The Saxon
Sandton, South Africa
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THE SAXON - SANDTON,
SOUTH AFRICA
Nestled
in the exclusive Sandhurst suburb of Sandton, SAXON makes a world class
statement of ethnic African elegance,
combined with personalized attention to detail. SAXON has always been
a place of welcome. First as a home, now a home away from home. With
its roots in the heart of Gauteng, it has drawn the warmth of the city
that bred it - from the world it has won it's refinement and ease.
SAXON
has witnessed history within its walls as it became home to Nelson
Mandela after he was released from prison. It was during this time
that South
Africa's former President used the serene setting of SAXON to edit
his autobiography "Long walk to Freedom."
Located in the tranquil, tree-lined suburb of Sandhurst, within minutes of Johannesburg's world-class shopping and business hub, the Saxon prides itself on being voted the World's Leading Boutique Hotel since 2001. As a private or business traveller, let the Saxon treat you to personalised, discreet service and unparalleled South African hospitality.
The Saxon Boutique Hotel, Villas and Spa is the most exclusive private retreat, set on ten acres of landscaped gardens. The Saxon entrance exudes an air of quiet majesty with its sweeping feature staircase and spectacular chandelier. Looking towards the Oprah Lounge, Piano Lounge, Cigar Lounge and restaurant, the neutral shades of the interior reflect the tones and textures of Africa. The pinnacle of literary tranquillity is the sophisticated Dining Library and the Cigar Lounge where guests can withdraw to a reflective world of quiet comfort. A humidor with exclusive cigars and a cabinet of the world's finest whiskies and cognacs complete the air of refined relaxation.
The Saxon's contemporary African interior is light, airy and spacious, leaving a lasting impression of stately elegance interspersed with novel Eastern accents and African artefacts.
The central point of the Saxon is the impressive infinity pool. The pool terrace is the ideal relaxation area for taking in the superb sunset views before making your way to the Olive Bar for cocktails, with the well stocked Koi pond just a few steps away. The Koi Terrace, which features a heated pool that plays underwater music, and the dining gazebo is an ideal setting for leisurely lunches or High Teas.
Originally designed in 1990 as a private residence for Douw Steyn, one of South Africa's leading captains of commerce, the Saxon is a quiet retreat from the outside world with panoramic views over the indigenous gardens towards the city skyline beyond.
Rooms For
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Saxon boasts twenty four suites of various sizes (20 Egoli suites, 3 Presidential suites, and 1 Platinum suite). All suites incorporate
a strong element of African art, latticed shutters covering large
bay windows, looking onto the tranquil gardens or pool area.
20 Egoli Suites
Luxuriously furnished in the Saxon's signature nouveau African style, the Egoli Suites exude an atmosphere of elegant tranquillity. Light, airy and spacious, the open plan layout includes a lounge and dining area, a full business desk, and a generous bathroom with an over sized bath and separate shower. Latticed shutters open to views over the indigenous gardens and city skyline or the pool terraces. Serene in marble and light wood, the décor brings in subtle geometric prints and plush furnishings interspersed with novel Eastern influences and African artefacts.
Every detail is considered to ensure your absolute comfort, including the world's finest linens, a pillow menu, opulent robe and slippers, and abundant fresh white towels. The suite is made up and turned down daily and a newspaper is delivered to your door every morning. Added to this, a 24-hour butler service ensures every need is catered for at any hour. With a complimentary mini bar, WiFi and state-of-the-art entertainment system, this is the perfect destination for a leisure or business stay.
3 Presidential Suites
The main hotel presents three palatial Presidential Suites, each with its own entrance hall, guest bathroom, and separate lounge and dining area opening onto a balcony, as well as a fully equipped butler's kitchen and dedicated butler. Spacious and sun-drenched, the suites incorporate generous bathrooms and walk-in cupboards, all in the stylish Afro-chic pallette of the hotel. Offering all the luxury you would expect from the world's leading boutique hotel, soothing tones create an ambience of relaxation and tranquility.
Multiple plasma televisions and remote controlled entertainment systems provide the finishing touches to an experience of all-round opulence. Each suite features a workstation complete with complimentary laptop, and multi-function printer-fax-scanner-photocopier, and includes access to property-wide limitless WiFi Internet access. Latticed shutters ensure privacy and open onto views over the indigenous gardens and northern view of the Johannesburg city skyline.
1 Platinum Suite
Enter the exquisite Platinum Suite, also known as the Nelson Mandela Platinum Suite, via a glass-enclosed lift and experience 400m2 of unequalled luxury. This is the epitome of the style and elegance for which the Saxon is renowned. This premier suite offers the best views of the estate, overlooking the Pool Terrace, impressive infinity pool and beyond the gardens and the treetops towards the Johannesburg skyline. Interleading, beautifully decorated rooms include a lounge and dining area, a workstation equipped with a laptop and full global communications, a reception area and guest bathroom.
The guest suite and the stately main bedroom, decorated with the world's finest linens, lead to the opulent bathroom with a walk-in dressing room, a private steam room and over-sized Jacuzzi hot tub. Every detail is considered, from the magnificent African décor to the daily newspaper delivered to the suite. A dedicated butler is available at all times. This distinctive signature suite is designed to surpass the expectations of the most discerning visiting members of Royalty, Heads of State, dignitaries and international celebrities.
Villa Egoli Suite
The Villa Egoli Suites provide a sense of quiet retreat. Decorated in a contemporary African style, the décor incorporates natural textures such as stone cladding and light and dark woods. Sculptures, paintings and other celebrated pieces of the Saxon art collection line the walls and alcoves.
Situated on the ground floor, each suite has a private deck leading out into the lush indigenous gardens. Each suite has a quiet seating area and fully equipped workstation, as well as a luxuriously appointed bathroom with a freestanding bath, dual sinks and a stone-clad seated shower. Wooden four-poster beds dressed in the finest white linen and elegant furnishings complete the sense of understated elegance. The Villa Egoli Suites are a true haven of serenity.
The three magnificent Saxon Villas are nestled in lush indigenous gardens with water features for complete privacy. Each Villa has its own dining room or private boardroom, which is fully equipped for business meetings and presentations. The dining room leads to the lounge and breakfast area overlooking the private terrace and plunge pool. Two of the Villas also have their own private spa suite. Each elegant Villa is tastefully decorated with natural woods, silks and sustainable weaves. A private lift transfers guests from the underground parking garage. A skywalk leading to the main entrance of the Saxon offers intriguing views over the landscaped gardens.
For business guests, the private boardroom is equipped with cutting-edge technology, including audio visual equipment, proxima, microphone, screen, laser pointer, CD player and public address system. Each Villa has a dedicated chef and butler to cater and serve guests in a completely private setting.
Villa Presidential Suite
The Villa Presidential Suites are your home away from home. Villas Two and Three each offers four Villa Presidential Suites located on the upper levels. Each of these premium suites has its own entrance, guest bathroom, and separate lounge and dining area opening out to a balcony, as well as a fully equipped butler's kitchen. The designated workstation is equipped with state-of-the-art business tools including complimentary laptop and all-access WiFi.
Decorated in a contemporary African style, the décor incorporates natural textures such as stone cladding and light and dark woods. Sculptures, paintings and other celebrated pieces of the Saxon art collection line the walls and alcoves.
Villa Platinum Suite
The eight Villa Presidential Suites can be converted into four 2-bedroom Platinum Suites. The Villa Platinum Suites are luxurious, each boasting two spacious lounges with dining areas and two bedroom suites with well appointed contemporary bathrooms. Each distinctive suite is fully equipped with two butler's kitchens, and a business area with state-of-the-art electronics and information technology.
The three magnificent Saxon Villas are nestled in lush indigenous gardens with water features for complete privacy. Each Villa has its own dining room or private boardroom, which is fully equipped for business meetings and presentations. The dining room leads to the lounge and breakfast area overlooking the private terrace and plunge pool. Two of the Villas also have their own private spa suite.
Each elegant Villa is tastefully decorated with natural woods, silks and sustainable weaves. A private lift transfers guests from the underground parking garage. A skywalk leading to the main entrance of the Saxon offers intriguing views over the landscaped gardens. For business guests, the private boardroom is equipped with cutting-edge technology, including audio visual equipment, proxima, microphone, screen, laser pointer, CD player and public address system. Each Villa has a dedicated chef and butler to cater and serve guests in a completely private setting.
Suite amenities
• Bathrobe and slippers in bathroom
• Open-plan bath and dressing room with over-sized bathtub, separate shower, separate toilet and two separate handbasins
• A complimentary mini bar including soft drinks, water and local beers
• Complimentary use of Hydro facilities at the Spa
• International businessman power panel in every suite
• Each Saxon suite is equipped with an iPod docking station, Bang & Olufsen HD LCD screen television, full Digital Satellite bouquet and Blu-ray DVD player, together with state-of-the-art surround-sound music system, including all radio stations, full gaming interface and digital music library
• Guests have the added convenience of direct check-in from the comfort of their suites
Additional suite amenities for presidential and platinum suites
• Cold towels and preferred drink offered after check-in
• French Champagne by courtesy of the Saxon on arrival and replenished every night
• Complimentary Port and Sherry in the suite
• Saxon Restaurant table reservation, unless confirmed otherwise
• Complimentary in-house laundry and pressing service
• All Presidential and Platinum Suites are equipped with the addition of a multi-function printer-fax-scanner-photocopier
• Complimentary return airport transfer and one return transfer to a nearby business district per day
• VIP guest handling service to meet guests on arrival at OR Tambo International Airport and Lanseria Airport
Business services
• The Saxon is a true Internet Protocol environment, including enhanced cellular area reception, optional automatic cell phone provider changeover within the perimeter of the hotel grounds, and automatic in-suite landline to cell phone forwarding
• Each distinctive suite is fully equipped with a business area comprising complimentary use of a laptop with secured wired or wireless Internet connection, multi-telephones throughout the suites, businessman power panel, and wireless telephone with extended reception capabilit
• The Saxon Boardroom is available by arrangement for business meetings, and the Saxon Concierge will offer every possible assistance
Hotel facilities
Despite being embedded in the city of gold, a place most known for it's
frenetic pace and mining town mentality, there lies a scenic jewel surrounded
by lush landscape gardens called SAXON. With its extensive use of water,
it naturally lends itself as a reprieve from the daily stresses of major
corporate deals and the hectic pace of city living.
The welcoming entrance with stately staircase
sweeps around a central glass dome, permitting natural light to blend
with and enhance the contemporary African decor and handcrafted ethnic
art artifacts. Leading off this area is a boutique shop, piano lounge,
smoking library and the dining room. Set in six acres of lush landscape
gardens, SAXON has been designed to capture and embrace its natural
environment. One of the design themes is the extensive use of water.
The central point of the water theme is the magnificent nine hundred
and twenty square metre swimming pool. Elevated above the pool is a
terrace overlooking the indigenous gardens, with the city of Johannesburg
as a backdrop.
The
lattice shuttered suites, cool terraces and shaded gazebos adjoining
both the heated
lap pool and magnificent swimming pool,
enhance the fully supervised gymnasium, steam rooms and Essence Skin
and Body Salon. The restaurant offers a health menu to suit all jaded
palates.
Essence Skin and Body Salon
Essence Skin and Body at SAXON is set in a unique oasis,
abundant with bird life and expansive areas of calm water. It combines
the very best to give you a complete health care service and provides
access to a Dermalogica skin and body centre, fully equipped gym and
weekly yoga classes in the tranquil gardens. Essence Skin and Body at
SAXON offers a range of skin, body and essential grooming treatments,
but its true power lies in the ability to offer
skin care treatments tailor made to meet an individual's personal skin
care needs.
Conferencing
In the dining library, watercolors
of ancient African weaponry share space with an eclectic collection
of reading material.
This homely room is used for either private dining or boardroom style
conferencing. Two further boardrooms are available for executive conferencing
for up to thirty delegates. Built-in computerized technology forms part
of these conference venues, together with trained technical management
on standby, assisting with your IT requirements. The twenty-six seater
auditorium is equipped with the latest technology in projection and communication,
ensuring quality presentations in luxury surrounds.
Dining and
Cuisine
The ambience of the dining room offers a "homey" atmosphere,
boasting an exclusive and unique wine display. A brigade of world
class chefs ensures personalized cuisine, catering for our well traveled
guests. The cocktail bar leads off the expansive pool terrace, koi
pond and outdoor heated pool. The health centre includes an elaborately
equipped fully supervised gymnasium, Essence beauty salon and steam
rooms. Revitalizing massages can be taken under the shaded gazebos
next to the pool, or in the privacy of your suite.
History
In the 1980’s, Douw Steyn,
top South African entrepreneur and founder of Auto & General, acquired
his dream home. It was to be called the SAXON. In 1990, South Africa’s
first democratically elected president, and world renowned peacemaker,
Nelson Mandela, resided at the SAXON for
six months whilst his own home was under construction. It is within
the walls of the SAXON that Mandela edited his auspicious autobiography, ‘Long
Walk to Freedom’, and the suite he
occupied during his residence is now the Mandela Suite.
The idea to transform
the SAXON into a luxury conference centre facility came when Steyn
moved to the United Kingdom to open his insurance company
in Peterborough in 1992. Steyn’s vision was to create an
exclusive state-of-the-art venue that would exceed the expectations
of any business
executive, politician
or celebrity from anywhere in the world. In June 2000 the SAXON opened
its doors to the public as a 26-suite supreme luxury accommodation
hotel and executive conference centre.
SAXON
Guests
The SAXON hosted the welcoming party for Academy Award winner Whoopi
Goldberg. The SAXON is a home-away-from-home for many international
film stars, such as: Danny Glover (‘Lethal Weapon’),
Lou Gossett Junior (‘An Officer and a Gentleman’), Morgan
Freeman (‘Shawshank
Redemption’), Djimon Hansou (‘Amistad’), Amanda Donohoe
(‘LA Law’, ‘The Madness of King George’) Kathleen
Turner, Charlise Theron and Gary Busey (‘Fear and Loathing in Las
Vegas’, ‘The Player’). During Prince Edward ‘s
visit to South Africa in 2002, he resided at the SAXON.
Activities
Shopping
Informally known as the fashion hub of Africa, Sandton and the areas surrounding the Saxon are recognised as the ultimate shopping destinations. The most exclusive shopping malls, Sandton City and Nelson Mandela Square are a few minutes away by one of our complimentary transfers, and there you can browse everything from designer boutiques to local curios, and enjoy world-class cuisine. There are also the upmarket Hyde Park and Rosebank Shopping Centres, as well as Melrose Arch.
If you are interested in buying specialised products like jewellery or African artefacts, the Concierge can arrange reputable designers and agents to assist you in the comfort of the hotel.
Art Galleries and Craft Markets
Johannesburg has a multitude of interesting art galleries and craft markets. The Saxon can arrange a tailor-made tour to a number of galleries to suit the particular interests of our guests, including Amatuli Fine Art, Art Africa, Everard Read Gallery and Circa Gallery, as well as Linda Goodman Gallery and Gallery on the Square.
Various craft markets in and around Johannesburg feature African masks and wooden carvings, beaded dolls, wire baskets, and a variety of other indigenous objects from many African destinations.
Johannesburg Dining
As in all major cities, Johannesburg is home to a wide variety of restaurants and eateries offering local delicacies to international cuisines. In addition to the acclaimed Saxon five hundred, Saxon restaurant and Terrace dining, Johannesburg hosts an array of award-winning restaurants to suit any palate. The Concierge can assist you with dining recommendations.
Theatre and Entertainment
Whether you are interested in drama, comedy, music, ballet, opera, or traditional dancing, Johannesburg offers a wealth of international and home-grown talent on stage. The rest of the city's nightlife is like no other with a glittering array of hotspots, dance clubs and pubs to choose from.
Museums
Johannesburg's Museum of Rock Art has an excellent multimedia display of the rock art and the origins of humankind. The Apartheid museum provides a moving and informative insight into South Africa's past. Well worth visiting is the South African Constitutional Court, set around the infamous Fort prison, which is part courtroom, part museum and part art gallery.
Gold Reef City
Situated near the central business district of Johannesburg, Gold Reef City has been built around a former gold mine as a reconstruction of the early days of Johannesburg's gold rush era.
Cultural Experiences and Natural History
For guests who are interested in cultural experiences, visits can be arranged to Lesedi Cultural Village and the Ndebele Village. The Cradle of Humankind is a national heritage site situated at the Sterkfontein Caves, where the earliest hominid fossils dating back over 3 million years were discovered.
Johannesburg Zoo
Originally established in 1904, the progressive Johannesburg Zoo is home to over 2 000 animals. It is one of the few places in the world where you can find the white lion. Enjoy the views of Westcliff, one of the oldest and most exclusive baronial residential areas of early Johannesburg.
Nature and Wildlife
Arrangements can be made for guests to visit Askari Game Lodge in the Magaliesberg, as well as the Lion and Rhino Park, a small game reserve situated near the Hartbeespoort Dam, for spectacular sightings of lion, white rhino, cheetah, wild dog and herds of antelope at close rage. The Elephant Sanctuary at the Dam caters for small groups of visitors to be guided on foot and experience close-up interaction with the elephants.Visitors can join an open vehicle game drive in the Pilanesberg game reserve situated next to the famous Sun City Casino Resort. Located in an ancient volcanic crater, this area is home to an incredible variety of fauna and flora. For the more adventurous at heart, a balloon safari over the scenic landscape near the Hartbeespoort Dam is an unforgettable experience.
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