Their Balinese-inspired spa, set in their lush Morningside, Sandton gardens, was also recently awarded Best Luxury Wellness Spa 2014 in South Africa, in the annual international World Luxury Hotel & Spa Awards.
Since my last visit, almost five years ago, Fairlawns has improved and expanded their accommodation offering to also include a Private Villa Residence and a new wing, The Chateau, all offering better than five-star accommodation standards.
Palladian architecture would probably be more at home in Europe than in Sandton but given Sandton's affection for Tuscan designs, it simply adds to the city's multicultural diversity.
Its location in Alma Road, off Bowling, makes accessing the highways and Sandton's CBD easy, especially since they offer free shuttle services into Sandton as well as the slightly more distant commercial areas, to support their corporate clientele.
Fairlawns works well as a business hotel in that there are top-of-the-range meeting spaces in the standalone conference area but it is also a fine place to stay for leisure travellers, especially those that enjoy being surrounded by elegant antiques and objet d'art. We were there during the Sandton Antique Fair and a number of international collectors were staying at the hotel.
The Victoria Tea Lounge serves a classic afternoon tea under the gaze of a portrait of the young Victoria. I loved the collection of teapots from all over the world and the room, with its floral fabrics and over-stuffed couches, reminded me of an English country house. Scones with clotted cream, cucumber and salmon sandwiches (crusts removed, of course) and three tiered plates with savouries and confectioneries make this a lavish meal. I was extremely flattered they offered to prepare a LCHF offering for me which included grain and sugar-free chocolate brownies, lemony cheese cake, crustless bacon quiches, roasted nuts and olives, rollmops, salmon roses and ostrich tartare.
Executive Chef Keith Frisley and his creative team are highly accomplished as the dinner we had with clients the previous evening in their Terrace Restaurant was one of the best meals I've enjoyed in Johannesburg.
Fairlawns often has great special offers aimed at attracting locals like the August 9 offering to celebrate Women's Day with delicious lunch options at R450 per person comprising:
Starter
Peppered Haloumi Cheese, charred bell peppers, lentil & chick peas sugo; poached Scottish Salmon, warm potato salad, horseradish crème fraiche, mustard vinaigrette; seasonal asparagus, quail egg, pink grape fruit, strawberry, chicory;
Main Course
Mussel & clam sepia pasta, champagne & parsley butter; chicken breast coq au vin, forest mushroom, onion & bacon colcannon, bordelaise jus; slow roast 14-day aged beef fillet, forest mushroom risotto, seasonal asparagus, béarnaise sauce;
Dessert - served individually:
Jamaican Pepper Spice Chocolate Fondant, potted Oreo ice cream, marshmallow popcorn.
Early bookings are essential.
In September they are promoting a Secretaries' Day, 3 September spa breakfast that includes a glass of bubbly as well as a classic mani and pedicure.
You can go on a Virtual Tour of the 5-star Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa.
Call +27 (0) 11 804 2540/1/2; email az.oc.snwalriaf@snoitavreser; www.fairlawns.co.za - 1 Alma Road, Morningside Manor - Sandton.
