Meet a luxe South African lifestyle precinct with a purpose

 

The Saxon Hotel, in Johannesburg's northern suburbs, is one of the best addresses in Africa. Food, wine, accommodation and service are all top notch. Nelson Mandela wrote his autobiography while in residence.

Now the team behind Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa, led by owner Douw Steyn, is full steam ahead with an ambitious new project: Steyn City.

The Steyn City residential lifestyle estate - an ambitious project is an unlikely location - has just opened Saxon Spa Steyn City, Steyn City Hotel and Guild restaurant, with shared workspace and conferencing.

Steyn City is located next to Deepsluit, one of the most impoverish settlements in South Africa, and the Lucky 7 informal settlement (shanty town), but insurance magnate Steyn wants the project to benefit locals through employment and business opportunities, and by actively engaging with the community, which is just a short distance from the business hub of Sandton.



“It is with great pleasure that we introduce our newest offerings nestled within the prestigious Steyn City residential lifestyle estate," says George Cohen, managing director of Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa.

"These additions to our portfolio mark our dedication to reshaping serenity and luxury within an environment that is truly incomparable."

The precinct includes Steyn City Hotel by Saxon, a luxury apartment hotel with 50 luxury serviced apartments set in 2,000 acres of indigenous parkland, only 50% of which can be developed.

Also on site are a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course, a private 50km mountain bike track and a 300-metre lagoon.

There are also padel and tennis courts, walking and trail running tracks.

The new hotel apartments boast a hotel cocktail bar and a rooftop pool.

“This is a rare partnership: the power of our brands coming together is certain to provide guests with a unique experience that is not easily forgotten,” says Steven Louw, CEO of Steyn City Properties.

“As we unveil the Steyn City Hotel by Saxon, we are not just introducing a new chapter in luxury hospitality, but an unparalleled experience where sophistication meets convenience." OK hypemaster. 

The Steyn City Hotel is part of the prestigious Leading Hotels of the World collection, along with the Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa, and family-owned Shambala Private Game Reserve.

The Saxon Spa, a wellness and rejuvenation centre, will open soon.

See https://www.steyncity.co.za/ and https://steyncityhotel.co.za/

Nelson Mandela’s former home now a luxury boutique hotel

Want to stay somewhere special when you visit Johannesburg? How about sleeping in the former home of one of the greatest men of our generation: Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela? 

Before his death, the anti-apatheid icon and South Africa’s first black president owned three home: one in Qunu, the village where he was raised; the second in Soweto and the third in he leafy Johannesburg suburb of Houghton, where he lived until his death in 2013. 

The Nelson Mandela Foundation in conjunction with the Motsamayi Tourism Group has converted his last home into a luxury boutique hotel that is dotted with Madiba memorabilia.

It was here that the great leader - an inspiration to millions - hosted the likes of Michelle Obama and Bill Clinton. It later became the headquarters of the Nelson Mandela Foundation. 

Sanctuary Mandela offers guests nine rooms capable of hosting up to 18 people and offers retreat spaces for reflection and healing. 

Sally-Anne Grinter, the hotel’s operations manager, describes the experience in these three words: reflection, peace and freedom.

Officially opened last month, Sanctuary Mandela rooms start at around $AU400 a night. 

The presidential suite was Mandela’s old bedroom and there are two meeting rooms, a restaurant, bar, swimming pool and a lovely garden. 

The bar and restaurant are open to the public. 

Grinter says the Nelson Mandela Foundation wanted the property to be self-sustainable instead of standing vacant. 

Accoutrements include replicas of letters Mandela wrote during his lifetime, historic photographs and artworks. 

The green chair at the entrance is the original chair he sat on while reading his daily newspaper under a tree.

Some of Madiba’s favourite dishes, including oxtail - which he ate a boy - are on the menu. Other dishes are traditional to South Africa, like the Nguni sirloin steak and Cape Malay-style fish. 

Cook Xoliswa Ndoyiya, who prepared meals for Mandela and his family for over 22 years, is part of the team that cooks in the restaurant. 

My favourite Johannesburg hotels are the grand The Saxon, coincidentally where Mandela wrote his autobiography, and the delightful boutique Ten Bompas. The Maslow Hotel and the Radisson Blue Gautrain in Sandton are other good options, but Sanctuary Mandela sounds special. 

Bookings are required before visiting the restaurant or bar. For accommodation bookings or more information visit the website.