Saxon Hotel
Contemporary African luxury meets country house. Warm natural textures — stone cladding, light and dark woods — throughout all suites. Copper and Himalayan salt accents in the spa. Rotating art collection includes original Mandela sketches. Formal but never stiff. Feels residential and deliberately private. The property underwent a thoughtful 2024 refurbishment by South African designer Nelson Kubheka, with a focus on local craftsmanship and inclusive design.
Ask for a suite in the main hotel rather than a villa suite — closer to the pools and restaurants and guests report a livelier feel
Why It Matters
Nelson Mandela edited Long Walk to Freedom here, and the 400m² Nelson Mandela Platinum Suite named in his honor remains a landmark room. The property has also hosted Bill Clinton and Oprah Winfrey. Art collection includes original sketches for the 'Foresight and Hindsight – The Five Faces of Mandela' series. Member of Leading Hotels of the World and Tablet Hotels. Award-winning spa with signature Sound Therapy using Tibetan singing bowls and a Rasul Chamber. A Chaîne des Rôtisseurs member.
Started life as a private home in Sandhurst, which explains why staying here feels less like a hotel and more like an extraordinarily well-staffed private estate. Fifty-three suites and villas, all behind serious perimeter walls and ten acres of indigenous gardens in the middle of one of Johannesburg's most prestigious suburbs. This is famously where Nelson Mandela came to finish writing Long Walk to Freedom — that suite is still here and still bookable.
Where You'll Stay
6 room types available
Luxury Suite
The entry-level suite in the main hotel building. Eighty square metres of warm African-styled interiors with picture bay windows opening onto the gardens or pool terrace via latticed shutters. Large enough to feel like a proper apartment. King-size bed in fine linens, walk-in wardrobe, freestanding bath, rainfall shower, and a separate lounge area. Fully stocked complimentary minibar.
King · 80 sqm
Nelson Mandela Platinum Suite
The hotel's flagship suite, named for the man who used the Saxon to complete Long Walk to Freedom. Four hundred square metres accessed via a glass-enclosed private elevator. Features a king-size master bedroom with steam room, a separate guest suite, full entrance hall, guest bathroom, lounge, dining room, and a business desk. Fully equipped butler's kitchen. Views over the gardens and pool terrace. Inclusions: French Champagne on arrival, VIP airport meet-and-greet in a Mercedes-Benz Vito, complimentary breakfast, fully stocked minibar, spa hydro facilities, and 24-hour dedicated butler.
King · 400 sqm
Presidential Suite
A palatial 200m² suite decorated in contemporary African style with stone cladding and light and dark woods. Includes a full entrance hall, guest bathroom, separate lounge, dining room, and a king-size master bedroom with its own steam room. Garden-view balcony, butler's kitchen, and 24-hour dedicated butler service. Three of these in the main hotel.
King · 200 sqmSaxon Luxury Villas
A single-storey stand-alone villa set within the gardens, available as an exclusive buy-out or as individual suites. Seven suites in total, sleeping up to 14 guests. Comes with its own 18-seat private dining room, 24-hour butler, and in-house chef. The most private option on the property — effectively a boutique hotel within the hotel.
KingVilla Luxury Suite
Same footprint as the Luxury Suite but located in the standalone villas set within the gardens, connected to the main hotel via a skywalk. Private deck opening directly onto the lush garden. Boutique-level quiet with full hotel services. Good option for those who want maximum privacy, though further from the restaurants and pools.
King · 80 sqmVilla Presidential Suite
The Presidential Suite equivalent within the garden villas — 200m² with the same full fit-out of separate lounge, dining room, butler's kitchen, and garden-view balcony, but with the added seclusion of the villa setting. Accessed via the skywalk from the main hotel.
King · 200 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
5 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
The Saxon holds a significant art collection displayed throughout public spaces and suites. Includes original sketches for 'Foresight and Hindsight – The Five Faces of Mandela' and an extensive range of South African contemporary works. The hotel is a highly respected patron of the arts.
The hotel offers curated city itineraries and can arrange guided tours of Johannesburg — Constitution Hill, the Apartheid Museum, Nelson Mandela's original Soweto home, art galleries and craft markets. All arranged through the concierge.
Ten acres of manicured indigenous gardens to explore, including the hotel's own herb and vegetable garden used by the kitchen. Vines, mature trees and water features throughout.
Two outdoor heated pools — a large main infinity pool serving as the focal point of the property, plus a smaller heated pool in the inner courtyard. Sun loungers, umbrellas, pool cabanas, and a poolside bar. Koi pond nearby.
The Saxon's high tea in the Piano Lounge is rated one of the best in Johannesburg. Pastry chefs prepare macaroons, dainty cakes and exotic teas. Reservations required via DinePlan.
The Saxon is affiliated with Shambala Private Game Reserve in Limpopo Province. The hotel can arrange road or air transfers for a combined Johannesburg and safari itinerary.
The Saxon's sommelier curates wine events in the historic Wine Cellars. The collection is extensive and the dark-wood cellar setting is well regarded for private tastings and wine pairing dinners.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
The Pavilion is the hotel's newest and largest event space — suitable for corporate conferences, product launches, weddings and celebrations. Sophisticated, versatile layout with state-of-the-art technology.
Full breakfast served daily in the Piano Lounge or Olive Bar, or available via room service.
Dedicated 24-hour butler included for all suites. Butler anticipates needs and handles in-suite check-in.
Hotel arranges transfers from OR Tambo Airport and Sandton Gautrain Station. Surcharge applies. Contact hotel 24 hours before arrival.
Indoor heated Jacuzzi pool in the spa hydro area.
Available in the spa hydro circuit, included with most treatment bookings.
Available via Saxon Spa hydro facilities. Included with most spa treatment bookings.
Fully equipped fitness centre with personalised training sessions available at certain times.
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