Steyn City lifestyle resort in the Northern suburbs of Johannesburg will open its new hotel – Steyn City Hotel by Saxon – in October this year.

Previously, Steyn City had primarily served as a residential location catering for permanent homeowners and tenants. However, with the opening of the new hotel – located within the City Centre of Steyn City residential estate – the estate will become a player in the tourism space, giving local and international tourists access to the variety of retail, dining and activities normally found within a residential estate.

The hotel will offer 50 luxury apartments, including a penthouse and presidential suite, all overlooking a 300m lagoon and tree-covered piazzas.

Guests will be able to enjoy world-class leisure facilities such as golf, cycling, trail running, horse-riding, swimming, padel, tennis, and gyms, as well as a selection of eateries from fine dining to authentic Italian cuisine.

Steyn City’s 809ha indigenous parkland, featuring various play nodes for children, is a strong attraction for families.

Furthermore, hotel guests will have access to a cocktail bar, as well as the new Saxon Spa at Steyn City which will launch in early 2025.

Business travellers will be able to experience far more than a general city hotel offers.

The new hotel will cater for a diverse range of guests, including the MICE sector, as it will offer conference facilities and meeting spaces, as well as team-building and networking activities.

Steven Louw, CEO of Steyn City Properties, told Tourism Update: “Additionally, the estate’s comprehensive security measures provide a safe and enjoyable environment for international visitors, allowing them to experience Johannesburg with peace of mind.

“This multifaceted approach ensures that Steyn City is not only a residential haven but also a premier destination for tourists seeking luxury, safety, and exceptional leisure activities in Gauteng.”

He added that the new hotel expanded the estate's reach, offering more people access to its exceptional lifestyle and that it might entice some visitors to eventually make it their dream home.

Smart City

Louw highlighted that Steyn City had been developed as a ‘smart city’ so that once visitors were inside, there was no reason to leave.

“We have included every single feature you would find in a real city, from a variety of accommodation types to key infrastructure (from the Steyn City School to offices at Capital Park and shared workspaces and conference facilities, and road, water, sewer, piped gas, electricity and fibre to the home infrastructure) and a wide range of recreational facilities.

“But, while many consider cities to be fraught and chaotic, our structure – complete with a 2 000-car super basement at the City Centre as well as a network of underpasses – has created an enjoyable, pedestrianised environment, which also makes it easy to navigate. This design also helps to reduce noise pollution, fostering a pleasant community environment,” Louw said.

Special attributes related to Steyn City’s smart city status include its emphasis on governance, economic development, technological support provided through connectivity and extensive security measures.

These encompass vehicle tracking and nerve centres that provide an immediate response to any crisis (whether related to crime, safety issues like fire, or medical emergencies). “In this way, we are leveraging technology to create a safe environment,” Louw said.

‘Untested market’

Louw believes that Steyn City’s incorporation of the new hotel into its lifestyle offerings is an “untested market” for South Africa’s tourism industry.

“While we have the full support of our sister brand, Saxon Hotel, our location and lifestyle are unique. We believe it will be an exploratory journey to determine the needs of our hotel guests, whether for short or long-term stays, business and leisure, and how we bundle our packages and exclusive offerings.

“Additionally, our ability to tap into the MICE sector will be crucial in assessing if our offering fulfils a new demand in the market as well as other viable opportunities including medical tourism.”

Louw added that there were forthcoming developments on the horizon for Steyn City such as various types of residential accommodation for purchase or rental, additional retail offerings, and more wellness and recreational facilities like a basketball court and lawn bowls facility.

“This will enhance our proposition as the premier residential lifestyle estate in Africa and solidify our position among the top ten residential estates in the world,” Louw concluded.