Uncover the soul of South Africa at this vibrant hideaway with a star-studded history. At the foot of Table Mountain is the inviting Mount Nelson Hotel, painted pink for peace in 1918. Within, the magic of a bygone era awaits. Delight in exquisitely restored interiors with quirky modern touches. Capture the light with a painting masterclass or unwind and indulge at the Librisa Spa. We guarantee an unforgettable stay. AN OASIS OF CALM WITHIN CAPE TOWN’S BEATING HEART
Set in the vibrant heart of Cape Town, this luxury hotel and spa offers easy access to all that's happening in this dynamic city.
Mount Nelson has long been regarded as one of the city’s top five star hotels. It offers the perfect combination of leafy tranquility and contemporary buzz. Whether dining on exotic Cape cuisine, soaking up the sun or exploring the buzzing streets, your time here promises endless memories to cherish. TIMELESS INDULGENCE IN THE SHADE OF TABLE MOUNTAIN
Follow in the footsteps of Winston Churchill, John Lennon and Nelson Mandela with a stay in this iconic retreat. Pad out onto the balcony of your deluxe room to soak in the sunshine with a signature cocktail. Wander down a path lined with rose bushes to your idyllic Victorian cottage. Inside, a wealth of exquisite details beckon. Picture four-poster beds, Venetian mirrors and cosy fireplaces—Mount Nelson is brimming with old-world charm.
Apart from 198 Luxury Rooms and Luxury Suites, you can also enjoy exclusive use of up to eight historic cottages nestled among a secluded garden paradise. Retreat to the tranquil gardens of our urban oasis to unwind in exclusive luxury. With accommodation for up to 16 guests, gather with family and friends to stay in style. Indulge with:
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Mount Nelson Hotel, 76 Orange Street, Cape Town, South Africa.
Reservations: +27 878 222 335 Book Your Mount Nelson Stay Now! |
There are two heated outdoor swimming pools, available exclusively for guests staying at the hotel. The Oasis Pool is one of the largest heated pools in South Africa. Poolside service is available from October to April and a swimming coach can be arranged on request. The Cottage Pool is located in a secluded spot of the hotel gardens. Poolside service available from November to March.
The fitness centre is equipped with the latest cardiovascular and weight training equipment. Personal training is available for both guests and visitors to conduct fitness assessments and make tailored programmes. You can also find balance with indoor and outdoor yoga and pilates. Open 24 hours a day.
There are two tennis courts, available exclusively for guests of Mount Nelson. Resident pro tennis coach Barkie McKrea will teach you to improve your serve, volleys and all aspects of your game.
Barkie teaches all levels, from beginner to advanced players, solo or in groups. Equipment is available to hire from the hotel.
Natalie Hill Hair Design offers a wide range of services, from cutting and colouring to conditioning and styling.
The centre for children aged 4 to 12 offers a range of educational games and toys. Organised activities, from group games to storytelling, take place throughout the day. Available to non-resident hotel guests at no extra charge when visiting Librisa Spa or any of our restaurants and bars.
The fitness centre is equipped with the latest cardiovascular and weight training equipment. Personal training is available for both guests and visitors to conduct fitness assessments and make tailored programmes. You can also find balance with indoor and outdoor yoga and pilates. Open 24 hours a day.
There are two tennis courts, available exclusively for guests of Mount Nelson. Resident pro tennis coach Barkie McKrea will teach you to improve your serve, volleys and all aspects of your game.
Barkie teaches all levels, from beginner to advanced players, solo or in groups. Equipment is available to hire from the hotel.
Natalie Hill Hair Design offers a wide range of services, from cutting and colouring to conditioning and styling.
The centre for children aged 4 to 12 offers a range of educational games and toys. Organised activities, from group games to storytelling, take place throughout the day. Available to non-resident hotel guests at no extra charge when visiting Librisa Spa or any of our restaurants and bars.
History of The Mount Nelson Hotel
In 1743 the land on which Mount Nelson Hotel is now situated was granted to Baron Pieter van Reede van Oudtshoorn. This land was then named Oudtshoorn Gardens (at this time, the term ‘garden’ was used to describe a small farm).
Born the son of a nobleman in Utrecht, van Reede van Oudtshoorn first arrived in the Cape Colony aboard de Duijff as an employee of the Dutch East India Company in 1741 at age 27. In 1743 at age 29 the Cape Governor Hendrik Swellengrebel granted him this land in the Table Mountain valley, bounded by Hof Street and Kloof Street in the present-day suburb of Gardens.
He returned to the Netherlands in 1766 at age 52, leaving his children in the Cape. Six years later in 1772 at age 58 he was appointed Governor of the Cape Colony to succeed the deceased Governor Ryk Tulbagh but he became ill and died at sea aboard Asia on his voyage to the Cape Colony to take up his post as Governor. The Western Cape town of Oudtshoorn is named after him.
In 1806, thirty three years after van Reede van Oudtshoorn's death in 1773 at age 58, the developed estate was subdivided into three separate properties named La Belle Alliance, Trafalgar and Mount Nelson where the Mount Nelson Hotel stands today. On 3 August 1806 the property was advertised in The South African Gazette as 'Mount Nelson', taking inspiration from Cape Town's Table Mountain and the ubiquitous Lord Nelson. Lord Horatio Nelson had visited the Cape in 1773 at age 15 and in 1776 at age 18 and died the previous year at the Battle of Trafalgar.
Sir Hamilton Ross purchased the property in 1843 and created magnificent gardens around it. It was to remain within the Ross family for many years during which the large garden was established, complete with deer and fountains. It was known as one of the most magnificent gardens in Cape Town. The two lions on the property (near the big old oak tree and opposite the old laundry chimney) as well as some ornamental pot plants and the iron boundary railing on Orange Street are all that remain of the Ross family homestead today.
The Mount Nelson property was purchased in 1890 by shipping magnate Sir Donald Currie, owner of the Union-Castle Shipping Line. He aimed to build a hotel in Cape Town as elegant as those in London, to cater exclusively for the Union-Castle Line’s First Class passengers.
The Currie Cup Rugby Tournament is South Africa's premier domestic rugby union competition. The Currie Cup comes from the first overseas rugby team to tour South Africa in 1891, The British Isles, who carried with them a golden cup given to them by Sir Donald Currie, owner of Union-Castle Lines, the shipping company that transported them to the southern tip of Africa. Sir Donald was clear with his instructions – hand this trophy over to the team in South Africa that gives the best game. The inaugural Currie Cup tournament was held in 1892 with Western Province earning the honour of holding it aloft as the first official winners.
The Mount Nelson Hotel opened on 6 March 1899. The first hotel in South Africa to offer hot and cold running water, it was applauded for being “even better than its London counterparts”. Its first advertisement in the Cape Times newspaper, 3 March 1899 read: “This large and splendid hotel, beautifully situated in the Gardens at the Top of Government Avenue, in the most Airy and Healthy part of Cape Town, offers to Visitors all the comforts of a First-class Hotel at Reasonable Charges”.
The South African Second Boer War began in October 1899. The British used The Mount Nelson Hotel as headquarters from which to plan their military campaign until the end of the Boer War in May 1902. Lord Roberts, Kitchener and Redvers Buller stayed at the hotel, and a young war correspondent based at the hotel – Winston Churchill - described the hotel as: “…a most excellent and well appointed establishment which may be thoroughly appreciated after a sea voyage”.
In 1743 the land on which Mount Nelson Hotel is now situated was granted to Baron Pieter van Reede van Oudtshoorn. This land was then named Oudtshoorn Gardens (at this time, the term ‘garden’ was used to describe a small farm).
Born the son of a nobleman in Utrecht, van Reede van Oudtshoorn first arrived in the Cape Colony aboard de Duijff as an employee of the Dutch East India Company in 1741 at age 27. In 1743 at age 29 the Cape Governor Hendrik Swellengrebel granted him this land in the Table Mountain valley, bounded by Hof Street and Kloof Street in the present-day suburb of Gardens.
He returned to the Netherlands in 1766 at age 52, leaving his children in the Cape. Six years later in 1772 at age 58 he was appointed Governor of the Cape Colony to succeed the deceased Governor Ryk Tulbagh but he became ill and died at sea aboard Asia on his voyage to the Cape Colony to take up his post as Governor. The Western Cape town of Oudtshoorn is named after him.
In 1806, thirty three years after van Reede van Oudtshoorn's death in 1773 at age 58, the developed estate was subdivided into three separate properties named La Belle Alliance, Trafalgar and Mount Nelson where the Mount Nelson Hotel stands today. On 3 August 1806 the property was advertised in The South African Gazette as 'Mount Nelson', taking inspiration from Cape Town's Table Mountain and the ubiquitous Lord Nelson. Lord Horatio Nelson had visited the Cape in 1773 at age 15 and in 1776 at age 18 and died the previous year at the Battle of Trafalgar.
Sir Hamilton Ross purchased the property in 1843 and created magnificent gardens around it. It was to remain within the Ross family for many years during which the large garden was established, complete with deer and fountains. It was known as one of the most magnificent gardens in Cape Town. The two lions on the property (near the big old oak tree and opposite the old laundry chimney) as well as some ornamental pot plants and the iron boundary railing on Orange Street are all that remain of the Ross family homestead today.
The Mount Nelson property was purchased in 1890 by shipping magnate Sir Donald Currie, owner of the Union-Castle Shipping Line. He aimed to build a hotel in Cape Town as elegant as those in London, to cater exclusively for the Union-Castle Line’s First Class passengers.
The Currie Cup Rugby Tournament is South Africa's premier domestic rugby union competition. The Currie Cup comes from the first overseas rugby team to tour South Africa in 1891, The British Isles, who carried with them a golden cup given to them by Sir Donald Currie, owner of Union-Castle Lines, the shipping company that transported them to the southern tip of Africa. Sir Donald was clear with his instructions – hand this trophy over to the team in South Africa that gives the best game. The inaugural Currie Cup tournament was held in 1892 with Western Province earning the honour of holding it aloft as the first official winners.
The Mount Nelson Hotel opened on 6 March 1899. The first hotel in South Africa to offer hot and cold running water, it was applauded for being “even better than its London counterparts”. Its first advertisement in the Cape Times newspaper, 3 March 1899 read: “This large and splendid hotel, beautifully situated in the Gardens at the Top of Government Avenue, in the most Airy and Healthy part of Cape Town, offers to Visitors all the comforts of a First-class Hotel at Reasonable Charges”.
The South African Second Boer War began in October 1899. The British used The Mount Nelson Hotel as headquarters from which to plan their military campaign until the end of the Boer War in May 1902. Lord Roberts, Kitchener and Redvers Buller stayed at the hotel, and a young war correspondent based at the hotel – Winston Churchill - described the hotel as: “…a most excellent and well appointed establishment which may be thoroughly appreciated after a sea voyage”.
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Why is the Mount Nelson pink?
The Mount Nelson Hotel’s general manager, Italian Aldo Renato, celebrated the end of the First World War in November 1918 by painting the exterior of the hotel pink. Pink hotels were popular throughout Europe for the next few decades, and so it was that Mount Nelson Hotel retained her blush and is still known as “Cape Town’s famous pink hotel”. A definitive “Mount Nelson Pink” has been developed by paint experts, who have formulated a shade calculated to fade to a specific colour between coats. Originally built as accommodations for the ship passengers of the long defunct Castle Line, the Mount Nelson was purchased in 1988 by James Sherwood of the Orient-Express Hotels, which would become Belmond in 2014. |
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Our Africa Luxury Travel Experts are standing by to help you plan your perfect Cape Town travel experience.
