Discover 5 explanation why Four Seasons Johannesburg is an urban oasis

The Four Seasons Hotel, The Westcliff in Johannesburg, South Africa, might need an issue. The hotel has a lot to supply that you simply won’t even need to step foot off the property to explore Johannesburg (despite the hotel’s incredible Curated Experiences designed to showcase town’s assets—but more on that later).

From the luxurious accommodations and world-class restaurants to the tranquil spa and stunning views, every aspect of the hotel is designed to offer an experience like no other. Whether you are lounging by the spa pool, having fun with a gourmet meal or just taking within the panoramic views, you will find it hard to depart this urban oasis. But rest assured, the allure of Jozi’s (as locals call Johannesburg) vibrant culture and wealthy history, highlighted by the hotel’s bespoke activities, will eventually have you ever exploring the wonders beyond the property’s gates. Discover for yourself what makes Four Seasons Hotel, The Westcliff so special.

The property

Nestled on a hill within the affluent Westcliff neighbourhood, the Four Seasons offers a tranquil retreat with stunning views of town’s lush treetops and Johannesburg Zoo (do not be surprised when you hear the occasional roar of a lion while relaxing in your room). The property’s design is a harmonious mix of up to date elegance and African artwork, making a visually stunning and culturally wealthy environment.

The hotel’s sprawling gardens (particularly the jacaranda and rose gardens, that are especially magical when in full bloom), cascading waterfalls, and expertly manicured pathways provide a peaceful escape from the bustling city below. The hotel grounds are so vast that there are staff in every single place, driving around in golf carts and chauffeuring you anywhere on the property. But trust me, one of the best strategy to explore the grounds is to wander around random, paved paths and see what you see next. There are strategically placed lookout points throughout the grounds, some with 240-degree panoramic views of town.

The hotel’s strategic location on a hill (sometimes you get the nice feeling of getting landed in a small, secret mountain village) is ideal to not only offer breathtaking views but in addition easy accessibility to Johannesburg’s primary attractions, making it a perfect base for relaxing and exploring. The hotel is barely 22.5 km from the airport and is joyful to rearrange transport in a luxury vehicle to and from the hotel.

The rooms

The Four Seasons Hotel, The Westcliff features 80 luxurious guest rooms and suites (67 spacious rooms and 12 suites, plus a three-bedroom villa) that reflect a up to date, tranquil decor that showcases a contemporary African aesthetic. Accommodations are thoughtfully spread across nine different buildings, each with two to 4 floors, and every room features either a garden terrace or private balcony. Having your individual private outdoor space is an actual treat, not only due to incredible sunrises you will experience (when you drag yourself out of your insanely comfortable bed in time to see the sun rise over town), but in addition due to remarkable views you will have of tree-covered Jozi. The city is roofed in an estimated 10 million trees and lays claim to having the biggest urban forests on the planet. It’s truly a wide ranging sight.

Each room is fitted with premium linens, including 250 embroidered accent pillows hand-dyed and embroidered by local artisans. Rooms also feature private bars, espresso machines and media centers. The lavish cream and black marble bathrooms feature separate deep soaking tubs and showers. Bathrooms are stocked with fluffy robes, slippers and a variety of premium toiletries from South African fair trade company TheraNaka.

Eat

Culinary excellence is an indicator of Four Seasons Westcliff. The hotel’s Flames restaurant – where you possibly can dine indoors or outdoors with much more remarkable city views – is an ode to South Africa’s love of grilled meats, offering a contemporary tackle African cuisine with seasonally inspired dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. The menu features elevated reinterpretations of regional specialties akin to dry-spiced sea bass or the acclaimed tomahawk rib-eye with herb butter.

To really see what Flames has to supply, try the tasting menu and bask in expertly matched wines due to the talented sommelier. Enjoy incredibly flavoursome and inventive dishes akin to elevated pap and vleis (maize porridge and meat) with rack of lamb and chakalaka, or try the Flames seafood odyssey with prawns and sea bass served with champagne velouté. Finish the meal with a decadent dessert akin to banana fudge cake with Amarula mousse, or bask in a South African cheese selection that showcases the country’s wealthy cheesemaking heritage.

If you need to experience more of the hotel’s culinary delights within the morning, return to Flames for an exceptional breakfast buffet that you’re going to not soon forget. The sumptuous buffet offers an array of local and international delicacies, including freshly baked pastries, artisan breads and a number of charcuterie and cheeses from local suppliers. The buffet also offers a number of hot dishes, including freshly made omelettes, waffles and traditional South African specialties akin to boerewors (sausages) and pap.

activities

Another area where Four Seasons Hotel, The Westcliff excels is its palpable enthusiasm for town during which it’s situated. This enthusiasm has translated right into a series of rigorously curated adventures that reflect the hotel’s real desire to encourage its guests to find Johannesburg. It’s a refreshing approach – a hotel that actively inspires its guests to explore, somewhat than simply offering a secluded retreat where location is secondary.

For this purpose, the hotel has the “Jozi Adventure Guide,” a curated program that provides guests a singular perspective on the underrated city of Johannesburg through a series of immersive experiences centered around art, anthropology, apartheid history and wilderness adventures. From tours of famous museums and art galleries to family-friendly entertainment and visiting anthropological wonders, the Jozi Experiences Guide offers a thoughtful number of tailor-made adventures.

One of probably the most fascinating and insightful tours is actually the half-day – or full-day when you also need to visit more art galleries – guided art experience with the extraordinary artist and storyteller Bongani Mamba (whose company Jozy Triangle offers a wide range of exciting city tours). The tour begins in Victoria Yards, a vibrant cultural center that has transformed a once abandoned industrial site right into a thriving community of artists, designers and creatives. There you’ll visit the studio of the sculptor, painter And Printmaker James Delaney, certainly one of town’s hottest artists. You may additionally be lucky enough to see the Spier Arts Trust in motion as they meet with emerging and experienced African artists to pick their work for inclusion of their prestigious Creative Block Project.

Bongani then leads you to the Maboneng neighbourhood. Known by locals because the creative hub of town, it is known for its street paintings, graffiti art and art dealers from across Southern Africa selling their work. As you walk through this open-air art gallery, Bongani weaves stories about Johannesburg’s art scene and best-known artists, offering a singular perspective on town’s development through the lens of its public art. The tour ends with a stop on the incredible About gallery in Rosebank, one other art centre in town. I dare you to not return to the hotel with two or three pieces of art in tow!

Furnishing

Pampering and leisure are on the forefront of Four Seasons amenities. The hotel’s state-of-the-art spa is a real haven of calm, offering a variety of treatments inspired by ancient African healing traditions. Guests can pick from a wide range of signature treatments, including the Journey Through Africa, which uses wealthy botanical oils and herbs to ease tension, and the Uplifting Journey, which helps combat jet lag and re-energize. (Ask for a massage from Mamsi for an incredible muscle-melting experience.) You may also benefit from the Apres Spa, town’s only outdoor spa lounge

For fitness enthusiasts, the hotel offers a light-filled, state-of-the-art gym where guests can work out day and night. Runners can check out the on-site jogging track. You may also reap the benefits of two pools, a family-friendly pool and an adults-only spa lap pool.

Whether you might be on the lookout for an expensive city escape, a fast, relaxing stopover en path to your next destination, or an opulent base from which to explore Johannesburg’s wealthy culture and history, Four Seasons Hotel Westcliff offers you an unforgettable stay.