Ellerman House, Cape Town
More photosPerched on the dramatic slopes of Lion’s Head in Bantry Bay, Ellerman House is a historic, Edwardian-style mansion built in 1906. Originally named Florida House, it was later purchased by the prominent shipping magnate Sir John Ellerman. In 1992, the grand estate was meticulously reimagined by Mark Thomas Architects, transforming it into an ultra-exclusive luxury boutique hotel that completely seals itself off from the public.
What really sets the property apart is its identity as a living museum. The mansion and its contemporary galleries house a private collection of nearly 1,000 original South African artworks spanning two centuries. Beneath the surface, the hotel features an architectural marvel of a wine gallery. This space holds over 9,000 rare local bottles and includes functional art pieces built directly into the cellar’s structure.
The hotel’s one-and-a-half acres of terraced gardens are entirely indigenous, landscaped with the help of botanists from the nearby Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. Filled with unique fynbos and proteas, these wind-sheltered lawns look straight out over the Atlantic Ocean toward Robben Island.
When you want to explore, Cape Town’s best spots are right at your doorstep. The famous white sands of Clifton Beach are a short walk away, while the lively V&A Waterfront and the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa are just a ten-minute drive from the property.
Expert reviews
“Don your chicest sunglasses here, you’ll need them to fend off the golden rays shimmering off the Atlantic. At Ellerman House, the ocean is ever-present, a liquid canvas that spreads out beneath this breathtakingly positioned A-class hotel.”
Featured as Frommer’s Exceptional Choice in Cape Town.
“Built in 1906 for shipping magnate Sir John Ellerman, what may be Cape Town’s finest hotel sits high on a hill up from Sea Point in Bantry Bay, graced with stupendous views of the sea.”
Featured as Fodor’s Choice in Cape Town.
“Sitting along the oceanfront in Cape Town, the exclusive Ellerman House exudes glamour. The cliffside setting affords dramatic ocean and mountain views — you cannot help but unwind with the lulling of the waves and the salty kiss of the sea breeze.”
“This Edwardian mansion, set in a jaw-dropping cliffside location overlooking the sea, is Cape Town’s most exclusive hotel, offering discreet glamour, splendid isolation and spectacular views. It’s also one of the most important repositories of South African art – part of the rich Ellerman experience.”
What guests liked
- Top location
- Excellent Wifi
- Friendly staff
Location
Recent guest reviews
10 March 2026
Exceptional
29 December 2025
Exceptional
28 January 2025
Exceptional
4 October 2024
Fabulous
5 December 2023
Exceptional
5 December 2023
Exceptional
9 October 2023
Exceptional
Hotel facilities
Food & Drink
- - Restaurant
- - Bar
- - Breakfast in the room
- - Snack bar
- - Special diet menus (on request)
- - Wine/champagne (additional charge)
- - Fruits
General
- - Room service
- - Non-smoking rooms
- - Lift
- - Safety deposit box
- - Packed lunches
- - Car hire
- - Heating
- - Allergy-free room
- - Non-smoking throughout
- - Air conditioning
- - Designated smoking area
- - Airport shuttle (free)
- - Shared lounge/TV area
- - Adults only
Business facilities
- - Meeting/banquet facilities (additional charge)
- - Fax/photocopying
Reception services
- - 24-hour front desk
- - Express check-in/check-out
- - Currency exchange
- - Tour desk
- - Luggage storage
- - Concierge service
- - Private check-in/check-out
- - Invoice provided
Activities
- - Sauna
- - Fitness centre
- - Golf course (within 3 km) (additional charge)
- - Spa and wellness centre (additional charge)
- - Massage (additional charge)
- - Table tennis
- - Evening entertainment
- - Beauty services
- - Facial treatments
- - Waxing services
- - Manicure
- - Pedicure
- - Body treatments
- - Body scrub
- - Body wrap
- - Spa facilities
- - Steam room
- - Spa/wellness packages
- - Back massage
- - Neck massage
- - Foot massage
- - Couples massage
- - Head massage
- - Hand massage
- - Full body massage
- - Fitness
- - Yoga classes
- - Fitness classes
- - Personal trainer
- - Temporary art galleries
- - Themed dinner nights (additional charge)
- - Live music/performance
- - Live sport events (broadcast)
- - Bicycle rental (additional charge)
Outdoors
- - Garden
- - Terrace
- - BBQ facilities (additional charge)
- - Outdoor pool
- - Sun terrace
- - Outdoor pool (all year)
- - Outdoor furniture
Entertainment & family services
- - Babysitting/child services (additional charge)
- - Board games/puzzles
- - Indoor play area
Cleaning services
- - Laundry
- - Dry cleaning (additional charge)
- - Ironing service
- - Trouser press
- - Daily housekeeping
Transport
- - Public transport tickets (additional charge)
- - Airport pick up
- - Airport drop off
Parking
- - Accessible parking
Pool and wellness
- - Heated pool
- - Sun loungers or beach chairs
- - Sun umbrellas
- - Swimming pool
- - Swimming pool
Miscellaneous
- - 24-hour security
- - Key access
- - Security alarm
- - Smoke alarms
- - CCTV in common areas
- - CCTV outside property
- - Fire extinguishers
- - Breakfast takeaway containers
- - Delivered food is securely covered
- - Access to health care professionals
- - Thermometers for guests provided by property
- - Face masks for guests available
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Exceptional