Fairlawns Hotel in Johannesburg ~ Ideal Gateway to South Africa

The Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The pull to return to Africa was strong. We had been on an unforgettable trip to Kenya and Tanzania almost four years ago, one that still conjures up a string of enchanting memories every time we see the photos from our trip flip through our TV screen. So when the invitation came to visit South Africa it was irresistible.

Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa ~ Johannesburg, South Africa ~ Imagine a soothing massage in a luxurious tropical spa to welcome you after traveling around the world to South Africa!

Once again, we were charmed by the friendliness of the African people along with the incomparable experience of observing wild animals close up from the security of our vehicle as they roam and forage and care for their young in their glorious and expansive personal domain amidst the awesome beauty of the African landscape. Plus, in addition to the traditional African safari, a tradition that we hope will live forever, South Africa now offers a world-class vino-culture, a vibrant gastronomic food scene, innovative ways to travel featuring luxury overnight train tours, and a host of utterly charming hotels and fascinating walking tours.

Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa ~ Johannesburg, South Africa~ The indoor dining room and open-air terrace overlook the pool and luxuriant landscaping

Our trip began with a direct flight on South African Airways from Washington, D.C. to Johannesburg, continental Africa’s largest metropolitan area and the favorite port of entry for travel to South Africa. After 22 hours of travel door-to-door, with just a one-hour stop in Ghana to refuel, we arrived at our first destination, the Fairlawns Boutique Hotel and Spa. A stunning oasis of calm and beauty just a short 10-minute drive from the hustle and bustle of downtown Johannesburg, the Fairlawns is one of those hotel properties that charms and captivates and truly makes departure such sweet sorrow.

Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa ~ Johannesburg, South Africa ~ The Villa Suites Building

Composed of a grouping of buildings notable for their architecturally splendid blend of French Colonial and English countryside manor with magnificent interiors featuring high ceilings, large airy windows allowing natural daylight to illuminate the rooms, and grand winding staircases, the Fairlawns speaks handsomely of stately luxury.

Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa ~ Johannesburg, South Africa ~ One of the many cabanas ideal for afternoon tea or a romantic candlelight dinner

The abundant gardens creatively landscaped and illuminated and immaculately maintained, with bursts of color everywhere to please the eye, are framed by huge trees that surely were planted at least a century ago in which the very social Hadeda Ibis happily nest and entertain the Fairlawns guests with their charming apine conversations.

Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa ~ Johannesburg, South Africa ~ One of the Courtyard Suites buildings

And then there is the exquisite decor of the public spaces and the recently renovated 40 rooms and suites, each with its own theme and related color scheme, and each responding to the discriminating needs of the well-heeled traveler.

Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa ~ Johannesburg, South Africa ~ The hotel rooms are decorated with a magnificent eclectic touch, each with a wide-screen, high-resolution TV framed like a fine painting

You can truly see how the decorator – and I understand the General Manager lent his impressive eye to the decor – put his heart and soul into collecting the perfect piece for each particular space and selected just the right color tones to pull each room together. I loved how the high resolution TVs were each framed to match the decor of the room and I was simply awestruck by the art throughout the hotel, from the paintings and wall hangings to the sculptures and objets d’art. I so wanted to take home one of those over-sized pillows from the hotel lobby.

Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa ~ Johannesburg, South Africa ~ My favorite suite with its “Ocean” theme … note the painting and the harmony in blue

Fairlawns also features a fine-dining restaurant, with the lovable name of Amuse-Bouche, where the quality of the service and food are as impressive as the Fairlawns decor and gardens. We enjoyed our first meal there inside the restaurant where floor-to-ceiling glass walls allowed us to enjoy the beauty of the pool and gardens.

Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa – Johannesburg, South Africa ~ One of the elegant, spacious, state-of-the-art suites with every creature comfort you can possibly imagine including USB ports & international plug outlets on either side of the bed

The second night we sat outside on the terrace and were occasionally entertained by the Hadedas as we enjoyed our meal by candlelight and looked out upon the expanse of the Fairlawns serene beauty. Our salads reminded me of the gardens — large, lush and tasteful — and our salmon and filet were cooked to perfection and beautifully presented.

Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa ~ Johannesburg, South Africa ~ Outdoor terrace where we enjoyed a romantic candlelight dinner and were serenaded by the Hadedas birds

The spa at the Fairlawns is a mini tropical paradise decorated with wood-carvings from Bali and lush with tropical vegetation. As my husband and I each had our massages by well-trained masseuses in one of the “couples” cabanas and listened to the soothing sounds of the nearby waterfall and the local birds, the tension from our 22-hour trip dissipated. I dozed off for awhile and dreamed of being in Bali …and so it seemed when I woke up.

Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa ~ Johannesburg, South Africa ~ Massage Cabanas in the Balinese Garden of the Spa where we enjoyed a “couples massage”

The Fairlawns offers many special services for its guests, including very attractive romantic dinners for two in one of their many open-air cabanas. Our request for a car and driver who would also serve as our tour guide for visiting Johannesburg was perfectly fulfilled. Our guide listened carefully to what we wanted to see and accomplish and then impressed us with a fascinating tour that we thoroughly enjoyed. In particular we appreciated visiting some of the city’s important historical and cultural sites, such as Constitution Hill, as well as the many areas of the city which have been undergoing a renaissance and now feature a café culture with creative boutiques, wine shops offering tastings, and people of different backgrounds enjoying life together.

Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa ~ Johannesburg, South Africa ~ One of my favorite corners and oh how I longed to take one of those pillows home with me!

The ideal spot to relax and recharge your batteries after a long flight in from abroad, the Fairlawns Boutique Hotel and Spa is more than the gateway into South Africa. It also offers a superb retreat from the 24/7 world in which we live.

Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa ~ Johannesburg, South Africa ~ The ideal spot to recover from jet lag once you arrive in South Africa

Stay tuned to BonVoyageurs.com for our writings about other Countries of the World as we share our joie de vivre from around the world. Luxury escapes, cruises and city breaks to Québec City, New York, Washington, Buenos Aires. In Europe and the Mediterranean, places like Paris and Nice in France, Florence, Rome, Napoli and the Amalfi Coast in Italy, Tel Aviv and Jerusalem in Israel. In Asia, countries like China, India, Nepal and so much more!

Comments

Doreen Pendgracs says

October 10, 2016 at 5:05 pm

I love boutique hotels, and I love destination spas, so the Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa would be right up my alley! Thx so much for sharing.

Anita says

October 10, 2016 at 10:23 pm

What a stunning place! South Africa is inching upwards on my bucket list, and Fairlawns looks like a fabulous place to recover from jet lag before going exploring.

Lyn aka The Travelling Lindfields says

October 11, 2016 at 10:12 am

David and I are in the early stages of planning a return trip to South Africa next year. We visited the Cape earlier this year and just loved it. The Fairlawns is on our short list of possible hotels to stay at in Jo’berg. Thanks for the review.

Irene S. Levine says

October 12, 2016 at 1:44 am

The decor and ambiance of the Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa looks wonderful.

Debbra Dunning Brouillette says

October 13, 2016 at 1:43 am

South Africa is high on my list of destinations I hope to visit in the near future. This hotel looks like an amazing place to recover from the long flights.

Kristin Henning says

October 14, 2016 at 4:22 pm

I’m sold. Can I move in? We do hope to visit South Africa one of these years, soon. What a spectacular jumping off point!

Sue Reddel says

October 15, 2016 at 12:46 am

The Fairlawns looks like a lovely boutique hotel. So many amenities with beautiful styling. I’ll bookmark it for any trip we may be taking to JoBurg. Thanks!

Nathalie says

October 15, 2016 at 3:07 pm

The Fairlawns Boutique Hotel and Spa looks amazing. At first glance I can tell it’s out of our price range but that wouldn’t stop me from trying to use their lobby bathroom 😉

Bola says

October 15, 2016 at 5:19 pm

I’ve not been to South Africa but now I’m aware of where to visit. Love the idea of a Spa and retreat. Great photos.

Marilyn Jones says

October 15, 2016 at 8:10 pm

Such a lovely property!! I certainly understand your longing to get back to Africa. I hope to get to South Africa in 2017 as well.

Patti Morrow says

November 4, 2016 at 7:45 pm

The Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa looks so inviting! I would love a romantic candlelight dinner in that cabana!

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