A luxurious getaway in the city: My night at Johannesburg's SEVEN Villa Hotel and Spa

• The SEVEN Villa Hotel and Spa in Sandton, Johannesburg, offers guests the chance to escape the hustle and bustle of the city without leaving town.
• In 2019, the establishment underwent a R22-million refurbishment, transforming it into the boutique hotel it is today.
• I was hosted as part of the Perfect Spoil package, which included a one-night stay at their popular Jacuzzi Villa suite, a full-body massage at the on-site spa, and a 2-course dinner.

I grew up in the city, so when I think about the perfect getaway, it usually involves something far from the hustle and bustle of Joburg life. For this reason, I was filled with delight when I walked into suite 308 at the SEVEN Villa Hotel and Spa in Sandton.

While in the heart of a busy city, my room, which came equipped with a private hot tub, was fenced off by a cluster of trees, disturbed only by a little stream woven in between them. Nothing beats the sound of birds chirping outside your bedroom door while water trickles by slowly. Except, of course, the buzz of Joburg traffic.

It was only the odd car driving by or the distorted figure of a person in the distance that would pull me back to reality every once in a while. That said, the mini forest before me did a great job of keeping my getaway private. And when night fell, I was fully immersed in the fantasy of a luxury villa out in the woodlands.

About the establishment

The SEVEN Villa Hotel & Spa was purchased as a distressed property from Richard Moloko. The hotel was previously known as The Capital Moloko. In 2019, it underwent a R22-million investment refurbishment, transforming it into the modern boutique hotel it is today. After the makeover, the place was renamed The IVY Villa Hotel and Spa, but in 2020, due to trademark issues with another establishment of the same name, the hotel was rebranded to SEVEN.

As part of the refurbishments, most of the rooms underwent a transformation, taking on a more modern feel. The most popular of those villas is the Jacuzzi Villa on the ground floor, which I was hosted in.

The Swimming pool at the SEVEN Villa Hotel and Spa

The room

The colour palette for the hotel is simple black and white, with sleek, modern finishings. The Jacuzzi Villa keeps to the same theme. It's a spacious suite with ample storage for a long stay. The room includes a TV, with access to all popular streaming services, a small lounge area, and beautiful deck where you will find the hot tub.

But the star of the show is, without a doubt, the bathroom. A clear glass panel allows you to see the stunning, bold, white tub right from anywhere in the suite. And if you're not the bathtub type, there's a massive walk-in shower, too. The lighting and setup are meant to evoke the feeling of luxury and comfort - and it works.

My one complaint - when you're in a space that pristine, the smallest flaw stands out. For me, it was the carpet that distracted from the expensive feel of the unit. With everything else clean and in tip-top shape, the well-used carpet underneath the bed could have probably used a tiny revamp.  

The Jacuzzi Villa suite.

The spa

A walk through a little garden later that evening took us to the doorstep of the Camelot Spa. There, we were met by a friendly team who offered us a cup of their relaxing "tranquilitea" - a light herbal tea which we sipped on ahead of our treatment.

The one-hour massage was incredible. This included a 15-minute head and shoulder massage, a 15-minute foot massage, and a 30-minute back massage.

The food

Before the massages, we were treated to canapes and drinks served poolside. A selection of bruschetta, one topped with salmon and another with seared beef, left my mouth watering and eagerly anticipating dinner. Our third canape was a shrimp shooter with a grilled prawn. I usually steer clear of shellfish but decided to give it a try, and I'm glad I did - it was delicious. 

For our drink, a restaurant staff member mixed a cocktail of Cointreau and tonic.

Later that evening, my dinner was pork belly with crispy crackling, which I wolfed down. My guest, on the other hand, struggled with her meal of stuffed chicken breast, which was slightly on the dry side.

While the food had its downfalls, the bright spot was the young chef who made his way to our table, asking for feedback. He spoke passionately about his interest in food gastronomy and his hopes that the establishment would soon allow him to breathe some fresh air into the menu and play around with new dishes. I'd happily go back to see where his creativity and ambition lead the team.

With breakfast, I was not expecting much - I have yet to come across a local hotel breakfast that has knocked me off my feet. But I should add that I was surprised at the prices on the menu as I've had similar options at chain restaurants for much cheaper.

Canapes served poolside.

Would I go back?

I was hosted as part of the Perfect Spoil package for two people, which normally costs R7 300 per couple. Think about a special occasion - a birthday, proposal or anniversary - and something like this would be perfect.

The hotel also offers other specials and packages. See prices for other suites, with a similar experience, here:

Additional facilities on the premises include a swimming pool, gym, and cigar lounge.

If you're looking for a luxurious Johannesburg weekend away that feels like you have taken a trip out of the city, this venue could be the perfect fit.

SEVEN Villa Hotel and Spa hosted News24.