A SIMPLIFIED PLAYGROUND HANDPICKED BOUTIQUE HOTEL

Ellerman House boutique hotel is a local colonial style icon that caters for the discerning traveller who enjoys a superior standard of service, privacy and refined sophistication in a comfortable environment. Ellerman House boutique hotel boasts a superior location on the Atlantic seaboard in Cape Town, with truly exceptional facilities and ocean vistas, and boasts one of the country’s premier private art collections.

CAPE TOWN LOCATION

Ellerman House is a Relais & Chateaux boutique hotel on upper Kloof Road in exclusive Bantry Bay, facing the Atlantic Ocean with a mighty mountain guarding its back. The rooms overlook the flawlessly manicured lawn terraces and afford unfettered views over the Atlantic Seaboard and parts of the city. Both the main hotel and the villa capture the best of Cape Town’s scenery, whether it’s the dazzling pink hues of a sunrise or sunset or streaks of moonlight playfully illuminating the ocean at night.

THE CAPE TOWN AREA

Bantry Bay is an exclusive and conveniently located enclave situated along the Atlantic Seaboard halfway between the city centre and Camps Bay beaches. It has quick access to most of Cape Town’s shopping destinations, restaurants and beaches, and has a distinctly Mediterranean feel with curvy streets, excellent restaurants, and breathtaking scenery to be enjoyed while walking, hiking or merely relaxing with friends.

HOTEL STYLE

A stay at Ellerman House is a veritable feast for the senses. From the moment you descent down the spiral staircase to the public areas, you are immersed into an intoxicating world of art and colonial splendour.  
Ellerman House unapologetically celebrates the finest things in life, without appearing pompous. Each room or living area has been exquisitely decorated, and is there to be enjoyed for its old-world charm aesthetic beauty that recall the heydays of a distant era.

WHY THIS BOUTIQUE HOTEL?

Ellerman House’s exquisite attention to detail and service, sun-drenched areas, compelling ocean views and constant presence of the magnificent art collection truly harmonises the senses.  It’s like having your own private English mansion on the best piece of Cape Town real estate.

BOUTIQUE HOTEL FACILITIES

•    The expertly curated Ellerman House Art collection is for guest eyes only and features one of the best South African private art collections in existence.  It is undoubtedly the jewel in Ellerman House’s crown and nothing short of remarkable.

The plethora of art that permeate every available space overwhelms but never stifles the senses, and its enjoyment is almost visceral, whether you’re an art aficionado or not. You will find the biggest names in South African art here: Sekoto, Kentridge, Dumas, Pierneef, Stern  and exciting new trailblazers like Beezy Bailey, Anton Kannemeyer and Dylan Lewis to name but a few.

Ellerman Contemporary Art Gallery: The main house features more traditional fine art, while the vibrant Ellerman Contemporary Art Gallery the lower terraces features an eclectic showcase of upcoming and established contemporary artists and sculptors. The gallery has a fantastic art book library, a massive projector for TV and DVD viewing, and a nifty iPad that controls all the media and light settings. Turn the lights off and see a painting of Madiba come alive!

•    A number of exquisitely decorated colonial- style common rooms that open up on verandas with a view.
•    Spa facilities and treatments
•    A heated, lit swimming pool, surrounded by deck chairs.
•    A small gymnasium
•    Well-manicured lawns with gardens, palm trees and water lily ponds
•    Library stocked with rare old and new books
•    Private bar and lounge for guests with
•    Exclusive restaurant and dining room for guests
•    Well-stocked wine cellar
•    Computers for use in hotel and art gallery
•    Underfloor heating and air-conditioning
•    The use of touch pad technology to control lights and media in most rooms gives the hotel a nice sense of keeping up with the times.
•    Chauffeur service to and from airport
•    Complimentary shuttle bus transport within 10km radius, subject to availability

ROOM AMENITIES

We stayed in room 2. Each room differs in amenities and décor.
•    King-size bed with crisp fine linen and  scented pillows
•    Homebodies can peruse a great selection of upmarket magazine titles and watch satellite television on a flat screen. Guests can take any book from the Ellerman Gallery to read in their rooms.
•    The spacious bathroom features twin sinks, a bidet, separate shower, bath tub with ocean view, and Charlotte Rhys bathroom range of soaps, gels and salts and bathrobe and slipper selection.
•    Full wireless connectivity throughout the hotel.
•    A free mini-bar fully stocked with plenty of snacks and treats such as chocolate, cookies and local nougat and dried fruit.  A choice of miniature spirit bottles, beers, two big whiskey and brandy glass decanters and 2 complimentary bottles of a Waterford Estate red and white wine are also at your disposal.  
•     Free standing closets offer plenty of storage space.
•    A room-length balcony with day beds offers undisturbed private views of the ocean and hotel lawns.

THIS BOUTIQUE HOTEL SERVICE

Friendly staff members hover unobtrusively in the background- until you need them, when they appear out of nowhere to refill a glass or offer assistance.  The “house experience” element of the hotel is strongly emphasized, with visitors encouraged to mill around and explore every nook and cranny of the common areas at their leisure. Ellerman House works hard to create that sense of mi casa, su casa.

Overall, service is exemplary and professional, with a hands-off service approach that is remarkably vigilant but never disruptive. The hospitality manager is especially friendly, well-informed and really helps guests appreciate the hotel’s heritage and inner workings more.

DINING AND BAR

The restaurant and bar are restricted to hotel guests and their visitors only.

•    The breakfast (included in the rate) is served on the upper terrace depending on weather. The selection is excellent and features a buffet as well as a hot food menu.  Visitors can choose from a healthy selection of fresh fruit, muesli, yoghurt, fruit salad and cereal options, as well as cold cuts of Norwegian salmon and Prosciutto. Wild honey, cape gooseberries and freshly squeezed orange juice are delightful touches.  The bread basket is filled with a choice of delicious pastries and compliments the freshly-brewed coffee very well. The menu has several hot food options- we recommend you save room for the Egg Florentine.

•    Dinner is a sumptuous candle light affair with a delicious menu and can be served almost anywhere on the grounds,  under star-strewn African skies to the beat of a boisterous ocean.
•    The busy kitchen is open for viewing, and guests are encouraged to interact with the chefs and make personal requests. Room service and bar snacks are available any time of the day - as well as a guest pantry that is fully stocked for in between meal options or if guests prefer smaller lunch / dinner options. Help yourself from a choice of snacks, hot and cold drinks, alcohol and candy.
•    The intimate old-worldly bar is fully stocked, with a selection of fine wines to boot. All drinks (except for wine and champagne) and snacks are complimentary.
•    Lunch & Dinner are billed separately.

WHY THIS BOUTIQUE HOTEL?

Ellerman House boutique hotel offers the best location of all hotels in Cape Town, formal service and boasts a fantastic art collection that is only available for viewing by guests.

BOUTIQUE HOTEL FACILITIES

•    The Ellerman House Art collection is for guest eyes only and features a dazzling portfolio of contemporary local and old masters
•    Spa
•    Pool
•    Gymnasium
•    Library
•    Private bar for guests
•    Exclusive restaurant for guests
•    Well-stocked wine cellar

VARIETY OF ROOMS

All of the nine rooms and two suites have been individually and beautifully decorated according to a different colour scheme and theme. Each room has its own personality and there is something new every return visit. Most of the rooms offer a sea view and balcony. Where the sea view is partial, it is normally minimally obscured.  Here is a brief description of the rooms:

Rooms with a sea view and large balcony:

Room 1, Room 2, Room 4, Room 8 (partially obstructed distant tree), Room 9, and Room 10

Suites with sea view and balcony
Room 7 and Room 11 (only room with direct garden access, above swimming pool)

Rooms with sea view but no balcony
Room 3  

Rooms with a garden view:
Room 5 (garden view and balcony standard size)
Room 6 (standard room, with garden view and no balcony)

SIMPLIFIED PLAYGROUND CONCIERGE

Why not try these Simplified Playground handpicked restaurants near Ellerman House:

Pigalle is a bohemian fine food and dance venue that will transport you to turn-of-the century Paris.  Bombay Brasserie offers pricy but exceedingly fine Indian dining and service. Hemelhuijs is a tranquil bistro venue in trendy De Waterkant offering interesting decor and sumptuous cuisine. Salt offers the best sunset dinner in town – if you’re lucky enough to get a seat.

These handpicked Simplified Playground art galleries come highly recommended:

The Bromwell is a recent addition to the art scene in Woodstock, which will soon become Cape Town's art hub. The renowned Michael Stevenson Gallery hosts big South African artists and is a must-see.

For something a little more exciting have a look at our things to do in Cape Town as well as our useful information.