An icon of African hospitality, the Mount Nelson has weathered the ages without ever losing its allure. Nicknamed the Pink Lady for its emblematic rose-hued façade, the institution has embodied a singular way of life in Cape Town for more than 125 years—one defined by understated elegance, lush gardens, and hospitality attentive to the smallest detail.
As 2026 approaches, the hotel is writing a new chapter in its history through three major partnerships that reveal its contemporary positioning. The opening of Amura by Spanish chef Ángel León, the restaurant’s immersive design by Tristan du Plessis, and the creation of a gallery and signature suite by Thebe Magugu all express the same ambition: to bring luxury, culture, and experience into dialogue through a global, sensitive, and sustainable approach to hospitality.
A Living Landmark of African Hospitality
Opened in 1899, the Mount Nelson has accompanied the history of Cape Town and, more broadly, that of hospitality on the African continent. From its earliest days, it established itself as an urban resort hotel ahead of its time, welcoming international travelers, political figures, artists, and writers. Its elegant architecture, expansive gardens at the foot of Table Mountain, and timeless atmosphere have forged an instantly recognizable identity.
Over the decades, the property has evolved in step with the expectations of guests seeking experiences as much as comfort. The addition of private villas, the development of bespoke offerings, and the creation of the Librisa Spa—now a benchmark for holistic well-being—marked a shift toward a more comprehensive approach to the stay, blending contemporary treatments, local inspirations, and the pursuit of balance. This evolution has gone hand in hand with growing attention to the environment and local communities, placing sustainability at the heart of the hotel’s philosophy long before it became a global luxury standard: kitchen gardens, beehives, short supply chains, partnerships with regional fishers and producers, as well as locally rooted social and educational programs.
This trajectory has earned the Mount Nelson increasing international recognition. Entering the World’s 50 Best Hotels ranking in 2024 with an impressive 28th place worldwide and the title of Best Hotel in Africa, it appears again in 2025 on the Extended List. The property also ranks as the 2nd Best Hotel in Africa and South Africa in the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards and receives, for the first time, two Michelin Keys—distinctions that collectively celebrate exceptional hospitality.
Three Collaborations, One Vision of Luxury
In 2026, this holistic vision of luxury takes on a new dimension through three emblematic collaborations.
With Amura, the Mount Nelson welcomes the first restaurant outside Spain by three-Michelin-starred chef Ángel León. Known as the Chef of the Sea, León is internationally acclaimed for his pioneering work on marine sustainability and the valorization of ocean resources. In Cape Town, he works closely with local teams to craft a menu inspired by Atlantic and Indian Ocean influences, highlighting lesser-known species, wild herbs, and innovative techniques while showcasing South African produce. The project fully aligns with the hotel’s commitments to local and responsible sourcing. More than a fine-dining destination, Amura is conceived as an immersive experience, grounded in deep respect for ecosystems and an explicit cultural dialogue.
This culinary experience is extended through the décor designed by interior architect Tristan du Plessis, a leading figure in contemporary hospitality design. Renowned for his immersive, sculptural interiors, the South African designer has imagined a scenography for Amura inspired by the kelp forests of the Cape coastline. Organic materials, nuanced lighting, and mineral tones create an enveloping atmosphere that directly echoes the chef’s marine vision. Awarded for projects across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, Tristan du Plessis here makes design a full-fledged actor in the experience, on par with cuisine and service.
Another emblematic collaboration is with Thebe Magugu. Winner of the LVMH Prize, the South African designer introduces a signature suite at the Mount Nelson as well as Magugu House Cape Town, a hybrid space serving as gallery, showroom, and venue for creative encounters. Conceived as a true living space, the suite blends Magugu’s Afro-modernist aesthetic with the hotel’s historic elegance, marking Belmond’s first foray into designer-led accommodations. The gallery, meanwhile, extends Confections x Collections, a series conceived by the hotel around Afternoon Tea to celebrate slow fashion, craftsmanship, and contemporary African creation.
Across their respective fields, the three partnerships express the same standard of excellence: offering a form of luxury that is neither ostentatious nor static, but deeply sensory, cultural, and embodied.
The New Faces of African Luxury Hospitality
Through these collaborations, the Mount Nelson exemplifies the profound evolution of high-end hospitality in Africa. The continent is experiencing significant expansion, with several hundred hotel projects under development in 2025, driven by both major international chains and increasingly sophisticated local players. Beyond the numbers, however, it is the very nature of the offering that is changing.
Travelers are now seeking holistic experiences where well-being, culture, aesthetics, and meaning intertwine. Long before slow luxury or sustainability became global trends, many African establishments had already embedded these dimensions into their DNA: climate-responsive architecture, the valorization of local know-how, cultural immersion, and careful attention to the rhythms of the stay.
Naturally aligned with this search for authenticity and purpose, Africa is seeing its properties climb international rankings. Alongside the Mount Nelson, Royal Mansour rose to 13th place in the World’s 50 Best Hotels 2025, while Singita Kruger was ranked 40th and additionally received the Johnnie Walker Art of Design Award for its immersive approach and close connection to nature. These distinctions illustrate the emergence of a singular African luxury, where hospitality excellence, design, sustainability, and local culture advance hand in hand.
By bringing together committed gastronomy, artistic creation, and experiential design, the Mount Nelson offers an embodied reading of these new codes. More than a palace, the Pink Lady becomes a place of encounters and narratives. Faithful to its heritage while looking firmly to the future, it embodies a living, holistic African luxury—deeply rooted in its territory, a luxury to be experienced as much as contemplated.
