The Westcliff
The Westcliff hotel is a five-star, luxury establishment perched on the rocky ridges of one of Johannesburg’s oldest suburbs. Some of the original houses on the Parktown and Westcliff ridges are heritage sites and are distinguishable by the signature building style of British architect Herbert Baker. These houses were built by the Randlords, who made a fortune out of gold at the turn of the last century and created a flamboyant history for Johannesburg with their lavish entertaining and eccentricities. Close to The Westcliff, Mrs Josie Dale Lace stabled zebra on her property, Northwards, and used them to pull her coach! Today the house remains although the original grounds were expropriated to accommodate the M1 Freeway.
Photo courtesy Orient-Express
It is this freeway and the adjacent zoological gardens you look out over from The Westcliff. The view is spectacular – forest by day and city lights by night – and it is hard to beat in October when thousands of purple Jacaranda trees are in flower. The area had a decadent past and if it is colonial-style luxury you are looking for, then The Westcliff can deliver.
If you are lucky enough to stay at The Westcliff – owned by Orient-Express – you will be accommodated in one of 115 spacious and individually decorated bedrooms with marble en-suite bathrooms that have been carefully positioned to maximise privacy. Due to the hillside setting, most rooms catch the sun and have balconies with glorious views.
It is lovely to wander the grounds and admire the well-tended garden estate. The Westcliff is central to many attractions and the concierge desk can suggest and organise outings to a host of heritage sites, galleries, shopping malls and the central business district or townships.
Returning to the hotel you will be driven in a golf cart up to your room to freshen up before enjoying drinks next to the swimming pool or in the Polo Bar. There you can meet the city’s trendy set who like to pop in for a sundowner and snack en route to their suburban homes. Few restaurants have the view or ambiance of La Belle Terrasse or The Loggis, where fine dining with a South African twist is coupled with great service. The swimming pool sparkles below, the spires of the Mormon temple glitter, the highway calms to a slow rumble, the lions from the zoo roar … all is beautiful and romantic.
The Westcliff is known to locals as THE venue for a fantastic tea. Delicious treats include scones with jam and cream, cakes, sandwiches and tarts. Tea is served Monday to Sunday (09h00 to 12h00 and 15h00 to 17h00) at R165 per person.