Review: We recommend this luxury hotel in Johannesburg

Review: AtholPlace Hotel & Villa, Johannesburg

Where:
90 Pretoria Avenue
Atholl 2196
Johannesburg,
South Africa

AtholPlace is an exceptional luxury hotel in Johannesburg. It is well located, 40 minutes from the international airport and close to Sandton City and Nelson Mandela Square.

Back story:

AtholPlace Hotel & Villa is owned by the Morukuru Family and is the only Relais & Chateaux property in Johannesburg. Morukuru also has boutique safari lodges so you can pair them together for the ultimate escape. The property had a major renovation in 2016 and is perfect as a stopover pre and post-safari. It is so tranquil that you can choose to just stay in its beautiful grounds and chill out.

Rooms and interiors:

AtholPlace feels like a home away from home – like you are visiting your rich relatives. It has five Superior Suites and four Deluxe Suites, all delectably furnished and large enough to feel like a lavish apartment. I am in room 2, and fall in love with its warm, welcoming and exquisite styling. I love the balcony which allows me to enjoy the pretty trees and gardens out by the pool, read my book – borrowed from the library downstairs – in the various designer chairs and adore the bibs and bobs from Africa dotted around the room. The bathroom is huge, with bath, shower, double vanity and underfloor heating, which I love anywhere, in any climate. The reception area is cosy and every staff member is so friendly, their beaming African smiles adding an extra bounce to my step.

Dining:

The restaurant at AtholPlace is as elegant and lovely as the property. It has an open-air terrace section, and stairs that lead out to the garden and pool. You can choose to dine under the trees in the garden or on the heated and covered terrace, should you want to soak up the divine fragrances from the expertly-tended gardens. The lounge area, that is side by side with the restaurant, overlooks a courtyard with a spectacular sculpture at its centre. Called ‘Habitant’, it is by Angus Taylor, and I can guarantee that you end up with many photos of it as it is just so engaging and intriguing. Then there are the gorgeous flowers surrounding it. Before dinner, hang out in the bar and library. It is such a cool space and has a wonderful ambience to it. The bookcases are creaking with good books, the bar staff are wonderful and the hours can easily be frittered away in here. Once you make your way to the restaurant, the menu choices will have you salivating. You don’t have to be a guest to dine here, so if you have friends staying in another property they can join you.

Features:

The property has a decent sized swimming pool and its beautiful garden surrounds make it a lovely place to spend a few hours. And as the hotel is so family friendly, as are all the Morukuru properties, the kids will love it too. You can also have a massage at the property. If you want a really special experience, AtholPlace also has a private villa next door, with four bedrooms. It is perfect for families and can sleep six adults and two children. It has its own large pool. spacious garden and a fire pit boma.

What I loved:

The bar is a feature. Such a great space to relax in. The gardens are glorious, and the pool is big enough to do some laps in should you wish to. I loved everything about it.