Johannesburg – A luxury hotel built from the former Johannesburg home of billionaire businessman Douw Steyn is making headlines after its Nelson Mandela Platinum Suite was named South Africa’s Leading Hotel Suite for 2026.
The suite at the Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa in Sandhurst was also named Africa’s Leading Hotel Suite by the World Travel Awards.
The World Travel Awards confirms that the Nelson Mandela Platinum Suite won the 2026 South African title, beating suites at properties including Cape Grace, Mount Nelson, The Twelve Apostles and the Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff.
The award is the latest in a long run of recognition for the suite, which has won the South African title every year since 2016.
The property was once the private residence of Steyn, the insurance entrepreneur whose fortune came from businesses including Auto & General and UK-based BGL Group.
Daily Investor reported that Steyn used his Sandhurst home to host business leaders and ANC figures returning from exile.
African décor and a sense of history
Nelson Mandela was among his guests, with Steyn providing the former president with a room during his visits to Johannesburg.
The house was transformed into The Saxon Hotel Villas and Spa in 2000, initially opening as a 26-suite luxury hotel before expanding to its current 53-suite offering.
The hotel says the Nelson Mandela Platinum Suite is “defined by African décor and a sense of history”, having been the room where Mandela edited his autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom.
The approximately 400-square-metre suite includes two bedrooms, a lounge, dining room, office area, butler’s kitchen and 24-hour dedicated butler service. It can accommodate up to four people.
BusinessTech reported that third-party booking platforms list the suite at more than R86,000 a night, although the Saxon does not publish a standard rate for the suite on its own website.
The suite also comes with amenities including a fully stocked minibar, French champagne on arrival, spa access and VIP airport transfers.
The Saxon’s history with Mandela remains central to the suite’s appeal, combining its links to South Africa’s transition to democracy with its current status as one of the country’s most expensive hotel accommodations.
The World Travel Awards also recognised the Saxon as Africa’s Leading Luxury Boutique Hotel for 2026.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
