Ellerman House

I was treated to a birthday spoil and very rarely am I left speechless. If there is a heaven, this is where I want it to be. Staff discreet but also always on hand. Privacy and indulgence on steroids. Find yourself peeps who will treat you like mine did.

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.

This is the third time we have visited Cape Town, And the two previous trips we stayed at the One and Only Cape Town. We were not sure if we had made the right choice for out third trip to Cape Town in choosing Ellerman House instead of the One and Only, because of the level of service we had experienced on our previous trips to the One and Only. Ellerman House is one of the best hotels we have ever visited ! The level of service, and being made to feel at home during our stay , and all the fantastic Artwork around the hotel is amazing. Next time we are in Cape Town we will be visiting Ellerman House 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.

Ellerman House is more like a home than a hotel really, with just 11 rooms, each with quite distinct styles to one another. What you'll notice when looking around the property though (and when you look at the various rooms in the online photos), is it sort of seems like bits and pieces have been renovated over time, and what's left is a slightly odd mix of old and new, where parts of the hotel (for example the entry hallway, some of the stairways, the reception area, and some of the rooms) really seem a bit tired and dated, whereas other parts of the hotel (especially the charming grounds, swimming pool area, and the bar and lounge overlooking the pool) are really beautiful. It's a shame they don't just get the whole property up to a consistent standard, in which case it would be spectacular. My room (1), was nice, had a beautiful view, and plenty of natural light as it was on a corner. It did fall into the slightly more dated category, and I think could use a bit of sprucing up, especially the bathroom area which is quite drab. I actually was hoping to get the "Superior House Room", a much cheaper category which looks far more modernised from the photos, but it was unavailable. The food at Ellerman House was great (although service very slow), and I did really enjoy hanging around the lounge overlooking the pool (also because they have a Steinway mini-grand in reasonably good condition which they allow guests to play). But there were just too many small nuisances for me to rate it 5 stars. Probably the worst, was there was a massive construction site extremely nearby, which both completely spoiled the view and even worse, was incredibly loud throughout the day so really ruined the relaxing vibe in the hotel. I assume the construction is why the hotel offered "off-peak" rates for my last minute booking (still an extremely high price in my opinion), but I think it's inexcusable that they didn't disclose the construction in advance, as an off-peak rate is not close to enough compensation for how much that ruins the experience. I also thought the pool was unnecessarily cold, it really wouldn't kill them to heat it up a few degrees, and I feel they slightly overcharged me for a day trip to Cape Point and Boulder's Beach (although the driver they booked me was very good). Having said all that, on a return visit to Cape Town, I would probably stay here again if a better room were available, and there were no nearby construction.