There’s something different about the iconic pink building nestled in the greenery. For one, it’s no longer pink. And that’s just the start of some monumental changes the Westcliff has been through.
After being bought by the Four Seasons group, and now known as the Four Seasons Westcliff, it is now ready to join the ranks of global hotels making changes to cater to a new clientele. A year and a half of refurbishment later the luxury hotel group has also moved the Westcliff away from codified schedules and regimented mealtimes to giving visitors a tailored, individual experience with the freedom to decide how to spend their time.
“Younger billionaires jump out of their jets with holes in their jeans and their houses are better than our best suites,” says Four Seasons Westcliff manager Sebastien Carre, recognising that, although the hotel cannot compete with the opulent lifestyles their visitors live, they can give them a quality experience that makes their travel memorable. He says hotels can no longer dictate cans and can’ts but must be able to anticipate the needs of visitors.
Hotels of yesteryear were designed to look similar to others in the same chain to give regular clients a feeling of stability and familiarity as soon as they walked in. Today, visitors want an immersive experience where, for the time they are in a city, they are able to see as much as possible. “The city needs to come into the hotel so Johannesburg’s culture can be experienced,” says Carre.
The Four Seasons Westcliff’s central location makes it a first choice for high-end travellers interested in exploring the city itself. Newtown’s Market Theatre and museums are down the road, and Maboneng and Braamfontein’s markets are a quick hop on and off the highway. The short distances and easy access to the city allow even the most time-strapped visitor an opportunity to meet and mingle with the people of Jo’burg.
Exploring Jo’burg
The effort to open the hotel up to the city to give visitors an insight into Jo’burg’s culture is reflected in the hotel’s many dining options. On the casual end of the spectrum is the Deli, which offers a range of gourmet snacks and light meals for on-the-go visitors looking for a bite to eat. Street access from the Deli makes it easy to grab something light and set off exploring.
On the opposite end is View, more for the special occasion and so named after the breathtaking scenery of Jo’burg over the treetops. For relaxed sit-down dining, Flames offers urban casual food all day with interesting twists on South African favourites, including an “artisan braai”. All these are open to the public, but the hotel recommends making reservations at the two restaurants.
In keeping with its personal comfort mission, the hotel paved a parking lot to put up a luxury spa. At 1 200m2, it is much bigger than its predecessor and includes a gym and infinity lap pool. The other spa-service mainstays include a sauna, steam bath, whirlpool and icy plunge pool. Visitors to the spa get to experience treatments designed by Terres d’Afrique exclusively for the Four Seasons Spa.
Giving back to Africa
The brand uses African baobab, marula and rooibos in its beauty products and prides itself on being eco-certified and organically produced. Also, elements of the treatments are inspired by traditional beauty treatments used by women in different regions in Africa.
The Yswara tea served at the spa between treatments is a brand also produced in South Africa. Everything about Yswara’s tea products, from the subtle, dusky pink packaging to the delicious slivers of fruit and chocolate in their wide range, are sourced on the continent.
Both companies are uncompromising on the quality of their products but are also dedicated to contributing positively to the African continent.
The founder and owner of Terres d’Afrique, Stephan Helary, has partnered with grass-roots organisations and small, independent communities of women harvesters to source the ingredients for his company’s products. And Yswara’s founder, Swaady Martin-Leke, has chosen to source and produce on the continent even though it could be done cheaper and easier elsewhere.
The freedom to explore
Through these partnerships, the spa gives travellers a taste of their surroundings to remember when they return home.
Travellers are increasingly looking for opportunities to see the real side of cities they visit. They want to meet locals and make real connections. They also want the freedom to explore without having to worry that they’ve missed the two-hour window for dinner at the hotel and now have to order room service and eat alone with some random news channel mumbling in the background.
Now, a restaurant that is open all day, with scrumptious, locally inspired meals that can be frequented by visitors as well as city-dwellers is a much better option.