The Best Spa Hotel in Johannesburg: A Stay at the Four Seasons Westcliff

Johannesburg might not be the first place that comes to mind for an old-world luxury hotel stay, but for those in the know, the Westcliff is iconic.

I think of it as Johannesburg’s answer to the Mount Nelson in Cape Town: historic, pink, and quietly luxurious, the Westcliff is easily the best spa hotel in Johannesburg.

A lot of the luxury hotels in Johannesburg (Joburg or Jozi to locals) are quite flashy, but the Westcliff is nothing like that – it is more elegance, history, and charm than shiny, champagne-popping energy.

Think calm terraces, jacaranda trees, and a hotel set high on the ridge above the city, which feels a world away from Joburg’s chaos.

We recently stayed at the Westcliff as a little anniversary treat on a short layover in Joburg, and even though it wasn’t our first stay (we first stayed after we got engaged), it was absolutely perfect.

Between the spa, the food, and the views (including elephant spotting over breakfast!), it reminded me why the Westcliff has such a loyal following, even among Joburg locals. Here’s my full review of the Westcliff, including why I think it’s the best spa hotel in Johannesburg for a little luxury, a lot of calm, or just a lovely overnight stay on your way to the bush.

Why We Chose the Westcliff

Our first trip to the Westcliff, with our puppy, Riley

During the time we lived in Joburg, we had been to the Westcliff a few times, for breakfast at the deli (which no longer seems to exist) as well as for afternoon tea years before.

But the real reason that the Westcliff has a special place in my heart is because my husband and I stayed there after we got engaged. The absolute best part was that they let us bring our dog, Riley, with us.

Not all dogs are allowed to stay at the Westcliff, and my husband, who planned our first stay as a surprise, had to send a photo of Riley in advance and confirm her height and weight (too cute). She was a tiny two-month-old puppy at the time, and the staff were absolutely delighted to see her when we checked in.

Riley had three important firsts at the Westcliff, which I will never forget: her first hotel stay, her first trip in a golf cart, and… her first ever bark! While we were hanging out at the swimming pool, Riley spotted a hadeda (Joburg’s most annoying bird – imagine a goose crossed with a car alarm) and barked for the first time ever.

With all of that life history, it’s no wonder we picked the Westcliff for our anniversary stay.

Arrival and First Impressions

I remember before our first stay, I’d never stayed anywhere as luxurious as the Westcliff before. We arrived very casually dressed, having come straight from the park with Riley, but also excited and breathless, since we had just gotten engaged.

Despite the luxury, the staff at the Westcliff were lovely and welcoming – the vibe wasn’t stuffy at all. In addition to fussing over Riley, they knew we’d just gotten engaged and were incredibly congratulatory and seemed genuinely happy to be sharing in our excitement (and there was a lot of complimentary Champagne).

That’s one of my favourite things about the Westcliff – although it’s a five-star hotel, it isn’t formal or intimidating. The staff are warm and approachable, and they go out of their way to make everything seem easy.

This visit was similar – the staff were professional, but still friendly and welcoming, and congratulated us on our anniversary, before whisking us off to our room on a golf cart.

The terraced buildings at the Westcliff

The hotel is set very high on the ridge in Joburg, and is made up of a cluster of little villas, rather than being a single building. The villas are connected by terraces, paths, and gardens, which gives the Westcliff the feel of a village tucked into the trees.

Rooms

A rose petal turndown, and views from our balcony at the Westcliff

The rooms at the Westcliff have the kind of traditional luxury you would expect – decorated in a classic style, with a big bathroom, marble accents, and double sinks (because nothing ruins a holiday like sharing a sink with your S/O).

Also, am I beyond obsessed with the Four Seasons pillows – I have never slept on such delicious, cloud-like creations anywhere else. I’ve actually tried to buy them, but they’re too long for a London flat-sized bed.

The rooms are also beautifully and thoughtfully decorated, in keeping with the historical vibe. There was a set of four portraits of Nelson Mandela in our room, but one of my favourite things was the decor in the bathroom, where there was a set of old cartoons from the Rand Daily Mail.

The art in our room

I was so delighted to see those, and it oddly made me quite nostalgic for the time that I lived in Joburg. Joburg is often outshone by other South African cities, but it has so much important history, and I love that the Westcliff reminds its guests about that.

Treats and more treats

They also put a lot of effort into the little touches. When we first arrived in our room, they’d left us some anniversary treats. Also, when we got back after dinner, they’d done a special rose petal turndown and left even more treats.

Dining

Room service lunch

We had a quick room service lunch after we checked in, which was great. The food was simple (burgers, pasta, salads, and sandwiches), but done well.

What made it special was the presentation – the waiter put a lot of effort into setting up the table on our balcony for us, with a tablecloth and an ice bucket.

Also, I’m a total sucker for those old-school silver food domes, which remind you that you’re in a luxury hotel (like Riley, I am always excited when my food arrives, and the dome adds to the dramatic anticipation…).

Dinner at Flames

Flames is the main restaurant at the Westcliff, and what is really special about it is the views. You take a glass lift up four storeys to the terrace restaurant, which has panoramic views of the City of Gold (Joburg’s nickname, thanks to its gold mining history).

A lot of people don’t know this, but Joburg is the world’s largest man-made forest. It can be difficult to believe when you’re driving through it, but you really see how green it is from the Westcliff.

Flames is a grill, and the menu is focused on high-quality, ethically sourced South African food. It is quite meaty, but there are options for vegetarians and vegans, including a dedicated vegan menu. I had a very delicious fillet (there is nothing like a South African steak), but there was also pasta, salad, and fish.

The wine list is extensive – it is mostly South African, but there are some international wines as well. I always appreciate when restaurants have really good by-the-glass options (I’m far too vintage myself these days to polish off even half a bottle at dinner…), and Flames does – try the Eagle’s Nest shiraz, and thank me later.

As we were finishing dinner, we watched a thunderstorm roll in – a perfectly Joburg end to the night.

Breakfast at Flames

Breakfast is served at Flames as well. This may be a controversial opinion, but I think the views here are better in the morning than at night – you can see the whole of Joburg.

The hotel is relatively close to Zoo Lake, which means you can just make out the zoo above the trees – we actually spotted an elephant while we were having breakfast!

IMHO, the breakfast at the Westcliff is outstanding. It is a buffet, and I am pretty fussy about buffets, but this one is fabulous – everything is fresh, the eggs are made to order (there’s nothing worse than pre-cooked buffet eggs), and there is a massive variety of food.

We were offered mimosas and coffee as soon as we sat down (yes please), and there was a choice of hot breakfast made to order. The buffet section inside was beautiful, and very extensive – think crepes, waffles, cheese, charcuterie, pastries, fruit, cereal, nuts, and preserves.

If you happen to be there on a Sunday (we weren’t this time), the Sunday brunch at the Westcliff is phenomenal, and is worth doing even if you aren’t staying at the hotel.

In addition to the usual breakfast suspects, Sunday brunch includes oysters, sushi, salads, and a braai counter (South Africa’s word for a BBQ, but appropriately Westcliff-bougie), as well as dessert – honestly, you could stay all afternoon (and you should).

The Spa and Pools

Finally, my favourite part! The first time we’d stayed at the Westcliff, the spa had been fully booked, so I was so excited to go this time (make sure you book your treatment in advance) – the spa is now firmly one of the reasons I love the Westcliff.

The spa is slick and modern, and has a very upmarket feel. We had booked a couple’s treatment which started with a milk bath, chocolate truffles, and a glass of Méthode Cap Classique (sparkling South African wine, made in the traditional Champagne method).

After that indulgent start, we had a very decadent 90-minute aromatherapy massage (during which, obvs, I fell asleep – I hope my therapist took this as a compliment). If you’re recovering from a long flight or about to get onto one, an afternoon at the Westcliff spa is a must.

After our treatment, we had a swim in the lap pool, and then a bit of time in the eucalyptus steam room. There is a spa buffet as well, and the staff surprised us with yet another anniversary dessert, which felt very thoughtful.

If the weather is good, you should hang out at the Aprés-Spa lounge after your treatment. There are loungers and pergolas in a garden on the roof of the spa, which overlooks Joburg’s tree-filled suburbs. You can order lunch and drinks, and generally have a very indulgent afternoon.

As an alternative, there is also a bigger outdoor pool (aka Riley’s-First-Bark-Pool) at the front of the property, which also has a bar.

So, is the Westcliff worth it?

In a word, yes!

Even for a single night in Joburg, before or after a safari, the Westcliff is a great option.

The vibe is historical, upmarket, tranquil, and homely – a bit like staying at the home of a Randlord (the mining magnates who made their fortunes in Joburg’s goldrush), but with better pillows. That said, if you prefer more modern architecture, it may not suit your vibe.

Everyone you encounter, including maintenance staff, greets you very warmly. The small details, like greeting our puppy and knowing what we were celebrating, made our stay feel very personal, and that is why we will keep going back.

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