Picolo recommends · Hotel in Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa
Tall trees, a still pool and big suites with their own terraces in leafy Sandhurst, in the house where Nelson Mandela worked on his memoir.
Behind the gate the traffic of Johannesburg goes quiet. Saxon sits in large gardens in Sandhurst, one of the city's greenest residential suburbs, and the mood is closer to a private estate than a city hotel.
The property has a place in history: Nelson Mandela worked on Long Walk to Freedom here after his release from prison. Today the suites are large, each with its own terrace, and the spa makes it easy to stay put.
Picolo’s verdict
Why we chose Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa
We chose Saxon as the calmest way to begin or end a safari. After a long flight, or before one, it offers space, gardens and a sense of rest that few city hotels in South Africa can match.
Johannesburg is not a walking city, and you will need a car or a driver for anything beyond the hotel. If you want to explore neighbourhoods on foot, Cape Town is a better bet. This is a place to rest more than to roam.
What you get
- Large gardens in Sandhurst
- Spacious suites with private terraces
- Spa
- Outdoor pool
- Drivers for trips around the city
A day at Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa
- Morning
- A slow breakfast after the long flight in.
- Midday
- A guided drive to the Apartheid Museum.
- Afternoon
- Back to the pool and the shade of the garden.
- Evening
- Dinner at the hotel before the early start to safari.
Location
Sandhurst, Johannesburg, South Africa
Open in MapsQuestions about Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa
Did Nelson Mandela stay at Saxon Hotel?
Yes. Mandela worked on his autobiography at the Saxon property after his release, which gives the hotel a special place in South African history.
Do you need a car at Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa?
Yes. Johannesburg is spread out and best explored by car or with a driver. The hotel can help arrange transport.
Is Saxon Hotel a good stop before a safari?
Yes. It is a quiet base for a night or two before or after a safari, with gardens, a spa and large suites.
Updated 6 Nov 2026All articles
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