Sanctuary Mandela

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Keke Nkgapele

5/5Google· 3 months ago

My stay at Sanctuary Mandela was exceptional from start to finish. The service was warm, attentive, and genuinely heartfelt. Every member of the team went out of their way to make me feel welcome and accommodated. It truly felt like coming home. The food was another highlight, beautifully blending South African flavours with international cuisine in a way that felt both familiar and refined. Every meal was thoughtfully prepared and added to the overall experience. More than just a luxury stay, Sanctuary Mandela offers a sense of peace, history, and hospitality that lingers long after you’ve left. I would gladly return and highly recommend it to anyone looking for an experience that nourishes both the soul and the senses.

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contacthuw

5/5Tripadvisor· 4 months ago

This boutique hotel that was once Nelson Mandela’s home has been renovated to the highest standard, all the staff are amazing, big shout to Sebo (hope I spelt that right) you were the perfect host. We were looked after so well. We ate at the hotel restaurant and did not regret it, exceptional food and service, thank you all for making our time with you memorable and very special.

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Shelagh Hunter

5/5Google· 7 months ago

We spent 3 days in Sanctuary Mandela recently waiting for a delayed flight home. The staff were first class, extremely helpful and pleasant. Nothing was too much trouble. The breakfast was excellent and there was plenty of choice. The room (we were in Nel) was large, bed comfy and bathroom luxurious. The tour around the house was very informative and thought provoking. The art work... amazing. A privilege to stay in and learn more about Nelson Mandela's home.

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Curious traveler

1/5Google· 3 months ago

Great location in the middle of a safe and expensive neighborhood. This was also the place where Mr. Mandela stayed during his presidential years. As tourists who deeply respect Mr. Mandela, we truly enjoyed learning about the hotel's history and exploring the property. The service from the team was exceptionally good, **except for an unfortunate encounter with the **female manager. On our last day, we were spending some time photographing the hotel and briefly took a book from the public lobby rack as a prop. The female manager approached us from behind and asked if we were buying the book, saying that it was not for sale. While that may have been how she phrased it, it was very obvious that she seemed to suspect we were trying to steal it. We were simply borrowing it for a quick photo. On our first day, we had seen other guests borrowing the books, using the props, and browsing around the hotel, so we did not think there was any issue. It was a very sad and unfortunate way to end our trip, especially to feel that we were being treated with suspicion. To make matters worse, the same manager was also vaping in her office, which did not leave a very good impression. Overall, we really appreciated the hotel's history and location, but this encounter unfortunately left a sour taste at the end of an otherwise enjoyable stay.

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Sal M

5/5Google· 3 months ago

A viewing that turned into lunch! Loved the feeling of being in Madiba's old residence, it's filled with photographs and stories. The staff were welcoming, attentive and knowledgeable. The food was great. Highly recommend for special occasions and celebrations.

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Meghan Petersen

5/5Google· 9 months ago

Our stay at Sanctuary Mandela was absolutely amazing. From the moment we arrived, we felt so welcome. The staff were genuinely some of the friendliest people I have ever met and their service was truly exceptional. The hotel itself is stunning, beautifully maintained and always spotless. Breakfast was absolutely delicious every morning, with so much care put into the food. What really stood out was how comfortable and personal the experience felt…it truly felt like home. I would love to return again sometime soon and cannot recommend Sanctuary Mandela highly enough.

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Tendai Chigavazira-Hlokomayo

4/5Google· 3 months ago

While the venue looks decent, the food menu was a letdown. I expected a good variety of African cuisine, but the dish options contained seafood apart from one. I was disappointed to be restricted to just that vegetarian option. The menu definitely needs more balance.

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giseleaC3633XN

5/5Tripadvisor· 7 months ago

Johannesburg from his release in 1990 until 1998, the property is now owned by the Nelson Mandela Foundation. The former residence is now a boutique hotel that features the Insights Restaurant. This restaurant serves traditional South African cuisine utilising native spices and recipes from the cookbook by his personal chef for 22 years, Xoliswa Ndoyiya. The welcoming atmosphere was evident from the initial greeting of "welcome home". Dining in the former residence of Nelson Mandela is a unique experience. Tasting the meals his chef would cook for him at Insights Restaurant in his home is unforgettable. We enjoyed a delicious and beautifully presented dinner. The attentive service throughout the evening was exceptional; a thoughtful touch was the inclusion of sealed white envelopes containing the menu on our tables. After our meal, we were asked if we were ready to start the tour. It was a fantastic journey through Nelson Mandela's life, inviting us to walk in his footsteps. The hotel guide gave us an exceptionally informative commentary. The sanctuary rooms had historic photos, paintings, patriotic decor, and framed handwritten letters. The fireplace and the renowned balcony of the house are preserved to capture the essence of the Mandela residence and to remind us that President Bill Clinton, former US First Lady Michelle Obama, and world leaders were hosted in the house. He kindly showed us one of the hotel rooms that we could stay in. We will book a stay there on our next visit to Johannesburg. We took a taxi from our hotel in Sandton, which took approximately 30 minutes. I would thoroughly recommend visiting this restaurant when staying in Johannesburg.