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Relaxation & glamor in a tropical oasis
We recovered from our long flight to Johannesburg at this secluded and romantic, luxury 5-star boutique hotel. It is part of the Morukuru Family and the Relais & Châteaux group. This sublime retreat is situated in one of the most beautiful areas of Johannesburg, the quiet and popular suburb, Atholl in Sandton.
Whether you are staying in one the nine suites, in the AtholPlace Villa with four bedrooms, or unwinding at the pool, it is the perfect place to relax before or after a safari holiday and enjoy gourmet cuisine at the in-house restaurant.
A particular highlight of this chic city hotel is the gourmet cuisine and personal service. Gloria, at reception, welcomed us so warmly that we immediately felt right at home.
In the comfortable library with an open fireplace, you can relax upon arrival, while enjoying a delicious cup of coffee.
The lounge, the library, the bar, and the restaurant are all modern and tastefully decorated in bright, neutral, and warm colors. The open plan design allows you to relish the fresh air while admiring the incredible landscape and the beautifully designed garden.
Since its renovation in 2013, AtholPlace has been completely off the grid, and relies on environmentally friendly energy and renewable electricity, thanks to the installation of solar panels.
“Dear Mrs. De Caro, we are very pleased to announce that you won the Relais & Châteaux photo contest Delicious Journeys, in the category Travel.” – Philippe Gombert, President of Relais & Châteaux (photo below)
The large garden with its heated pool under palm trees is the ideal spot to relax and unwind.
Suites
The Superior Suites in the main building are spacious, comprising 52 square meters. They are stylishly furnished in neutral and natural tones with modern furniture, African artworks, and loving attention to detail.
All suites have balconies, and most of them offer a view of the garden and pool.
You can prepare yourself a delicious cup of coffee or tea, and the mini bar is lavishly stocked.
The bathroom is spacious with double vanity, a shower, and a bathtub.
The Deluxe Suites, 45 square meters in size are located separately in another building in the garden. The AtholPlace Villa is located directly next door to the hotel and can accommodate up to eight people.
Delicious Journeys
In one of the most popular restaurants in the city, delicious dishes with local and international flavors are served in a colorful, stylish atmosphere.
You can dine in the restaurant, on the open covered terrace or in the garden with great views overlooking the pool and the magnificent palm tree landscape.
Breakfast
Enjoying breakfast out in the open overlooking the pool is really great!
The selection of dishes is diverse and very delicious with fresh fruit, freshly squeezed juice, cereals, pancakes, and egg dishes made to order.
Dinner
In the evening you can enjoy some of the best South African cuisine on offer in a romantic ambiance.
The á la carte dinner menu, consisting of a choice of three starters, four main courses, and a few decadent desserts, changes regularly.
Chef Willy Malherbe spoils his guests with fresh ingredients from local suppliers, of which almost a third are organic. Thanks to sustainable fishing practices, nearly half of the fish products are certified by various labels.
Bar
The stylish bar is perfect for an aperitif or an after-dinner drink.
Wellness
The hotel doesn’t have its own spa. But you can order a variety of beauty and wellness treatments, and enjoy it in the privacy of your suite. Superb and so relaxing!
Animal welfare
Together with the Goodwill Foundation, AtholPlace is involved in different initiatives from ecological and social development to the prevention of poaching in natural parks.
Honeymoon
Honeymoon Special
- Upgrade to a Superior Suite (depending on availability) when booking a Deluxe Suite
- Romantic dinner for two
Tips
Shopping
Rosebank Art and Craft Market – South African arts and crafts from all over Africa
Rosebank Shopping Centre – famous shopping mall in Johannesburg
Rosebank Sunday Market – arts and crafts by local artists
Nelson Mandela Square– popular shopping center with cafes, restaurants and a statue of the infamous Nelson Mandela
Melrose Arch – international, high street, open-air fashion experience with a 100 of the best retailers in the country
Sandton City – largest shopping mall in Joburg and one of the largest in Africa
Hyde Park Corner – upscale, high-end mall with countless luxury brands
Conclusion
AtholPlace is a tropical sanctuary in the middle of a city with more than a million inhabitants. It is the ideal place to relax and unwind and enjoy excellent food. The ambiance is relaxed, and it has an understated elegance with splendid views of the surrounding greenery! The suites are beautifully furnished and cozy. It is absolutely awesome for a stopover or a city trip. The location is superb, and the staff warm-hearted and very accommodating. We felt very much at home here!
Room: 5 Superior Suites (52 square meters), 4 Deluxe Suites (45 square meters) and The AtholPlace Villa (650 square meters)
Transfer: About a 30-40 minute drive from O.R. Tambo International Airport (30 km) or a 15-minute ride with the Gautrain Metro to Sandton Station
Air Temperature: Summer 10-35 °C. Winter 4-22 °C.
Best Travel Time: All year round: April and May, as well as September, October, and November, are the most pleasant. The subtropical highland climate typically has hot summer days with thunderstorms in the afternoon and cool evenings (October until April), and dry and sunny winter days with colder nights (May to September).
Flight duration: Nonstop from Frankfurt to Johannesburg in about 11 hours.
Time difference: None
Price: From 275 EUR per night, including breakfast in a Deluxe Suite.
Mini-bar: All beverages are included.
Special features: Quiet sanctuary in a beautiful area, stunning suites, nice pool, delicious gourmet cuisine
Activities: Massage treatments in the comfort of your own suite (performed by an outside company), some of the best shopping and cultural attractions nearby.
Special offers: Family offer: 40% off the second Deluxe Suite when booking two Deluxe Suites for a family with 2 adults and a maximum of 3 children under the age of 12. Day package: Use of a Deluxe Suite between 12:00 and 20:00. Airport transfer to and from O.R. Tambo International Airport and lunch or dinner in the restaurant (without drinks) and use of the hotel facilities, maximum 4 guests per suite, package cost : ZAR 7,300 (about 430 EUR for 2 guests, surcharge for lunch or dinner for maximum 2 additional guests: ZAR 600 per person.
Perfect for: Couples, families, gourmets, and friends
AtholPlace Hotel & Villa *****
90 Pretoria Avenue, 2196 Atholl
Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa
Telephone Number: +27 11 783 7553
E-mail: frontoffice@atholplace.com
Restaurant: eat@atholplace.com
www.atholplace.com
Relais & Châteaux
Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Award – 2018
Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award – 2018
Morukuru
AtholPlace Hotel & Villa is part of the Morukuru Family – a collection of exclusive houses in the Madikwe Game Reserve and in the De Hoop Nature Reserve.
www.morukuru.com
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Please note: AtholPlace Hotel & Villa sponsored our stay. Thank you! Nevertheless, the opinions expressed in this article are 100% our own.
Monique De Caro
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