Johannesburg Boutique Hotels

Now one of the 40 largest metropolitan areas in the world, Johannesburg started out as a dusty settlement, which started to grow dramatically as word spread that gold had been discovered in the

Witwatersrand. Now it is the home to a grand-scale diamond and gold trade due to the mineral rich hills.

Johannesburg is also said to be the greenest city in the world, as it has by far the most number of trees within a city centre. Considered a man made urban forest, this city provides all the benefits and conveniences of a world-class city, with garden like surroundings that calm the mad rush, and provide a minute to breath.

Being such a large city, different areas have developed, making Johannesburg a very varied and interesting place. The city is generally divided into the east, north, south and west regions and all possess relatively different personalities. The most prolific of these is the northern area, which has seen a migration of the originally inner city amenities to within its suburbs.

The northern and north western suburbs such as Sandton, Hyde Park, and Sandhurst house the wealthier residents, and the more famous, such as Nelson Mandela. The north western suburbs are particularly lively and vibrant, as it includes Sophiatown and Melville, which offer attractive restaurants and a pulsating night life.

What makes boutique hotels so unique, and worth your stay, is that they combine the grandiose luxury and indulgent facilities, with the personalised service offered by their far smaller size. Very rarely having more than 60 rooms, these 5 star hotels provide a home away from home feel, while still spoiling you with state of the art facilities, glamorous interiors that will take your breath away, and service that is second to none.

Boutique hotels very rarely offer rooms as such. What can better be described as a variety of suites they offer a spacious and refined personal area that caters for the travellers every need. No money is spared in furnishing these suites. From the king size beds draped in fine linen, to the small finishing touches that complete the atmosphere, the rooms are utterly indulgent. And of course, they are equipped with all the state-of-the-art modern necessities of today's world, such as private telephones, fax machines, and wireless internet. And for the entertainment aficionado, iPod docking stations, wide screen TV's and surround sound systems provide the ultimate in home theatre equipment.

The en suite bathrooms are luxuriously appointed, with designer fittings, heated towel rails, and of course only the highest range toiletries available. Often offering Jacuzzi style, or free standing cast iron bath tubs, and double size wet rooms, these bathrooms offer only the ablution bliss.

Of course when visiting South Africa, no traveller can ignore the wonderful weather into which they enter. With Johannesburg being a fair bit milder than its coastal contemporaries, it still is a warmer than average climate, boasting dry sunny days, and magnificent thunder storms in summer which light up the night sky. The Johannesburg boutique hotels take advantage of this, and most of the suites offer bay windows, balconies, or patios onto gorgeous gardens, allowing the traveller to appreciate the outdoor lifestyle of the South Africans.

Although mostly positioned in the heart of the northern and north western suburbs, the Johannesburg boutique hotels offer large landscaped gardens that belie the hotels proximity to the bustling metropolis. These gardens are best appreciated from the heated swimming pools, and well maintained sundecks, where guests can soak up the African sun to their hearts content, whilst sipping on beautifully crafted cocktails.

Although small, these boutique hotels do not fail to provide private gyms with personal trainers and health spas, with the best therapies available. Whether you need to unwind after an all day conference or have taken a vacation merely to find peace and tranquillity, the spa facilities are world class.

And of course one cannot forget the fine dining Johannesburg boutique hotels provide. With pride, the on-site restaurants provide a delectable taste of the best South African cuisine. In tastefully decorated dining rooms, guests can enjoy a wide range of wines, indulge in flavoursome meals, and most of these hotels offer cigar rooms, or after-dinner lounges in which business travellers can momentarily forget about work, and others can wind down after a day in the city or surrounds.

From the moment your complimentary Mercedes Benz airport transfer arrives to collect you, to the moment your head hits the pillow, your experience in one of Johannesburg's boutique hotels is unique, and quite unforgettable. Utter elegance and charm, combined with only the best facilities and unparalleled South African hospitality make these hotels the favoured accommodation for business and pleasure travellers alike.

For exquisite romantic weekends away, the most extravagant simplicity in wedding venues, or an office of the utmost comfort, the needs of every guest are met with a commitment to personal taste and preference. Hosted by one of the most exciting growing cities of the modern world, there is no need to look any further for a luxurious getaway than Johannesburg boutique hotels.