AtholPlace Hotel & Villa: A Luxurious Urban Retreat
Written by: Renate Engelbrecht
In the heart of Sandton, the recently relaunched AtholPlace Hotel & Villa by Morukuru Family serves as proof that there are still some high-end, secret hideaways amidst the rushed lifestyle Joburgers have become accustomed to. From international visitors en route to a safari and in need of a stopover, to corporate guests and those seeking a luxurious urban retreat, AtholPlace is the ultimate boutique hotel and villa, mere minutes away from Johannesburg’s well-known shopping scene.
The Best of Both Worlds with The Morukuru Family
The Morukuru Family – a member of Relais & Châteaux – boasts a collection of six five-star properties in South Africa. While three of their properties are based in the popular Madikwe Game Reserve in the North West province and two others are based in the famous De Hoop Nature Reserve in the Western Cape, the Joburg-based AtholPlace Hotel & Villa brings the best of both worlds together. Here, class and comfort are intertwined and hidden away just around the corner from Sandton City. While the property had been available only for exclusive use bookings since 2020, the hotel – with its nine beautiful bedrooms – has now been reopened for individual bookings.
AtholPlace Villa remains an option for exclusive use and both these options now come with a stunning new look. Ed Zeeman, Morukuru Family co-owner says: “Guests will enjoy new floors, carpets and furniture, as well as a brighter pop of colour thanks to the fresh wallpaper. Each room also now has a casting system, allowing guests to connect their devices to the television and stream their own content.”
It's all in the Detail at AtholPlace Hotel & Villa
During a recent visit to AtholPlace Hotel & Villa, we were in awe of how well each room and every detail in the public areas around the property had been thought through. The beautiful bar and dining areas lure you in. In fact, we could only imagine the space livening up with guests – champagne flutes in hand – celebrating with those near and dear to them. We were fortunate to have been given a glimpse of the offering during our visit, with a lovely lunch overlooking the property’s garden and pool.
Lobster tail was on the menu and it was elegantly plated and presented by a professional kitchen team, clearly well acquainted with high-quality hospitality. General Manager, Ryno van der Elst offered us a tour of the property, ending off the delightful afternoon with a beautiful dessert in the villa’s airy dining room. The sophisticated villa stands beneath a large Jacaranda tree and its stately façade is complemented by a formal swimming pool. In addition, a lavish lawn invites visions of laidback afternoons and al fresco poolside dining.
The Golden String
There is a golden string of meticulous quality and detail that runs through the property. It brings things full circle in all the various public spaces – from the intimate gym and the cosy library to the well-designed bar and the inviting garden loungers. “We’ve gone to great lengths to ensure our guests have access to everything they could want or need during their stay,” says Zeeman.
You can WIN a two-night stay at AtholPlace Hotel & Villa. Have a look at the competition – which closes on 29 November 2024 – here and be sure to enter!
