The Saxon Hotel & Spa, Johannesburg
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“In the exclusive suburb of Sandhurst, adjacent to the commercial and shopping center of Sandton, the Saxon Hotel has repeatedly received awards for its excellence. Heads of state have stayed here, including Nelson Mandela, who came here after his release from prison and to work on his autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom.”
Featured as Fodor’s Choice in Johannesburg.
“After the private residence transformed into one of the city’s most sought-after boutique hotels, Mandela continued to be a regular guest. Photos of the leader adorn the hotel, and Saxon even dedicated a room — the African-influenced Nelson Mandela Platinum Suite — in his honor.”
“A historic Johannesburg hotel, set in a 10-acre oasis of manicured gardens, attracting a well-heeled mix of guests and locals. Nelson Mandela lived here when it was a private home and wrote his autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom.”
“If you’re not bowled over by features such as private elevators, personal attendants and the country’s finest day spa, you certainly will be by the nifty pool, the exclusively designed suites and the top-notch restaurant presided over by famed Cape Town chef Luke Dale-Roberts.”
What guests liked
- Top location
- Comfortable beds
- Swimming pool
- Free Wifi
- Friendly staff
All you need to know
The Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa is a luxurious and ritzy 5-star hotel, a haven for those looking for a restful and rejuvenating stay in the city. This hotel is situated in the affluent suburb of Sandhurst, offering easy access to the Johannesburg CBD and its many attractions.
The Saxon offers a range of accommodation options, from hotel rooms to villas and suites. All rooms are stylishly decorated and come equipped with modern amenities such as flat-screen TVs, living and dining rooms, minibars, butler service, and complimentary Wi-Fi. The villas and suites are spacious and offer extra luxuries such as private balconies, terraces, kitchenettes, and private pools.
Guests of the Saxon can enjoy a range of activities, such as relaxing in the hotel’s spa, taking in the views from the infinity pool, or going for a stroll in the lush gardens. The hotel has several in-house restaurants, including Qunu, serving dishes made with seasonal and homegrown ingredients, along with a wine cellar and a spot for afternoon tea.
For those looking for a bit of pampering, the onsite spa offers a range of beauty and wellness treatments, such as massages, manicures, hydrotherapy, and pedicures. The Saxon also has a business center, a gym, and a 24-hour concierge service.
Overall, the Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa is an excellent option for those looking for a luxury stay in Johannesburg. With its lovely location, stylish rooms, and excellent facilities, the hotel is sure to make your stay a memorable one.
Hotel deals & lowest price guarantee
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Location
Recent guest reviews
13 January 2025
Exceptional
6 January 2025
Exceptional
5 January 2025
Exceptional
30 December 2024
Exceptional
27 December 2024
Exceptional
23 December 2024
Exceptional
17 December 2024
Exceptional
10 December 2024
Exceptional
12 November 2024
Exceptional
11 November 2024
Exceptional
10 November 2024
Exceptional
26 October 2024
Exceptional
21 September 2024
Fabulous
13 September 2024
Exceptional
21 August 2024
Exceptional
29 July 2024
Exceptional
7 June 2024
Mistake
heritage
thought was booking a for 3 people as understood was a villa. Price is exhorbitant considering prices in JB.
Besides, it was one king size bed and no twin bed suites in the whole hotel. We are a work colleagues and were forced to share a bed plus charged +€120 for an extra bed which insane!!
Was a huge mistake to book at this hotel and was only black spot in our whole trip
25 March 2024
Very good
Staff & hospitality
The food at the restaurants (Qunu & Terrace) was disappointing especially in regards to dietary requirements/ allergies
17 August 2023
the best service you can ever get. Beautiful location
everything just superb.
2 August 2023
Exceptional
Very good hotel and warm welcome from Masood who managed our visit on the best way.
8 June 2023
Exceptional
Comfortable room
All Plugs were not working in the bedroom couldn't charge my phones or my laptop
7 April 2023
Exceptional
Convenience
Great Service
Friendly Staff
21 March 2023
Fabulous
Rooms are very comfortable.
Service excellent
Spa treatments very good
Breakfast excellent
The food is not worth the price.Wont gi back for the food. It's ridiculous priced for South Africa.
11 March 2023
Spectacular visit to a beautiful place!
this property is magnificent!!
nothing
5 March 2023
very pampered in a lovely hotel by excellent staff
the staff are very slick and professional. they were wonderful from start to finish. the hotel is beautiful and the rooms super
comfortable.
4 March 2023
amazing
beautiful ambiance
nothing
27 February 2023
holly canolly
property is awesome . the staffs are amazing
nothing … I basically liked everything.. the unique trees and the tour
16 February 2023
a great experience and exceptional service
the service is world class.
NA
15 February 2023
Exceptional
everything! from the service the staff provides, the quality of service, the amenities, how they prioritise guest and show the best hospitality possible.
26 January 2023
lifetime experience
it’s beautiful
breakfast
ambiance
nothing
5 January 2023
It was truly magnificent.
The staff and location was absolutely incredible.
1 January 2023
fantastic weekend
location
not applicable
24 December 2022
amazing, luxurious place
absolutely perfect, makes me feel I’m not in Johannesburg
nothing, I love my stays at the Saxon
23 December 2022
It's simply a stunner. They say the Saxon is the best hotel in Africa - and from my point of view that is absolutely
all
nothing
22 December 2022
exceptional would definitely do it again
everything
nothing
25 November 2022
Lovely stay and looking forward to many more
Good environment, I was only staying for a night so I don't have much to say. I'll visit the restaurant with my whole family for special occasion because I like the area. The rooms are perfect but I like traveling so compare to want I've seen so far some of my hotel matches this one and but some are far better but it's different countries. I don't like the TV set. Breakfast was amazing and dinner too
none
3 November 2022
home away from home
the staff interaction
the feeling that you are not in the city
17 October 2022
what a beautiful hotel , stuff are all well Trained . l will not stay anyway else in future .
the out door pool and the spa
the duck poop on out door pool, the ducks where lovely
though ☺️.. the room we got moved too after having a problem with tv there was no sunshine coming though , it felt very Dark and cold ..
27 September 2022
Exceptional
Everything
Nothing
26 September 2022
Luxury. Comfort. Service
The hotel is a great luxury facility. The staff are friendly and are there to make life easy for guests. Their attention to detail and their can do attitude was also appreciated.
The hotel comes at a significant price, which I assume is aimed at the overseas market. However, I believe that pricing can be adjusted especially for South Africans.
19 September 2022
if you’re looking for luxury and amazing staff look no further!
there is nothing I didn’t love about this property. I hope to stay here again and again.
5 September 2022
Excellent place to stay
Everything
nothing
4 September 2022
They took care of me from the minute I arrived, including driver and tours, to the minute I left!
gorgeous, safe
26 August 2022
short, sweet and comfortable
natural
it took
butlers long time to provide the requested services
2 July 2022
adequate
noisy guests and service was average
20 June 2022
spectacular
Spectacular property, great staff and fantastic rooms. exceptionally well appointed and well kept and very clean. if you can afford a stay really recommend it. Hope to return soon.
5 May 2022
Nice
The staff the place
I think would have been nice if we were told that the food has to come from the hotel and by the time it came to our room
It was cold food
Shower was not good pressure
27 March 2022
Exceptional city getaway! Highly recommended for the discerning traveler
everything is exceptional at the Saxon
nothing
12 February 2022
Relaxing with Mitchelin quality food
The terrace with the retractable roof and the food was really good. Brian is an awesome sommeliers
They used to have Molton Brown products but have switched to an in house brand. The service could be improved around the pool.
Hotel facilities
Food & Drink
- - Restaurant
- - Bar
- - Breakfast in the room
- - Special diet menus (on request)
- - Wine/champagne (additional charge)
- - Fruits (additional charge)
General
- - Room service
- - Non-smoking rooms
- - Facilities for disabled guests
- - Family rooms
- - Lift
- - Air conditioning
- - Designated smoking area
- - Shuttle service (additional charge)
- - Airport shuttle (additional charge)
Business facilities
- - Meeting/banquet facilities (additional charge)
Reception services
- - 24-hour front desk
- - Currency exchange
- - Luggage storage
- - Concierge service
- - Private check-in/check-out
- - Invoice provided
Activities
- - Sauna
- - Fitness centre
- - Golf course (within 3 km) (additional charge)
- - Spa and wellness centre (additional charge)
- - Massage (additional charge)
- - Hot tub/Jacuzzi
- - Hammam (additional charge)
- - Beauty Services
- - Facial treatments
- - Waxing services
- - Make up services
- - Hair treatments
- - Manicure
- - Pedicure
- - Hair cut
- - Hair colouring
- - Hair styling
- - Body treatments
- - Body scrub
- - Body wrap
- - Spa facilities
- - Steam room
- - Spa lounge/relaxation area
- - Foot bath
- - Spa/wellness packages
- - Back massage
- - Neck massage
- - Foot massage
- - Couples massage
- - Hand massage
- - Full body massage
- - Fitness
- - Fitness/spa locker rooms
- - Game drives (additional charge)
- - Live music/performance
Outdoors
- - Garden
- - Terrace
- - Outdoor pool
- - Sun terrace
- - Outdoor pool (all year)
- - Outdoor furniture
Cleaning services
- - Laundry (additional charge)
- - Dry cleaning (additional charge)
- - Ironing service (additional charge)
- - Trouser press (additional charge)
- - Daily housekeeping (additional charge)
Parking
- - Parking garage
Accessibility
- - Wheelchair accessible
- - Toilet with grab rails
- - Higher level toilet
- - Lower bathroom sink
Pool and wellness
- - Infinity pool
- - Heated pool
- - Shallow end
- - Sun loungers or beach chairs
- - Sun umbrellas
- - Swimming pool
- - Swimming Pool
Transport
- - Airport pick up
- - Airport drop off
Miscellaneous
- - 24-hour security
- - Key card access
- - Smoke alarms
- - CCTV in common areas
- - CCTV outside property
- - Access to health care professionals
- - Thermometers for guests provided by property
- - Face masks for guests available
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Featured in New York Times’ 36 Hours in Johannesburg.
15 January 2025
Fabulous