Johannesburg’s Top Three Not-So-Ordinary Accommodations
Known as one of South Africa’s greatest cities to visit, Johannesburg has been attracting travelers for decades with its bustling business district, rich cultural and historical heritage, and year-round beauty and climate. But with a wide spectrum of accommodations ranging from exclusive to low-rate, it can be difficult to find the perfect boutique hotel to fit your individual needs.
If you desire a completely personalized, exclusive, and luxurious experience in Johannesburg, you’ll want to look into the area’s top boutique hotels including The Saxon, Ten Bompas, and Tintswalo at Waterfall.
 The Saxon: For the ultimate escape from day-to-day life, The Saxon in Johannesburg’s Sandhurst suburb is arguably South Africa’s most exclusive, boutique hotel. Its full menu of amenities and features allows you to stay on the estate’s six-acre, manicured grounds without ever having to leave. With a full-service day spa and studio, pool with lounge area, highly-acclaimed restaurant and bar, personalized services, and elegant suites, The Saxon is your ultimate escape.
Each of The Saxon’s 24 eclectic-style suites is designed with inviting earthy tones, rich textures, and soft touches of African artwork and sculptures. Choose from The Saxon’s classic Egoli Suite, Presidential Suite, or the prestigious Nelson Mandela Platinum Suite.
In addition to exceptional accommodations, The Saxon’s award-winning spa is one of the world’s most exclusive, as it stays up-to-date with the latest in revolutionary treatments. One of the spa’s most famous treatments, The Signature Sound Therapy, incorporates color therapy and sound therapy using gongs, cymbals, and bells for a completely holistic experience. Other services include facials, manicures and pedicures, massages, and rejuvenating treatments in private, outdoor gazebos.
 Ten Bompas: Handpicked by Ten Bompas’ proprietors, Christoff van Staden and Peter Aucamp, ten interior designers were able to execute their vision for Ten Bompas. Designed with the utmost attention to detail and a passion for beauty, Ten Bompas’ inviting earth tones, geometric shapes, contemporary African artwork and sculptures, and natural materials make this boutique hotel one-of-a-kind.
Each suite features a separate lounge and bedroom, a fireplace, en-suite facilities, an open-air feel, outdoor ground patio, and an exclusive bar area. In addition to these private features, Ten Bompas also offers room for relaxation in quaint outdoor terraces, pristine gardens, and a tranquil pool and lounge area.
For delectable cuisine, enjoy Ten Bompas’ Sides Restaurant’s freshest, culinary creations in a fine-dining environment. Built with reflections of African nature, Sides Restaurant features stone walls, sleek wood, and natural shapes.
 Tintswalo at Waterfall: With panoramic views of Johannesburg’s lush countryside, impeccably manicured polo fields, and rolling mountains, Tintswalo at Waterfall is the ultimate retreat to the countryside. Designed with natural materials including brick, wood, thick stones, and a timber roof, Tintswalo at Waterfall brings the African countryside to life on the inside.
Each of Tintswalo’s 16 rooms creatively fuses rustic with luxury using marble, rough and smooth textures, bricks, wood, and stones—all permeable to the soothing sounds of the pristine African countryside. Uniquely named after horse breeds, each of Tintswalo’s rooms is specifically designed to reflect the colors and personality of the horse breed it’s named after. Featuring en-suite facilities, the finest bed linens, a spacious lounge area, and an outdoor balcony, each suite provides the ultimate in luxury.
This boutique hotel is also home to The Feedroom restaurant with outdoor seating, a wide selection of international vintage wines, and a fine-dining appeal. In addition to its exceptional dining experience, Tintswalo at Waterfall also features The Vital Source Spa, which has a long menu of revolutionary and rejuvenating treatments. |
On behalf of my wife Maria and myself (Mark), I would like to take this opportunity to express our excitement to be working with Hills Of Africa and renewing an old connection with the Hill family. Evidently, the family connection started when Sandy’s father worked with my grandfather in the Zimbabwe farming industry many moons ago. My own first encounter with the Hills occurred as a young boy (also many moons ago), when I was a “learning knight” along side Sandy's two brothers, Graham (who is Meredith's husband) and Andrew, at one of Zimbabwe’s oldest boys boarding schools, Ruzawi. I still don’t understand why they made us all go for a swim on those cold early mornings.
In October, Maria and I were fortunate to be able to take our two young kids to Zimbabwe for three weeks. For them it was just an adventure, for Maria and I it was our first trip “home” in five years. Having spent the last few years guiding people in East Africa we felt it was time to bring a group of friends back to Zimbabwe.
Our point of arrival into Southern Africa was in Johannesburg. As kids we always thought of Johannesburg as the biggest scariest city in the world. So it was with was great interest to me to see what our kids would think of it. Of course their having spent time in New York, Johannesburg was far from intimidating to them and it struck me as a very charming city with lots of character, nothing like I remembered as a young boy. Johannesburg is a vibrant and interesting place and is the gateway to all Southern Africa’s safari destination. I hope you enjoy this week's article on Johannesburg.
Trip Name: Kenya Riding Safari
Hills of Africa Travel specializes in customized African safari tours.