Sanctuary Mandela

This place is a hidden gem. We booked a one night stopover before heading to Kruger and this hotel was perfect (It’s about 25 mins from the airport). The hotel organised our transfers and everything ran so smoothly from initial communication through to check in. Communication over email was almost instant! Everyone in the hotel met you with an enthusiastic smile. They are passionate about their job and are proud about the heritage of the building they work in. We had lunch, dinner and breakfast and all meals were exceptional, including some local specialties. The knowledge of the bar staff and the service was again, superb. We had a tour of the property where we learned more about the links with Mandela including some unique artefacts and super artwork. The bed was huge and very comfortable and left us feeling refreshed for the next leg of our journey. In summary, I’d book again in an instant next time I pass this way. Thanks to all the staff for a superb stay and for widening our knowledge!

Stayed at Sanctuary Mandala Hotel for one night before going onto our safari lodge as part of a tour. We were supposed to be staying at a different hotel outside of Johannesburg, but it was changed a few weeks before. So glad it was as the hotel was perfect. The hotel is in a quiet residential area about 27 kms from the airport. It should have taken around 30 minutes to get there but took around an hour because of all the traffic through the city. The hotel has 9 individual rooms built around what was Mandala’s home. The place is fascinating as its filled with memorabilia and is dedicated to his life. To add to the history, the staff were friendly and helpful, and the food (lunch, dinner & breakfast) was excellent. Do take the guided tour of the hotel if offered as it’s a fascinating look into the history of apartheid and Mandala’s life. The only disappointment is we spent only one night at the hotel and would have loved to have stayed for at least another night so we could have spent more time looking around and maybe get to use the hotel pool. If you get chance do stay at this hotel.

We were a family of 4 in two rooms at the hotel and we couldn't pass up the opportunity to spend the night at Nelson Mandela's former home. Rooms 1, 2 and 3 are the original bedrooms and rooms 4-9 were added. All guests are offered a tour of the hotel which takes about 30 minutes. No need for a reservation. Just let them know when you arrive when it fits into your schedule. Rooms were amazing with very high ceilings (15 feet..ish) and very large. The entire place felt more like a spa, encouraging reflection. The staff members were phenomenal and very friendly. It is about a block from stop 3 (Nelson Mandela Foundation) on the Hop On, Hop Off bus tour, so that can provide easy access to other points of interest.

On Christmas, my family and I had the chance to dine at Sanctuary Mandela, and it was a memorable experience during our visit to Johannesburg for the holiday. We were initially disappointed to find that the menu had changed, but we were pleasantly surprised by the excellent choices available to us. As it was a holiday, the restaurant was quite empty, which suited us just fine. The staff were incredibly attentive, and their pride in their roles was evident. I particularly enjoyed a perfectly cooked steak, which was not only delicious but also beautifully presented. The drinks were also top-notch. It's worth noting that this restaurant is situated at a former home of Nelson Mandela, which has been transformed into a boutique hotel and restaurant.

We could not have been happier with the total experience at the Sanctuary! The staff became like family the first day of our first of 2 stays there. And now a month later, we're still in awe of them. We loved every minute of our stay. And our only regret is that we had to leave and return home. We miss everything about Sanctuary Mandela - particularly the kindest and most caring staff in the world!

Amazing introduction to Jo-Burg and South Africa. The staff embodies grace, warmth, hospitality and pride in the history of this special place. Was an honor to stay there and to be surrounded by the energy and spirit of such an important historical figure. The meals were outstanding experiences. Even bought the cook book as a special momento-will attempt to bring the experience home with us. Thank you to entire staff for taking such thoughtful care of our family💛