Ellerman House

A Truly Exceptional Experience — Again! I’ve now had the pleasure of staying at Ellerman House three times, and each visit only increases my appreciation for this extraordinary place. From the moment you arrive, you’re wrapped in an atmosphere of refined luxury and genuine warmth. The level of service is consistently outstanding — attentive yet unobtrusive — and the staff strike that rare balance between professionalism and true friendliness. Our room was magnificent, with unparalleled views of the Atlantic Ocean that have to be seen to be believed. The room was elegantly appointed, showcasing beautiful artwork, as the rest of the house does, and the bed was one of the most comfortable I’ve ever slept in. The bathroom was enormous and beautifully designed and the toiletries were perfect. Every detail was considered — from the generously stocked minibar to the guest pantry, a true delight filled with freshly baked cakes and a range of treats available around the clock. Breakfast on the veranda is a delight, and the perfect way to start your day at Ellerman Cocktail hour is truly magical, with superb cocktails discreetly served with sublime canapés - this is an experience to remember! There is a little area just outside the study which is a morning sun trap and it has a trickling fountain next to some cosy outdoor chairs - this little spot is where I'd like to retire! The gym has a breathtaking view and though I didn’t get a chance to visit the spa this time, I look forward to enjoying it again in the future as I had a memorable massage there on a previous visit. The on-site art gallery is truly world-class, featuring a wonderfully curated collection of South African art. And the wine gallery is both a design marvel and a celebration of local winemaking — it must be seen to be believed. During our recent stay, my partner had to leave unexpectedly due to a family tragedy. The compassion and kindness shown by the staff was very touching. In particular, Marilie went above and beyond — her warmth, empathy, and support was truly appreciated . This kind of experience is what makes Ellerman House so special. We had a wonderful dinner during our stay and food was as impeccable as always, accompanied by superb South African wines. I don't recall our waiter's name, but he was really charming. Genuine hospitality is a rarity, and Ellerman House stands as a beacon of how it should be done. I work in a 5-star property myself and think all hotels should look to Ellerman to see how to get it right! I can't wait to go back again.

My husband and I enjoyed staying at the Ellerman House on our recent African travels. Although we were only here for a few nights, we immediately felt like we were part of the family. It is a small and intimate gem, not only due to the house/views itself, but the staff that fill it. Our trip was delayed, and our luggage was lost during our stay, but Antonio and Marilie were so gracious in providing us with the toiletries we needed. We enjoyed meeting Ryan and Yololwanda in the lounge on our first evening. Ryan made me the most wonderful cocktails, and Yololwanda is a breath of fresh air. She has a tremendous personality, and there is no doubt she will go far in any avenue she pursues in life, but I hope she remains at Ellerman so we have the pleasure of speaking with her again on our return. I apologize for not remembering everyone's names with whom we came in contact. I thank them all for a wonderful visit. My only regret is that we didn't have a chance to stay a few more days. Looking forward to our return.

Everything was perfect. Beautiful hotel, rooms and gardens. Exceptional staff, could not fault a single thing. Very well located, and 24hr security at main entrance. Food was beautiful, the decor of the rooms and communal areas were gorgeous and the extensive art collection was exceptional, and they offer art tours which I would definitely recommend! Everything was 10/10, only wish we could have stayed longer !

I don’t typically write reviews but wanted to post one for Ellerman house (they did not ask for one). This was our second stay at Ellerman (previously March 2019). This is probably the best managed boutique property in the world. The place itself is one of a kind with a world class art collection to be enjoyed. Rooms and property are in excellent condition having been recently retouched in April 2024. The staff is the most attentive and friendly group in the world. They are creative and have extremely high standards. The service is more attentive than the Ritz in Paris and the friendliness makes the house feel more like staying at a wealthy friend’s home with some very generous hosts than a hotel. The food is delicious. The staff will organize bespoke tours around Cape Town if you speak with them. We are already planning our next trip.

Ellerman House is perfect. I could end my review there, but some memories that we’ll talk about forever: how we wanted our house to be as well designed as the public areas and our guest room, enjoying sundowners with the most beautiful view of the African sunset, to Zolani’s enthusiasm and experience behind the daily gin and tonic cart, to Michelle’s warmest of welcomes, to the complimentary (and dangerous!) butlers pantry, to the smiles and acknowledgements from every team member we encountered…could go on and on. Thank you to the entire team for such a memorable experience.

Having stayed at Ellerman House at least once a year from 2006 to 2018 inclusive, we were confident in again choosing this boutique hotel when we needed a three-day venue in Cape Town. Unfortunately, in the intervening period, this hotel has gone downhill badly and appears to lack competent management. The physical Ellerman House property remains beautiful on the outside but the interior décor has been dumbed-down and presents seamlessly with a dumbed-down approach to guests. Most of the staff appear to be doing their best but they appear to lack training, tact and mutual cohesion. A once “guest-centric” Ellerman House that had physical and metaphorical colour and vibrancy, has lost its soul and now presents as “business-centric”. One can't escape the notion that the hotel is being run by accountants rather than hospitality professionals, as it had been in the past. To our dismay, our stay was capped off by an encounter with a large cockroach that was making its way from the pantry to the kitchen as we were returning to our room after dinner. I hasten to add that this was the only concern regarding hygiene during our stay but it was, nevertheless, a real shock observation at such a supposedly prestigious address. Despite its pretentions, Ellerman House is no longer close to the epicentre of top-notch Five Star hospitality in CapeTown. The crown for boutique perfection is now worn by The Silo hotel and the crown for old-fashioned traditional ambiance still sits with the Mount Nelson Hotel.