1/5

Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa

Johannesburg • Sandton • OVER THE TOP

avg. $752 / night

Includes $40 / night in cash back

Cash back is redeemable via Virtual Visa, Venmo, or bank transfer starting 24-48 hours after check-out

LHW Leaders Club property

Exclusive PressBeyond Benefits

Get to where you see yourself

Ultra-clean, global, hand-picked hotel curation & imagery designed to help you visualize enticing environments and the elevated social experiences they create

Cash back

5% cash back on all completed stays (redeemable via Virtual Visa, Venmo, or bank transfer starting 24-48 hours after check-out)

Credit card points

Credit and debit card charges are processed directly by the hotel (i.e. not PressBeyond), meaning that any travel-specific credit card points or incentives that you normally get as a cardholder for direct hotel bookings are preserved

Hotel loyalty points

Points accrual and status eligibility with major hotel loyalty programs: Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, World of Hyatt, and others

Free breakfast

Breakfast-included rate options available

Room upgrades

Complimentary room upgrades (subject to property availability)

Extend your stay

Early check-in and late check-out (subject to property availability)

Part of Leading Hotels of the World

Location

Loading map...

PB hotel design editorial

Among Johannesburg's hotel properties, the Saxon Hotel Villas & Spa carries a particular historical weight: it was within this Sandhurst compound that Nelson Mandela completed the final edits of Long Walk to Freedom after his release from prison, a fact that still shapes how the property understands itself. Designed by South African architect Stefan Antoni — whose practice SOM Africa would go on to define a certain strand of contemporary Cape luxury — the Saxon opened in 1999 across six acres of densely planted gardens in the Sandton suburb, its low-slung pavilion architecture more akin to a private estate than a conventional hotel, with just 26 suites arranged to maximise seclusion. The images confirm Antoni's central gesture: a domed pavilion structure rising above a vast mirror-still pool, its curved soffit reflected in water the colour of slate at dusk, oversized terracotta amphora marking the pool terrace with a knowing nod to Mediterranean antiquity filtered through an African lens. Inside, the rooms divide into two distinct registers — warmer suites dressed in dark-stained four-poster frames, kente-patterned throws, leather ottomans, and geometric rugs drawing on West African textile traditions, against cooler villa spaces furnished in bleached maple, chevron upholstery, and pale stone tile. The dining room beneath that dome deploys a perforated golden ceiling panel and clustered organic pendant lights — closer in feeling to Moooi than to safari camp — alongside a wraparound savannah mural that grounds the room in its continental setting.

Travel notes

No travel notes provided yet.

About

The Saxon has a story to tell. Originally a private home and host to many honoured guests including World Leaders, Celebrities and guest alike. The art within the hotel portrays lives lived with guests and friends spending time together. Elegant. Luxurious. Unforgettable. Merging the finest culinary experiences, the ultimate in luxurious accommodation and the award-winning Spa, the Saxon will take you on an unforgettable journey. This is truly the place you can call home. Let the Saxon treat you to personalised, discreet service and unparalleled South African hospitality. The Saxon is Johannesburg's most luxurious hotel and one of the worlds top award winning hotels.

Amenities

Pool

Free Parking

Internet

Free Internet

Free Wifi

Breakfast Included

Suites

Room service

Wheelchair Access

Restaurant

Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa Reviews

936 reviews

"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"

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Mar 14, 2026

"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."

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Jan 21, 2026

"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."

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Oct 23, 2025

"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."

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Oct 22, 2025

Guest photos

Guest photo
Guest photo
Guest photo
Guest photo
Guest photo

+11

Reviews and certain descriptive content powered by

Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa | Best Design-Driven Stays in Johannesburg