Johannesburg Lodging Option: Fairlawns Hotel

Most trips to South Africa involve a night in Johannesburg, the country’s principal air hub. There, I have long recommended the Saxon, a spectacular boutique hotel, formerly a private mansion, set on six acres of grounds in the residential suburb of Sandhurst. (It is also where Nelson Mandela lived while writing his autobiography, “Long Walk to Freedom.”) However, numerous readers have written to ask whether I could suggest a slightly less expensive alternative. On my recent trip, therefore, I booked at Fairlawns, in the nearby suburb of Sandton. Once owned by the Oppenheimer family, Fairlawns was likewise a private home until its conversion into a small hotel in 1998. Surrounded by lawns that sweep down to a lovely pool, the neoclassical villa now offers a total of 39 accommodations, including a three-bedroom Presidential Residence. The rooms are individually decorated, but the overall look is traditional European. Our high-ceilinged suite had a large living room with a Juliet balcony, a working fireplace — Johannesburg gets extremely chilly in winter — and French doors overlooking the lawn. The sizeable bedroom came with ample closets and was augmented by a lovely white marble bath with a separate shower and a soaking tub. Public areas include a library and a stylish restaurant with an international menu and a patio that is equally delightful for breakfast or a relaxing cocktail at the end of the day. A splendid Balinese spa provides Southeast Asian treatments, a private couples’ villa and a fully equipped gymnasium. Throughout our stay, the staff were friendly and attentive. Overall, I recommend this distinguished property without hesitation.