineteenth century to the present. The art in this collection tells of the character of our land and the expression of our unique South African experience. From the time of the early pictorial historians of the mid- nineteenth century, such as Thomas Bowler, you acknowledge that this country has a flavour of its own – an essential nature that distinguishes it from other places.

Communities in South Africa were extremely physically and culturally isolated from international centres of artistic innovation in the early 20th Century – a time before instantaneous globalisation of today. The Ellerman House collection traces the progress of pioneering work done in the 1930s by a generation of artists, such as Gregoire Boonzaaier, Maggie Laubser and Irma Stern, who were members of The New Group. Progressive identification by artists, such as Walter Battiss and Alexis Preller, with the essential nature of the land and its people – its Africanism, further reinforced the unique qualities of this land. The emergence of black pioneering artist like Gerard Sekoto and George Pemba began a process of cultural integration of the country’s ethnic communities into a unified South African art.

In the Ellerman House Contemporary Gallery, an eclectic, outspoken and energetic generation of current artists such as Benon Lutaaya, Heidi Fourie & Blessing Ngobeni are pushing the boundaries of the ordinary in order to create work that explores relevant issues in post-modern South African society. The Collection records the spirit of the times and the development of art and culture in South Africa. Most of the almost 1000 artworks are exhibited as part of the unique artistic experience that guests can enjoy at the Ellerman House.

ELLERMAN HOUSE WINE

Wine is taken very seriously at Ellerman House, and the hotel’s 7500-strong collection of South African wines represent both established and emerging labels from the Western Cape’s world-renowned wine regions. Many of the wines in the collection are rare or special releases augmented by sought-after vintages bought on auction. Wines from the cellar are only made available on the hotel’s wine list once they have been optimally aged and are deemed ready for enjoyment at peak maturity. Many of these fine wines are also available by the glass without compromising on quality, thanks to the Le Verre de Vin preservation system. The depth of the wine list allows guests to try verticals of vintages whereby the same wine can be sampled over various releases. Integrating outstanding contemporary architecture with breathtaking sculptural elements and cutting-edge design, the Ellerman House Wine Gallery is not only a showcase for this extensive, award-winning wine collection but offers guests a unique, interactive journey into the world of wine.

It aims to bring to life South Africa’s 350-year old heritage of winemaking, providing an environment for tasting and learning about local wines as intriguing and inspiring as the wine itself. Sophisticated storage is provided in state-of-the-art wine racks and separate, temperature-controlled maturation cellars for white and red wines. The gallery incorporates an interactive multi-media wine library and Brandy Tasting Lounge. There is also a Champagne Cellar, stocked exclusively with rare and special vintages of Dom Pérignon.

ELLERMAN HOUSE GYM

A small, well-equipped fitness centre with it’s own sauna and change rooms is located beneath the main house for those who want to maintain a workout regime while travelling. There is also an outdoor, heated lap pool tucked away on a private terrace. Up-to-date apparatus set the scene for an invigorating workout with a view. Equipment includes free weights and a bench, treadmill, stationary bicycle, full-body toning machine, stability balls, weighted medicine balls and exercise mats.

ELLERMAN HOUSE SPA

For the exclusive use of hotel and villa guests, the Ellerman House Spa is a natural extension of the property’s commitment to quality and personalised service. Situated on the ground-floor of Villa One, it is approached through a garden with tranquil water features, lush indigenous  plants and ocean views.  A small, highly experienced team of therapists offer a carefully considered menu of beauty and body treatments designed for relaxation, rejuvenation and self-improvement. Everything is designed to soothe the senses while the body and mind are coaxed into balance. With three single treatment rooms and one double room designed for couples, the spa specialises  in cutting-edge massage techniques and anti- ageing beauty rituals drawing on the wisdom  and restorative, healing techniques of different cultures from around the world. In addition, there is a sensation shower, sauna and steam room for hydrotherapy. Specialised massage techniques on offer include traditional Japanese body work, Bellabaci, aromatherapy, lymph drainage, and deep-tissue massage. The spa stock a choice of excellent skin care ranges including Environ! QMS Medicosmetics, Lilian Terry Oils, Vita Liberata, Mama Mio, Helio Care & Healing Earth products, for facials, pedicures, manicures, bronzing and  scrubs.