Inside Johannesburg’s most exclusive hotel

·4 Dec 2024

The Saxon Hotel in Johannesburg has been named the World’s Leading Boutique Hotel and South Africa’s Leading Hotel Suite as part of the World Travel Awards.

The awards were established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward, and celebrate excellence in the travel, tourism, and hospitality industries.

The World Travel Awards brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of industry excellence.

During the 2024 awards, the Saxon Hotel in Sandhurst, Johannesburg, walked away with numerous awards.

It was named the World’s Leading Boutique Hotel, Africa’s Leading Boutique Hotel, and South Africa’s Leading Boutique Hotel.

It also won awards for having Africa’s Leading Hotel Suite and South Africa’s Leading Hotel Suite for its Nelson Mandela Platinum Suite.

Over the last year, it also received numerous other awards. It was a Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star recipient and Travel & Leisure Top 5 City Hotels in Africa.

The Jenny Handley Gourmet Guide awarded its Qunu Restaurant two plates, which shows “exceptional dining that demands a detour”.

These awards confirmed the Saxon Hotel’s status as a globally renowned establishment fit for the most exclusive visitors.

The hotel has a rich history. It housed Nelson Mandela when he was released from prison, and he wrote his autobiography, “Long Walk to Freedom,” at the Saxon.

At the time, it was the home of billionaire Douw Steyn, who had a close relationship with Mandela and invited him to stay there.

In May 2000, Steyn turned this family home, located on 11 acres of parkland, into the Saxon Hotel.

It remains closely linked to Mandela. The award-winning Mandela Suite was named in his honour, and his photos and books can be seen throughout the hotel.

The hotel was comprehensively refurbished in 2020 during the 2020 pandemic, and The Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa reopened its doors on 1 May 2021.

In June 2024, it relaunched its dining and beverage offerings, including a fully re-imaged Qunu Restaurant, Olive Bar, Piano Lounge, and Terrace.

The Saxon Hotel features Luxury Suites, a Villa Luxury Suite, a Presidential Suite, Saxon Luxury Villas, and the Nelson Mandela Platinum Suite.

The price for a Villa Luxury Suite starts at R12,900 per night and increases to R95,600 per night for the Nelson Mandela Platinum Suite.

It offers a world-class spa, fitness centre, and numerous facilities for conferences and meetings.

The hotel strongly focuses on sustainability, including a comprehensive green efficiency programme with well-managed recycling practices and organic gardening.

Over the years, the hotel has hosted many renowned guests, including Oprah Winfrey and former US President Bill Clinton.

On 1 November 2024, Steyn City, founded by Douw Steyn, announced the opening of the new Steyn City Hotel by Saxon.

The hotel comprises Guild restaurant, along with shared workspace, meeting rooms and conference facilities.

The Steyn City Hotel by Saxon was developed through a partnership between Steyn City and Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa.

It offers 50 luxury serviced apartments, including one- and two-bedroom apartments, a three-bedroom Penthouse, and a four-bedroom double-story Presidential Suite.

Inside the Saxon Hotel