Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa

We stayed a couple of nights at the Saxon hotel and was very kindly upgraded to the Presidential Villa Suite. Airport meet and greet and transfer was done efficiently, and we were whisked away in a nicely appointed hotel car. Check in was smooth, the room was massive, more suited for a family of 6, and clean. It was modern and comfortable. We also did the hotel organised city tour, and had a lovely driver/guide who showed us around Soweto and the apartheid museum. Dinner at Qunu was also great - good service, food, wine and live music. The only slight negative is that breakfast was not as good as the rest of the hotel, and we were prompted for a tip at the end of the included breakfast service, which was a bit unusual for us. Still, it's a great hotel for a short stay in Johannesburg.

We found the Saxon a fantastic stay after a long flight and before starting our safari. The Presidential suite was spacious and comfortable for some rest and relaxation. The food was great with many selections at breakfast and we had a lovely dinner service at Qunu. We also booked spa treatments which was rejuvenating and a great way to decompress before our next adventure. The staff and service was exceptional and we wished we could stay longer. Will definitely be staying here again on our next visit to Joburg.

One of the finest hotels in South Africa. This is truly a wonderful place, combining history, luxury, and exceptional hospitality. The rooms are outstanding, offering the highest levels of comfort and elegance, while the two beautiful swimming pools provide the perfect setting for relaxation. The property has a remarkable history: following his release from prison, Nelson Mandela stayed here for two years as a guest of the owner. Today, the residence has been transformed into an outstanding boutique hotel with world-class facilities, while preserving its unique heritage and character. Guests can expect impeccable service, a warm and welcoming atmosphere, and some of the highest security standards available. Whether travelling for leisure or business, this hotel offers a truly exceptional experience and is undoubtedly among the very best hotels in South Africa.

What was meant to be a beautiful and luxurious birthday gift instead caused me significant anxiety and unnecessary admin just to secure basic communication and confirmations. It felt like ordering something beautifully curated from a brochure, only to have to fight to actually receive the service and experience that was packaged and sold. I experienced repeated breakdowns in response handling, payment tracking, and attention to detail. While there were genuinely warm moments and an excellent therapist, they were overshadowed by inconsistency across the experience. Management did engage afterwards and attempted to make amends, but the experience did not reflect the ease, care, and luxury expected for such an occasion.

The staff, the food, the property and especially the grounds are a blast of fresh and expansive air in an otherwise very busy city!