Ellerman House

What Ellerman House does

Ellerman House is a privately held luxury boutique hotel located at 180 Kloof Road in Bantry Bay, Cape Town, South Africa, operating from a historic Edwardian manor set on the slopes of Lion's Head with uninterrupted Atlantic Ocean views. The property was established in 1988 and currently operates with approximately 86 employees under CEO Carol Kohne, who has led the business for more than 20 years. The offering centres on three cultural pillars — art (a 1,000+ piece private collection of South African works spanning two centuries), wine (a 10,000-bottle Wine Gallery), and cuisine (two restaurants) — combined with spa, curated journeys, and ticketed cultural events. The accommodation product comprises approximately 13 individually designed rooms and suites (ranging from Classic House Room at ~R22,000 per night to Ellerman House Suites at ~R68,000 per night) plus two exclusive-use contemporary villas (Villa One and Villa Two, 3- to 5-bedroom, priced up to R382,000 per night) built into the granite cliffs with private pools and dedicated hospitality teams.

The dining portfolio includes the May 2025-launched Curate, an eight-course fine-dining tasting menu restaurant inside the Wine Gallery under Head Chef Kieran Whyte, and OneEighty, a relaxed à la carte venue with Atlantic views; Bar Roc operates as a cocktail bar with live music. Beyond accommodation, Ellerman House monetises through Fine dining, wine sales and tasting experiences, exclusive ticketed events (Curate Music Sessions and Curate Terroir Series at R2,500 per person), the annual ArtAngels charity auction (which has raised over R26 million for Click Learning since 2011), and partner-property itineraries. Distribution is primarily direct via the property's own website (ellerman.co.za), reservations team, and concierge services, supplemented by membership in Relais & Châteaux, Virtuoso, and IGLTA, and dedicated regional sales representatives in South Africa, the USA, the UK & Europe, Latin America, and Germany. The technology stack is conventional hospitality tooling: a website booking engine, Dineplan for restaurant reservations, and a SmartRecruiters careers portal, with no proprietary technology, AI/ML capability, or app disclosed.

Name

Ellerman House

Legal name

Ellerman House

Website

https://ellerman.co.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Ellerman House is a privately held luxury boutique hotel in Bantry Bay, Cape Town, operating a 13-room Edwardian manor plus two exclusive-use villas, anchored by a 1,000-piece art collection, a 10,000-bottle Wine Gallery, and two restaurants (Curate fine-dining and OneEighty à la carte). It serves ultra-high-net-worth travellers via direct booking, Relais & Châteaux/Virtuoso networks, and international sales representatives.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Luxury Boutique Hospitality

NAICS

Hotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels (72111)

SIC

Hotels & Motels (7011)

akta.pro primary industry

Private House Hotels & Small Luxury Inns (THAGADAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Luxury Villas & Residences Resorts (THAGACAM), Luxury Beachfront & Waterfront Villas (THAMAEAE)

Keywords

• Luxury boutique hotel
• Fine dining restaurants
• Exclusive villa rentals
• Wine cellar experiences
• Private art collection tours

Headquarters

HQ city

Cape Town

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Luxury Accommodation: Ellerman House generates primary revenue from hotel rooms, suites, and exclusive-use private villas. Room categories range from Classic House Room to Ellerman House Suites, while Villa One and Villa Two offer 3-bedroom and 5-bedroom exclusive-use options with private pools and dedicated hospitality teams. Pricing varies by season (Peak, High, Low) with nightly rates from approximately R24,000 to R382,000.
2. Fine Dining (Curate & OneEighty): Two distinct dining venues operate within Ellerman House: OneEighty offers a relaxed refined à la carte menu for lunch and dinner with Atlantic views, while Curate is an intimate fine-dining destination within the Wine Gallery offering an eight-course South African tasting menu. Curate is open Wednesday to Saturday for dinner, with seatings at 18h00, 18h30 and 19h00. Wine pairings and sommelier experiences are available at both venues.
3. Wine Sales and Experiences: The Wine Gallery houses a 10,000-bottle collection spanning rare vintages, limited releases, and celebrated South African estates. Guests can purchase wines from the collection, and the house offers curated wine pairings, vertical tastings, and interactive tasting experiences as part of the dining and stay experience.
4. Events and Private Experiences: Ellerman House hosts exclusive ticketed events including the Curate Music Sessions (R2,500 per person) and Curate Terroir Series wine dinners (R2,500 per person). The annual ArtAngels charity auction supports Click Learning and serves as a fundraising platform.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Ellerman House is a luxury boutique hotel and private retreat in Bantry Bay, Cape Town, offering individually designed rooms and suites within a historic Edwardian manor plus two exclusive-use contemporary villas with private pools, chefs, and dedicated hospitality teams. The property delivers two on-site dining venues (OneEighty à la carte and Curate eight-course tasting menu), a 10,000-bottle Wine Gallery with tastings, a cocktail bar (Bar Roc), spa and wellness facilities, and a private art collection of more than 1,000 South African works accessible via guided tours.

Product overview

Ellerman House is a single-property luxury boutique hotel offering an integrated hospitality experience centered on three cultural pillars: art, wine, and cuisine. The property encompasses The House (historic Edwardian manor with individually designed rooms and suites), two exclusive-use Contemporary Villas with private pools, the OneEighty à la carte restaurant, the Curate fine-dining tasting-menu restaurant set within the Wine Gallery, the Bar Roc cocktail bar, a Wine Gallery with 10,000+ bottle collection, spa and wellness facilities, and one of South Africa's most significant private art collections (1,000+ works). Curated Journeys and event programming (Music Sessions, Terroir Series) extend the experience, while partnerships with properties like Leeu Estates, Delaire Graff, Tswalu, and Grootbos enable multi-destination journeys. The portfolio functions as a unified luxury hospitality offering rather than a modular platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Curate: An intimate fine-dining restaurant set within the Wine Gallery, offering an eight-course South African tasting menu.
• OneEighty
• Bar Roc

Products and services

• The House (Hotel Rooms & Suites) Individually designed rooms and suites within the historic Edwardian manor, featuring original South African art, elegant furnishings, and uninterrupted ocean views, for luxury travellers staying in Cape Town. Categories range from Classic House Room to Ellerman House Suites, with seasonal rates from approximately R22,000 to R68,000 per night.
• Villa One & Villa Two (Exclusive-Use Villas) Exclusive-use contemporary villas built into the granite cliffs, offering expansive living spaces, private balconies, panoramic Atlantic views, and infinity pools. Villa One offers 3-bedroom (up to 10 guests) and 5-bedroom options with optional private spa access; Villa Two is a 3-bedroom villa sleeping up to 6. Each includes private chef and dedicated hospitality team, with seasonal rates from R195,000 to R382,000 per night.
• Curate Intimate fine-dining restaurant set within the Wine Gallery, offering an eight-course tasting menu celebrating South African culinary heritage with seasonal ingredients. Open Wednesday to Saturday for dinner with seatings at 18h00, 18h30, and 19h00, featuring Heritage and Connoisseur wine pairing options. Awarded One Star at LUXE Restaurant Awards 2026, One Star at Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant Awards 2026, and the Haute Property Award from the JHP Gourmet Guide 2026.
• OneEighty Restaurant Relaxed yet refined à la carte dining experience offering modern South African cuisine with dramatic Atlantic Ocean views, open for lunch and dinner. The restaurant offers wine pairings and sommelier experiences alongside its à la carte menu.
• Wine Gallery Architecturally striking wine cellar and tasting space housing one of South Africa's most significant private wine collections, spanning over 10,000 bottles including rare vintages, limited releases, and celebrated estates. Guests can purchase wines and book curated wine pairings, vertical tastings, and interactive tasting experiences.
• Bar Roc Cocktail bar at Ellerman House offering panoramic Atlantic views, craft cocktails featuring local spirits, and live music performances in an elegant setting.
• Art Collection & Guided Tours One of South Africa's most significant private art collections, spanning over 1,000 works of original South African art displayed throughout the house, Contemporary Gallery, and Sculpture Garden, with guided tours offered to guests.
• Curated Journeys Personalised daily itineraries designed around individual guest interests in art, wine, cuisine, wellness, and discovery, featuring experiences such as guided art tours, wine tastings, spa treatments, and curated excursions.
• Curate Music Sessions Exclusive acoustic music series featuring South African artists performed in the intimate Wine Gallery setting, priced at R2,500 per person. Scheduled events include Prime Circle (5 July 2026) and Craig Hinds from Watershed (28 August 2026).
• Curate Terroir Series Intimate wine dinner series pairing multi-course menus with rare vintages from South African winemakers, priced at R2,500 per person. Scheduled events include Kaapzicht Wines (31 July 2026) and Idiom Wines (29 October 2026).
• Spa & Wellness Wellness facilities including sauna, Polar Plunge pool, sensation shower, and treatment rooms offering massages, facials, and aromatherapy therapies for hotel guests and villa residents.

Quantifiable outcome

• Named South Africa's Best Young Sommelier 2026 (Joe Beziek)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Leeu EstatescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSet in the heart of Franschhoek, Leeu Estates combines vineyard landscapes, contemporary design and a strong appreciation for art, food and wine. Guests can explore sculpture gardens, enjoy acclaimed dining experiences and discover some of the region's finest wines. Surrounded by mountains and vineyards, the property offers a distinctive introduction to the Cape Winelands.
• Delaire Graff EstatecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPositioned on the Helshoogte Pass between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, Delaire Graff enjoys sweeping views across vineyards and mountain ranges. Alongside its accommodation and dining experiences, the property is known for its art collection, gardens and celebrated wines, offering a compelling expression of the Cape Winelands.
• Jabulani SafaricoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSituated in the Kapama Private Game Reserve near Greater Kruger, this luxury safari lodge offers intimate wildlife experiences centred on conservation and personalised guiding. Known for its herd of rescued elephants, the lodge combines responsible tourism with exceptional hospitality, providing a contrasting coastal-to-wilderness experience.
• Tswalu Kalahari ReservecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocated in the southern Kalahari, Tswalu is South Africa's largest private game reserve and a leader in conservation-led luxury travel. Vast open landscapes, rare wildlife and highly personalised experiences define each stay. The 'Villa Luxury at Its Best' promotion pairs Ellerman House with Tswalu.
• Grootbos Private Nature ReservecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSituated between ancient forests, mountains and coastline near Gansbaai, Grootbos Private Nature Reserve showcases the remarkable biodiversity of the Cape Floral Kingdom. Nature, conservation and understated luxury are at the heart of every experience, with guided botanical walks, marine encounters and refined hospitality.
• Royal ChunduminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSituated on a private stretch of the Zambezi River near Victoria Falls, Royal Chundu offers an intimate luxury experience shaped by nature, culture and warm Zambian hospitality. River adventures, wildlife encounters and immersive local experiences define each stay. Featured in the 'Rejuvenating Rendezvous' multi-property itinerary.
• Relais & ChâteauxcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEllerman House is a proud member of Relais & Châteaux, a global association of exceptional luxury hotels and restaurants. Membership provides global marketing exposure, access to a network of discerning travellers, and inclusion in curated global collections and promotional activities.
• VirtuosocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerVirtuoso membership connects Ellerman House with the world's leading luxury travel advisors, who book on behalf of their high-net-worth client base seeking exceptional hospitality experiences.
• IGLTA (International LGBTQ+ Travel Association)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerEllerman House is a member of the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association, connecting the property with LGBTQ+ travellers and advisors who seek welcoming, inclusive accommodation.
• Click LearningcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClick Learning is a non-profit that deploys digital literacy programmes to under-resourced primary schools across South Africa. Ellerman House has supported Click Learning since 2012 through its ArtAngels annual charity auction, which has raised over R26 million. The programme reaches 220,000 learners across 220 schools.
• Food Made GoodminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEllerman House has partnered with Food Made Good, the world's leading sustainability certification for the hospitality industry, which is guiding Ellerman House into the next phase of its ocean-minded sustainability journey, including responsible seafood sourcing.
• Angus Taylor (Artist and Sculptor)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRenowned artist and sculptor Angus Taylor was the original creative force behind the construction of the Wine Gallery in 2013 and was re-engaged to shape the transformation of the Wine Gallery into Curate in 2025, infusing the reimagined dining space with raw and refined textural elements exploring the intersection of terroir across wine and gastronomy.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• The Silo Hotel: Ultra-luxury boutique hotel in Cape Town's V&A Waterfront built into a converted grain silo. Direct peer: same Cape Town market, comparable small inventory, art-centric positioning, similar UHNW guest profile, and overlapping accolades (also Michelin Key holder).
• Leeu Estates: Boutique luxury hotel in Franschhoek with vineyard and sculpture garden setting. Direct peer and Ellerman House partner property: comparable intimate scale, art-and-wine positioning, and inclusion in cross-promoted multi-property itineraries.
• Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel: Iconic luxury hotel in central Cape Town with a heritage garden setting. Direct competitor at the top of the Cape Town luxury segment with comparable brand longevity, heritage positioning, and award pedigree.
• Babylonstoren: Luxury farm hotel in the Cape Winelands with garden, wine, and farm-to-table cuisine. Direct peer in the South African ultra-luxury small-property category with comparable cultural-and-culinary positioning and award profile.
• One&Only Cape Town: Ultra-luxury resort on the V&A Waterfront with marina and Table Mountain views. Direct competitor for the UHNW Cape Town traveller, broader amenity footprint but overlapping rate band and guest profile.
• Cape Grace: Luxury full-service hotel on a private quay at Cape Town's V&A Waterfront. Direct peer in Cape Town luxury lodging market with comparable room count, full F&B programme, and similar guest demographics of affluent international travellers.
• Singita: Luxury safari lodge and conservation operator across South Africa and East Africa. Direct peer in the South African ultra-luxury hospitality ecosystem with overlapping UHNW guest profile, partner-property itineraries, and Michelin Key recognition.
• Delaire Graff Estate: Luxury wine estate hotel on Helshoogte Pass between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. Direct peer and Ellerman House partner property: same small-luxury-inn model with private art collection, vineyard setting, and overlapping UHNW guests building Cape Winelands itineraries.
• Royal Mansour Marrakech: Ultra-luxury riad-style hotel in Marrakech operated by Morocco's royal family. Direct peer as a benchmark ultra-luxury small-property hospitality brand with similar cultural-immersion positioning, Michelin Guide recognition, and Relais & Châteaux membership.
• The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa: Luxury boutique hotel between Camps Bay and Llandudno with Atlantic seaboard views. Direct Cape Town competitor with comparable small-room count, full-service F&B, spa, and similar luxury-traveller positioning.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ellerman-house

Compliance12 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ellerman House