If you haven’t been lucky enough to stay there, you’ve almost certainly heard of it. And it’s with good reason that Ellerman House is spoken of in hushed tones by well-heeled travellers to Cape Town.
With just 13 suites – and a pair of multi-level exclusive villas – Ellerman House is one of the most exclusive hotels in Cape Town, famous for its jaw-dropping sea views and extensive collection of South African art. Throw in an incredible Wine Gallery home to some 9000 bottles of South African wine, and a list of complimentary inclusions that range from art tours to sunset drinks, and you can see why this intimate boutique hotel is one of the most sought-after addresses on the glamorous Atlantic seaboard.
And judges at the UK-based media outlet The Telegraph seem to agree, awarding Ellerman House the #3 spot in The Telegraph's World's Best 50 Hotels for 2024!
That put Ellerman House just behind Bangkok’s iconic Mandarin Oriental, and Ballyfin, a luxe country house in Ireland. But, it also put Ellerman House ahead of both The Peninsula Hong Kong, another Asian icon, and three-Michelin-star hotel Les Prés d’Eugénie in France.
The judges raved about the extensive list of complimentary inclusions for all guests at the 'discreetly glamorous' Ellerman House, along with the sunset terrace and 'large pool glittering in the terraced garden below'.
But, it's not cheap: rooms for the upcoming summer season start at R18 000 per night, and run up to R180 000 a night for the exclusive three-bedroom Villa One.
It’s certainly been a good year for Ellerman House when it comes to awards: they also claimed Best City Hotel in Africa in the prestigious Travel + Leisure ‘World’s Best Awards’ 2024.
'Having just re-opened our doors after a soft refurbishment in the Autumn, and with the busy summer season on the horizon, we are simply thrilled by this latest recognition for all that Ellerman House has to offer,' says Carol Kohne, CEO of Ellerman House. 'It is really a testament to the work that our incredible staff put in every day, and it is so rewarding for us to see that effort recognised by such a prestigious international media outlet. Cape Town offers so many wonderful luxury hotels, and we are honoured to be recognised as the pinnacle of luxury hospitality in South Africa’s beautiful Mother City, and amongst the best in the world.'
Too rich for your pocket? Try our list of the best affordable hotels in Cape Town.