Which are the best luxury hotels and resorts with executive club lounges in South Africa: Cape Town, Johannesburg (Joburg), Pretoria? Most luxury hotels do not have executive club lounges or concierge floors with rooms offering complimentary food and drink. But there are some good hotels that do offer club lounges in South Africa.
It is worth picking a hotel with an executive club lounge so that you can benefit from all the free food and drink offered up in the lounge, as well as the luxurious rooms, setting, and service offered by these wonderful hotels.
South Africa is located on the southernmost tip of the African continent. You may visit South Africa for a safari in the Kruger National Park, for the beach on the Western Cape or to enjoy fine wines in the Winelands around Stellenbosch and Paarl. The city of Cape Town is the most iconic city in South Africa and sits beneath flat-topped Table Mountain. From here you can watch clouds drift like a waterfall off the top of the mountain.
1. Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff, Johannesburg
Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff in Johannesburg is our favorite hotel in South Africa but, frustratingly, it does not have a club lounge. That said, if you are staying in South Africa, it is worth making a detour just to visit this wonderful Four Seasons hotel.
It is also worth mentioning that, with the exception of the Westin Cape Town, the club lounges in South Africa are fairly dismal and it is not worth selecting a hotel with a club lounge in South Africa as you may well be disappointed. Hence why we place the Four Seasons in the first place. It has many wonderful lounges and is a superb hotel. It just doesn’t have an executive club lounge.
Despite being in the middle of South Africa’s largest city, the Westcliff Hotel sits high up on the rocky Witwatersrand and feels like a chic hillside village, with nine sun-splashed villas woven with courtyards, fountains, and gardens. The Willy Wonka style glass elevator will transport you to the restaurant for dinner and drinks with a view, below, the endless canopy of jacaranda trees will capture your imagination.
The Westcliff is conveniently located just 25 minutes’ drive from the International airport within Park Town – an incredibly leafy area with wide roads, oozing the history of colonial Johannesburg with the wonderful houses designed by Herbert Baker, and villas designed by the top British architects of the late 19th century. The hotel offers 117 guest rooms and suites, featuring cool, contemporary décor inspired by modern Africa.
The hotel feels exclusive: marble flooring, modern crystal chandeliers, plush furniture with plenty but subtle touches of animal print: zebra print armchairs, leopard print rugs, animal print in a variety of colors on feature walls in the bedrooms. The outdoor pool is stunning and the spa and restaurants have a great reputation. There is nowhere better to stay in Johannesburg.
Of course, there is no Four Seasons rewards program, but if you are a regular guest of the Four Seasons or even want to try this iconic brand for the first time, you can take advantage of loyalty style benefits at Four Seasons hotels for no extra cost by booking your next stay via our luxury travel concierge.
2. Westin Cape Town
So what is the best hotel in South Africa with an executive club lounge? The Westin has to be one of the very best. The Westin Cape Town offers exclusive rooms with unique views over the V&A Waterfront, Table Mountain and the whole of Table Bay. It is usually considered the best Marriott Bonvoy hotel in South Africa & Cape Town.
Each of The Westin’s 483 guest rooms and suites are elegantly appointed and boast the latest amenities for guests’ total comfort and rejuvenation. The iconic Heavenly Beds ensure a sound slumber for a restorative and productive stay.
The culinary diversity will also delight with a selection of elegant restaurants and bars on offer from their Thirty7 Showkitchen to the Westin Club with its panoramic views on the 19th floor as well the outdoor Louis B’s Terrace and indoor Raleigh’s Lounge and Bar.
There is an executive club lounge on Floor 19, which offers a full buffet breakfast (630-1030hrs) and waiter-served alcoholic drinks in the evening with canapes.
The Cape Town Marriott Hotel Crystal Towers is another Marriott Bonvoy hotel in Cape Town but it doesn’t have an executive club lounge so Marriott Platinum Elite and Titanium Elite members will not get club lounge access but will get full breakfast in their restaurant.
Equally, 15 On Orange Hotel, Autograph Collection, which is part of Marriott Bonvoy is also located in Cape Town but does not have a club lounge. Neither does the African Pride Arabella Hotel & Spa, Autograph Collection, and the African Pride Mount Grace Country House & Spa, which are both by Marriott.
3. Sheraton Pretoria
The Sheraton Pretoria Hotel offers the second-best club lounge choice in South Africa and the best club lounge choice in Pretoria. It is also super cheap when redeeming Marriott Bonvoy points as this is only a category 2 hotel.
The hotel has 175 modern rooms and suites, all designed to guarantee maximum comfort and hospitality from the moment you arrive. The hotel includes a Health Club with gym and saunas, an outdoor swimming pool, and massage rooms.
The Magnolia Restaurant is open for all-day dining with sumptuous buffets at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. As a light meal alternative, the ever-lively Tiffins Bar & Lounge caters to all tastes and serves an excellent afternoon tea. From the hotel’s Union Terrace you have a splendid view over Pretoria’s famous Union Buildings, the official seat of South Africa’s government.
The club lounge here isn’t great with very little food during Happy Hour. The spirit bottles and red and white wine also tend to empty and are not replenished regularly.
The African Pride Irene Country Lodge, Autograph Collection by Marriott Bonvoy is also in Pretoria but this hotel doesn’t have a club lounge so Sheraton Pretoria is your best pick, even though their lounge is not great.
4. Marriott Melrose Arch
In Johannesburg, African Pride Melrose Arch, Autograph Collection which is part of Marriott Bonvoy does not have a club lounge, but the Marriott Melrose Arch, due to be opening this year (2020), may well have a club lounge, which means this will be the best hotel choice in Johannesburg if you are looking for an executive club lounge. The Four Seasons remains the best choice in Joburg if your budget allows.
Copyright Luxury Travel Diary 2014 - 2024. Duplication outside of luxurytraveldiary.com is forbidden.
Note: Benefits & upgrades subject to availability. Benefits offered correct at the time of writing. Terms & conditions apply. Enquire for more information. Benefits offered correct at the time of writing but may be amended at discretion of the vendor. Posts may be sponsored by the proprietor or brand being appraised. All opinions remain our own & are in no way influenced.
