Luxury Hotels Atlas / Places / South Africa / Constantia / The Cellars-Hohenort
The Cellars-Hohenort
Constantia, South Africa · Liz McGrath · High Luxury
Hotelier Liz McGrath fused a 1693 Dutch East India Company wine cellar with a 1906 German-style manor and reopened them in November 1993 as The Cellars-Hohenort. The Constantia estate traces to Klaasenbosch farm, granted to Hendrik ten Damme, chief surgeon of the VOC. Nine acres hold about 2,500 roses, including a 2003 hybrid named for McGrath, plus some of South Africa's oldest camphor trees.
- 51 rooms
- Opened 1993
- Neighborhood: Constantia Heights
- Rooms from 237 sq ft (22 m²)
- Architect: Seeliger
About The Cellars-Hohenort
- The estate traces to Klaasenbosch farm, established in 1693 by Hendrik ten Damme, chief surgeon of the Dutch East India Company.
- Liz McGrath bought the Cellars in 1991 and the neighboring Hohenort manor in 1993, uniting them that November as The Cellars-Hohenort.
- Nine acres of gardens hold roughly 2,500 roses, including a 2003 hybrid named for Liz McGrath.
- An Oregon-pine staircase was built from the original roof timber, and the grounds hold some of South Africa's oldest camphor trees.
- Entry-level rooms start at 237 sq ft (22 m²).
History
The Cellars-Hohenort sits in the Constantia Valley outside Cape Town on land tracing back to the Klaasenbosch farm, established in 1693 by Hendrik ten Damme, chief surgeon of the Dutch East India Company. The Cellars building was the farm's original wine cellar, while the adjoining Hohenort manor house was begun in 1906 in a German style, its name ('Hoher Ort,' or high place) reflecting its elevated setting.
In 1991 hotelier Liz McGrath bought the Cellars, then a country guesthouse, and in early 1993 she took over the neighboring Hohenort, uniting the two properties and reopening in November 1993 as The Cellars-Hohenort. Part of the Liz McGrath Collection and a member of Relais & Châteaux, the 51-room hotel is set in some nine acres of gardens holding roughly 2,500 roses, and features an Oregon-pine staircase built from the original roof timber and among the oldest camphor trees in South Africa.
The setting
3.3 km from Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. 20 km from Milton Beach.
Restaurants and bars
- The Conservatory — Restaurant
- Pavilion — Restaurant
- Amelia's — Restaurant
Experiences
- Gardens — The property's award-winning gardens, including the Rose Garden with over 2,500 roses.
- Fresh Wellness Spa — On-site spa with separate summer and winter opening hours, Monday to Sunday.
- Heated Pool — Heated pool listed among hotel facilities.
- Tennis — Tennis listed among hotel facilities.
- Bicycles — Bicycles listed among hotel facilities.
- Gym — Gym listed among hotel facilities.
Amenities
- Spa
- Pool
- Fitness center
- Tennis
- Wine cellar
- Pet-friendly
Awards
- Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star (2026)
- MICHELIN One Key (2026)
Open The Cellars-Hohenort in the atlas for live weekend rates, photos, and the full folio.