Sanctuary Mandela Reviews

Lee-ann 2026.06.17

8

Verified

good ☺Found dinner expensive ☹n/a

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Reply from Sanctuary Mandela

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback and for your excellent ratings for our staff, cleanliness, and comfort. We are delighted to know that these aspects contributed to a good stay with us.

We also appreciate your comments regarding the cost of dinner. While we strive to offer a dining experience that reflects the quality of our ingredients, culinary craftsmanship, and unique setting, we understand that value is perceived differently by each guest. Your feedback is important to us and will be shared with our team for consideration.

Thank you once again for staying with us. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back home to Sanctuary Mandela in the future.

Andrew Holgate 2026.06.09

     

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Reply from Sanctuary Mandela 2026.06.16

Thank you for your wonderful rating, we look forward to welcoming you back home soon.

Lynn 2026.05.24

10

Verified

Staying at Sanctuary Mandela is an experience to remember! ☺Staying at Sanctuary Mandela was an exceptional experience on all counts. The staff was so friendly , helpful, and knowledgeable. The restaurant was a culinary delight. Nelson Mandela’s life stories are reflected throughout. We highly recommend staying here!

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Reply from Sanctuary Mandela

Thank you for your wonderful review and recommendation. We are delighted to hear that your stay at Sanctuary Mandela was exceptional in every way.

Our team takes great pride in creating meaningful experiences, and it is rewarding to know that the warmth of our staff, the culinary offerings in our restaurant, and the stories of Nelson Mandela woven throughout the property all contributed to a memorable visit.

It was an honour to host you, and we look forward to welcoming you back for another enriching and memorable stay.

Primrose Ntini 2026.05.22

     

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Reply from Sanctuary Mandela 2026.05.25

Thank you for your 5-star rating of our home. We truly appreciate it and look forward to hosting you again soon.

Anzett Viljoen 2026.05.21

     

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Reply from Sanctuary Mandela 2026.05.25

Thank you for your 5-star rating following your recent visit. We look forward to hosting you again in the near future

Martin 2026.05.21

10

Verified

Merveilleux séjour dans ce sublime hôtel chic et classe ☺Tout! Une maison magnifique, le personnel aux petits soins (mention spéciale pour Sibuca le barman passionné), la visite du lieu avec l’histoire de Nelson Mandela. Cet hôtel est absolument extraordinaire ! ☹Rien, tout est juste parfait

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Reply from Sanctuary Mandela

Dear Martin, we are truly honoured that you chose our home away from home. We are really appreciative of your positive review and will extend your wonderful message to the team and Sbu in specific. He will be thrilled to hear about his exceptional service. Thanks once again and wish to have you back in future .

Begonet 2026.05.16

     

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Reply from Sanctuary Mandela 2026.05.25

Thank you for your rating following your recent visit. We are sorry to hear that your experience did not meet expectations. Please feel free to contact us directly to share more insight into your stay, as we are always striving to improve our offering.

Betty LaMarr 2026.05.15

     

It was incredible to dine in the former Presidential home of Nelson Mandela. The food was inspired by his choices and I found the meals delightful and tasty.

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Reply from Sanctuary Mandela 2026.05.25

Thank you for your wonderful review. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed the unique experience of dining in the former Presidential home of Mr. Nelson Mandela and that the menu inspired by his preferences made such a positive impression. We truly appreciate your kind words about the food, service, and location, and look forward to welcoming you again soon.

Ibrahim Van Wyngaardt 2026.05.15

     

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Reply from Sanctuary Mandela 2026.05.25

Thank you for your 5-star rating of our home, we greatly appreciate your rating on our rooms, service and location.

Moeka 2026.05.11

10

Verified

Excepcional ☺ すべてが期待以上でした。おもてなしが温かく、居心地がとてもよかったです。朝食はおいしすぎて夕食も食べに帰ってきました。お願いしたら館内ツアーもしてくれます。非の打ちどころがないです。

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Reply from Sanctuary Mandela

Dear Moeka, we just want to truly thank you for choosing Sanctuary Mandela as your home away from home. Fantastic review we will be sure to send your message to the team. They will be delighted.

Ciaran 2026.05.10

10

Verified

Exceptional

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Alexandra 2026.05.10

10

Verified

Exceptional ☺ Traumhaft schönes Haus. ☹ Leider war der Pool dreckig und ungepflegt.

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Reply from Sanctuary Mandela

Dear Alexandra thank you for choosing to stay at Sanctuary Mandela. We appreciate the positive feedback and honesty in review. We noticed your comment on our pool and will most definitely look into it.

Monica 2026.04.02

10

Verified

I loved everything about this hotel. After speaking with Tamsyn for several months, she (and the rest of the staff!) made sure my visit was exactly how I wanted. The food was spectacular. Hats off to the chef. My massage was wonderful, as was the tour of the house. Highly recommend for a perfect experience. Thank you to everyone! ☺Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities

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Reply from Sanctuary Mandela 2026.04.03

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We are absolutely delighted that every aspect of your stay lived up to your expectations. Tamsyn and the entire team will be thrilled to know they helped create such a memorable experience for you.

We’re especially pleased you enjoyed the culinary experience, your massage, and the tour of the house.

Your kind recommendation means the world to us, and we look forward to welcoming you back home again soon!

Sizwe Gcayi 2026.03.17

     

A world class facility, true to Madiba's Legacy.

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Gert J 2026.03.16

     

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Reply from Sanctuary Mandela 2026.05.25

Thank you for your rating following your recent visit to Sanctuary Mandela. We are sorry to hear that your experience in our service and location did not meet your expectations. Please feel free to contact us directly to share more insight into your stay, as we are always striving to improve our offering.

Shelagh Hunter 2026.03.14

     

We spent 3 days in Sanctuary Mandela recently waiting for a delayed flight home. The staff were first class, extremely helpful and pleasant. Nothing was too much trouble. The breakfast was excellent and there was plenty of choice. The room (we were in Nel) was large, bed comfy and bathroom luxurious. The tour around the house was very informative and thought provoking. The art work... amazing. A privilege to stay in and learn more about Nelson Mandela's home.

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Reply from Sanctuary Mandela 2026.05.25

Thank you for your heartfelt review. We are delighted that you enjoyed your stay, from the comfort of your room and breakfast selection to the informative house tour and artwork. It was truly a pleasure hosting you, and we are honored that you found the experience so meaningful.

tuhin sengupta 2026.03.11

     

Some sights around Johannesburg

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Kay Brook 2026.03.11

     

This is a fantastic hotel with a great history. Staff were lovely. Food amazing. Never left hotel so location not really acknowledged but it is all very very good. Xxx. Function rooms amazing. Great Mandela history tour too.

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Reply from Sanctuary Mandela 2026.05.25

Thank you for your wonderful review. We are delighted that you enjoyed the history, food, function spaces, and heritage tour of the former Presidential home of Mr Mandela, and especially appreciate your kind words about our staff. It was a pleasure hosting you, and we hope to welcome you back again soon.

Gisele Atherton 2026.03.09

     

Formally Nelson Mandela's home in Johannesburg from his release in 1990 until 1998, the property is now owned by the Nelson Mandela Foundation. The former residence is now a boutique hotel that features the Insights Restaurant. This restaurant serves traditional South African cuisine utilising native spices and recipes from the cookbook by his personal chef for 22 years, Xoliswa Ndoyiya. The welcoming atmosphere was evident from the initial greeting of "Welcome Home". Dining in the former residence of Nelson Mandela is a unique experience. Tasting the meals his chef would cook for him at Insights Restaurant in his home is unforgettable. We enjoyed a delicious and beautifully presented dinner. The attentive service throughout the evening was exceptional; a thoughtful touch was the inclusion of sealed white envelopes containing the menu on our tables. After our meal, we were asked if we were ready to start the tour. It was a fantastic journey through Nelson Mandela's life, inviting us to walk in his footsteps. The hotel guide gave us an exceptionally informative commentary. The sanctuary rooms had historic photos, paintings, patriotic decor, and framed handwritten letters. The fireplace and the renowned balcony of the house are preserved to capture the essence of the Mandela residence and to remind us that President Bill Clinton, former US First Lady Michelle Obama, and world leaders were hosted in the house. He kindly showed us one of the hotel rooms that we could stay in. We will book a stay there on our next visit to Johannesburg. We took a taxi from our hotel in Sandton, which took approximately 30 minutes. Highly Recommend.

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Reply from Sanctuary Mandela 2026.03.10

Thank you for your wonderful review and for sharing your experience. We’re delighted you enjoyed dining at our Insights Restaurant and exploring the history of this special home.
It’s a privilege to share former President Nelson Mandela’s legacy with our guests, and we look forward to welcoming you back on your next visit to Johannesburg.

Gisele A 2026.03.08

     

Verified

Sanctuary Mandela Johannesburg from his release in 1990 until 1998, the property is now owned by the Nelson Mandela Foundation. The former residence is now a boutique hotel that features the Insights Restaurant. This restaurant serves traditional South African cuisine utilising native spices and recipes from the cookbook by his personal chef for 22 years, Xoliswa Ndoyiya. The welcoming atmosphere was evident from the initial greeting of "welcome home". Dining in the former residence of Nelson Mandela is a unique experience. Tasting the meals his chef would cook for him at Insights Restaurant in his home is unforgettable. We enjoyed a delicious and beautifully presented dinner. The attentive service throughout the evening was exceptional; a thoughtful touch was the inclusion of sealed white envelopes containing the menu on our tables. After our meal, we were asked if we were ready to start the tour. It was a fantastic journey through Nelson Mandela's life, inviting us to walk in his footsteps. The hotel guide gave us an exceptionally informative commentary. The sanctuary rooms had historic photos, paintings, patriotic decor, and framed handwritten letters. The fireplace and the renowned balcony of the house are preserved to capture the essence of the Mandela residence and to remind us that President Bill Clinton, former US First Lady Michelle Obama, and world leaders were hosted in the house. He kindly showed us one of the hotel rooms that we could stay in. We will book a stay there on our next visit to Johannesburg. We took a taxi from our hotel in Sandton, which took approximately 30 minutes. I would thoroughly recommend visiting this restaurant when staying in Johannesburg.

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Reply from Sanctuary Mandela 2026.03.09

Thank you for your wonderful review and for sharing your experience with us. We are thrilled to read that you enjoyed dining at Insights Restaurant and exploring the history of this special home. It’s an honour to share President Mandela’s legacy with our guests, and we look forward to welcoming you back for a stay on your next visit to Johannesburg.