Ellerman House Review — Cape Town, South Africa

Ellerman House is what happens when a grand Edwardian mansion on Bantry Bay stays in caring hands: thirteen rooms, a cliff-side lawn over the Atlantic, and the feeling of staying in the home of a spectacularly good host.

The house holds one of the finest private collections of South African art anywhere — over a thousand works through the rooms and gardens — and a wine gallery whose cellar runs thousands of bottles deep in Cape benchmarks. Breakfast is cooked to order, the pantry is open all day, and almost everything is included in the rate.

I use it as the Cape Town bookend for safari itineraries — a few days here before the bush resets the jet lag in style — but clients routinely tell me it was the stay they'd repeat first.

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At A Glance

RegionBantry Bay, Cape Town StylePrivate-house hotel (Relais & Châteaux) Perfect ForSafari bookends, art and wine lovers, honeymoon landings My RankingFeatured on my collection →

What Stood Out

The Details That Made The List

The art collection. A museum-grade survey of South African art you live inside, not visit.

The wine gallery. A working cellar of the Cape's best — tastings in-house, and winelands day trips arranged from the door.

Thirteen rooms only. The scale makes it a house party, not a hotel — staff outnumber guests and it feels like it.

Know Before You Book

The Fine Print, From Your Advisor

Book it like a safari camp. Thirteen rooms means peak season sells out many months out — it goes on the itinerary first, not last.

Bantry Bay is residential. Quiet, spectacular Atlantic views, sunset side of the mountain — a ten-minute drive to the V&A and the city's tables.

Pair it with the bush. It's the natural partner to Royal Malewane or Londolozi — city, winelands, then safari.

The best small hotel in Cape Town and one of the best anywhere — the safari bookend that steals the whole trip.

Book Ellerman House Through Me

Same Rate, More Perks

Rates through me are identical to booking direct — the perks are not. As a Fora advisor, my clients receive a space-available upgrade, daily breakfast, and a hotel credit — plus my direct line to the team on property before and during your stay.

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Planning A Trip To Cape Town?

Ellerman House earned its place on my list. Let me match you to the right room, time it to the right season, and build the rest of the trip around it.

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