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The former family home of late South African billionaire Douw Steyn has been named Africa’s leading luxury boutique hotel. The award adds to a run of honors for the Johannesburg property he turned into a hotel more than 25 years ago.
The Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa in Sandhurst holds the title of Africa’s Leading Luxury Boutique Hotel for 2026, Daily Investor reported on Oct. 23. Its Nelson Mandela Platinum Suite was also named Africa’s Leading Hotel Suite.
The hotel was named the World’s Leading Boutique Hotel at the World Travel Awards in 2025. Its Qunu restaurant received one star at the 2026 EatOut Awards and was named Best African Restaurant at the Luxe Awards.
Steyn converted the family home into a hotel in May 2000. The house carries a rare place in South African history. Nelson Mandela stayed there after his release from prison in 1990 and wrote his autobiography, “Long Walk to Freedom,” at the property.
The Saxon sits on 10 acres and has 53 suites spread across the main building and three private villas. The Nelson Mandela Platinum Suite covers 400 square meters and sleeps up to four guests.
Rates reflect the hotel’s position at the top of the market. A one-night stay in the Mandela suite from Nov. 19 to Nov. 20 costs about R95,000, including breakfast and taxes, according to rates listed on a booking platform. Presidential suites cost about R33,000 a night, while standard luxury suites go for about R15,300.
The hotel is one of the most visible parts of the empire Steyn built. He built his fortune in insurance and later expanded into hospitality and property, bringing the same focus on premium service to each of his businesses.
His other landmark project is Steyn City, a private residential estate north of Johannesburg. Together with the Saxon, it forms the property side of a fortune that began with insurance.
Steyn died in February 2025 at the age of 72. The Saxon has kept adding to its international reputation since then, with the 2026 awards following its global title in 2025.
The latest recognition places the hotel among the most celebrated luxury properties on the continent, more than two decades after Steyn opened the doors of his family home to paying guests.
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