Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa

Character and identity

Tucked behind guarded gates in leafy Sandhurst, ten minutes from the office towers of Sandton, the Saxon spreads across ten acres of gardens that feel a world removed from Johannesburg's commercial churn. The 53 rooms, suites and three standalone villas (linked by an elevated boardwalk through the canopy) sit inside what was once billionaire Douw Steyn's family home, and the property still reads as a private estate: an extensive African art collection on the walls, two infinity-style pools, a serious spa, and two underground wine cellars. Qunu anchors the dining, breakfast in the piano lounge sets the tone, and 24-hour butler service runs through the top tiers.

Who's it for

Bottom line

What sets the Saxon apart is the combination of estate-scale gardens and service polish that simply doesn't exist elsewhere in Sandton. Book a pool-facing room in the main building for the best garden views, or one of the villas if you're travelling as a group or want full butler treatment. Time a visit between September and March for the gardens at full tilt, Highveld storms included.