Johannesburg has an unfair reputation sometimes of being just a concrete jungle, a place of of urban decay and renewal; and a place where the moneyed elite and pretenders go to exchange their souls for higher salaries and faster cars. This couldn’t be further from the truth.
If you spend time to see the city of gold through a particular lens, and immerse yourself in it, none of the above criticisms hold true. Yes, some potholes will swallow your car whole, and you may be brushed off the fast lane if you linger too long, but potholes do not make a bad city, and moving fast between home, work and play is how the people of Joburg go about life. Look a little closer and Joburg is an exuberant, multifaceted, eclectic mix of class and culture, with hidden gems and some of the friendliest residents in South Africa.
Joburg is also one of the greenest cities in Africa. With over 10-million trees, it’s believed to have the largest human-made forest in the world. Not bad for a city that was birthed out of greed and the gold rush, which continues today in the form of banks and multi-national businesses head-quartered in the Sandton business district.
In the middle of the bustling metropolis, though, is an oasis where rejuvenation and tranquility is the currency. The Radisson Blu Sandton is a space created specifically to escape the rat race without being too far removed from the buzz of the city which attracts visitors like a moth to a flame. You could get burnt, but if you respect it, it can be life changing.
The view from the 23rd floor of the Radisson Blu Sandton.
We had the pleasure of staying at the Radisson’s three-bedroom premium suite on the 23rd floor. We looked out on the human-made forest and marvelled at how green everything below us was. Jacarandas dotted the green mass of trees, and Joburg’s skyscrapers punctuated the skyline. Below us at Mushroom Farm park, people picnicked, jogged and did aerobics to while away time in the afternoons.
The views of the city skyline are stunning from every angle.
Collate all the cliches you know about living in a penthouse, and the Radisson Blu Sandton will exceed them all. In this age of social distancing, the 224sqm three-bedroom suite made the perfect nest for the weekend as friends popped by to say hello, and enjoy uninterrupted views of the iconic city skyline.
The Radisson Blu in Sandton caters for all budgets and interests. There are those who would rather hide away at the hotel’s sundeck and outdoor pool area on the 8th floor, and those who would use the hotel as a pit stop while travelling or holding business meetings. The Radisson’s location also makes it central to most world-class attractions in Joburg like the Apartheid Museum and the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory. The main shopping district, Sandton City, is a heartbeat away for those who prefer a bit of retail therapy in these stressful times.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served at Vivace Restaurant on the 13th floor.
Breakfast and dinner at Vivace restaurant will keep you sustained during your stay, and there are also countless excellent food options in the area to choose from. Joburg is after all the land of opportunity and convenience.
The Gautrain station is a walk away, or take advantage of the complimentary shuttle anywhere within a three-kilometre radius of the hotel.
Sandton has become the epicentre of the city of Joburg, and it’s easy to see why. Apart from the serious amount of commercial activity here, it’s easy to escape the city to the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens or the Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve if you need to unwind from the frenetic pace of the city.
There are 302 rooms to choose from at the Radisson in Sandton for business or leisure travel. There is something to be said about the suite life. It is a different level of comfort and luxury.
Stepping into our three-bedroom suite was like no other hotel experience. You forget very easily that this is a hotel, because it feels like home too quickly. (If only my home included a Miele coffee machine, a luxury leather lounge and an enormous dining area).
The kitchen and dining room are spacious.
Three large, en suite bedrooms all kitted out with rain showers and expensive finishes, make settling in so easy to do. Strong wifi and big screen Smart TVs pleased the children to no end – perfect for a bit of escapism if you’d prefer staying indoors and watching the breathtaking Highveld thunder and lightning storms that take place this time of year.
You could sit back and watch Joburg turn from piercing morning light to lunchtime, then pale dusk to night time glamour – all in the comfort of your bed or lounge. When the storm rolled in, it was a fireworks show at no extra cost and the whole family sat glued to the view. I highly recommend this as a safe space to hide away from everything going on outside.
Luxury at it very best. All rooms are en suite.
At R5400 per night, the suite sleeps six adults, making it very affordable for a couples retreat or an extended family getaway.
There are one-bedroom (R3200 per night) and two-bedroom (R4400) options too and you’re guaranteed to get value for money at a time when everyone is watching their pockets very carefully. Experiencing the world-class best of the Radisson Blu is now more affordable than ever – and Joburg’s friendly faces and contemporary character brings it all together.
