The No5 Art Hotel by Mantis – known as Mantis No 5 – an immaculately restored art deco boutique hotel, is the Grande Dame of Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth). Its rare combination of architectural significance, luxury accommodation, curated art and comprehensive lifestyle amenities make it one of Gqeberha’s most distinctive and prestigious hospitality assets. Properties such as this seldom come to auction,” admits High Street Auction Company director, Greg Dart.

Even before it came under the High Street hammer, this distinctive property has already elicited interest from international potential investors.

“With a highly desirable asset such as this, there is no better place than an auction floor to get people to compete and to extract the best value. You start seeing real price discovery,” adds Dart.

Lining up for auction

As part of the award-winning Mantis Collection, recognised as Africa’s Leading Boutique Hotel Brand in 2024 by World Travel Awards and a Traveller Review Award Winner 2026 and 50% owned by AccorHotels, France’s and Europe’s biggest hotel operator, Mantis No 5 offers considerable business prospects.

Mantis properties extend as far as the Zambezi and Chobe in Botswana and include Mantis Hiddn in Addo and Founders Lodge by Mantis, also situated near Gqeberha. Dart says the successful buyer can continue to operate according to a Mantis franchise agreement which is valid till 31 May 2028. Other options include full management and a badged option.

Located in the Summerstrand less than 10 minutes away from Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport, the hotel comprises 10 suites (a presidential suite, three luxury suites, three business suites and three executive suites), the Jazz-Room fine dining restaurant, a  champagne lounge, salon prive (whiskey and cigar lounge), a private dining cellar 30 feet below sea level, a piano room (centred by a 1947 Andreas Christensen piano from Copenhagen), a sparkling swimming pool and the TITE Medi Spa, the first South African facility opened by leading African spa operator, Camelot.

Additional distinctive features include  the Mountbatten private cinema – modelled on King Charles’s private cinema at Clarence House in London, an organic kitchen garden as well as landscaped gardens designed by David Glanville featuring the flora of the Eastern Cape bushveld.

The magnificent multi-million-rand art collection currently adorning the walls will be sold separately.

Buying into boutiques

In short, Mantis No 5 perfectly encapsulates a growing trend emerging within South Africa’s hospitality sector – the rise of the ultra-luxury boutique hotel. These are a perfect fit with the company’s sales of other luxury collectibles including rare cars, whiskeys, watches and jewellery.

The High Street Auction Co is no stranger to bringing unique properties to market. Recent examples include the Swartberg Hotel in Prince Albert in the Karoo and the iconic Majeka House in Stellenbosch with its 21 designer rooms, pools, restaurant, lush gardens and spa set against the magnificent Helderberg Mountains.

“These hotels cater to travellers seeking more than just a place to put down their suitcases. Established around exclusivity and a personal touch, they enable guests looking for a unique experience to connect with the environment and culture. Each boutique hotel’s story is embodied in its design and décor – the very things that set them apart from conventional hotel chains,” explains Dart.

According to Grand View Research, there is growing global demand for boutique hotels and serviced apartments. In 2024, the boutique hotel market alone generated $278.1 million and is forecast to grow at a rate of 8.1% to $442.1 million by 2030.

The research company adds that luxury boutique hotels in South Africa are performing strongly, with a 12% year-on-year increase in revenue per available room. Driven by rising international travel, intimate high-design accommodations are outperforming larger, traditional hotels.

Up until now, boutique hotels have been prevalent in Cape Town and Gauteng but new favourites are emerging in coastal corridors such as KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape where safaris are an add-ons.

“For travellers, the maturing industry means more choice and more distinctive experiences. For investors, it means the hospitality sector is gradually shifting from volume to value,” the Grand View Research authors point out.

A stepping stone into the Eastern Cape

“This property serves as a springboard into the different hospitality offerings in the Eastern Cape. It is central in upmarket Summerstrand and serves as a springboard into the region. Because of the International branding associated with it, it is a great stepping stone into the region and the different national reserves that surround it. Every time I have visited, there have been international guests. Mantis no 5 is a calm, relaxing zone, a little bit of home and a perfect introduction to South Africa,” High Street sales executive, Tamzin Herbst, points out.

She believes the broader Eastern Cape is, for now, one of South Africa’s best kept tourism secrets.

According to the Department of Tourism, South Africa’s hospitality sector saw a significant increase in international tourist arrivals between January and September 2025 with over 7, 6 million tourists landing, – 1,1 million up on the same period in 2024.

Eastern Cape tourism authorities say the sector, which contributes about R2.5 billion to provincial GDP  quarterly, is growing on the back of boutique hotels and luxury game lodges.

After the Kruger National Park, Addo Elephant is the second most popular national park. The Eastern Cape offers a malaria-free “Big 5” game experience, often combined with beach access. This, underscored by television coverage, has created a network of exclusive private game reserves, including the likes of Shamwari and Pumba with its white lions. The Eastern Cape also offers one of the most unspoilt beach experiences.

“As the Western Cape becomes more and more saturated, people will move along the coast. Right now, the Eastern Cape is underrated but the values you can extract from an investment are immense. Those that are prepared to buy now are picking up amazing properties at good values. A large two-bedroomed apartment with a sea view can be purchased for far less than a much smaller version in Johannesburg. Smaller towns are virtually untouched although development is beginning. If you can get ahead of that at current prices, then you are way ahead of the curve,” she concludes.

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