Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa

Everything was well coordinated

Nothing

Beautiful, calm and quiet, exceptional service, professional staff.

Nothing not to like

We spent two nights here prior to our trip to Botswana's Okavango Delta, Linyanti Selinda Concession and the Makgadikgadi Pans National Parks. We've stayed at The Saxon three times prior and have always considered this to be the highest quality accommodation in the entirety of Johannesburg. On shorter stays (especially layovers that are less than one day), we choose the excellent InterContinental at the airport, but for anything longer, The Saxon is the place. The design and decor is distinctly South African, but is thankfully done in a way where it's light and airy rather than a dark-colonial feel. The property itself is quite vast - the grounds are surrounded by nature, and many of the rooms are quite spread out to give everything a quaint feel. The main building houses the reception and lobby, as well as the bar and pool/terrace. It is also where breakfast is served. The pool terrace is a particularly calm outdoor space that features a large heated swimming pool, views of a peaceful koi pond, and casual dining served right by the water or indoors (during adverse weather). One thing we appreciate about the hotel is its level of service and amenities for a property of just 53 rooms. For instance, they offer 24-hour in-room dining, full butler service and a solid gym and spa. Speaking of the spa, that's where slight disappointment sets in - everytime we stay here, we struggle to book a reservation with a therapist. They either need to increase the number of therapists, or figure out a way to give priority only to staying guests (if that's already the case, then they really need to expand the spa and increase the personnel there). Outside of the spa, the Saxon is staffed very abundantly - everything from front desk to butlers to wait staff are everywhere; we never had to wait to flag down someone to request something. And all of them tended to us with a warm smile each time. The included breakfast is excellent - given the small number of rooms, it's not buffet style, but rather a-la carte and made to order. We generally prefer that, and especially appreciate the ability to order whatever you like in any way you choose - mixing and matching is not a problem at all. The gargantuan Presidential Suite is large, features to bathrooms and is bright, thanks to large windows and the light, muted tons of the furnishings. Although we don't feel the room to be outdated, there are a few things that could be improved. For starters, there are a dearth of power outlets in areas where we'd like to have them. The large dining table should double as one's workspace, yet there is nowhere to plug in a laptop charger. They did bring us a very long extension cord, but it would be nice if we didn't have to make such requests in the first place. In addition, the toilets are in need of Toto-fication. Given we spend some of our time in Japan, we cringe when we visit luxury properties that lack a modern washlet toilet. Not only that, but when flushing the toilets in our room, it does so extremely vigoriously, so much so that some of the water does spray out of the bowl - not good. Finally, we found the bed comforter to be way too heavy. A down comforter would be preferable. Nitpicks aside, this is a very upscale hotel by African standards and will continue to choose The Saxon for our future visits. The Four Seasons Westcliff, by the way, is not in the same league.

Food and spar

Garden and location

Fantastic hotel, great rooms, super staff and management, Fantastic spa and great location, food amazing, highly recommended.....

Outstanding is the only word I can use for this hotel. My husband lost his hearing aid charger and upon arrival we asked if they could take us somewhere where we could purchase a new one. They said absolutely not and proceeded to take pictures of his hearing aids and write down the model. They then located a place that sold the charger, sent a driver to purchase it and the manager delivered it to our room in person. They could not do enough for us to make us feel at home. FYI, my husband always comments on showers and he said this was one of the best he ever had in a hotel. If you’re looking for a location, that’s going to take good care of you and make you feel at home, this is the place for you.

What an amazing experience this hotel was. From welcoming us to catering to our every need. The restaurants are beautiful. The hotel is very well maintained. The staff is very responsive. This is truly a world class hotel.

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.

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.

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.

Очень красивый отель, один из самых титулованных отелей Африки: в 2025 году он удостоен престижного Michelin Key, признан лучшим бутик-отелем мира по версии World Travel Awards, а его спа-центр отмечен за высокое качество. Роскошные виллы с общей гостинной зоной, очень вкусная еда и отзывчивый персонал, мгновенно откликающийся на любую просьбу гостя.

Не хватает гигиенического дуща в санузле (биде).

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

The Saxon continues to offer superb service and accommodation. It is a beautiful hotel secluded from the hustle and bustle of the outside world. Staff go over and above to make your stay the best i

Hospitalidade

Barulho durante a noite. Quase não dormimos

Classy

Nothing

Staff are professional and respectful. Check-in process is smooth.

Excellent

Anything

Carrot and Zucchini muffins

I spent four days at the Saxon on a corporate meeting. The hotel rooms and facilities are amazing with super attention to the small things that make a difference Staff were very special and we only had good experiences. The restaurant was good quality with good value breakfast and dinners I used the spa as well and this was very good and professional Would recommend that you treat yourself to some time here

The Saxon Hotel Spa – In a League Entirely Its Own Yesterday, I had the privilege of experiencing a bespoke spa package at the Saxon Hotel in Sandhurst — an indulgence arranged to celebrate a dear friend’s milestone birthday. From the very first moment, it was clear we were in for something truly exceptional. The entire experience unfolded perfectly - seamless, and exquisitely timed. Every detail surpassed the expectations of all three of us, transforming the day into something that felt less like a spa visit and more like a luxurious retreat that left us feeling so upbeat, relaxed and happy. Our friend was delighted — we quite literally could not have spoiled her more beautifully if we tried. Each of us began with private massages, tailored - it felt as though the therapists could read both body and mind. This was followed by a seriously delicious lunch enjoyed together — before we moved on to manicures and pedicures together, which became a lively, fun-filled affair of shared banter and camaraderie. Perhaps the most telling accolade came from Nancy, the beauty therapist assigned to me for the day. She remarked that she could never leave the Saxon Hotel Spa, as no other establishment matched its uncompromising standards. After experiencing it firsthand, I believe her entirely. The attention to detail is nothing short of extraordinary — from the warm, enveloping welcome to the way each therapist carefully ascertains individual needs and preferences, crafting a uniquely tailored experience for every guest. Even the smallest touches speak volumes about their dedication to excellence — including the gentle luxury of pre-warmed slippers. In every sense, the Saxon Hotel Spa doesn’t merely offer treatments — it curates an unmatchable experience.

The FOOD

N/A

The service is impeccable

The villas are far from the reception and restaurant

Wonderful setting; amazing service; great food (in-room breakfast inclusive!); beautiful suites. Best hotel in Johannesburg!

That we had to leave

Everything

De tudo

ter ficado so jm dia

God

Nothing

The space in the room

The design

Staff, room and facilities

Outside noise heard easily in room, poor sound proofing of rooms

The hotel is sitting in a big garden, mainly trees and not so many flowers. The interior decoration is excellent with quite a lot of African pieces of art. We could not have been happier with the room we were allocated.

Exclusivity

Everything to my liking

Petit dej top Spa et massage top

We stayed here after our flight was cancelled. It was not originally part of our itinerary. Overall, this is a glorified Hilton property with a beautiful pool and lawn area. Will not stay here again. That said, we hear it is the nicest in Jo-berg. • Rooms are dated: The rooms are spacious, but incredibly dated. The complex itself is tired and the furniture felt un-clean. The couch in the room is not big enough for an average sized person to lay on, when there is space enough to have a normal sized couch in the room. The furniture looked heavily used and we were grossed out to use the decorative pillows or sit on the couch. It felt like you were in a 1990s room for a king, not in a good way. • Can’t use sink water: Not being able to use the tap water to brush your teeth is hard, after coming from a place in out in the bush in Kruger where you, even there, could safely use the tap water to brush your teeth. If this is the case, bring at least 3-4 bottles of purified tap to each sink. • Called reception and no one answered. We ended up lugging our bags downstairs ourselves. Again, spoiled comment, but it is a table stakes expectation at a five-star hotel to have reception (or anyone) answer the phones. • Room doors need peep holes: For a hotel in one of the most dangerous cities in the world, you need to be able to look out a peep hole in your room to confirm if it is really housekeeping outside your door trying to get in. This sounds like an overly-sensitive comment, but (1) it’s easy to have peep holes — most normal safe hotels have these and (2) the majority of people sitting in the restaurants were accompanied by bodyguards. A peep-hole is a small, easy safety measure. • Air conditioning: This is a personal preference. We need to sleep with it being very cold in the room. The AC’s lowest setting goes to 19 degrees C whereas every other place we stayed at in Africa could reach 17 C. We considered opening the door at one point, but didn’t want to let in bugs. Having optional screens on the doors could help. • Vibe: The vibe here may just be Jo-berg. It did not feel like home, or welcoming, or particularly safe. You drive into the hotel after passing houses upon houses upon houses with 20 ft’ walls, electric fencing on top of them and a guard shack. When we arrived at the hotel, I expected there to be a double gate where you are approved and then drive in and wait to get approved again. It was very VERY weird to feel like a sitting duck in the car on the street OUTSIDE the gate, while the gate attendant was trying to confirm if we were guests for at least 10 minutes. We booked same-day and the log was not updated with our booking… if someone books same-day, add them to the expected guests list?? Otherwise, food was great. We ate at their casual restaurant. Recommend the chicken curry. The chicken was cooked perfectly.

This place is just fabulous. End of story. Best spa ever for my wife. Michelin star level dining at qunu. Room ( presidential) was the best that I have experienced anywhere in the world.

Saxon is an extremely great place to stay. The quality of service in next to none and the staff are very friendly and well informed.

This will be short but sweet. It was fantastic at every turn. The ubiquity of staff left no need unmet. Turning around laundry service in 4 hours was an unbelieveable luxury, especially after coming out of a safari in the bush. A really wonderful place. The drive to and from the airport was longer than I'd wish, but not every airport has a convenient, beautiful neighborhood.

From the moment we arrived at The Saxon Hotel, we were struck by the beauty and tranquility of this extraordinary property. Our entire experience from door to door was fantastic. We stayed two nights here to recover from our flight and prepare for a safari and we are so glad we did! The service at The Saxon is truly outstanding. Every staff member we encountered was warm, attentive, and committed to making our stay as comfortable as possible. Their genuine hospitality added a personal touch to our experience, making it truly memorable. We spent a day at the Saxon, lounging and being spoiled, to recover from the flight and prepare for a safari. After waking up in our extremely comfortable villa, we started to explore the hotel. The hotel gym is fantastic and we started there. We moved on to the hotel pool which is a lovely retreat, perfect for relaxing under the sun. The spa was next and our spa experience was, without a doubt, the highlight of our stay. We indulged in a full spa package and spent over an hour taking advantage of the sauna, steam room, and other luxurious facilities. The food is nothing short of amazing, we never had a bad meal. We had a fantastic dinner at Qunu Restaurant, which I have also reviewed, and do not miss this amazing culinary experience while you are there. Make sure you ask for Stix and Lloyd! Check out the cigar bar for a cigar and cocktail at some point during your stay. We also wanted to mention our excellent driver, Armstrong. We only spent a short time with him (and I’m not entirely sure he was part of the hotel staff) but he was incredibly knowledgeable about the area. We didn’t stay long enough to explore the area, but were told it was very safe with lots to see, shopping, and nightlife activities. We really had the best time at The Saxon and wish we had stayed a few more days. It truly is the premier hotel in the area.

My daughter & I thoroughly enjoyed our Afternoon tea/High tea experience on Fri 29th August. The hotel is beautiful both indoor and outdoor. The staff at the hotel were helpful and attentive. Faith was one of the waiters assigned to us she was brilliant; she was able to tweak our menu slightly for us to suit our needs. The teas options were plentiful & delightful. Expert (a male member of staff) gave us a tour of the hotel grounds and helped with taking photos and telling us about the history of the hotel.

Amazing, beautiful hotel property with the best of everything! Stunning grounds and rooms! Service was impeccable and restaurants were excellent! The Saxon is among the world’s best!

Saxon Hotel was everything I expected and more. Service was world class and hotel staff were friendly and professional. The Concierge Manager Masood is one of the best hotel professional I’ve met, he was extremely helpful and gave good recommendations. Excellent!

Stunning hotel in an opulent location. Staff were wonderful and the rooms fabulous.

Stunning hotel in an opulent part of Johannesburg. Service was top notch and the rooms and public areas are first rate. Well worth a visit

What an exquisite property. The Saxon is one of the loveliest places we’ve ever stayed! The food was incredible, the staff kind and the accommodations weee comfortable and beautiful!

Loved everything about stay, wonderful stay, room, great staff - it was perfect.

Nothing

Fabulous facilitation by all staff to assist us as we flew in from Cape Town on an early flight arriving at 10 and rushing off to a function starting at 11. They ushered us in and gave us our room with an early check in to change and make it on time to our function! That’s the best hospitality we ever experienced. Then they graced us with a late check out as we went out to visit Decorex in Sandton before leaving for home. The butler service is amazing and instantaneous. It was truly home from home as we used to live in Hyde Park near the Saxon.

Breakfast was fabulous. Coffee lounge near the pool gorgeous as usual as we have come here time after time over the years and held family functions with absolute perfection. Highly recommended.

An absolutely stunning hotel! We stayed here two nights before we left for our safari and it was the perfect stop. Hotel rooms are gorgeous and the food is great. The staff goes out of their way to make you feel welcome and cared for. Definitely recommend the afternoon tea as well. Don't miss the spa either!

We stayed 2 nights at the Saxon prior to our Botswana trip. If you experience jet lag this is a great place to unwind relax and reboot. Staff was very accommodating and knowledgeable about the area and Sandton. It is about 30-60 minutes from Johannesburg airport. There is a mall nearby for last minute shopping before you leave on safari. Spa and workout room were great. It was a little too chilly to use the pool. Beautiful hotel.

de tudo, o quarto, pequeno almoço, da simpatia dos funcionários. Minha amiga fez anos e eles ofereceram um bolo.

ficar mais um dia

The Saxon is one of the finest hotels I've ever experienced. The accomodations, the staff and the food are out of this world. The villas are especially wonderful

My stay at the Saxon Hotel was nothing short of outstanding. It was luxurious, comfortable, and filled with thoughtful touches throughout. The food was amazing, the breakfast absolutely top-notch, and the hostess made the experience even more special. Every detail was perfectly executed — truly a five-star experience!

Absolutely beautiful stay at the Saxon Hotel. Pure luxury, amazing food, thoughtful service, and a wonderful hostess. Everything was just perfect — there was nothing I didn’t like. Truly top-notch in every way!

The staff was extremely warm and welcoming, and very helpful. The fluffiest pilllows I’ve ever slept on and the property is absolutely gorgeous! Most importantly, we arrived several hours prior to check-in time and they had our “upgraded” rooms ready. Exceptional after a long flight!

One of the best I’ve been to. Ever. I love to travel but I have severe anxiety regarding hotels because I am ( probably overly so ) obsessed with cleanliness. This property is extremely well maintained , with gorgeous grounds and a staff who go above and BEYOND to deliver an exceptional experience. I was only here for two nights, but would come back to Johannesburg to stay here alone . Well done.

We had the best time, the only problem is that my laptop could not connect to the wifi.

Unfortunately, I didn't have breakfast

Nothing

This hotel is one of the best I’ve ever visited. That is why this was my 3rd stay there. The staff is amazing, the accommodations are impeccable, the food is delicious. I literally could not ask for a better experience. They make everyone feel like a VIP. Will definitely stay here again.

Beautiful property in a prime and safe location close to many dining options. I didn't want to leave my beautiful suite. Savon has excellent service overall. Their spa is an experience worth staying at this property for. Amazing hospitality by all the staff we encountered, from the GM to the butler. They even left us treats for our Anniversary celebrations with delicious chocolate-covered strawberries. We just missed their 25th anniversary celebrations the next day, but the preparations looked grand. Highly recommend staying here if you are in the area.

The location of the hotel is in one of the most beautiful areas In Johannesburg, the property that surrounds the hotel is just stunning, the room was so spacious and nice, the staff was so lovely and helpful, breakfast was delicious, everything was great.

Nothing to say

The staff were very courteous.

Sometimes the turn downs were done very late.

My stay at the Saxon Hotel felt like a true "home away from home." From the moment I arrived, the warmth and friendliness of the staff made me feel very welcome. Their in-house expertise is commendable; they attended to every detail with genuine care. The dining experience was another highlight. Both restaurants are recommend. Go all out with the chefs menu. ;-) And I must mention the beds! The comfort of those beds, complete with amazing pillows, was heavenly. I found myself wishing I could take them home with me. Overall, to me the Saxon Hotel is an oasis of luxury and comfort in Jo’burg. Highly recommended! Ps. Please visit the Spa and book a hot stone massage.

Service

I thoroughly enjoyed my 1 night stop at the Saxon. For reasons unknown they upgraded me to the palatial presidential suite which was very generous of them, but even regardless of that, I thought the hotel was great - especially the lovely terrace area overlooking the expansive pool that stretches towards the front of the property. Quality fresh fruit juices on offer, great service, and the driver they organised for me to do a city tour did an excellent job. Sandton also seems to be the nicest neighbourhood to stay in Joburg, so would highly recommend the Saxon.

Classified as a hotel, but more like a more luxurious home away from home. The food is delicious and the drinks are the best! The staff is incredible! From the moment you arrive, your trip(s) to the spa, to your evenings out, and back to the journey home, the staff is amazing and very helpful!

The breakfast was excellent and dinner at The Terrace was also great. Great service. The villa was fantastic and the butler service was exceptional.

The only negative was dinner at Qunu, which was a disappointment for the price. A limited menu and the main meal I had was not a five star experience.

The Saxon has polish and high design without feeling pretentious. We loved the use of elegant African decor pieces. Our room was a generous size, beautifully clean and designed with convenience in mind. We loved our separate bathroom vanities, and the ability to step outside our patio doors to an elegant, uncrowded pool. The service was also first rate.

Luxurious Great Location

Terrace restaurant weak All meals there were average Cape Malat curry was not a cape Malay curry, was dry and meat was tough Roti was thick and dry Other meal was cold Given the pricing of the meals which was grossly overpriced poor effort

I've never been this disappointed. I'm currently at the Saxon Hotel, and there's a supervisor or manager by the name Ashwin, here who is openly shouting and swearing at employees in front of guests. He's using profanity like "f*** you" and even dictating how they should walk—it's truly appalling. I never expected to witness something like this in a place of this caliber.

Saxon Villa Hotel This little oasis in Sandton is hidden away from the crowds and you would not even know it existed unless you drove slowly by the discreet entrance. It is nestled within beautiful gardens across three main buildings. All rooms, suites, or presidential suites are well apportioned with lovely views of the gardens or the environment. Facilities There are two pools and a superb spa if you have the time to visit. There is a main restaurant for lunch and dinner, replacing the Michelin restaurant which closed after Covid, and breakfast is served in the room or in the hotel lounge, or outdoors when warm enough. The food is of an excellent, consistent standard with a wide array of choice. The Room I have posted separately photographs of the room, which is always immaculate and well maintained. The rooms are comfortable, spacious, some with separate lounges, and my thanks to the management team for the upgrade. All amenities are catered for with a good, well-stocked fridge. Normally, the wi-fi and speed of the internet is second to none; however, on this particular trip it was somewhat slower and less effective. No doubt just a glitch on this occasion. Team – Service A large number of team members have been with the hotel for many years and this is shown by their professionalism and capability. The team are always attentive, whether for the turndown, laundry, or food and beverage. This hotel does have competitors of an excellent standard, but if you are looking for a discreet, private location with superb service, accommodation and a wonderful spa, this will be the right place for you.

Brilliant breakfast, good choices. i always love a Saxon breakfast

Absolutely nothing

Excellent stay and genuine top class hotel! All the staff were spot on, being really friendly and helpful.

Everything about this property was excellent. The staff (a team really) treat you like family & are the best we have experienced - superb! The rooms & all facilities are exceptional.

We could not fault anything during our 7 night stay

The professional staff,the beautiful property,the room and the food.

The toilet flushing was not great and our basin drainage was slow.

Everything. The food was delicious and the staff were very kind and helpful.

Nothing.

It is just an outstanding place

Very beautiful and elegant hotel nested in the middle of a luxuriant vegetation. Rooms are lavishly decorated. Very friendly and helpful Staff. Food at Qunu is really very good. I would very strongly recommend this hotel for your stay in Joburg