The Nellie: Belmond’s Luxury Hillside Hotel in Cape Town
Described as the beating heart of cultural Cape Town, the Belmond Mount Nelson is a fantastic hotel with amazing history (originally opened in 1899), in such a good location. I’d visited before a couple of times as it is such an iconic Cape Town institution (read on about the afternoon teas at ‘The Nellie’) but had never stayed. Having identified a few years ago that I would stay on the next trip, we’d booked a few days at the start of a long South Africa trip, and one of two stops in Cape Town (the second hotel would be The Royal Portfolio’s The Silo).
Unfortunately with having to change our trip multiple times due to Covid, the hotel was great at rearranging and in November 2022 we were finally able to make the trip. I’d been looking forward to our stay here by that point for the best part of three years, and in no way did it disappoint. South Africa is such an amazing country, and with direct overnight flights from London with minimal time difference, such a good vacation choice.
Why Book with Classic Travel and The Private Traveller
By booking through my affiliation with Classic Travel, I was able to secure a number of additional VIP benefits with their Belmond Bellini rates. These included:
VIP welcome treats with a local taste
Buffet or full breakfast for 2 daily
Complimentary upgrade based on availability at time of check-in
Up to $200 hotel credit per stay ($200 per stay for select suites; $90 per stay for rooms)
Complimentary WI-FI access
Fast Facts for The Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel
Address - 76 Orange Street, Gardens, Cape Town, 8001 South Africa
Website - https://www.belmond.com/hotels/africa/south-africa/cape-town/belmond-mount-nelson-hotel/
Group Website - https://www.belmond.com/
Contact - https://www.belmond.com/hotels/africa/south-africa/cape-town/belmond-mount-nelson-hotel/contact-us
Instagram - @belmondmountnelsonhotel @belmond
Nearest airport - Cape Town International Airport (CPT) - 21 km or 13 miles (about 25 mins), a 12-minute drive to Cape Town Railway Station, a 15-minute drive from Table Mountain, and a 40-minute stroll from The V & A Waterfront
Opened - 1899
Number of rooms / suites - 198
Number of floors - 4
Bars - 1 (Planet Bar)
Restaurants - 5 (Oasis, The Verandah, The Red Room by Chef’s Warehouse, The Lounge, & Chef’s Table)
Wellbeing - Outdoor pools, Fitness Suite, Librisa Spa (8 spacious treatment rooms including two couple’s room, Steam bath and Finnish sauna, Plunge pool, Conservatory with herbal tea selection)
Visited - November 2022
“Our iconic pink lady, which has been captivating visitors since 1899, is the beating heart of Cape Town. Nestled between the slopes of Table Mountain and the vibrant city, when you step through our gates, you enter a world of relaxation and glamour. ”
What about the Belmond Mount Nelson location?
Located only about 20km (or 12 miles) it was a very easy drive from Cape Town’s International Airport, after picking up a car from the Avis car rental office. Driving in South Africa is easy (well, especially for UK drivers being on the same side of the road), with roads and directions well signposted and we made it to the Belmond Mount Nelson in less than half an hour, and that was with morning traffic. There is both valet and self parking available at the hotel (and plenty of it); we opted for valet and actually then never saw the car again until we left. The hotel is in such a good location, it’s easy to walk either down Kloof Street to get to the centre, or go out the other exit from the hotel and you can walk through the Company Gardens. If anything is further afield, it’s so easy (and cheap) to organise Uber - that’s what we did the most of if anywhere was not within walking distance.
The Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel Adults Only Pool
Hotel Accommodation at Belmond Mount Nelson, Cape Town
With 198 rooms and suites (and the very unique garden cottages) there is a great selection for everyone. There is no bad location, but accommodations are spread across a few buildings and with it being such a historic hotel, it would be hard to give chapter and verse on all types. We were in room 8 on the ground floor of what was the original hotel building (there are some great historic photos of the hotel in its original guise, much smaller and with an empty field adjacent which is now the Oasis wing, spa and main pool).
The room was huge, actually ADA compliant so there were a few adaptations (like an automatic self-opening door), and so beautifully presented in a traditional yet elegant style. The bathroom was vast, marble lined, and actually more the size of what a whole bedroom might be in another hotel. There were double sinks on a huge vanity unit, a walk-through overhead shower area, WC and separate bath. Toiletries were all Charlotte Rhys, and there were loads of them - from shower gels and hand wash, to conditioner, body lotion, bath salts, room sprays, pillow sprays etc. - all wonderful.
In the room itself, the bed was ginormous and so comfortable - felt like an expedition getting from one side of it to the other. There was absolutely everything you could want, and such a nice treat to come back one afternoon to find gin & tonics (by Cape Town Gin - pink too) set up on the coffee table with matching pink macarons (delicious), not just that but sprigs of rosemary in the large balloon glasses so there was real attention to detail.
Food and Drink at Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel
We had breakfast in the hotel every morning in the Oasis Restaurant (see below for a tip as to how to get there the easiest way) - this was a sumptuous buffet with absolutely everything you could possibly imagine, as well as there being hot food options from an a la carte menu too. Everything was so beautifully presented with stations inside for all sorts of foods (and a bakery corner too), you could also have eggs to order from a chef’s section; or (as was our choice) Avocado Toast for me and Eggs Royale for ‘Mrs’ ThePrivateTraveller. Being welcomed to a table either inside (air-conditioned) or outside on the covered terrace overlooking one of two pools, you’d first be served juice shots while your order for juices and hot drinks was taken. Always such an experience every morning and a fab start to the day.
Having visited the hotel twice before on other trips for an afternoon tea on the terrace (or inside at The Lounge), this trip we actually didn’t partake again but it always looked amazing. While we were there there were fashion shows every afternoon to tie in with afternoon tea times, showcasing local African fashions and style - even if you don’t stay in the hotel, I’d definitely recommend visiting for afternoon tea.
While we were there the option for dinner was in The Lounge only, but with many great restaurants only a few minutes’ walk away at the top of Kloof Street, we tended to do that most nights, if not going further afield by an Uber. Restaurants I would recommend highly would be Yindee’s (traditional Thai - floor cushions at the front, or more traditional tables at the rear) or an Italian/Mediterranean option - LOCO Restaurant. Always a great option before leaving the hotel would be a cocktail in the Planet Bar - one of my favourites. For brunch (very reasonably priced, and delicious Pink Mimosas) Our Local @ 117 Kloof (albeit they are open throughout the day from breakfast to late only on some days) is an excellent spot, and literally only minutes from the pools at the Mount Nelson.
Facilities & Service at Mount Nelson Hotel
There are so many things to do in and around the hotel, with such expansive gardens and all the facilities you’d expect from a large hotel and of the standard of a Belmond (not to mention a backdrop view of Table Mountain). Like a choice of two pools (one in front of the Oasis wing and then another adults only at the Cottage suites, though available to all regardless of where you stay). Next to the Oasis pool is a huge spa complex, made up of different buildings like one for a gym (with all different areas for weights, cardio, stretching, yoga/classes etc.) then another separate spa treatment building. I’ll be writing a separate spa blog about treatments here and the INCREDIBLE post-treatment conservatory lounge (cakes, fruit, teas, chocolates, sparkling wine etc.). As well as there being 8 spacious treatment suites (including 2 designed for couples) the main spa building also houses male and female changing rooms, as well as a retail area for products. In the male changing rooms (and replicated for females) there were ample lockers and showers, a steam bath and Finish sauna, with another outside shower and plunge pool open to the sky).
Highlights of our stay
There were so many highlights of the stay at the but here are just a few of the key points, which I hope you find a useful summary.
The location and the history behind the property, and of course because it’s a Belmond hotel.
Service was fantastic throughout our stay - from before we arrived when booking the trip (and having to rebook a few times due to Covid), and throughout our visit.
Loved coming back one afternoon to find a table had been set up with a gift of pink gin, pink tonic and pink macarons - all delicious!
The Librisa Spa - wish I had booked more treatments in advance.
Areas for improvement
Wherever we stay, I do always like to look at the positives on any property we stay in, and airlines we fly with etc. but sometimes you can’t help but notice things that (for me, but I realise this is always personal) might have made for a better stay.
If trying to be discreet while partially undressed and opening the door to ask housekeeping to return slightly later for turndown, remember that with the automatic opening door (you wave a control and it opens) there is no such thing as opening a crack of the door. You can’t stop it opening fully!
If you’re in the original part of the hotel or the annexes/cottages, you might find getting to breakfast in the newer Oasis wing complex - obviously the joining of buildings has meant levels are different, so you need to go up to then go down. On a nice day (and the weather was fabulous when we were there), go out through the lounge area from reception and walk the short distance through the garden instead,
Definitely book spa treatments well in advance - I normally do, but thinking we were there for a few days and the hotel being the size it was there would be availability, but in actual fact there was only one hour slot available which I was able to get for a deep tissue massage.
Would I stay here again?
Yes in a heartbeat - the Belmond experience never disappoints, coupled with the history here is a great mix. Did I mention afternoon tea and pink gin too?
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