Bantry Bay

Ellerman House

★★★★★

Ellerman House is Cape Town's most exclusive small hotel and, for many travellers, the best place to stay in the city. It occupies a stately former private residence at 180 Kloof Road in Bantry Bay, a steep, sheltered pocket of the Atlantic seaboard between Sea Point and Clifton, built into the slopes of Lion's Head and terraced down towards the sea. The setting is spectacular: lawns and gardens fall away to the ocean, the main pool looks straight out over the Atlantic, and the sunsets from the terraces are among the finest in Cape Town. Bantry Bay is also one of the few spots on this coast that is sheltered from the summer south-easter. The house has a limited number of rooms and suites in five categories, so it feels like a private home rather than a hotel, and two private villas, Villa One and Villa Two, each with its own infinity pool, suit families and groups who want space. What sets Ellerman apart is its collection. The house holds one of South Africa's most significant private art collections, displayed throughout the house, so that living with the art is part of every stay. The wine collection is equally serious, with an emphasis on South African wines, and guided tastings are part of the experience. The spa offers massages, facials and other wellness treatments, with relaxation facilities. Breakfast is included, with further inclusions depending on the rate, and complimentary airport transfers make the arrival easy; the airport is about thirty minutes away. The house is a member of Relais and Chateaux.

Choosing a room: almost every room has sea views, but the higher categories and suites have the largest balconies and the most dramatic outlook; ask for a room facing directly over the bay. The main house is for guests aged twelve and over, so families with younger children should look at the villas, which come with their own pools and more space. Check-in is from 14:00 and check-out at 11:00, with early arrival and late departure on request.

What the stay is like: quiet, discreet and personal. Staff learn your preferences quickly, the public rooms feel like those of a private collector's home, and there is no lobby bustle. You are a five-minute drive from Clifton's beaches and the restaurants of Sea Point, and about fifteen minutes from the city centre and the V&A Waterfront, but the steep streets make Bantry Bay a place to be driven rather than to walk from. The Sea Point Promenade is reachable on foot down the hill.

Who it suits: couples, honeymooners and art and wine lovers who want the best and are happy to pay for it, and families or groups in the villas. Compared with the Silo, it is more residential and less of a design statement; compared with the Twelve Apostles, it is closer to the city and more intimate. It is among the most expensive stays in South Africa.