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Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff, Johannesburg
Johannesburg, South Africa · Four Seasons · High Luxury
The Westcliff opened in 1997 as a cluster of low-rise villas modelled on a Mediterranean hillside village, perched on the rocky Witwatersrand ridge with panoramic views directly over the 54-hectare Johannesburg Zoo — Africa's oldest, founded in 1904. Four Seasons signed a management agreement and the hotel closed in June 2013 for an $56 million, 18-month renovation by the original architects RSL, reopening in December 2014. From upper-floor rooms, guests can hear lion vocalisations from the zoo below.
- 80 rooms
- Opened 1997
- Neighborhood: Westcliff
- Rooms from 388 sq ft (36 m²)
- Architect: RSL Architects
- Interiors: Jacket Interiors; Blacksheep
About Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff, Johannesburg
- The hotel's hillside site sits on the Witwatersrand ridge — the gold-bearing geological band whose discovery in 1886 founded Johannesburg — overlooking the Johannesburg Zoo and the tree canopy of Saxonwold and The Parks, giving it one of the most distinct urban vantage points of any hotel in Southern Africa.
- Johannesburg Zoo was established in 1904 with just three animals: one male lion, one female leopard, and one male baboon; it now spans 54 hectares and houses 2,070 animals across 365 species — all visible from the hotel's upper rooms and terraces.
- The original Westcliff compound was conceived in the early 1990s as an enclave of private luxury residences before being converted into a hotel; its Mediterranean village layout was deliberate, creating linked courtyard buildings on the hillside to maximise privacy across a large footprint.
- Entry-level rooms start at 388 sq ft (36 m²).
History
The Westcliff was an established independent luxury hotel that underwent significant renovations and enhancements. Four Seasons signed a long-term management agreement and it reopened as Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff Johannesburg in December 2014. The property preserved its design aesthetic while adding modern interiors and new facilities.
The Westcliff opened in 1997 as a cluster of low-rise villas modelled on a Mediterranean hillside village, perched on the rocky Witwatersrand ridge with panoramic views directly over the 54-hectare Johannesburg Zoo — Africa's oldest, founded in 1904.
The setting
Perched on a hillside in the prestigious Westcliff neighborhood of Johannesburg's northern suburbs, overlooking the Johannesburg Zoo and the city's green canopy. Minutes from shopping, dining in The Parks, and business districts. 3 km from tours of Constitution Hill. Overlooks Johannesburg Zoo.
Restaurants and bars
- Flames — Restaurant
- Après-Spa — Café
Experiences
- Spa with Après-Spa outdoor lounge — Spa with 11 treatment rooms, including three couples suites, saunas and steam rooms, and Après-Spa, described as the city's only outdoor spa lounge.
- Flames restaurant — Restaurant Flames offers an authentic South African dining experience, with 60 indoor and 120 outdoor seats.
- Safari and exploration starting point — Positioned as a central starting point for safaris and exploration in South Africa and beyond.
- Family pool and children's amenities — Family pool of 716 sq. ft. / 66.5 sq. m., complimentary amenities for children, and babysitting services on request.
- Lap pool and fitness facilities — Lap pool of 1,184 sq. ft. / 112 sq. m. and fitness facilities including whirlpool, sauna, steam room, studio classes and personal trainers on request.
Amenities
- Four Seasons Spa Westcliff (11 treatment rooms, outdoor spa lounge, saunas, steam rooms)
- lap pool, family pool
- fitness center
- landscaped gardens
- safari access
- Hot tub
- Kids' club
- Pet-friendly
Awards
- Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star (2026)
- MICHELIN One Key (2026)
- South Africa's Leading Luxury Hotel 2025 (World Travel Awards) (2025)
- Forbes Five-Star rating (2020)
- Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards
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