About this hotel
General information
Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa is an all-suite hotel in Sandhurst, a quiet, tree-lined suburb of Johannesburg. It sits within ten acres – roughly four hectares – of indigenous gardens, so the city beyond the walls is easy to forget. The whole place turns around an infinity pool, its terrace and a koi pond, and part of the suites are set apart in three villas among the gardens.
The main house opens with a sweeping staircase and a striking chandelier, and the interiors keep to the calm, natural palette of contemporary African design: stone cladding, light and dark woods, marble and African artefacts. The hotel has its own collection of contemporary South African art – paintings, etchings, ceramics and photography – while sculptures placed in the gardens are available to buy. The Saxon is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, and its event spaces include The Pavilion, the largest of them.
Location
The hotel lies in Sandhurst, one of Johannesburg's most sought-after residential areas, 5 km from the business centre of Sandton and 10 km from Rosebank Mall. For guests of the Presidential Suite, Villa Presidential Suite and Platinum Suite, airport pick-up and return in a Mercedes-Benz are part of the stay, with a VIP airport meet-and-greet added for the Platinum Suite.
Spa
Saxon Spa Sandhurst is a city spa of cascading water, a signature fireplace and finishes that play on copper and Himalayan salt. Before treatments, guests can use a heated indoor Jacuzzi pool, a steam room, a sauna and a flotation bath, while a mosaic-lined Rasul chamber hosts the old cleansing ritual of clays and warm steam. Every treatment opens with a short mindfulness exercise; the menu runs from hammam rituals with black soap and Vichy showers to a Himalayan salt journey with hot granite massage, a digital detox, sound sessions, couples' journeys, mother-to-be care and therapies for men, with a manicure bar and a pedicure lounge besides. Products come from BABOR, Dr. LEVY Switzerland, LING New York, Subtle Energies, Zents and the house line Soul by Saxon, made with African botanicals such as marula, Cape geranium and rooibos.
Sports & leisure
A 24-hour fitness centre with up-to-date equipment sits in the hotel itself, beside the koi pond, and a resident exercise science practitioner offers one-to-one sessions booked through the spa. The concierge plans day and multi-day outings in the city:
- Johannesburg's galleries and artists' studios
- food walks and the city's culinary scene
- golf on the city's leading courses
- local crafters, designers and textile makers
- lesser-known corners of the city
The sommeliers host private tastings in the hotel's wine cellars.
Restaurants & bars
Food and wine are among the hotel's strengths, from a fine-dining room to afternoon tea in the Piano Lounge.
- Qunu – the main restaurant, with contemporary cooking built on local, seasonal produce: small plates for sharing, à la carte or three courses, sommelier wine pairings and a separate vegan menu
- Olive Bar – an intimate bar for signature cocktails and light meals, its glass stacking doors opening onto the terrace at sunset
- Piano Lounge – breakfast, light meals, al fresco lunch, and morning and afternoon tea with scones and pastries, including vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free versions
- The Terrace – all-day dining over the gardens and pool: salads from the hotel's own vegetable garden, burgers, fish and seafood; reserved for hotel guests
- Wine Cellars – white and red wine cellars holding South African and classic international bottles, set up for small private dinners
- Cigar Lounge – a cigar room in the main house
Swimming
The heart of the hotel is its outdoor infinity pool, whose loungered terrace is the place to spend the day and watch the sun go down. The spa adds a heated indoor Jacuzzi pool.
Rooms
Every room is a suite: some are in the main house, the rest in three garden villas holding 21 Villa Luxury Suites and 8 Villa Presidential Suites. Villa guests have full use of the main hotel's facilities.
Each suite has 24-hour butler service, a minibar with snacks, high-speed Wi-Fi, in-suite entertainment, air conditioning, a safe, bathrobes and slippers, a hairdryer and sparkling wine on arrival, along with use of the spa's hydro facilities and the fitness centre.
Luxury Suite
A suite in the main house in marble and light wood, with a king-size bed, an open-plan lounge and dining area with a desk, and a separate bathroom with bath and walk-in shower. A small balcony looks over the gardens, the pool terrace and the city skyline; for two guests.
Villa Luxury Suite
A suite in one of the garden villas, dressed in dark woods and local art, with a king-size bed, an open-plan lounge and dining area with a desk, and a private deck leading into the gardens. The bathroom has a freestanding bath, double basins and a stone-clad walk-in shower; for two guests.
Presidential Suite
A spacious suite in the main house with its own entrance hall, guest bathroom, dining room and a lounge opening onto a balcony, plus a bedroom with a king-size four-poster and walk-in wardrobes. A fully equipped butler's kitchen, a bathroom with freestanding bath and walk-in shower, and views over the gardens and the Johannesburg skyline; for two guests.
Villa Presidential Suite
An upper-floor villa suite with a separate lounge and dining room, a fully equipped butler's kitchen and a guest toilet. The bedroom has a king-size bed, the bathroom a freestanding bath and walk-in shower, and the balcony overlooks the gardens and the city skyline; for two guests.
Platinum Suite
The hotel's largest suite, on the first floor of the main house and reached by a glass-enclosed lift: entrance hall, lounge, dining room, study area, guest bedroom and guest toilet. The main bedroom has a king-size bed and a bathroom with bath, walk-in shower and steam room; there is a butler's kitchen, and views over the pool terrace, the gardens and the city at night; for up to four guests.
Photos are for illustrative purposes only. Actual room layout, furnishings, décor, views and amenities may differ from those shown and may vary between rooms of the same category. Hotel and room descriptions are based on information provided by the property and are believed to be accurate at the time of publication, but are not guaranteed. The hotel may renovate or change its rooms, facilities, restaurants and services at any time without notice. The final details of your stay are confirmed at the time of booking. See our Terms of Use.