The luxurious Westcliff, built in the style
of a Mediterranean village and located in the peaceful Johannesburg residential
suburb of Westcliff is one of the many exclusive hotels in the collection of
Orient-Express Hotels.
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On a Clear Day
Standing on the patio of our luxury suite overlooking the city after we had checked
into the Westcliff one Saturday afternoon, I was reminded of the song "On a Clear day
you can see forever" - blue skies, a carpet of purple Jacaranda trees and the well
wooded Johannesburg Zoo - as well as glimpses of the Magaliesberg mountains in the
distance - a perfectly stunning view!
Not your every day 5-star hotel
What makes the Westcliff so unique is that it was not an existing hotel and actually
never intended to be one either. The property was at one stage owned by a developer
in the early 90s, who built eight exclusive and very expensive cluster apartments
just prior to the 1994 elections. Because of the market's uncertainty, the properties
battled to sell. The Orient-Express group then bought the development and transformed
the existing clusters into the hotel as it now stands, with the Jacaranda Hill Conference
Centre and ballroom completed in 2003.
However, it is with due respect to its general manager Mark Holden, who has been
there since its inception and who has so successfully marketed the hotel - that the Westcliff
now exists as one of the top venues in the country.
A feel of Tuscany
One of the Westcliff's unique features is the Tuscan village style layout comprising 9
different units with no central lobby - charming cobbled pathways, fountains and sculpted gardens.
The hotel is located in one of Johannesburg's historical suburbs, Westcliff, and the owners of the
Orient-Express group have paid tribute to this fact by naming each of the nine units and a number
of the hotel's function rooms after old homes belonging to famous Rand lords from the era of the
discovery of gold - the most prominent being the architect Sir Herbert Baker after which one of
the suites is named. There is also the Sir Edwin Luytens Room - designer of the War Memorial
situated at the Johannesburg Zoo and clearly visible from the Westcliff.
Capitalising on its location and stunning views, the Westcliff takes pride in offering a splendid
High Tea throughout the week. We enjoyed our High Tea in the Conservatory - and marvelled - yet again,
at the spectacular view - this time taken from the overhanging pool perspective. High Tea at the
Westcliff is a very fine and tasteful affair - with small pastries and sandwiches served on an
Edwardian tier and pastry stand - accompanied by an assortment of teas, and coffee.
A wonderful way to work off a little of the over indulgence is to do the Westcliff steps situated at
the back of the hotel and accessed via the top gate. Take special note of two fine examples of homes
that architect Sir Herbert Baker designed, one being Hope Home (situated next to the Westcliff) and
Glenshiels, situated in the a magnificent five acre garden setting on the corner of Pallinghurst
and Woolston Roads.
Fine Dining at the Westcliff
Dining at La Belle Terrasse or the Loggia is pure culinary delight. I believe I can pride myself in
being able to say that I have dined out many times at numerous and fine restaurants and hotels around
the world - but I have yet still to compare the magnificent meal that chef Stefano Strafella prepared
for us that evening.
Undoubtedly one of the most picturesque and romantic locations in Gauteng - dining at the Westcliff is
the perfect venue to celebrate a special occasion - whatever it may be.
Celebrities visiting the Westcliff
US singer Dionne Warwick (whom I had the pleasure of meeting on her last visit to South Africa) smiled
at me when I asked her where she was staying during her tour to South Africa and she promptly replied:
"Is there anywhere else to stay but at the Westcliff"?
The likes of super group U2; Sir Peter Ustinov; Dame Margaret Thatcher; Ted Turner and Jane Fonda;
David Copperfield and our own Sir Anthony Sher and recently Brad Pitt have also graced the rooms at the
Westcliff. I really do believe there must be something for everyone to enjoy on a visit to the Westcliff - whether
it be for the first time or for visiting again and again!
NB. We took an interesting afternoon tour with the Parktown and Westcliff Heritage Trust - on a golden discovery
bus tour following the story of gold from the day gold digger George Harrison (and no, he's not the former
Beatle either) stumbled across the reef through to the raucous and rowdy times when canteens and pubs dominated the
town - to the sobering period when the high cost of deep level mining put the financiers in power. Cyanide tanks, mine
dumps, and headgear - are the features that put Johannesburg on the map of the world!
The tour departed from the Sunnyside Park Hotel - also a legendary hotel, which a couple of years ago celebrated its
centenary - and the tour lasted about two hours. It was fascinating and well worth the journey. Their programmes change weekly.
To book at this establishment, click here.
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