Verdant City Retreat

Nestled in the tranquil suburb of Morningside Manor, a mere five kilometres from Sandton City, the highly acclaimed Fairlawns Boutique Hotel and Spa is a verdant retreat in the middle of the bustling city.

Ihad barely arrived at Fairlawns when its status as best luxury boutique hotel in Africa was confirmed by its friendly and professional staff. Standing at the counter in the elegant reception area after being cordially received with a welcoming drink, it soon transpired that my two-night stay was erroneously booked for a month later …

While clearly our mistake, the duty manager still went out of her way to make me feel comfortable while trying to find a solution for my predicament. I did not have to wait long. Even though all 42 rooms (each with its own exquisite design and décor, as I found out later) were booked, she did find me a room …

With this kind of hospitality and service it was clear why Fairlawns has won numerous awards over the last couple of years – the most recent being adjudged as one of the top 25 hotels in South Africa, and as the best luxury boutique hotel in Africa.

A family home once

Originally a ten-acre family home owned by the Brenthurst Trust of Oppenheimer fame, Fairlawns became a boutique hotel in 1997. Since then the original 12 suites, spread out over almost six sprawling acres of beautifully landscaped gardens have grown to over 40.

Recently, the hotel underwent a massive revamp, yet it retained its old-world charm and grand English country house ambience … It is exactly this kind of tranquil atmosphere that makes staying over at the five-star establishment such a special experience. It is a suburban oasis within the Johannesburg cityscape.

The rooms are situated in Palladian blocks and it has fancy French names such as the Grand Chateaux, the Maison De Ville, the Courtyard Villas, and the Courtyard Suites. The Maison consists of two large en suite bedrooms, dressing rooms, a dining and lounge area, private study, well

equipped kitchen, and a private pool with patio set in a magnificent garden.

The individual décor of each Courtyard unit was inspired by different places and countries around the world, such as Vietnam, Morocco, and France. My room in the Suites had a distinctly modern, Euro-centric flavour, with tasteful dark blue and red colours. One can understand why frequent guests and repeat visitors have favourite rooms – and specifically request them when booking.

A huge pool set in the manicured gardens and fringed with Soho House-style sun loungers forms the centrepiece of the estate, while the sought-after Balinese spa set in bamboo forest gardens includes a wellequipped fitness centre, a hydrotherapy bath, a heated plunge pool, outdoor treatment areas, cane swings, and water features.

Breakfast at the Amuse-bouche restaurant, with a cold buffet selection as well as hot a-la-carte dishes to choose from, was a delight and I can recommend their smoked springbok carpaccio. There are two restaurants and a private dining room (for corporate dinners), and the Muse champagne room serving up canapés and cocktails. As I was on a working trip, I used room service in the evening – and my order was delivered smartly and promptly.

Best of all, on the day I left I found my vehicle (dirty, as I did an off-road trip the previous day) washed and cleaned for my departure. With this type of attention to detail and service, Fairlawns Boutique Hotel and Spa deserves every one of its five stars. It is the perfect venue for ultra-luxurious privacy – providing bespoke experiences and exceptional service without seemingly trying too hard …

Our Destination Fairlawns Boutique Hotel and Spal

1 Alma Road, Morningside, Johannesburg Tel: +27 11 804 2540

Email: reservations@fairlawns.co.za www.fairlawns.co.za