Logo for Mount Nelson, a Belmond Hotel in Cape Town.

Mount Nelson
Cape Town, South Africa

There are hotels that belong to a city, and there are hotels that become part of its identity. For more than a century, Belmond Mount Nelson has been woven into the fabric of Cape Town itself.

Affectionately known as "The Nellie", this iconic pink landmark has stood at the foot of Table Mountain since 1899, welcoming everyone from royalty and artists to adventurers and world leaders. Hidden behind its rose-coloured walls lies a world of manicured gardens, elegant verandas and a timeless sense of occasion that feels wonderfully removed from the energy of the city beyond.

Despite its rich heritage, The Nellie never feels formal. There is a warmth and joy to the property that has made it one of Cape Town's most beloved addresses. Mornings begin with birdsong drifting through the gardens, afternoons are spent beside the pool or exploring the city's galleries and boutiques, and evenings unfold over exceptional dining as Table Mountain becomes silhouetted against the fading light.

  • View through a car's windshield showing tall palm trees lining a street with a white archway and tiki statues in the distance, under a cloudy sky.
  • A man with a beard, wearing a white shirt and black apron, smiles as he looks at desserts on a buffet table covered with a marble top in an elegant room with a chandelier and framed art on the walls.
  • A stylish dining table set with various dishes, including oysters topped with garnishes, grilled items, and bowls of food, along with a lit candle in a holder, on a dark wooden table with ambient lighting.
  • A waiter preparing drinks at a restaurant with large windows and indoor plants.
  • A person in a white shirt serves desserts on a table set outdoors. The table features a tiered stand with assorted pastries and small cakes, surrounded by teacups, glasses of pink liquid, and a teapot.
  • Elegant dining room with a large mirror, candles, potted plants, and tables set for a celebration, including bottles of champagne in coolers and glassware, with a smiling waiter in the background.
  • Elegant restaurant interior featuring a large wine storage area with glowing lighting, surrounded by lush green plants, tables with glassware and candles, plush chairs, and modern lamps, illuminated by warm lighting and a striking red ceiling chandelier.
  • Luxurious restaurant bar with marble countertop, tall columns, modern lighting, and decorative bottles, featuring an elegant and inviting ambiance.
  • Upscale restaurant interior with large windows, potted plants, and a server setting a table.
  • Interior of an upscale restaurant or lounge with ornate ceiling, large windows, red chandeliers, wooden columns, lush green plants, and warmly lit lamps. There are tables with chairs and some people dining or sitting.
  • An outdoor dining area with tables covered with white tablecloths, surrounded by wicker chairs. A large white patio umbrella shades the space, with greenery including trees and bushes in the background. The setting appears to be a garden or patio.
  • Assorted seafood dishes served on a green marble table, including oysters, a bowl of creamy clam chowder, a plate with a poached egg and seaweed, green dumplings, and a dish of chopped scallops in green sauce.
  • A luxurious bathroom with a black marble countertop, oval sinks, a large mirror, white towels on a metal shelf, a vase with fresh flowers, and elegant fixtures.
  • A cozy bedroom with a neatly made bed, patterned headboard, white pillows, a nightstand with a white lamp, a small vase with flowers, and large cream-colored curtains with black stripes covering the window.
  • Brightly lit restaurant interior with white walls, large windows, and hanging fern plants, set for dining with white tablecloths, napkins, glasses, and floral centerpieces.
  • Poolside scene with multiple pink-striped lounge chairs with orange cushions, green lawn, large trees, a pink house with white decor, and a mountain in the background.
  • Several pink and white striped lounge chairs with rolled towels on each, placed on a grassy area near a pool, under white umbrellas, with a large tree in the background and a pink building.
  • Outdoor dining table set with plates, glasses, and a white tablecloth on a patio with white columns, pink and purple buildings, and palm trees in the background.
  • A pathway between tall palm trees with a white entrance structure in the background, seen from inside a car.
  • A luxurious hotel room with a large bed, beige upholstered headboard, and white linens. There are three patterned pillows on the bed. Beside the bed, there are white nightstands with small lamps. The room has tall windows with patterned curtains, allowing natural light in. In front of the bed, there is a sitting area with two light gray tufted armchairs, a small round table with a plant, and a few decorative pillows. The walls are painted light beige, and the ceiling has crown molding.
  • View of a mountain with residential buildings and trees in the foreground.
  • Elegant bedroom with a four-poster bed with black wood and decorative carvings. The bed has white bedding with orange pillows. A pair of wall-mounted lamps and a small wooden nightstand with a lamp are beside the bed. The room has patterned wallpaper, cream curtains, and a green upholstered bench at the foot of the bed. A chandelier is partially visible on the left.
  • Living room with green sofa, side tables, a patterned armchair, a coffee table with magazines, and a chandelier hanging from the ceiling. Large windows let in natural light, and walls are decorated with framed artwork.

The accommodation ranges from elegant rooms and suites to private cottages tucked amongst the gardens, creating the feeling of a secluded retreat in the heart of the city. Every detail reflects the property's history while embracing the contemporary style and creativity for which Cape Town is renowned.

Few traditions are more cherished than afternoon tea at The Nellie. Served in the historic lounge, it has become a Cape Town institution, drawing guests and locals alike for delicate pastries, fine teas and an atmosphere of timeless glamour.

The hotel has always championed South African culture, from art and design to food and wine, serving not only as a place to stay but as a celebration of the creativity and character that define the city itself.

Somewhere in the world, there is a destination that will stay with you forever. What you see here is merely a glimpse of the extraordinary experiences waiting to be discovered. Schedule a personal consultation with Karen Harrington to uncover the journey that is uniquely yours.

book a free no-obligation consultation

Explore more
Hotels in South Africa

  • View of residential buildings with a canal in the foreground, palm trees, mountains in the background, under a clear blue sky.

    One&Only Cape Town Cape Town, South Africa

    Click Here
  • View of a cityscape with a modern glass building on the right side, trees in the foreground, and a clear blue sky in the background.

    The Westcliff, Johannesburg Westcliff Johannesburg

    Click Here