“So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
It was Mark Twain who so neatly captured the joy of travel; that tantalising sense of adventure that comes with every trip abroad and the treasured opportunity to see the world through new eyes. That feeling of discovery that is, surely, at the heart of why we travel.
At Ellerman House we love nothing more than to share the many faces of Cape Town, inviting guests to delve deep in discovering South Africa’s cosmopolitan Mother City. And yet Ellerman House is equally a treasure in itself; a seaside eyrie hiding in plain sight on the glamorous Atlantic Seaboard of the ‘Best City in the World’ this year, according to global travel brand Time Out.
So, it’s no surprise that Ellerman House has been celebrated in the latest edition of the esteemed World’s 50 Best Discovery guide. This collection of city guides captures the trendy pulse of urban energy worldwide, linking travellers to the restaurants, bars, and hotels that shape an unforgettable city break.
Billed as the ‘ultimate insider’s guide’, the 50 Best Discovery has expanded its global footprint by adding more than 500 hotels, restaurants, and bars in over 260 cities and towns across the world.
There’s certainly no shortage of travel guides and awards out there, but what sets 50 Best Discovery apart is the way it is curated, combining the expertise of 3000 experts from The World's 50 Best voting academies, together with the insights of discerning gourmet travellers and world-class hospitality professionals. Each year, they cast their votes for the most memorable, characterful and unforgettable places they have visited –from pocket-friendly finds to luxury indulgences –to shape the definitive 50 Best Discovery guides.
Ellerman House is one of just four hotels to feature in the latest guide to Cape Town, highlighting the enviable location and unforgettable guest experience on offer at one of Cape Town’s most exclusive addresses.
“Set on a sea-facing hillside between Lion’s Head and the Atlantic, the heritage mansion is surrounded by manicured gardens dotted with indigenous plants and modern sculptures,” raves the 50 Best Discovery listing.
But it’s the curated art experience that truly sets Ellerman House apart from other Cape hotels included in the guide. Ellerman House “effortlessly doubles as both a hotel and an art gallery,” says 50 Best Discovery, highlighting the “1000 works that span two centuries of South African history… complemented by in-house guides and free access to the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa.”
Beyond the art, Ellerman House is equally celebrated for the considered service and understated elegance that have become hallmarks of a stay in Ellerman’s 13 intimate rooms and suites, and two exclusive-use villas.
“We are absolutely delighted by this recent acknowledgment of everything Ellerman House has to offer," says Carol Kohne, CEO of Ellerman House. "It truly reflects the dedication of our exceptional staff and we are thrilled to see their hard work recognised by such a prestigious international media outlet. Cape Town boasts numerous outstanding luxury hotels, and we are proud to be acknowledged as the epitome of luxury hospitality in South Africa's stunning Mother City and among the finest globally."
Guests – and hungry locals – can also look forward to a new opportunity for culinary discovery this Autumn, as Ellerman House puts the finishing touches to a landmark new culinary experience, with Executive Chef Kieran Whyte blending his passion for local flavours and culinary traditions with the finest South African seasonal produce. Watch this space!
