Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa

The main house wears its colonial heritage proudly, with sprawling reception rooms that wouldn't look out of place in a period drama. Amuse-Bouche restaurant sports harlequin-patterned tiles and soft chandeliers, spilling onto a terrace where breakfast can mysteriously extend into lunch if you're not careful. The Drawing Room doubles as an art gallery showcasing South African talent, while the Muse Champagne Room proves that yes, sometimes you do need an entire room dedicated to bubbles. Two pools beckon when Joburg's heat kicks in, and the gardens – all mature trees and secret corners – provide enough space to lose yourself (and possibly other guests).

Fairlawns doesn't do cookie-cutter. The 41 suites range from cosy Courtyard numbers to the sprawling Presidential Residence, each pursuing its own design fantasy with impressive commitment. You might find yourself in a French boudoir complete with toile de Jouy, or an Eastern-inspired hideaway dripping in silk. Bathrooms lean towards the palatial – think oval spa baths positioned for garden gazing and enough marble to make a Roman emperor jealous. The Grand Château suites up the ante with separate lounges, while the Villa Suites throw in 84 square metres to play with.

Beyond the obvious draw of the award-winning spa (complete with Swiss shower, whatever that is), Fairlawns keeps things deliberately low-key. There's a complimentary shuttle to Sandton City and Nelson Mandela Square for retail therapy, and the concierge can arrange everything from Soweto tours to Lion Park visits. The real action happens at the spa though – a proper Balinese sanctuary with outdoor treatment salas, a heated spa pool, and enough treatment options to lose a full day. Yoga sessions pop up regularly, and the hotel hosts wine tastings and live jazz that pull in Joburg's well-heeled locals.