Review: Saxon Hotel, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

Johannesburg’s Sandton area is known as Africa’s financial hub, and at the heart of one of its grandest suburbs lies one of the continent’s most revered hotels. Once a prestigious private home, Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa has for the past 25 years, welcomed guests from around the world, including a fair share of distinguished names. Having visited the hotel several times as a Johannesburg resident a decade ago, I eagerly anticipated my latest visit: having concluded a month of travel around South Africa, the Saxon would be my final treat before flying out.

The welcome

Driving through the leafy suburb of Sandhurst, there are occasional glimpses through the topiary of the palatial homes behind, until the near-Jurassic-size wooden gates of the Saxon come into view. After confirming the booking name, they glided open, and we meandered through the lush, manicured gardens until stopping at the hotel entrance.

Already waiting for us, the staff whisked away our bags, and after signing the welcome sheet, I heard the words every weary traveller wants to hear: “Can I escort you to your room, where sparkling wine and a hot bath are waiting?” The walk to the room offered glimpses of the recently refurbished hotel spaces – whetting the appetite for later explorations.

The room

At the Saxon Hotel, there is no such thing as standard. The 53 rooms are all exceptional, ranging from luxury suites to villas. At an impressive 80m2, our suite was a welcome haven, with room to store bags and the trinkets collected over a month’s travels, a lounge, and a garden-facing veranda. The rooms, like the rest of the hotel, feature a contemporary African motif, with fabrics and artwork that proudly reflect the continent.

Every creature comfort is accounted for, including a complimentary minibar and snacks that were replenished daily. Then the bed – forget a regular four-post offering, as our bedposts were floor-to-ceiling pillars. After all, why shouldn’t sleeping feel like a royal affair?

The bathroom

Separated from the bedroom by folding shutters or bedside walkways, the bathroom maintains a stately feel with marble surfaces, a large bathtub, a toilet, and shower cubicles. The Saxon’s own branded amenities complete the luxurious experience.

The facilities

When it’s time to venture out of the sanctuary of the room, the corridors lead to a spread of communal areas. In the inner courtyard, a heated pool, a Koi pond, a gym, and cabanas provide a welcome space for downtime. Shifting through the building, the Olive Bar, Piano Lounge and Terrace offer casual, refined spaces for connection over one of the Saxon classic dishes or a glass of celebrated South African wine. All of these lead to the large outdoor heated pool, which serves as an azure frontispiece to the hotel. 

South African designer Nelson Kubheka was responsible for the hotel’s 2024 refurbishment, which included touches to the reception, public spaces, and restaurants. His key focus was inclusive design, for which he expands: “It underscores the significance of local craftsmanship and collaboration. By partnering closely with local contractors, furniture makers, tilers and painters, we have woven together a cohesive narrative that exemplifies how diverse skills and disciplines can converge to breathe life into an idea.”

Perhaps the most impressive of these spaces is the restaurant Qunu, named after Mandela’s place of birth and retirement. The multi-volume space has a cathedral-like feel, with exceptional art pieces adorning the walls, tables selectively placed throughout, and a dedicated space for the glossy grand piano, played daily by the talented Jonathan. Unmissable on the menu is the Steak Diane, with its impressive tableside cooking and flame theatrics. 

Adjacent to the hotel, the Saxon Spa is sublime, with a range of facilities, including an outdoor pool, hammam, sauna, indoor plunge pool, jacuzzi, and cold plunge pool. With its exclusivity, the spa is surprisingly quiet, enhacing the retreat feel. Insider’s tip: the Eden Garden suite is the glass-boxed couples’ room in the garden, where the sounds of the water features provide a calming soundtrack.

The location

The Saxon’s suburb of Sandhurst is one of Johannesburg’s most prestigious. From the hotel, it’s a short drive to the renowned Sandton City Mall – a mecca for shoppers from across the continent, and then the towering glass office towers are a stone’s throw away. It’s a 15-minute drive to the CBD, and around 40 minutes to O R Tambo International Airport (which can also be reached via the high-speed train in Sandton). With its proximity to the airport, a stay at the Saxon is an enticing option for those flying through Johannesburg for safari. After the thrill of a few days in the bush, some pampering and poolside sun-soaking may just be in order. 

Other nice touches

As part of the hotel’s recent 25th-anniversary celebration, a magnificent coffee-table book was commissioned, which gracefully tells the Saxon story. After paging through the book, I recognised some of the smiling faces of the staff who had been serving us. Taking a copy home, it wouldn’t take long to page through it to find a familiar face – instantly transporting us back to the Saxon sanctuary. Included inside are key Saxon recipes, stories from the staff, and other fascinating anecdotes.

Make sure to allow time for an afternoon’s indulgence in the Piano Lounge, where Joburg’s top tea experience awaits. A glass of welcome bubbles is followed by an immersive ritual – taking time to nose each premium tea leaf until making your own selection. The treats stand is then loaded with creatively constructed sweet and savoury creations – a welcome departure from tired sandwiches and cake slices. If you’ve still got space afterwards, mixologist Bhuto serves us mouth-watering Old Fashioned and Palermos at the Olive Bar.

The hotel doubles as a gallery, with a vast array of African art throughout – a firm reminder that, at its heart, the Saxon is a love letter to the continent. Look out for pieces from prominent artists Samson Mnisi, Lisette Forsyth, Qhama Maswana, and sculptures by Lionel Smit, Amalie von Maltitz, and Dylan Lewis. 

The cost

The luxury suites start at £700 per room, inclusive of breakfast and a full minibar. For an extra £215, the Saxon Splendour Package includes a one-hour massage per person and a 3-course dinner in Qunu Restaurant. The presidential suites start at £1500, offering capacious 200m2 living spaces with an entrance hall, guest bathroom, separate lounge, dining room, fully equipped butler’s kitchen and a balcony with garden views.

The best bit

Warmly regarded as the country’s patriarch, former president Nelson Mandela hardly needs an introduction. Guests at the Saxon soon discover that Mandela’s legacy lives on in the hotel’s history: after his release from prison, he spent half a year living here. It was at the Saxon that he put the finishing touches to his opus “Long Walk to Freedom” – the significance of his stay having set the tone for 25 years of guests travelling from around the world for sanctuary here. 

The final verdict

It felt, in the truest sense of the word, a privilege to conclude my trip through South Africa at one of the country’s most celebrated and luxurious hotels. Despite the short stay, few places can compare with the sense of homeliness conferred by a stay at the Saxon. From the humble Knox, who took me on a walk through the garden, to Felicity, whose hands patiently melted away my stress, ‘Sticks’, whose tableside cooking was matched only by his humour, Welma, who tutored me through the nuances of tea leaves, to Lloyd, who, without knowing, poured me a glass of one of my favourite wines. It’s all these moments that turn a hotel into home.

Disclosure: Our stay was sponsored by Saxon Hotel.