Highlights

• Ten acres of private indigenous gardens in Sandhurst, five minutes from Sandton
• Condé Nast Traveler Triple Crown recipient
• Four restaurants including Qunu, plus an olive bar, piano lounge and wine cellars
• Award-winning Saxon Spa with hydrotherapy, copper and Himalayan salt therapies
• 24-hour butler service across all suites and villas

You Should Know

• Child policy applies; contact the safari specialists to confirm age restrictions for suites and dining venues before booking

The Details

The Hotel

The Saxon sits behind gated walls in Sandhurst, the tree-lined residential suburb favoured by Johannesburg's old money. Ten acres of indigenous gardens wrap the main hotel and the separate villa block, giving guests the feel of a country estate despite being a short drive from the Sandton business district and its shopping precincts.

The property carries a strong cultural thread through its art collection and design, and its Triple Crown recognition from Condé Nast Traveler puts it in a small group of hotels worldwide judged to have swept the publication's top honours. It works well as a first or last night before or after a safari, particularly for guests flying into O.R. Tambo.

Rooms

Accommodation is split between the main hotel and the separate Saxon Villas. In the hotel you can choose from Luxury Suites, the Presidential Suite and the Nelson Mandela Platinum Suite, the latter named for the property's most famous former guest, who used the estate to finalise his autobiography. The Villas offer more privacy, with their own Villa Luxury Suites and a Villa Presidential Suite, and are suited to families or guests staying longer. Every suite comes with 24-hour butler service, high-speed Wi-Fi, in-suite entertainment and a fully stocked mini bar.

Dining

Qunu is the signature restaurant, named after Nelson Mandela's home village in the Eastern Cape, and leads the hotel's fine dining offering. The Olive Bar handles lighter fare, while the Piano Lounge is the spot for morning and afternoon tea. The Terrace and The Pavilion open onto the gardens for alfresco meals, and the Wine Cellars can be booked for private tastings and dinners.

Spa

The Saxon Spa uses copper, Himalayan salt and running water as design and treatment elements. Guests have access to the hydrotherapy facilities as part of the room rate, with treatments booked separately. A second Saxon Spa operates at Steyn City for guests wanting to combine treatments with a day out of the city.

Activities

Most guests use the Saxon as a base for Johannesburg itineraries, and the concierge team can arrange curated experiences into the city and further afield. On property, the fitness centre, pool, gardens and cigar room give guests plenty of reason to stay put between meetings or flights.

Price Includes

• Complimentary breakfast
• Complimentary fully stocked mini bar and snacks
• High-speed Wi-Fi
• In-suite entertainment
• Use of Spa hydrotherapy facilities
• 24-hour butler service
• A bottle of sparkling wine on arrival
• Parking
• Bottled mineral water
• Fresh flowers
• Access to the fitness centre