Belmond Mount Nelson

This is an exceptional place to stay when visiting Cape Town — the staff are outstanding, the spa incredible, and both breakfast and pool truly memorable.

We look forward to returning to this special property that delivers on every front.

I highly recommend the high tea — worth every cent, with so much character and friendly, helpful staff.

Each course was super tasty, though I didn't love the deviled egg in the first course — felt too 70s and needed elevating. But overall the experience was casual yet full of character, exactly what you want from this kind of traditional service.

We love beautiful hotels with soul and atmosphere, and Mount Nelson perfectly captures that chubby travel aesthetic we're after.

It's exactly the kind of property we gravitate toward — places that have genuine character rather than generic luxury. The hotel has this distinctive atmosphere that feels both sophisticated and welcoming. When I think about our favorite stays like Huka Lodge and Sofitel Metropole Hanoi, Mount Nelson fits right into that category of hotels that understand luxury isn't just about thread count — it's about creating something memorable and meaningful.

I've stayed at eleven luxury properties across continents, and Mount Nelson is one of those rare hotels that cast a spell you never want to break.

There's something intrinsic about this place that goes beyond the obvious — yes, the service is exceptional, but it's really the staff who leave lasting impressions. They go above and beyond expectations in ways that are hard to quantify but impossible to forget. I've experienced plenty of luxury hotels, but Mount Nelson has that magical quality where you genuinely don't want to leave. It joins an exclusive list that includes Babylonstoren and a few others where the entire experience transcends the sum of its parts.

I lived in Cape Town for three years, and Mount Nelson has decent service with occasionally good moments, though the hard product feels well-maintained but dated.

Having stayed at most luxury options in Cape Town during my time there, Mount Nelson sits in an interesting position. The service ranges from decent to occasionally excellent, but it's inconsistent compared to what you'd expect at this price point. The property itself is well-maintained, but you can tell it's aging — it has that classic hotel feel rather than contemporary luxury. When I compare it to places like Ellerman House at $3k per night, Mount Nelson feels more reasonable but also more ordinary.

Our one-bedroom suite was stunning and spacious, and I made full use of everything from high tea to the spa to the exceptional breakfast buffet.

The staff were incredibly kind and went above and beyond throughout our stay. I particularly loved the high tea experience, drinks around the fountain, and that breakfast buffet at Oasis — it's truly exceptional. The spa facilities impressed me, and I got a wonderful facial there. The state-of-the-art gym was excellent too. What makes it special is the location on Kloof Street with easy access to the best restaurants and bars, yet you're in this quiet oasis away from everything.

Visiting the Nellie in her perfect shade of classy pink is always a trip down memory lane — she's quintessentially European yet uniquely positioned in Table Mountain's arms.

The gracious architecture feels distinctly European, but being nestled in the embrace of Table Mountain makes this place unlike anywhere else in the world. Those enchanting gardens with grand trees, fountains and terraces are beyond description — floral heaven and verdant spaces that provide true rest. It's hard to find adequate words to capture the beauty of these grounds. This hotel represents something timeless and elegant that you simply don't find everywhere.

I had an absolutely lovely spa session and day at the pool — it was beautiful and peaceful, my best day ever.

The spa and pool experience was genuinely perfect until one major design flaw ruined it. They use black marble side tables next to each sun lounger at the pool, and these tables get so scorching hot in the African sun you could fry an egg on them. My friend accidentally touched the table with her wine glass and burned her wrist and elbow so badly it blistered and popped. Who thinks of putting black marble side tables around a pool in this climate? It's a serious safety issue.

I visited for birthday drinks expecting the luxury standards of this caliber hotel, but the service was extremely disappointing and inattentive.

We were ordering wine by the glass, and when my mother-in-law wanted to switch from white to red before anything was served, the waitress was reluctant and treated it like a hassle. Then it started raining and absolutely no staff came to help us find shelter — we had to relocate ourselves while they ignored us. Most disappointing was that instead of checking on us or offering assistance, the waitress rushed over to present the bill first. The setting is beautiful, but the service felt transactional and careless, especially disappointing for a special occasion at this price point.

We stayed for a week over New Year's and were treated like we were the only guests in the hotel from the moment we walked in.

Michael showed us around and kept appearing throughout our stay to check on us, remembering my quirks about English decaf tea and fresh milk delivery. The staff at the adult-only pool were exceptional, as was our room cleaner who made us feel like royalty. The bed was the most comfortable I've ever slept in, and those sheets — I wish I knew where to get them for home. The regular small gifts in our room added wonderful touches. It was expensive, but looking back, absolutely worth every penny for the most memorable week we've had.

I came for afternoon tea and it was the most perfect afternoon — an absolute highlight of my Cape Town trip.

The staff were impeccable, striking the perfect balance between being friendly, attentive and professional while maintaining that uniquely South African style of being laid back. This combination created something really special — you felt cared for without it being stuffy or overly formal. The whole experience became one of those travel memories that you know will stick with you long after you leave. It perfectly captured what makes South African hospitality distinctive.

This was our fourth high tea at Mount Nelson — staying overnight isn't in our budget, but experiencing this incredible afternoon tea is worth it.

If there's any proof that old British style still exists, it's here. The garden setting, the décor, the piano music playing unobtrusively in the background — everything creates this perfect atmosphere. The staff are perfectly trained and so friendly that you feel like a regular guest, even though we're not staying here. The variety of teas and the four-course menu leave nothing to be desired. If you want to relax in style and be pampered, this experience shouldn't be missed, even if the hotel itself is beyond your overnight budget.

From start to finish, I was treated as a special guest — Craig the tea sommelier guided our selections perfectly, and every course was delicious.

Upon arrival, I was welcomed with a cold towel and escorted to my table in this beautifully decorated setting that's perfect for photos. Craig provided wonderful tea pairings under his guidance, and each recommendation was a wonderful experience. The courses were delicious, though you need to pace yourself to avoid feeling overstuffed. Everything was a hit, but the lentil soup and mushroom pie were standouts. Asanda was our lovely server who made the whole experience seamless.

I booked high tea specifically advising of gluten-free and vegan dietary requirements, but neither was properly catered for when we arrived.

This was for my in-laws' 70th birthday celebration, and it was extremely embarrassing. Despite booking with clear dietary requirements, the kitchen wasn't prepared and we had lengthy waits for gluten-free options. The vegan requirements were completely misunderstood — they brought eggs, salmon, and chicken mayonnaise sandwiches. Our waitress was amazing and tried to help, but the kitchen team completely dropped the ball. I specifically chose Mount Nelson because they're supposed to cater for special diets, but this experience was underwhelming and embarrassing for such a special occasion.

We've been fortunate to see wonderful places around the world, and Mount Nelson is genuinely one of our favorites.

The rooms are large and excellently provisioned with lovely touches like evening gifts and great turndown service. The breakfast is excellent, and those gardens and pool create a true oasis experience. What really impressed us was the staff attention — particularly Nawaai in the bar and terrace who went out of her way for us, and the concierge team who remembered our names and preferences throughout our stay. We're already planning our return visit.