The Cellars-Hohenort Hotel

Approaching Cape Town, you’ll turn off left by Table Mountain and into the Constantia Valley. The road becomes twisty and tree-lined, snaking amongst imposing, high-walled private properties.


After about 20 minutes by taxi (or on the hotel’s shuttle to and from the V&A Waterfront), you arrive at The Cellars-Hohenort, which feels more like a small, rural estate than a city hotel. Set in glorious gardens, its grounds are divided between several buildings, the most distinctive being the old Dutch colonial Hohenort Manor House. The reception in the Cellars Main House is relatively small but has an historic feel and there are interesting artefacts to browse on the walls, including 17th Century deeds, a 500k year old hand axe, and a piece of the fence from Robben Island.

The entry-level Double Rooms are cosy and have signature Liz McGrath contemporary interiors, but we would highly recommend taking one of the Luxury Double Rooms with Verandah in the Hohenort Manor House. The high ceilings, large windows and stunning views across the valley offer a sense of occasion. For larger groups, the hotel also offers high-quality suites and standalone villas.

The hidden gem is the newly renovated Conservatory restaurant and bar in the Cellars Main House. The entrance is a beautiful bar lounge, with large arched interior windows and striking artwork. The restaurant is cleverly partitioned with indoor plants used to create little nooks, leading to a large terrace both covered and open. As the only restaurant, the Conservatory serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, while it’s also possible to take High Tea in the Greenhouse Bar or the Hohenort Terrace.

There’s a small spa and pools, but don’t expect a crowded wellness centre—this isn’t that kind of place. Instead, it’s best enjoyed as a quiet base: read on a bench in the gardens, or take the hotel’s recommendation and visit nearby Groot Constantia winery for a few hours. If peace and space in beautiful surroundings are what you’re after—without being too far from Cape Town’s main sights—The Cellars-Hohenort does the job.