Ellerman House | Bantry Bay
Before checking in to Ellerman House, Charlie and I had a little stalk of their Instagram page. I like to do this as a blogger not only to see photos of where we are about to stay, that aren’t the perfectly tweaked ones you see on a website, but also just to see how active they are, if they have any hashtags etc etc. What we discovered was not only a beautifully curated page, but also a list of reasons why we would want to #NeverLeave Ellerman House. These reasons ranged from honeymoon discounts, to luxurious spa treatments – a clever and catchy social media strategy, we thought. What we discovered during our time there though, was this this was far from just a hashtag or a ‘social media strategy’, it was a mindset that is yours after just a few hours at the house. We found ourselves feeling so at home at Ellerman House – a very luxurious and exclusive home – but it was ours, and we didn’t ever want to leave.
Overlooking Bantry Bay, Ellerman House (and you’ll find the word ‘house’ and not ‘hotel here’, because this private estate is about as far from what you imagine a hotel to be as possible) is the former home of shipping magnate, Sir John Ellerman. It’s one of the most exclusive addresses on Kloof Road and from the moment you’re welcomed on the driveway, you are treated like a VIP guest, but also feel instantly at home like you can wander into the kitchen, chat to the chefs, or just curl up in the library all afternoon.
Views from almost all parts of the house stretch over the bay, and if you can draw your eyes away from that then there’s plenty more to look at including the owner’s extensive art collection which lines the hallways of the hotel, is dotted around the grounds, and is collated in the art gallery at the edge of the property where the art is considered one of the most important collections of South African art in the world.
Welcome To Ellerman House
After a 12 hour flight from London to Jo’burg, and then a 2 hour internal flight to Cape Town, stepping into your luxurious and beautifully decorated room you feel instantly at ease. We made ourselves at home in room Ten – down a long corridor within the Edwardian mansion it had been recently refurbished to reveal architectural details combined with new colours and textures, giving the whole property a glamorous and contemporary feel.
As well as all the usual features – pool, boutique, sun loungers etc – Ellerman House offers guests homely little touches, and our welcome tour of the property revealed what soon became my favourite room – The Pantry. A small room hidden away in what looks like the staff quarters (although guests are welcome everywhere in the hotel, even the kitchens) with shelves and cupboards overflowing with treats. I helped myself to a plate of liquorice all sorts and home made cakes before retiring to the pool.
The Food
Every morsel that we ate at Ellerman House was incredible. From the perfectly prepared avocado & eggs on toast at breakfast time, to the canapés that are bought to your table for you to enjoy while you enjoy sunset cocktails.
Despite Camps Bay & the restaurants of Cape Town’s waterfront being just 1o minutes away from the hotel, we saw no reason to leave as every whim was catered for by the restaurant at Ellerman House. We chose each evening from the daily menu, with specials prepared and changed on a daily basis. The open air restaurant with views over the ocean made for a romantic dining experience, made even more special by the incredible staff whose knowledge on not only the locally sourced ingredients of the food, but the perfect wine to accompany each dish, made our dining experiences unforgettable ones.
The Spa
A visit to the in-house spa at Ellerman House should absolutely be added to your list of things to do. Stepping into the spa is like entering a chic riviera private villa – approached through exquisite gardens filled with lush indigenous plants, and boasting ocean views from the sun terrace.
I was welcomed by Vicky, the spa manager who talked me through the menu of skin care therapy and body treatments, all designed for relaxation, rejuvenation and self improvement. I opted for the Mama Mio treatment – despite it being aimed at pregnant women! – and settled into one of the boutique style rooms ready to be scrubbed using Mio’s body scrub, before drifting off to an essential oil and hot stone massage.
Also in the spa you’ll find a sauna and steam room, as well as a relaxation area complete with a selection of nutritious nibbles, and if you’re in the mood to shop then you can also treat yourself to a range of beauty products from brands including Mio and Dermalogica.
We’ll Be Back
Everything about Ellerman House made us feel at home. The luxurious accommodation, incredible service and scrumptious food – and every member of staff made us truly feel like we were in our very own home. They said we’d want to #neverleave and they were right – Ellerman House, we’ll be back!
Ellerman House
180 Kloof Road
Bantry Bay
Cape Town
South Africa
xoxo
