Saxon Hotel

[mary-j]

Well finally after about 2 years of considering doing a safari, we have finally booked to go on one. We fly out on 1st April and are staying 4 nights at Leopard Hills then 3 nights at The saxon Hotel.

Would anyone recommend a particulr suite number at Leopard Hills? Will be celebrating my 50th birthday at Leopard Hills, so that should eb really special.

I'm sure we have made the right decision. Thanks Jashermd and everyone else for all the advice you all gave me.

Cannot wait until April!!!

[kyshel]

So glad you got your plans up and running mary-j. I spent my 53rd on safari--had the full boma dinner, dancing, singing (we were so fortunate to have a professional step dancer and a prominent folk musician at our soiree) It was a thrill of a lifetime! Our staff did a traditional zulu program for us. We loved every minute--I'm sure you'll have a very memorable 50th! Have a birthday toast for us, please!

[jashermd]

Hi Mary-J,

Make sure that you let your agent (or the lodge if you booked direct) know that you're celebrating a special occasion -- safari camps really love to pull out all the stops for special occasions and if you give them some advance notice they can arrange something really special.

Cheers,
Julian

[mary-j]

Yes, leopard Hillswill beaware it is my 50th birthday when we are there as the Tour operator has mentioned it to them. They didn't mention it to The Saxon though as my birthday wil have passed by the time we get there, although the whole trip is for my birthday!! I am a little bit nervous though!!!! I am quite shy person, so just hope they don'tdo anythinf too embarassing!!!!!LOL WhenI see these people in restaurants etc. and they get a surprise cake with all the waiters singing to them, Ialways feel so sorry for them as they always look so embarrassed. Saying that, leopard Hills won't have that many guests, so wouldn't be too bad, I suppose.

Just to mention, I contacted LH re suite numbers and they advised that suite 5 would be a good choice for me.I had asked about suites which get the sun on them and they said suite 5 gets the most sun, although it is situated lower down than the others, so not as good a view, but more chance of getting animals wandering past it. Has anyone stayed in suite 5 or would you recommend a different one. The idea of it not having as good a view as the others, puts me off slightly.

Any advice would be really appreciated.

Would appreciate any recommendations for a suite in The saxon too. Do thesuites all have balconies to sit out on. Not intending on doing too much when we are there, apart form relaxing and sitting out on our balcony if we have one. Any with better views than the others?

Sorry for all these questions, but i always like to be prepared, even though it is still 6 months till we go.



Cheers,

[jashermd]

Hello Mary-J,

The suites with more sun don't tend to have as good a view at Leopard Hills -- I think you need to decide which is more important to you, or accept a compromise on the sun in order to get a better view. If you stay with No 5, you may find watching the animals even more interesting than having a good view. The main deck has a great view, so you may want to go with the sun in your suite and then spend some time on the main deck if you want to admire the view. Most people tend to stay in their suites during the day so you're quite likely to have the main deck to yourselves.

The balconies at The Saxon aren't that big -- they're not really meant for lounging, though you could certainly sit outside as there's normally a table for two and chairs (normal ones, not deck chairs). If you want somewhere to lounge I'd recommend either going to the inner courtyard where the koi pond is or the pool deck.

Cheers,
Julian

[Bwanadave]

I would also ask what brings you to Leopard Hills? Nothing wrong with it - but there are some more options you might consider that have exclusive game drives on their own reserves. Londolozi, Singita, Mala Mala, Lion Sands (Ivory & River Lodges) - if your plans are not yet firm, I would look at those.

[Bwanadave]

This is odd. I have just posted my 1st comments here - and thus, I am an "Occasional Traveler".

Well, no. Maybe I can accumulate lots of postings that reflect my 40 years of world travel! More than

20 of them in the travel business.

[LL_Moderator_ks]

Hi Bwanadave,




Welcome to the Community! Please excuse our tongue-in-cheek travel themed rating system. It is only based on your traveling in the Community world - not the real one.





Cheers,

Katie

[7continents]

Hi Mary-j, we have been to the Saxon and it is Lovely.....but 3 or 4 days is NOT. I would not have gone there myself as we only stayed 1 night. Our flt from Capetown to our Safari destination....was like yours...too late to catch a continuing flt soooooo...a stopover in JoBerg. The trip from the airport was long (1 hr) and grueling.....traffic is a mess any time of day.
But the hotel is fabulous....but 3 or 4 days behind a 10 ft wall with barrred wire and armed guards is not fun.
The spa and the restaurant are very nice as are the rooms. I can't imagine what there would be to see in the surrounding area. Ophra, Tony Hanks and Madonna have all stayed there as did Mandela for several years completing his book. But JoBerg is less than a desirable destination.

I would have preferred to stay at the airport hotel (which I believe was an Intercontinental) for the short time we had before we caught our flt the following day.

But if you decide you want to experience the Saxon do stay one more day....but no more in my opinion.
MarilynJo

[shubhranshu]

Nestled in the exclusive Sandhurst suburb of Sandton, the Saxon makes a word class statement of ethnic African elegance, combined with personalised attention to detail. The ambience of the dining room offers a "homey" atmosphere, boasting an exclusive and unique wine display. A brigade of world class chefs ensures personalised cuisine, catering for our well traveled guests.The cocktail bar leads off the expansive pool terrace, koi pond and outdoor heated pool.