During my trip through South Africa, I spent a few days staying at the Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa, an excellent five-star hotel in Johannesburg, member of the select group of Leading Hotels of he World!. Almost 20 years old, the elegant hotel is full of history. There are several swimming pools, spacious rooms and great restaurants! Certainly a true urban oasis. Let’s meet? Take the opportunity to also read about what it’s like to live in Portugal.
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Five-star hotel in Johannesburg
Saxon is located in Sandton, the city’s most upscale neighborhood and the most expensive square meter in Africa! A quiet, wooded, very safe region surrounded by mansions of African tycoons. Right at the entrance, the imposing solid wooden gate already gives us a hint of what awaits us. A path with an immense and well-kept garden (more precisely 10 hectares!) leads us to the main building of the luxurious hotel.
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The beautiful reception
Next to the beautiful reception, there is the main swimming pool, which impresses with its size and the peace that the place exudes! In other words, it is difficult to imagine that you are in the biggest city in the world. South Africa! Even more difficult is wanting to leave the hotel to see the city! ?
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So, how about relaxing in this pool?
Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the main pool is the heated pool, in the middle of a super cozy area, with a koi pond and a 24-hour gym! I think it was one of my favorite corners of the hotel. A grace!
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The heated pool
Look how beautiful this koi pond is! It was certainly one of my favorite places in the hotel.
History
In fact, there is no shortage of stories to tell at this hotel! It was there, for example, that in 1994, after leaving prison, the first democratically elected president in South Africa, Nelson Mandela, lived for 6 months to finish his autobiography, “Long Walk to Freedom”. Currently, the suite he occupied is named in his honor! Furthermore, throughout the hotel there are photographs, books and paintings depicting the story of Mandela and Saxon himself.
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Books and a little more about Mandela… certainly a lot of history in this hotel!
Historical photos in the hallway
Five-star hotel villas in Johannesburg
Villas do Saxon, opened in 2010, operates as a separate hotel. In a reserved area, there are 3 complete villas, each completely independent of the other, with several bedrooms, heated pools, dining area, meeting rooms and bar. Everything follows the same style as the main building.
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One of the bedrooms in the villas
Therefore, the villas are ideal for receiving large groups, families or delegations who prefer more privacy. In total, in the 3 villas, there are 21 luxury suites and 8 presidential suites. All this surrounded by greenery and away from the main building by a beautiful bridge in the middle of the treetops.
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The bridge certainly attracts attention!
bedrooms
Like the entire hotel, the rooms have a sophisticated decor, with art objects and African motifs in the carpets and upholstery! Our very large and spacious suite had the entire bathroom open to the bedroom with windows and wooden shutter doors, as you can see in the photo below. In fact, I think it’s a luxury when the hotel uses local raw materials to create its environments and visual identity! In other words, do you really feel South Africa with all the refinement and comfort that an exclusive five-star hotel offers.
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One of the Luxury Suites, certainly with beautiful decoration!
The bedroom bathroom with window to the bedroom
The restaurants
The breakfast buffet is served in the beautiful Qunu restaurant lounge. Very complete, it has a variety of breads, South African cheeses, sweets, fruits, yogurts with cereals, sausages and even sushi! And of course, the vegan options and gluten-free and lactose-free breads couldn’t be missed. In addition to the extensive buffet, there is also a menu with freshly made options, such as juices, eggs of all types, waffles, pancakes and healthy suggestions. Certainly a breakfast that no one will miss and perfect to start the day off right!
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Restaurant environment
The elegant breakfast room also houses the Qunu restaurant, one of the best in Johannesburg. With an innovative menu of striking flavors and fresh, typically African ingredients, it surprised us from start to finish! In addition to the great service, all the dishes were very well prepared and tasty. That mix of flavors and textures that the country has in abundance! Highlights include the crayfish starter with corn and citrus sauce and the Taste of Durban dish, with coconut rice, curry lamb, chicken in butter sauce and typical snacks. Ideal for sharing!
