One&Only Cape Town vs Ellerman House — Cape Town's Best Hotels | Peters Signature

One&Only Cape Town vs Ellerman House — waterfront resort or clifftop boutique? Our editorial comparison for luxury Cape Town travelers.

One&Only for resort spectacle, Ellerman for intimate art-filled elegance

Our verdict

One&Only is a statement resort — Table Mountain views, Nobu restaurant, and a spa island accessible by private bridge. Ellerman House is the opposite — an Edwardian mansion with 13 rooms, a private art gallery, and wines from the owner's personal vineyards. One&Only is where you go to be impressed; Ellerman is where you go to be moved. For first-time Cape Town visitors wanting spectacle, One&Only. For those seeking the most refined, art-filled stay in South Africa, Ellerman.

One&Only Cape Town — V&A Waterfront, Cape Town

Sunrise yoga with Table Mountain as your backdrop, spa morning on the private island, Nobu dinner at sunset — One&Only delivers Cape Town's most complete resort day.

• Strengths: Table Mountain views from the waterfront are genuinely iconic; Nobu and Reuben's — two destination restaurants in one resort; The spa island, accessed by private bridge, is architecturally unique; V&A Waterfront location means walkable shopping, dining, and culture; The Marina Rise suites with private pools are exceptional
• Trade-offs: 131 rooms means it can feel busy during peak season; The waterfront setting, while convenient, lacks the romance of clifftop views; Standardized One&Only design language doesn't feel distinctly Cape Town; Pool areas can be crowded — the resort attracts non-guest diners
• Best for: First-time Cape Town visitors, Families, Foodie travelers, Waterfront convenience seekers
• Dining: Nobu Cape Town is consistently excellent — the black cod miso and yellowtail sashimi with jalapeño are signatures. Reuben's adds local South African gastronomy with genuine flair.
• Room to book: Marina Rise One-Bedroom Suite with pool — the private plunge pool, Table Mountain view, and spacious layout justify the premium over standard rooms.
• Rates from: $600

Ellerman House — 180 Kloof Road, Bantry Bay, Cape Town

A private wine tasting in the cellar with the sommelier, exploring rare Stellenbosch and Franschhoek vintages, followed by sunset on the terrace with the Atlantic crashing below. This is Cape Town's most refined private experience.

• Strengths: Private contemporary art gallery — one of Africa's most significant collections; 13 rooms creates a private house-party atmosphere; Wine cellar and private vineyards — 7,500+ bottles including rare South African verticals; Clifftop position with panoramic Atlantic Ocean views; All-inclusive rates mean wine, spirits, and dining are complimentary
• Trade-offs: 13 rooms means limited availability — book 3–6 months in advance; No formal spa or gym — this is a house, not a resort; Bantry Bay is residential — you'll need a car for most activities; The intimate atmosphere won't suit guests who want resort amenities
• Best for: Art collectors, Wine enthusiasts, Privacy seekers, Discerning repeat visitors
• Dining: All meals are included and bespoke — the chef will create a personal menu based on your preferences and the morning's market. The braai (barbecue) evenings on the terrace are Cape Town at its finest.
• Room to book: The two-bedroom Villa with private pool — it's essentially an independent residence with Ellerman's full service, art collection access, and wine program.
• Rates from: $800

Choose One&Only Cape Town when

• Nobu dining and a full-service resort appeal to you
• Table Mountain views from a waterfront setting are priorities
• You want spa, pool, and fitness infrastructure
• You're traveling with family and need structured activities
• You prefer international luxury brands to independents

Choose Ellerman House when

• You want one of Africa's finest private art collections in your hotel
• 13 rooms and a house-party atmosphere appeal to you
• Wine is important — the private vineyards and cellar are exceptional
• You want a clifftop setting with ocean and mountain views
• You prefer boutique intimacy to resort scale

Published by Peters Signature Travel.