Ellerman House

Location

Perched 150 metres above sea level where Bantry Bay’s millionaire mansions grip Lion’s Head’s lower slopes, Ellerman House commands the kind of Atlantic views that estate agents describe as “uninterrupted” meaning nothing but ocean between you and South America. The property occupies a peculiar position: elevated enough to escape the summer crowds at Clifton Beach below, yet close enough to hear the parties on New Year’s Eve. From the terraces, Robben Island sits like a flat stone 11 kilometres offshore, while the Twelve Apostles mountain range stretches south toward Cape Point, their peaks catching the first light at dawn before shadows creep across the city bowl.

Bantry Bay itself exists in Cape Town’s wind shadow – a geographic quirk that means while Camps Bay gets sandblasted by the summer southeaster, you’re sipping cocktails in relative calm. The neighbourhood maintains its exclusivity through topography: steep roads that defeat casual joggers and no through-traffic to anywhere else. The 800-metre descent to Clifton’s four beaches via Geneva Drive takes 12 minutes down but twice that returning, with most people stopping halfway to catch their breath and question their fitness. This natural barrier keeps the property feeling removed despite being just 4.5 kilometres from the V&A Waterfront’s tourist mayhem and 6 kilometres from the city centre’s business district.

The Atlantic Seaboard location means you’re oriented entirely toward sunsets rather than sunrises – morning light arrives filtered through Table Mountain’s bulk, while evenings deliver those legendary Cape Town sunsets that turn the ocean into molten copper. Between June and November, southern right whales pass close enough to count barnacles through binoculars as they migrate to False Bay’s warmer waters. The position also offers remarkable storm-watching in winter, when cold fronts roll in from the northwest with walls of rain that hit Sea Point first, giving you a five-minute warning to get inside.

Access follows the Atlantic coast road through Clifton and Camps Bay, with Table Mountain’s lower cable car station 5.2 kilometres away (10 minutes if you hit the traffic lights right). The Cape Winelands begin properly at Constantia, 20 kilometres southeast, though Stellenbosch’s serious estates require 45 kilometres of driving (35-40 minutes depending on whether you’re stuck behind a tour bus). The location works best for those who appreciate being near everything while participating in nothing – close enough for convenience, elevated enough for escape.

Rooms

Ellerman House’s accommodation philosophy marries Edwardian heritage with contemporary comfort across seven room categories plus two exclusive-use villas, where South African artworks replace generic hotel prints and marble bathrooms feature Victorian soaking tubs alongside rain showers.

Classic House Rooms occupy 30 square metres facing Table Mountain rather than ocean, decorated in charcoal tones with original pressed-tin ceilings. Three rooms positioned on upper floors where water pressure varies noticeably. Marble bathrooms include separate tubs despite compact dimensions. Perfect for art enthusiasts prioritising the collection over views, accepting mountain vistas as fair trade for lower rates.

Superior House Rooms add partial Atlantic glimpses through Victorian windows that rattle during winter storms. Two 30-square-metre spaces decorated in warmer ochre palettes with sunset-facing daybeds for evening drinks. Lower floor positioning delivers better water pressure. Suits those wanting ocean connection without premium positioning.

Deluxe House Rooms spread across 44 square metres with full Atlantic panoramas and private terraces accessed through French doors. Five rooms, each configured differently – Room 7’s corner wraps versus Room 3’s eastern morning light. Some feel cramped once proper luggage spreads out. Built-in braais on terraces. Your choice for sunset photography and breakfast with ocean soundtracks.

Deluxe Spa Rooms share exclusive access to an infinity pool between just two 37-square-metre rooms. Floor-to-ceiling glass panels slide away completely, merging indoor and outdoor space. Rain showers only – no tubs. More contemporary hotel aesthetic than heritage house character. Works for friends travelling together who prefer modern minimalism.

Ellerman House Suites expand to 103 square metres including separate lounges and substantial terraces with built-in braais. Two suites displaying museum-quality artworks you’d queue to see elsewhere. Proper space for working remotely or entertaining privately. The premium over Deluxe Rooms buys genuine apartment living.

Villa One sprawls across 696 square metres with five bedrooms accommodating ten guests across three levels. Includes private chef preparing all meals, infinity pool, cinema room, and completely separate entrance. Children of all ages welcome. The “Five Bedroom Exclusive” option adds dedicated spa therapist. Essentially your own art-filled mansion with hotel services.

Villa Two offers 432 square metres of ultra-modern architecture housing three bedrooms for six guests (children 8+ only). Glass walls fold away entirely, private cinema, interactive kitchen, infinity pool, and private chef included. Street-level entrance ensures complete privacy from the main house. Each bedroom features open-plan bathrooms that challenge privacy conventions.

Communal Areas

The public spaces blur boundaries between private residence and cultural institution, with South African art covering every wall from colonial-era portraits to contemporary sculptures. The dining room, reserved exclusively for resident guests, features panoramic bay windows perfect for sunset dinners. Multiple terraces at different levels offer intimate spaces for morning coffee or evening cocktails, each maximising Atlantic views.

The heated outdoor pool occupies a lower terrace surrounded by manicured lawns and indigenous fynbos gardens. The Contemporary Art Gallery, added in 2009, houses rotating exhibitions from the extensive collection and remains open 24 hours for private contemplation. Living rooms flow onto verandas through French doors, furnished with deep sofas and carefully chosen artworks that make them feel genuinely residential.

Bar Roc brings contemporary energy with its granite and leather design, specialising in South African craft spirits including the signature Ellermantini. The Wine Gallery deserves special attention – not just storage but an architectural statement in glass and carbon fibre, with a terroir wall incorporating soils from wine regions. The 24-hour guest pantry, affectionately called the “Naughty Corner,” stays stocked with freshly baked cakes, treats and proper coffee.

Activities

Daily wine tastings with the sommelier explore the 9,000-bottle collection (included), featuring rare vintages and special releases often unavailable elsewhere. Private art tours with in-house guides provide context for the collection spanning two centuries of South African art (included). The spa offers various treatments from massages to anti-ageing facials in a tranquil setting accessed through Villa One’s ground floor (additional cost applies).

The fitness centre features modern equipment with ocean views, plus sauna and steam facilities (included). Complimentary snack packs can be prepared for hiking expeditions up Lion’s Head or Table Mountain (included). The concierge arranges restaurant reservations at Cape Town’s most sought-after tables and can organise winelands tours to Stellenbosch and Constantia (additional cost applies).

More exclusive experiences include helicopter flights over the Peninsula (additional cost applies), private gallery viewings across Cape Town (additional cost applies), and even diamond diving expeditions to the West Coast where you literally search for your own diamonds (additional cost applies). Complimentary entry to the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa is provided for all guests (included).