What's Covered in This Article
The Place
Le Châtelat Hotel, Johannesburg.
Converted from a private residence built more than a century ago, the decor of this boutique hotel retains the grandeur of its past life, with all the homeliness you’d expect from a family-owned and run guest house.
Housed in a cream colored, shabby chic French-style building, is indeed a charming base from which to explore Johannesburg.
The Location
Located just a stone throw away from Sandton Convention Center and Nelson Mandela Square, Le Châtelat is a boutique hotel smack bang in the middle of action and has the advantage of being close to some of Johannesburg’s best restaurants and malls as well as public transport.
The Space
The spectacular location isn’t the only thing that will get you through the door.
A magnificent, serene oasis in Sandhurst – north of Johannesburg, this boutique hotel is gorgeous at every turn and packed with small delights that make your heart leap.
Even though Le Châtelat is most likely to appeal to those looking for an excellent events venue in Johannesburg; it has great potential for a weekend getaway.
The entryway
This is the hotel’s centerpiece.
The green of the potted plant on a table at the entryway, against the rich chestnut of a bifurcated staircase; offset the severity of the colors and emphasizes the sturdy deep mahogany and black steel rail scalloping.
The perfectly sculpted marble floor shone in the soft light of the chandelier above, and the symmetry of the stairs threw the whole room into an organized chaos.
The steps rise out of themselves, each one more smooth and perfect than the last.
The entire effect is of an elegant, charming French-style masterpiece, crafted by the most delicate and practiced hands upon the earth.
Elegant and fit for a princess.
Each of the stairs is curved in such a way that every time I climbed them, it felt as if I was about to turn a corner and find a fascinating surprise.
What I did find was something much sweeter than a surprise.
The real draw-card.
The split staircase meet at the top on either side of a balcony with a stellar view of the manicured lawns below.
The floor above house Le Chatelat’s Presidential Suite, 3 Grand Suites and 2 public balconies.
The wrap-around balcony and floor to ceiling windows make it hard to tear yourself away from those views, at any point in time.
Such an amazing site!
Other public spaces
Beyond the numerous balconies, there are lots of open spaces and living rooms with nice venues to linger for a drink, work, enjoy a nice chat, read a great book, or have a meeting and even hold an event!
The marble entryway flows through to three inviting public spaces that draw guests back from day outings: airy dining and living rooms with tiled chessboard floors, a library, a terraced courtyard garden with a pool, and a smaller courtyard garden beyond.
Decorated with ornate Venetian antique furniture, chinoiserie vases and period artwork, Le Chatelat’s public spaces are the most impressive.
The library
A cosy library in a blossoming riot of color radiates an antiquated vibe and is done out in rich woods, warm lighting, red velvet and bronze, with a touch of burnt gold’s and lilacs.
Wall paintings, plenty of glass surfaces and a fully mirrored wall add to the Victorian glitz.
The hotel’s library sprawls onto a shady terrace with a sizable fish pond.
As you walk out towards the courtyard, 6 shelves of neatly lined up books of all manner of genre you can imagine grace the corners at either sides of the door.
The outdoors
The patios and cascading landscaped gardens kitted out with wooden chairs and several quaint nooks and crannies, is a lovely touch, and the perfect spot to enjoy a cold glass of juice while being serenaded by the sound of water from the numerous water features
Take a dip in the small but lovely outdoor swimming pool and then thereafter enjoy a decadent soak in your suites’ tub.
The Room
There are 6 suites configured three ways: 1 presidential suite, 3 grand suites, and 2 courtyard suites.
I’m in one of the courtyard suites with lovely, large, floor to ceiling French steel doors and windows that open to reveal a small beautiful courtyard with a bistro table and 2 chairs and the privacy from which to enjoy them…
Although lacking the level of glamour of the common areas, my suite is a lovely, spotlessly clean, airy, spacious room with a comfortable with an uber comfortable King size bed.
The pillows were fluffy and nice just like I love them.
The suite itself is modern and stylish, with a ceiling fan and easily operated light switches, including, bed side lamps.
Plush white, soft furnishing are complemented by bursts of dove grey on the upholstery and an over-sized mirror with antique frames.
There’s free WiFi in all suites and in public areas, plus satellite TV with full DSTV bouquet.
You also get complimentary tea and coffee making facilities, a large closet, and a sitting area with 2 armchairs.
The wardrobe is generously sized as is the to-die-for bath which, includes big fluffy towels, complimentary toiletries, a rainshower, and a palazzo tub overlooking the private courtyard.
Giving y’all a tour of my suite is the first order of business, closely followed by soaking in those views from the bath tub.
The food
While Le Chatelat does not have an onsite restaurant, I can vouch for the hotel’s delicious continental breakfast which is included in the room rate; and is served from 7:00 am to 11 am in either the compact but light-filled breakfast room or at the patio.
Early departures are also catered for as long as you inform the host in advance.
The main breakfast table heaves with an assorted fresh fruit platter fruit, pastries and bread, and pots of freshly cut flowers. On a side table at the other end of the dining table you will find assorted cereals, yogurt, condiments, and fruit juice among other things.
Eggs, sausages, bacon, decent tea and coffee are also served on order.
Getting Out
Being at the edge of the city, there is plenty to do within walking distance.
If you need to get your bearings, just ask Trip Advisor or Google, hat are the favorite local must-dos in Johannesburg, from day trips, to Soweto Apartheid Tours, to Kruger National Park Safaris, to independent art galleries, name it.
Big-name attractions such as the Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton City Shopping Center, Monte Casion Bird Park, and the Croc City Crocodile and Reptile Park, are also within walking distance. Some of the darlings of the Johannesburg food scene, including the Butchers Grill, are steps away from the hotel.
Leave time for an afternoon nap, because Sandton city really comes alive after dark.
If you have extra days in South Africa, you could also consider a safari aboard Rovos Rail, the worlds most luxurious train.
I stayed here the night before my Rovos Durban Safari and having left at about 7:30 am, it took us about 45 minutes from Johannesburg to Pretoria where the Rovos station.
Click here to read all about my Rovos Rail experience!
The Verdict
Chary and tranquil, Le Chatelat Hotel is a comfortable, luxurious space in which to unwind in between stints exploring Johannesburg or to hold a special event.
The facility is helping to revolutionize how we experience hotels.
By offering the best of both worlds, guests are spoiled for choice on whether to spend time holed up in their comfortable grand suites or in the beautifully designed, lux public spaces.
Guests also get complimentary access to the space for events such as photo shoot venue in Johannesburg, hotel wedding venues in Johannesburg, luxury accommodation in Gauteng, bachelorette party venue in Johannesburg, Residential hotels in Johannesburg, baby shower venue in Johannesburg, etc.
It’s such a clever concept!
Essentials
60 Cleveland Road, Sandhurst, Sandton, Johannesburg.
The Junior suite starts from KES 11,900 ($118) per night, the Grand Suite from KES 14,060 ($140) a night, and the presidential suite will set you back KES 36,000 ($360) breakfast included.
Book your stay at Le Châtelat here!
Highlights
The modern and sophisticated décor make Le Châtelat an Instagrammer’s paradise.
The public spaces, especially the living rooms, are impressive as is the excellent hospitality of Solomon.
Lowlights
The internet was veeeerrrrryyyy slooooooowwwwww.
I was here when 2 separate wedding photo shoots were taking place, and some of the participants kept displacing us some politely, others outright rudely…
Image Credit for top photo and room photo.
