03/01/2026
The Glencairn Hotel, Early 1900s🦉
The Glencairn Hotel, originally known as the Glencairn Southern Right Hotel, was built in 1904 on the slopes above False Bay in Glencairn near Simon’s Town. Its elevated position and views over the bay made it an important seaside hotel in the early 20th century, serving visitors, local residents, and those connected to the naval base at Simon’s Town. The nearby railway helped establish Glencairn as a small holiday and residential area, with the hotel acting as a social centre and a vantage point for seasonal southern right whales.
Over time the hotel became associated with reports of unexplained activity, including sightings of a woman and a young boy on the stairwell, footsteps at night, and doors opening and closing. A commonly told story links these figures to an alleged domestic tragedy, but no historical records confirm this account.
In 2014, the Tintswalo Collection acquired the property and began a full restoration based on historical research. The building is being redeveloped as Tintswalo Summer House, a boutique hotel with twelve suites and a restaurant, and was expected to reopen in late 2025.
