johannesburg travel and leisure magazine

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes
• World's Best

Travel + Leisure Readers’ 5 Favorite City Hotels in Africa of 2023

From historic touchpoints to awe-inspiring wildlife, these urban destinations in our “World’s Best Awards” survey in 2023 welcome guests with long-lasting memories.

How Voting Works

What readers loved, the full list.

Once again, Cape Town proves to be Travel + Leisure readers’ favorite destination for urban hotels in Africa. Three of the top five hotels are based in the picturesque Mother City, where the iconic Table Mountain takes center stage, fringed by the Atlantic Ocean.

Every year for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Nearly 165,000 T+L readers completed the 2023 survey, an increase of nearly 25 percent over pre-pandemic voting levels. A total of more than 685,000 votes were cast across over 8,500 unique properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.).

Hotels were classified as either resort hotel, city hotel, or safari lodge based on their location and amenities, and they were specifically rated on the criteria below:

• Rooms/facilities

For each characteristic, respondents could choose a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores are averages of these responses.

Courtesy of Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa

In South Africa’s largest city, Johannesburg, the Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa (No. 3) was described by one reader as an “extraordinary hotel, one of the best I have ever visited,” with “huge, well-appointed rooms and amazing grounds.” Another reader also complimented the beautiful estate, adding that the service was “five-star,” the wine collection “amazing,” and the history “fascinating.” ­­(When the property was still the private home of a wealthy businessman, Nelson Mandela stayed on the second floor and finished his autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom ).

A sense of history appeals to T+L readers. Claiming the top spot this year is Mount Nelson Hotel, a Belmond Hotel,  a pastel pink property within lush grounds in the aptly named Gardens neighborhood of Cape Town. The hotel is one of the oldest in the country, having opened in 1899. “A great classic luxury hotel,” said one reader. Another claimed, “It’s the best hotel in South Africa.”

The only hotel outside South Africa to make the top five is Giraffe Manor (No. 2) in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital. It’s famed for the Rothschild’s giraffes that visit the hotel from the neighboring sanctuary. At breakfast, guests can hand-feed the lofty animals through dining room windows. One reader exclaimed, “Everyone should experience the Giraffe Manor and its giraffes at least once in their lives!”

Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, Cape Town: Cape Town, South Africa

Courtesy of Belmond

This South African grand dame has been a fixture in Cape Town for more than 120 years. One advantage of its large size, which spans 198 rooms and suites, is the hotel's range of facilities — there are two heated outdoor pools in the leafy gardens, a children’s club, a spa, several dining spaces, and plenty of fitness activities, from outdoor yoga and tennis to gym sessions or bootcamp classes.

At Mount Nelson, the high tea is a must.

1. Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, Cape Town : Cape Town, South Africa

Reader Score: 98.32

2. Giraffe Manor : Nairobi, Kenya

Reader Score: 95.92

3. The Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa : Johannesburg, South Africa

Reader Score: 95.76

4. Cape Grace : Cape Town

  WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 95.37

5. The Silo : Cape Town

  Reader Score: 93.88

Related Articles

Best of Johannesburg Made in Johannesburg Things to do Travel

Best of Johannesburg Made in Johannesburg News

Best of Johannesburg

News Weather

Restaurants

Best of Johannesburg Restaurants

Food and Drink Restaurants

Food Food and Drink Restaurants

The 15 Best Places to Visit in Johannesburg

Take a Look a the 15 Best Places to Visit in Johannesburg

1. gold reef city theme park.

Source: Facebook / @Gold Reef City Theme Park

2. Constitution Hill Human Rights Precinct

Source: Facebook / @Constitution Hill Human Rights Precinct

3. Apartheid Museum

Source: Facebook / @Apartheid Museum

4. Johannesburg Zoo

Source: Facebook / @Johannesburg Zoo

5. South African National Museum of Military History

Source: Facebook / @South African National Museum of Military History

6. Mandela’s House

Source: Facebook / @Mandela’s House

7. The Wilds Nature Reserve

Source: Facebook / @ The Wilds Nature Reserve

8. Maboneng Precinct

Source: Facebook / @Maboneng Precinct

9. Johannesburg Botanical Gardens

10. hector pieterson memorial.

Source: Facebook / @Hector Pieterson Memorial

Explore a few More Places to Visit in Johannesburg:

11. the playground market.

Source: Facebook / @The Playground Market

12. Victoria Yards

Source: Facebook / @Victoria Yards

13. Wits Art Museum

Source: Facebook / @Wits Art Museum

14. Sci-Bono Discovery Centre

Source: Facebook / @Sci-Bono Discovery Centre

15. Zoo Lake

The 20 Best Parkhurst Restaurants

The 9 Best Maboneng Restaurants

10 Best Restaurants in Krugersdorp

You may like

Parkmore artists exhibit their crafts

Warmer temperatures in Sandton this week

ANC’s Dada Morero elected as the Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg

Sunny succulents

Get creative with avocado margarita.

Top 5 toxic foods to keep away from your dogs

Safaricom Expands 5G to All 47 Counties

BREAKING NEWS: Johannesburg Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda Resigns

Cisco to Lay Off Thousands Amid Strategic Shift to AI and Cybersecurity

What fuels Diesel to help Alex from Morningside

Eastgate Shopping Centre: Leading the Way with Africa’s Largest Rooftop Solar Installation

GDE Extends Online Admission Applications Deadline to July 21st

Planned Rand Water shutdown to impact Roodepoort customers of Johannesburg Water

Rivonia Parents Express Dissatisfaction With Joburg Water

Gauteng heists drop, but spread nationally

Joburg Utilities Set to Skyrocket in Price – Are You Prepared?

Travel Tuesday: Luxurious Staycation Ideas for Johannesburg Locals

This October, House & Garden SA is finding the best staycation activities across South Africa

By House & Garden South Africa  |  October 11, 2023  |  Travel Leisure

Why do we go on holidays? Perhaps to take a break from the stresses of work, to shift focus from responsibilities to leisure activities, or to explore more of our domestic and international surroundings. But vacations don’t always have to be overseas trips when South Africa has so many locations to reset, unwind, and explore. For the month of October, House & Garden SA will dedicate Travel Tuesday to different staycation cities throughout the different provinces with guides made by locals, for locals.

For the second instalment, we are going to be exploring Johannesburg, the city of gold. Most South African travellers from Gauteng tend to swarm to coastal towns during peak holiday times, but a staycation should be scheduled for those in-between months. While Johannesburg is known for its ‘work hard, party harder’ culture, there are many staycation activities that are steeped in luxury and leisure. You just need to know where to find them. The Cape Town Staycation guide spans different price brackets, Johannesburg is a place that suits those with a taste for the finer things in life.

travel-leisure

Travel tuesday: 4 exciting staycation ideas for locals in cape town, brunch at the luxurious four seasons hotel, westcliff.

Few places in Johannesburg offer unprecedented views, delicious food, and a luxurious escape from the manic energy of the city’s streets. But, if you travel up the cliff of the affluent neighbourhood of Westcliff, you’ll find yourself at the foot of the Four Seasons Hotel, where you can enjoy a divine brunch spread on Sundays. The act of going to brunch in itself can be a hedonistic adventure where champagne-fuelled mimosas are poured, while sweet and savoury flavours collide under the sun. Why not treat yourself and amp up your staycation brunch plans?

Book a romantic picnic in the orange groves

A day trip out to the Hartbeesport area usually includes family-friendly activities like going up the cableway, safaris, and sweet treats overlooking the water. But, the hidden gem of Hartbeesport is Almost Orange , a tapas and wine restaurant where you dine amongst the orange groves in a Tuscan-style villa. Manifest Italian summers with delicious citrus fruits by booking a curated picnic in the blushing orange groves of Almost Orange for yourself and a friend or partner. Leisure activities outside are hard to come by in Johannesburg, and this is a truly unique activity for any staycation itinerary.

Visit the Beautiful Galleries at the Keyes Art Mile

Johannesburg has no shortage of cultural destinations, nor world-class luxurious restaurants. But few come close to the Keyes Art Mile that has made its place known, standing tall on the corner of Jan Smuts in Rosebank. Here’s how to make the most of a trip to Keyes Art Mile : Your first stop should be at the famous Circa Gallery, where the latest works from local artistic talent is on full display. Here, you can also snap pictures throughout the extremely ‘Instagrammable’ corners, ramps, and rooftop garden . After you have nourished your mind with beautiful artworks, take the lift up to Marble for either a drink at their exquisite bar area or sit down for dinner, and enjoy their award-winning meat offerings. To wrap up the night, head down to Pantry by Marble, where you can pick up luxurious desserts, soft serve, or snacks to take home with you.

Related Tags

House & garden recommends, the best coffee spots in south africa to visit on international coffee day, this plettenberg bay hotel has been voted among the best in southern africa, how to curate your house to promote better mental health, you might also like.

Our Ultimate Guide to the Best Areas to Stay in London

In a Lustrous World of Hospitality, Mauritius Remains Top Tier

La Motte Estate announces JAN Franschhoek Season III

Home on the Range: Arrive in Style With the All New Range Rover Sport

A Visit to Cypiro Leopard Lodge is an Elegant Bush Retreat

Get 11 Steps Closer to Your Softest Bedding With These Simple Tips

Visit the Small Town of Riebeek Kasteel for a Weekend of Art, Wine, and Local Food

Top 5 Must-Sees at this year’s Good Life Show in Johannesburg