The home of a South African billionaire which is now one of the best hotels in the world

Property • 23 October 2026 • Kirsten Minnaar

Once the private residence of South African billionaire Douw Steyn, The Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa in Johannesburg has been named Africa’s Leading Luxury Boutique Hotel.

Over the years, the luxury hotel has built an international reputation for its accommodation, dining and service.

The five-star establishment has received numerous international awards, including the World Travel Awards’ World’s Leading Boutique Hotel title in 2025.

On top of being awarded Africa’s Leading Luxury Boutique Hotel in 2026, its Nelson Mandela Platinum Suite was also named Africa’s Leading Hotel Suite.

Located at 36 Saxon Road in Sandhurst, the Saxon was originally the private home of billionaire businessman Douw Steyn and his family.

After Nelson Mandela was released from prison in 1990, he stayed at the property while preparing for life outside prison. During his stay, he worked on his autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, which was published in 1994.

Steyn converted the family home into a hotel in May 2000. Mandela’s influence can still be noticed in the property today.

The hotel’s most expensive suite, the Nelson Mandela Platinum Suite, is named in his honour. Staying here will set guests back R95,000 per night.

and photographs, books and other memorabilia relating to the former president are displayed throughout the hotel.

The Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa is set across 10 acres of indigenous gardens and has 53 suites spread between its main hotel building and three private villas.

It has several dining and drinking venues. Its main restaurant, Qunu, focuses on contemporary African cuisine.

The restaurant combines local ingredients and flavours with international influences. Its offerings include dishes featuring South African game and locally sourced produce.

The restaurant received a one-star rating from the EatOut Awards in 2026 and was named Best African Restaurant by the Luxe Awards.

Other venues include the Olive Bar, the Terrace and the Piano Lounge. The Piano Lounge serves breakfast and hosts morning and afternoon tea, while the Terrace offers poolside dining.

The hotel also has two underground wine cellars, which are used for private tastings and dining experiences.

Its spa offers a range of treatments and facilities, including massage therapies, hammam rituals, sound therapy and rhassoul mud treatments.

The wider facilities include a fitness centre, outdoor swimming pools and quiet garden spaces. The property’s landscaped grounds are designed to provide privacy despite its location close to Sandton’s busy commercial district.

The hotel also offers private villas that can be booked as individual suites or as exclusive accommodation for larger groups. The villas have their own living areas and pools, with dedicated butler service for guests.

Inside the R95,000-a-night suite

The hotel offers several accommodation categories, ranging from 80m² luxury suites to 200m² presidential suites, as well as the larger Nelson Mandela Platinum Suite.

The standard luxury suites accommodate two people and include a king-sized bed, a separate bathroom, a lounge and dining area, a business desk, and a balcony overlooking the gardens, pool terrace, or city skyline.

The presidential suites offer additional space, with separate lounge and dining areas, while the villa suites provide a more private setting within the hotel’s gardens.

The most expensive accommodation is the Nelson Mandela Platinum Suite, which measures 400m² and accommodates up to four people.

The suite has a master bedroom and a separate guest bedroom, an entrance hall, a lounge, a dining room and an office area. Its main bathroom includes a bath, a walk-in shower and a steam room.

Guests also have access to a fully equipped butler’s kitchen and a dedicated butler service available around the clock.

The suite’s inclusions include breakfast, a stocked minibar and snacks, access to the spa’s hydrotherapy facilities, a bottle of French champagne on arrival and VIP airport transfers.

Rates displayed by a booking platform for a one-night stay from 19 to 20 November 2026 placed the two-bedroom presidential suite at R95,000, including breakfast and applicable taxes and fees.

For comparison, the same booking listing listed the standard luxury suites at R15,300 per night and the presidential suites at R33,000 per night. Prices can vary depending on dates and availability.