The Nellie’s enduring charm earns worldwide acclaim with awards from Michelin Keys, Condé Nast Traveller and the World’s 50 Best Hotels
Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, Cape Town, proudly celebrates a season of international recognition with three major accolades that affirm its position as one of the world’s leading hotels. For over 125 years, the hotel has stood as a landmark of heritage and timeless hospitality. Today, the city’s beloved “Pink Lady” adds to its legacy, having received three major international honours that further cement its place on the global stage.
Condé Nast Traveller (UK) Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 placed Mount Nelson 2nd in the ‘Africa: Eastern & Southern’ category and the top city hotel in the region. Voted by readers around the world, the accolade reflects the enduring affection travellers hold for Cape Town’s most celebrated sanctuary.
Mount Nelson has also been honoured with Two Michelin Keys, one of the highest distinctions in the newly introduced Michelin Hotel Keys for South Africa. The award recognises the hotel’s ‘exceptional hospitality and unique character’ and marks a historic milestone for the country’s luxury hospitality sector.
Rounding off the trio of accolades, Mount Nelson has been named No.73 in The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2025 Extended List, distinguishing it as the only African hotel to feature among the 51 – 100 ranking. The announcement underscores Mount Nelson’s standing as a global icon of hospitality and cultural excellence, joining fellow Belmond properties among the world’s finest.
“These honours are a remarkable affirmation of the dedication and care that define Mount Nelson,” says Patrick Fisher, General Manager. “For over a century, The Nellie has been a place where heritage and heart meet, and where guests experience not just the beauty of Cape Town, but the warmth of its people. To receive recognition from esteemed institutions, like Condé Nast Traveller, Michelin and The World’s 50 Best Hotels, is a moment of immense pride for our entire Team. It’s wonderful to stand among the world’s best.”
As Mount Nelson continues to evolve with exciting new openings, including Amura by Angel Amura by Ángel León and the THEBE MAGUGU SUITE and MAGUGU HOUSE CAPE TOWN, these accolades mark a defining moment in the hotel’s unfolding story, highlighting the slow luxury travel experiences that live within its pink walls.
