Description
The former home of owner Douw Steyn (he of Compare the Market/Meerkat world domination), The Saxon is both a Leading Hotel of the World and the place where one Nelson Mandela holed up to complete Long Walk to Freedom. It’s also an opulent all-suite paradise, hiding a pool, spa, various bars and restaurants within ten tropical acres, and is – simply put – the place to stay in Jo’burg.
Accommodation
Set along garden walkways, the 60 palatial options begin with Luxury Suites and their private terraces. Next up the scale, Presidential Suites boast lounges and dining areas plus personal butlers, and Villa Luxury Suites have butlers, and garden-facing decks. Villa Presidential Suites fuse those last two categories, while the two-bedroom Nelson Mandela Platinum Suite includes an infinity pool. Top-rated is the Saxon Luxury Villa, a collection of seven suites with balconies, shared lounges, kitchens and a heated pool. Decor-wise, think contemporary cool meets traditional, tribal African.
Facilities
Fare from the two restaurants – innovative global cuisine from Luke Dale Roberts or a steak grill – can be gobbled in formal dining rooms, within a library under watercolours of African weaponry or outside, below a gazebo. The nightcap options include a whiskey bar, a cigar lounge, intimate wine cellars or cocktails beside a koi pond. Also outside are landscaped gardens, a massive pool and various babbling fountains. Just as restful, the award-winning Spa & Studio offers numerous treatments include Tibetan sound therapy and massages, and contains a fully-equipped gym.
Activities
Ask the staff for help and advice if you fancy visiting Nelson Mandela's original home or the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden. Alternatively, you could just stroll about Sandton’s quiet, tree-lined avenues.
Child Policy
Children under 12 are welcome, although there’s a minimum age of 16 for the spa. Babysitting’s available.
The Best of South Africa Travel map displays the locations of the destinations and accommodation that we have selected and visited; for each item, hovering over or clicking the marker will display a short summary and photo of that place or hotel, and hotel pricing. Follow the links in the info box to the full page listing which has much more information.
Note that the online map offers both a satellite view (click satellite in the top right) and, for some locations, a street level view (Drag the person in the top left onto the map). These let you explore the country; and when you wish to explore in person, or if you have any questions about the places you see, give our staff a call, or request a quote. Our staff regularly visit the places and accommodation that we feature.
When you book a holiday with us we will provide full driving instructions for reaching your accommodation, where necessary; these can be used by yourself, or you could enjoy the luxury of a driver. Alternatively we will arrange private (car rather than coach) transfers for you; helicopter transfers are also possible for some destinations.
