About this hotel
General information
Ellerman House is an intimate house hotel set high above the Atlantic in Bantry Bay, and a member of Relais & Châteaux. At its heart stands an Edwardian manor built in 1906 as a seaside home, where period proportions meet light, contemporary spaces, surrounded by gardens replanted with coastal species such as proteas and aloes. It feels more like a private residence than a hotel: fireside lounges, a wood-panelled library, ocean-facing terraces and a guest pantry stocked with teas, coffee and refreshments around the clock.
The house is best known for its South African art — more than 1,000 works spanning over two centuries, from early Cape paintings to contemporary sculpture — hung throughout the rooms, in a dedicated gallery with rotating exhibitions and in a sculpture garden. Its other signature is the Wine Gallery, a cellar threaded by a spiralling corkscrew installation and a wall of soils from Cape wine farms. The main house welcomes guests aged 12 and over.
Location
The hotel sits on the slope above Bantry Bay on Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard. The V&A Waterfront is about ten minutes away by car, the city centre is a short drive, and Clifton and Camps Bay beaches are within walking distance. Cape Town International Airport lies about 26 km away, roughly 30 minutes by road, and return airport transfers are complimentary for guests.
Spa
The small garden spa has four treatment rooms, including a dedicated couples’ suite, and a relaxation area with a sauna, a polar plunge and a sensation shower. The menu covers facials, body treatments, scrubs and grooming, plus Swedish, aromatherapy, deep-tissue and lymphatic massage, each tailored to the guest. Hotel guests use the spa at no extra charge.
Sports & leisure
On site there is a pool terrace above the ocean, a gym filled with natural light behind floor-to-ceiling windows, private tours of the collection with the house art specialist and daily tastings of South African wine. Further afield, private outings can be arranged:
- the Cape Winelands — tastings, cellar tours and lunches at renowned estates and small family wineries
- scenic drives around the peninsula, including Chapman’s Peak and Cape Point
- helicopter flights over Table Mountain, the coastline and the peninsula
- visits to galleries, artists’ studios and private collections
- guided coastal walks, more demanding hikes and trips to nature reserves
Restaurants & bars
The kitchen follows the seasons and its local growers, fishermen and producers, with fresh seafood at the centre; daily à la carte breakfast and room service are part of every stay.
- OneEighty Restaurant — seasonal menus with views over the ocean and the city
- Curate at Ellerman House — intimate dinners inside the Wine Gallery, each dish matched with a wine
- Bar Roc — bar and lounge for cocktails and an extensive wine list, from afternoon into evening
- Wine Gallery — a cellar of thousands of South African bottles spanning decades, from iconic estates to small family producers, with tastings led by specialists and shaped around each guest’s interests
Swimming
The main house has a swimming pool on a terrace overlooking the Atlantic. Clifton and Camps Bay beaches are the nearest, both within walking distance.
Rooms
The rooms and suites of the main house are individually styled, each with a king-size bed and South African art; most look out over the Atlantic, while the Deluxe Spa Room is tucked into the spa garden.
Every room has air conditioning and underfloor heating, a TV with streaming services, high-speed Wi-Fi, tea and coffee facilities, a complimentary minibar and snacks, and a marble-finished bathroom with luxury toiletries.
Classic House Room
A snug room without an ocean view, with a king-size or twin beds and a seating area. The marble-finished bathroom has a separate bath and shower.
Superior House Room
An Atlantic-view room with a king-size bed and a bay-window seating nook instead of a private terrace. Marble bathroom with a walk-in shower.
Deluxe Spa Room
A secluded room among tropical gardens in the spa precinct, with a king-size bed and its own sun deck beside a shared pool; there is no ocean view. The spacious bathroom has an inset bath and a glass shower.
Deluxe House Room
A spacious bedroom with a king-size bed, writing desk and seating area, opening onto a private terrace with ocean and garden views. The bathroom has both a bath and a shower.
Ellerman House Suite
A suite with separate living, dining and sleeping areas, a king-size bed, a study and a dressing room. It opens onto a generous private terrace facing the Atlantic.
Photos are for illustrative purposes only. Actual room layout, furnishings, décor, views and amenities may differ from those shown and may vary between rooms of the same category. Hotel and room descriptions are based on information provided by the property and are believed to be accurate at the time of publication, but are not guaranteed. The hotel may renovate or change its rooms, facilities, restaurants and services at any time without notice. The final details of your stay are confirmed at the time of booking. See our Terms of Use.