The most instagrammable staycation in Jozi – a candid review

April 25, 2021

The Radisson Blu, Sandton

Craving a weekend away? We opted for a luxurious staycation at The Radisson Blu, Sandton. While pretty central, it’s still luxe enough to make you feel rested, relaxed, and as though you’ve escaped for some much-needed ‘us’ time.

Just because you’re close to home doesn’t mean you’ll miss out on any of the luxuries, from panoramic penthouse views to tranquil spas, delectable dining, and five-star service. You’ll feel like you’ve had an opulent escape, while still having enough time to take a slow drive home, in time for the short working week ahead.

The stay:

I was blown away by our stay at The Radisson Blu, Sandton. From sky-high ceilings to a meditation sanctuary, it really was something splendid to experience. When we first entered our suite, we were welcomed with gowns laid out for us, red rose petals scattered throughout the room and bathtub, a welcome snack platter, chilled prosecco, and an overnight toiletry bag complimentary from comfort zone.

The white linen was freshly pressed, smelled fresh, and was luxurious to the touch. The aircon was set to a crisp 20 degrees and the 360 views of the city made us feel like we were the king of this Sandton castle. The bathtub overlooks the city, it was already filled with rose petals, the prosecco was on ice and some scented bath salts were waiting for us. All that was left was for me to un-robe, add bubbles, and soak in this luxurious tub. All while taking in the splendor of the Sandton skyline. Your worries don’t really seem that big from all the way up in the clouds. The room was quietly elegant, while surprisingly comfortable. It’s also perfect for that IG-worthy bathtub pic.

https://www.instagram.com/p/COC2ny4nRew/

If showers are more your thing, they also cater to your needs. By offering an extra-large shower, with two showerheads. So you can enjoy a sensual shower with a view while getting your back washed by your lover. The rooms are spacious, with a king-sized bed, two couches, a mini kitchen, and flatscreen television, this hotel has thought of everything and they really do leave you lusting for nothing. Then again, isn’t this what one expects when holidaying in the city of gold? If you’re able to bear leaving your luxurious suite for a second you’ll be pleased to see the glittering pools – sitting poolside you can expect to see a mix of families, couples, influencers, and even a few celebs like the gorgeous Shashi Naidoo. Who could blame them, this is potentially one of the best setups we’ve seen to date.

The spa:

If you’re not quite feeling like your best self yet, then one of https://www.instagram.com/the_view_by_27pinkx/ full-body treatments is about to turn that around. I experienced the 90 min ginger and lavender poultice massage. This was a tranquil experience that’s designed to enhance relaxation and increased lymphatic flow. Your senses are calmed as the himalayan salt poultice bags infused with keffir lime and african potato extract release tension and restore vitality. This massage truly is a sensorial journey of therapeutic warmth. It’s a pleasure to fall asleep on the massage table, as the lingering fragrances of lavender and ginger invite you to escape from your busy life, leaving your skin feeling nourished and your soul deeply relaxed.

After that, we sipped on lemon water in the salt room, which is designed to soothe your senses. The benefits of spending time in this room are that it aids in healing skin conditions, promotes relaxation, and calmness. It helps to alleviate anxiety and stress and promotes better sleep. I don’t know if it was the salt room, the fresh linen, or the lavender sleep spray the hotel gives you (or all three) but I slept like a baby that evening.

There’s also a sauna and spa pool you can use in-between treatments. The spa pool offers herbal teas, and, caramel popcorn – all served in an ultra-luxurious setting. The spa offered a great selection of treats to purchase and take home. My personal favourites being their namesake sanitising spray which smelled really great. And their strawberry body scrub which easily and gently removes fake tan while nourishing the skin. Here are a few snaps from the spa.

The restaurant:

The night we went, the restaurant was pretty full and we can totally understand why. The views alone are worth the visit, the food isn’t too bad either, LOL. I highly recommend the fragrant risotto, it was well seasoned and generously portioned. For mains, the duck breast was tender, succulent, and full of flavor. Last but not least was the toasted coconut, homemade marshmallow. Do not try to share this dessert, have the whole one for yourself, you’ll thank me later. It was so good, I could’ve eaten 3 of these on my own.