Mantis No 5 Boutique Art Hotel

Highlights

• Restored art-deco building with a privately curated art collection throughout
• Quiet Summerstrand address, a short walk to the ocean and under 10 minutes from the airport
• The Jazz Room restaurant serving African-fusion fine dining
• Salon Privé whiskey and cigar lounge, plus a hidden basement wine cellar for private dinners
• Just ten suites, giving the property a discreet, house-party feel

You Should Know

• Child policy: baby cribs available on request; suites sleep a maximum of 2 to 4 guests depending on category
• The Private Cellar seats up to 16 and requires advance booking, with fixed dinner seating times
• Mini bar and direct-dial telephone carry additional charges
• This is a city hotel, not a safari lodge; game viewing is done on day trips to Addo and nearby reserves

The Details

Location

No5 sits in Summerstrand, one of Gqeberha's most settled suburbs, tucked away from the through-traffic of the city yet within a 150-metre stroll of the Indian Ocean. Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport is under 10 minutes by car, which makes the hotel a practical first or last night on Eastern Cape itineraries that link Addo Elephant National Park, the private reserves of the Sundays River area and the Garden Route.

Rooms

There are ten suites in total across four categories. The Presidential Suite runs to around 624 sq ft with a four-poster king bed, generous en-suite bathroom and a large balcony. Three Luxury Suites occupy the ground floor, each with a separate lounge and full en-suite, sleeping up to four. Three Business Suites sit on the first floor with open-plan bedroom, seating area and private balcony. Three Executive Suites open onto their own private annex with art-deco accents, a king bed, dining area, refreshment pantry, private patio and garden.

Every suite comes with a Nespresso machine, complimentary mineral water, robes and slippers, blackout curtains, high-speed Wi-Fi, air conditioning, an in-room safe and turn-down service.

Dining

The Jazz Room is the main restaurant, seating 35 for fine-dining plates that lean African-fusion, paired with South African wines by the glass. The Private Cellar, tucked away on the basement floor, is fitted out with antique furniture and a vinoteque of local wines; it seats up to 16 for three- to five-course private dinners, with optional wine pairings booked ahead. Salon Privé is a Havana-style whiskey and cigar lounge with a strong list of spirits, taking private bookings for up to 30 guests.

Activities

The hotel works as a base for the wider Eastern Cape. Guests use it for day trips to Addo Elephant National Park for Big Five viewing, coastal drives along Algoa Bay, and cultural outings into central Gqeberha. On-site the focus is on the art collection, the cellar and the lounge, with the beach a short walk away.

Price Includes

• Accommodation in the chosen suite category
• Daily breakfast
• Complimentary mineral water and Nespresso coffee in the room
• Wi-Fi throughout the hotel
• Turn-down service and daily housekeeping
• Laundry service (charges may apply for specific items)