I Stayed There: Ellerman House

Dr. Terika L. Haynes shares her experience staying this property.

Dr. Terika L. Haynes Published December 05, 2024

The Vibe

The Ellerman House is a boutique property located in Cape Town, South Africa. The property is elegant and provides bespoke service for luxury travelers. The vibe felt quite luxurious and exclusive. The wide variety of art throughout the property (indoor and outdoor) cannot be ignored and is a pinnacle of the property. The views of the ocean and city are stunning and breathtaking no matter how many times you see them. This property is a great option for solo travelers, couples and families.

How I Felt

At home. The cozy environment and warm hospitality from the staff made me feel comfortable. The attention to detail from the staff, the peaceful ambiance and the layout of the property made it feel like I was the only guest. Most amenities and public spaces in the property are available 24/7 which also made me feel like I was in a house rather than a hotel property.

The Digs

My Deluxe House Room was very spacious. The bathroom had a large shower and soaking tub. The countertops were adorned with marble, and the heated towel rack was a pleasant surprise. The room also had heated floors, and the bed was very comfortable. The room had a seating area, a vanity space and a large terrace that was perfect for taking in the ocean views. The minibar was plentiful with snacks and drinks, and all minibar items were complimentary. There was adequate closet space, and laundry and ironing services were included.

The Agenda

The Ellerman House has a very impressive art collection. It has the largest private collection in South Africa. Guests are offered an art tour to see and observe all of the art throughout the house as well as in their art gallery. I took advantage of this complimentary art tour and loved it. I also participated in the complimentary wine tasting which was intimate (small group) and included top wines from various regions.

Camps Bay is a short drive away, and I dined there while enjoying the beach. I also dined at various nearby restaurants and explored the MOCAA art museum (also complimentary to Ellerman House guests). I enjoyed time at the beautiful pool on property and took full advantage of the afternoon cocktails and canapes at sunset. I dined several times on property, and all of the meals that I had were very fresh and delectable.

The Eats

The food was outstanding. The menu changes daily, which means that the cuisine is fresh and prepared to order. All cocktails are included in the price, and the wine cellar was impressive with various types of wines available for all palettes. There is a pantry that stays stocked with all types of snacks and drinks for guests to enjoy 24/7.

Why I Would Go Back

I’ve never felt more at home at a property than I did at Ellerman House. The property had many inclusions, far more than most boutique luxury properties. This helped me to be able to spend more time onsite. The small touches throughout my stay made a big difference, and the staff and leadership’s dedication to making the boutique property feel more like a home than a hotel is why I would not hesitate to return.

About the Author

Dr. Terika L. Haynes is the CEO and Founder of Dynamite Travel, an award-winning, five-star rated, luxury travel and media consultancy that has been providing travel planning service excellence to clients for 15 years. Dr. Haynes, a savvy business professional, sought out to create a company that would not only assist clients with curating customized vacations, but would also assist clients with creating unforgettable travel experiences.

Breaking glass ceilings and creating unique opportunities is a specialty of Dr. Haynes. She is the recent recipient of the 2023 ASTA Travel Advisor of the Year Award. In addition to superb travel planning execution, Dr. Haynes has utilized the opportunity to engage the masses of travel enthusiasts by extending her services as a travel expert and contributing to notable media outlets. As such, her knowledge and expertise have been featured in leading media publications such as: Travel+Leisure, The Washington Post, USA Today, TripSavvy, Fodor’s, BRIDES, CNN, Real Simple, BBC, Reader’s Digest, Travel Noire and more.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is a strong passion for Dr. Haynes Under her leadership, Dynamite Travel is certified by the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), and U.S. Black Chamber of Commerce (USBC). Dr. Haynes serves as a Board Member and Treasurer of the Central Florida chapter of the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA). Additionally, she is a member of IGLTA, The Pride Chamber (Central Florida’s local LGBT Chamber of Commerce), the ForbesBLK community.