Press

Cape Town's third view: a giraffe at the window

Emberline Retreat, 35 minutes north of Cape Town, opens in September 2027. Its first stays are on sale now as Christmas gifts, from R33,999 for two people.

Artist's impression

Press release

Cape Town, October 2026

Many visitors to Cape Town choose a hotel for its view. The Silo looks out over the city, the harbour and Table Mountain from the V&A Waterfront, while Ellerman House overlooks the Atlantic from Bantry Bay. Emberline Retreat, a private walled estate, offers a third view: the chance to wake up to a giraffe outside the window, with Table Mountain on the horizon.

On safari, guests go out in search of the animals. At Emberline the animals already live around the guests: giraffes, zebra and antelope share the estate and come down to the watering hole when they choose. In a pool suite, guests can watch them from their own private pool, with champagne and oysters.

Giraffes at the watering hole at Emberline, Table Mountain on the horizon (artist's impression)

“My wife and I love giraffes, and I wanted my morning coffee with one outside the window. In the end, the only way to get that was to build the place.”
Patrick Reiss, Founder

Each stay comes with a gift box, posted either to the buyer or directly to the recipient. Whoever holds a stay becomes one of Emberline's Founding Guests and will be among the first to stay.

Read the release (PDF) Pressemitteilung (PDF)

The Founding Guest gift box (artist's impression)

Fact sheet

At a glance

Stays for two, breakfast included: 2 nights R33,999 (USD 1,999), 3 nights R41,999 (USD 2,499), 5 nights R66,999 (USD 3,999). Charged in rand; dollar figures are a guide.
Dates: Any time in the three years after opening, chosen once bookings open. Every stay can be given to someone else.
The box: A numbered certificate, a giraffe print and a letter sealed in wax. Boxes arrive before Christmas if ordered by 8 December for addresses outside South Africa, or by 15 December for addresses in South Africa. For orders after those dates, up to 24 December, a digital certificate arrives by email and the box follows.
The estate: 6.9 hectares in Three Fountains, past Melkbosstrand, with Table Mountain on the horizon and a helipad of its own. Malaria-free.
Animals: Two giraffes, with zebra, nyala, impala, waterbuck and eland. Wildlife manager John Marree introduces guests to the giraffes.
Suites and spa: 15 suites. Founding Guest stays are in the pool suites, each with a terrace, a private pool and a personal host. The spa has a sauna, hot tub and cold plunge.
Dining: Dinner at BOMA, overlooking the watering hole, with wine chosen by sommelier Lester Riffel, previously with FYN and Chef's Warehouse.
Also included: A welcome drink on arrival, the guest's name on the founders' wall and Founding Guest status for life, with 15% off every later stay.