Ellerman House

180 Kloof Rd, Bantry Bay, Cape Town, 8005, South Africa

Surrounded by bold artwork inside and magnificent ocean views outside, guests are never quite sure where to direct their gaze when they arrive at Ellerman House. A stay here is a bit like visiting an elegant and attentive friend, starting with the complimentary airport pickup straight through all the thoughtful, personalized touches (guests might find a bottle of their favorite vodka already stocked in their room). The hotel owner is a well-known aficionado of South African art, and his private collection graces the walls of the guestrooms and public spaces. True art fans should be sure to visit the on-site gallery to view masterpieces by Louis Maqhubela, Wayne Barker, and Angus Taylor. If it’s not occupied, also sneak a peek at the breathtaking wine gallery, which features a wall made of soil from the Cape Winelands and a spiral-shaped wine rack modeled after a corkscrew.

Sitting on the edge of a cliff, this luxuriously appointed hotel makes for one of the best spots in Cape Town for a sundowner. Have a cocktail on the terrace while watching the fiery African sun meet the tumultuous Atlantic waves.

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Lucky guests staying at Ellerman House between July and September may spot southern right whales swimming off the sparkling coast from the pink and white terrace of Ellerman House. Inside this Edwardian mansion, tucked behind an unassuming wall on a busy road along the city’s Atlantic Seaboard, lies another wonderful surprise: The property houses one of the country’s largest private collections of art with pieces by South African artists like William Kentridge and Sam Nhlengethwa.

There’s also a wine cellar with more than 9,500 South African wines to try. The 13 rooms and suites all have wingback chairs and chandeliers; the two modern-feeling villas feature private pools. While each space is different, there’s one thing they all have in common: a brilliant vantage point from which to watch the sun sink.

Ellerman House: An Art-Loving Hotel in Cape Town

Checking into Ellerman House is a great way to start exploring South Africa’s booming art scene. Traditional and contemporary South African art is displayed in the hotel’s 13 rooms and in its on-site gallery, and staff will arrange personalized visits with local curators. The innkeepers take an equally hands-on approach to the 7,500-bottle wine collection. In December 2013, they opened a wine gallery where guests can sip vintage champagne against the backdrop of the Terroir Wall, a patchwork of soils sourced from 100 South African vineyards. The real show stealer, however, is the carbon-fiber wine rack molded into the shape of a gigantic corkscrew.

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