Sanctuary Mandela

The food was top tier, with great taste, lovely presentation, and excellent service. Drinks were good too, and the staff were friendly throughout. The tour of this iconic house was a highlight. There are nine rooms, each named after the legend, and some of the original architecture remains. The paintings are stunning and tell stories from the history of this beautiful country. A special place, full of history, where Nelson Mandela lived for a few years while president of the Republic of South Africa. Sanctuary Mandela is worth trying.

The personal, home-like feel is what I keep thinking about. Everything was spotless and so well looked after, and the hotel itself is beautiful. Breakfast was delicious each morning, with clear care in the food. From the moment we arrived, the welcome felt genuine. The staff were among the friendliest I’ve ever met, and their service was exceptional. We had an amazing stay at Sanctuary Mandela. I’d love to come back soon and highly recommend it.

The food was the strongest part of dinner: the starter and main were tasty and nicely presented, and dessert was okay. The wine list had good options, though most were pricey and there were only a few by the glass. The wine itself was nice. I booked after seeing a recommendation from either Time Out or Conde Naste, but left disappointed. Service varied by person and felt a bit chaotic despite the quiet room. The amuse bouche arrived without an explanation, so I had to ask another server what it was. With only three choices per course, I expected the kitchen to move a little faster. It didn’t feel like the high-end restaurant or hotel I had expected.

The heritage tour and the hotel’s history made this a special way to begin our first trip to South Africa. The rooms and decor were lovely, and both dinner and breakfast were delicious and elegantly served. It was a total delight to stay here, and great value too. Highly recommend.