Ellerman House. Bantry Bay, Cape Town

Bar Roc is Ellerman House's stylish and intimate bar, offering a sophisticated setting to relax and enjoy exceptional drinks. Featuring an impressive selection of fine wines, handcrafted cocktails, and premium spirits, the bar provides a welcoming space with elegant décor, ocean views, and attentive service. It is the perfect spot for pre-dinner drinks, sunset cocktails, or a quiet evening in a luxurious atmosphere.

The Wine Gallery:
The Wine Gallery was designed as a journey through South African wine rather than a traditional display. At its centre stands the striking corkscrew installation, spiralling upwards through thousands of bottles. Stone, timber and steel connect a series of spaces where architecture and wine sit naturally together. A wall of soils collected from Cape wine farms grounds the experience in the landscapes from which these wines originate. More than a collection, the gallery offers a deeper understanding of the places and people behind every bottle.

The Cellar:
Beyond the Wine Gallery, the experience continues into the cellar, where the collection is carefully stored, explored and shared. The transition feels seamless, with the same architectural language carrying through each space. Rows of bottles stretch into temperature-controlled rooms housing one of South Africa's most significant private wine collections. Yet the focus never rests on quantity alone. What matters here are the stories behind the labels, the regions they represent and the conversations they inspire. With guidance from the team, guests are encouraged to explore freely, moving between vintages, producers and discoveries at a pace that feels entirely their own. The cellar becomes less about collecting wine and more about understanding it.

Wine Tastings:
Wine tastings at Ellerman House begin with a simple question: what would you like to discover? Guided by specialists with a deep knowledge of South African wine, each tasting is shaped around personal interests rather than a fixed format. Some guests explore historic estates, while others are introduced to emerging winemakers producing small quantities with remarkable character. As the tasting unfolds, conversation moves naturally between wines, regions and the people behind them. Taking place within the gallery and cellar spaces, the experience feels relaxed and engaging rather than formal. The goal is not simply to taste great wine, but to better understand the landscapes, traditions and stories that have shaped it.

The Ellerman House art collection is one of the most significant private collections of South African art, comprising more than 1,000 works that trace over two centuries of artistic and cultural development. From early Cape paintings and the emergence of South African impressionism and modernism to important contemporary voices, the collection reflects a country continually redefining itself. Questions of identity, history and place emerge across generations of artists, creating a visual narrative that continues to evolve. What makes the collection unique is the way it is experienced. Rather than being separated from daily life, the works are integrated throughout the house itself. They appear within the Edwardian residence, contemporary villas, dedicated gallery spaces and outdoor settings overlooking the Atlantic. Exploring Ellerman House becomes, in many ways, a journey through South African art.

Art Throughout the House:
Works from the collection appear throughout Ellerman House, allowing guests to encounter them naturally as they move through the property. Art becomes part of the experience of living in the house, creating moments of discovery in lounges, corridors, suites and shared spaces.

Private Art Tours:
Guests can explore the collection alongside the house art specialist through private guided tours. These conversations bring context to the works, revealing the artists, histories and ideas behind them while offering a deeper understanding of South African art and its ongoing evolution.

The Gallery:
A dedicated gallery space within Ellerman House presents carefully selected works from the collection. Rotating exhibitions create opportunities to explore particular artists, themes and periods in greater depth, offering a quieter and more focused viewing experience.

The Wine Gallery:
The Wine Gallery brings together architecture, design and wine within a striking sculptural space. Created with the same attention to detail found throughout the art collection, it reflects a shared appreciation for craftsmanship, storytelling and the experience of discovery.

The Sculpture Garden:
Set within the grounds of Ellerman House, the Sculpture Garden places contemporary works in conversation with the surrounding landscape and ocean beyond. Light, weather and season continually shape the experience, ensuring that no two visits feel exactly the same.

The spa at Ellerman House feels like a natural extension of the home itself, centred on personalised care and thoughtful treatment. Within calm, comfortable surroundings, guests can choose from a range of facials, massages, body treatments, scrubs and grooming services, each tailored to individual needs rather than a prescribed programme.

Four treatment rooms, including a dedicated couples suite, provide space for both quiet solitude and shared experiences. Treatments draw on a variety of techniques, from Swedish massage and aromatherapy to deep tissue and lymphatic therapies, delivered by a small team of highly experienced therapists.

A relaxation area featuring a sauna, polar plunge and sensation shower offers additional opportunities to unwind and reset. Whether recovering from travel or returning from a day exploring the city, the focus remains on restoring balance in a way that feels calm, personal and unforced.

Service is guided by expertise, attentiveness and genuine care, allowing guests to leave feeling rested, refreshed and ready for whatever comes next.

Money Exchange: Yes

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