Luxury Hotels - Mount Nelson, Cape Town

What is the quality of the Mount Nelson these days?

I'd still love to get opinions on the Mount Nelson. We stayed there years ago and the place was redolent with historic charm. Our room was chintzy (fabric/wallpaper) and a bit worn, but we still loved the hotel. Since then, on our sporadic visits to Cape Town, we've stayed much nearer the water. This time, we've only got a one night stay and I am considering returning to the Mount Nelson. Thoughts?

I don't think the rooms have been updated since you were last there but I think they are very comfortable. We stayed there in April this year and had a great stay. We booked through DavidO and in addition to the Virtuoso benefits we got a rate which was much lower than that published on the hotel's website. I absolutely love the feel of the hotel and the grounds are gorgeous as you know. When we were there they were about to close the restaurant at the back of the pool for renovation - it's probably finished by now.
Let me know what you think if you do decide to stay there.

My favorite hotel in Capetown is Ellerman House. It is gorgeous and small, right on the ocean. If you have not tried I think it's worth looking into! Have not stayed in Mt Nelson in a long time so not sure on it.

My favorite hotel in Capetown is Ellerman House. It is gorgeous and small, right on the ocean.

Thank you. I've seen several others in this forum rave about the Ellerman. I do love a water view. However, it's sold out for the night we are in Capetown, so it is out of the running.

No comment about Mount Nelson as I haven't stayed there in donkey's years. Ellerman House is indeed great, but that doesn't help you. If you like to stay on the water, another option is The Twelve Apostles, which has a lovely setting on the Atlantic coast just out of town. It's a short, pleasant drive out of town; not too far (despite the Capetonian mentaility that anything longer than a few km is far....Southern Suburbs to Camps Bay - pack your passport).

Mentioning Camps Bay, there is obviously The Bay Hotel as well, although to my taste the Camps Bay strip has become overbuilt in the last few years. Still, the hotel is nice, and you are right across the road from a lovely beach.

If you like to stay on the water, the option for you may be Tintswalo. Haven't stayed there, so can't vouch for it, but you will not find a better setting in Cape Town; forget about even trying! I didn't know about this place till I drove Chapman's Peak Drive a few months back, and literally boggled to discover a hotel in this location. Next time I'm in Cape Town, I'm dying to give it a try.

If you are only in CT for one night, just transiting, I would also consider Delaire-Graff, on the Helshoogte Pass between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. Stunning place, fantastic accomodation, convenient for the airport, and if you are driving the Garden Route or similar, you have a jumpstart vs staying in CT itself. A nice itinerary for me would be chillax in your private plunge pool, a bit of wine tasting at Thelema or similar, dinner at the main hotel restaurant, lunch the next day at Tokara across the road, and then on my way.

I stayed at Tintswalo last December. It has a stunning location and breathtaking views. The rooms are lovely and management is very caring. I found the food mediocre, certainly not on a par with some of the terrific restaurants in Cape Town. Plus for me it's just a bit too far for a stay in Cape Town. It's great as a place to stop as part of one's itinerary though in all honesty I'd much rather be at Birkenhead House.

ThudAndBlunder, I hope you stick around and continue to post. You've opened up my eyes to some great properties.

wipro, thanks for your follow up. We aren't heading to Hermanus on this trip, but I looked up Birkenhead House (http://www.birkenheadhouse.com/). I'm drooling.

I don't think the rooms have been updated since you were last there but I think they are very comfortable. We stayed there in April this year and had a great stay. We booked through DavidO and in addition to the Virtuoso benefits we got a rate which was much lower than that published on the hotel's website. I absolutely love the feel of the hotel and the grounds are gorgeous as you know. When we were there they were about to close the restaurant at the back of the pool for renovation - it's probably finished by now.
Let me know what you think if you do decide to stay there.


not yet, stayed there 10 days ago and they're still keep working

ThudAndBlunder, I hope you stick around and continue to post. You've opened up my eyes to some great properties.


I'll definitely stick around; I like it here :)
This is an amazing resource, where people are incredibly generous with their time and expertise. I've been here two days, and already learned a ridiculous amount.

Glad I could add a bit of value with my first post :)

@wripro, thanks for the info. I might give it a try for a few days on my next visit to CT, as the location is actually reasonably convenient for me, as I tend to shuttle a lot between Constantia and Camps Bay / Bakoven, which I would quess are roughly equidistant. (having said that, ito travel times, it's almost certainly quicker from Camps Bay to Constantia via Kloof Nek / De Waal Drive than it is from Tintswalo to either, so maybe I'm just trying to convince myself here...).

Tintswalo may be a bit out of the way, but on the positive side, you are guaranteed a stunning drive wherever you go from there! So many of the best drives in CT so accessible from there - Chapmans Peak Drive (obviously...), Boyes Drive, Ou Kaapse Weg, Hout Bay ---> Clifton etc. Great base for cycling too...

Tintswalo is a revelation, even to a Capetonian!

A friend took us there for a surprise breakfast. (As in the venue was a surprise not the breakfast.:)) It really is stunningly situated. And the brekkie was rather good too. Even if you don't stay there - and I think it would be great for a night or two on a second or third trip - you could always pop in for breakfast or lunch if you are planning to drive along Chapman's Peak Drive.

Tintswalo is in such a cool and unique location. If you need to be in CT proper I probably wouldn't recommend, but if you're willing to go off the beaten path then it's well worth it. Ellerman has the most spectacular views and you feel like you are in a private home. The sunset location can't be beat! It's also relatively close to CT city center. 12 Apostles also is beautifully situated...it's more romantic, exclusive and right on the water, but also somewhat isolated if you need to be right near town. I saw all of these hotels and the Mt Nelson was beautiful. If you've been before you know what to expect, but I know they have a beautiful new fine dining restaurant (Planet) which was awesome and a great value. They were also redoing their bistro. The rooms are classic and traditional English garden style, so if that's what you're into then you'll love it.

We've come and gone and had a wonderful one night stay at the Mount Nelson. They have really upped their game. We booked thru a Virtuoso agent, and took advantage of each benefit:


late checkout
upgrade to next category room - for us, to a junior suite
free breakfast
free afternoon tea - and the Mount Nelson is known for its groaning table of sweets and savories

Internet is free for all guests. Our flight departed at 10pm, and we were given a free use day room after the 4pm check out from our room.

We used the hotel car service, thus the hotel knew to expect us. They had cool cloths and a cold beverage to refresh us. A quick review of all our benefits was given, including free popcorn if we borrowed one of their free DVDs to watch in our room. We were walked to our room by one of the front office staff and showed its features.

I loved our room. It was more suite than junior suite, with a separate room as the small living room. There's no more chintz. The room has been fully remodeled. It now has a muted green palette, fresh yet without clashing with the rich hotel history. There was both a walk in shower as well as a tub in the bathroom.

The grounds are extensive and beautifully landscaped. The building where breakfast is served has been fully remodeled and is now again open. Breakfast was excellent with a broad range of choices on the buffet and menu. Service was attentive and warm. We had a couple questions about changes over the years. Two long time staff members were brought to us to answer our queries.

We received excellent advice from the concierge about dining and shopping.

The hotel currently has a sculpture exhibit on the grounds. There are 20 or so large pieces appropriately placed including a statue of Gandhi across from the entrance. It is a great way to give artists a viewing and add interest to the hotel.

We loved our stay. This hotel has grown stronger and more beautiful since our stay of years ago. This was what I wanted, having our final day be an up note before the long trip home.

Thanks for reporting back SD1K - I now look forward to going back again soon.
Are the ducks in the swimming pool still in residence;):D?

Are the ducks in the swimming pool still in residence;):D?

Not when I was looking.