Ellerman House — Hotel in Bantry Bay

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...

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...

My wife and I recently stayed here to kick off our honeymoon and we are so glad that we did. From the moment we walked in the door everything was exquisitely taken care of. Kylie and the rest of the Ellerman House staff were so attentive and took care of every small detail imaginable.

Room: not enough amazing things can be said about our room. We were upgraded upon arrival to a Deluxe House Room and the shock value on entry is spectacular. The views overlooking Bantry Bay from the private balcony are absurd and the rest of the room is perfectly appointed.

Inclusions: yes, Ellerman House is a splurge, but what you get for the price is absolutely worth it. The “mini” bar in the room is stock with a fantastic selection of local wines and spirits that are completely complimentary. Additionally, all cocktails anywhere on the property are also included (exclusive of their wine selection, which is enormous). They also include a tour of their unbelievable art gallery and a wine tasting with their bartenders, Lovejoy and Fabrice.

Food: the included breakfast spread each morning was fantastic. You can choose to eat in the dining room or in your own room, either way it is a great experience. We also had dinner one night in the restaurant and we’re very happy with everything. Major compliments to the chef and wait staff!

Special thank you to all of the amazing staff at Ellerman House (Kylie, Lindy, Yassir, Fabrice, Lovejoy, Sylvain, Enricco, Issac - I am sure I am forgetting others) you were...