The Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa

This award-winning, historical boutique hotel offers a total of 40 highly individualized, world-class suites, as well as a conference centre. Guests are welcomed in the lobby, which offers 24-hour reception and a 24-hour check-out service, as well as a hotel safe and lift access to the upper floors. In addition, the guest desk can assist with travel arrangements and organizing local tours to the numerous places of current and historical interest in and around Johannesburg. The hotel's drivers are on hand to transfer guests to any of the popular shopping areas or restaurants in the vicinity. Other facilities include room and laundry services and a car park. The hotel is air-conditioned, and the excellent à la carte restaurant and a bar complete the full range of services on offer. Security has become an international concern, and the hotel has addressed this by introducing excellent 24-hour security systems and patrols.

The facilities and amenities on offer in the rooms are of the highest standard. From the spacious and well-appointed en suite bathrooms with bath and shower, to the goose down duvets and pure cotton linen on the extra length double or king-size beds, guests' comfort is regarded as being of the utmost importance. Facilities such as in-room safes and personal minibars, TVs with satellite channels, DVDs and complimentary wireless and broadband Internet access are standard throughout. The rooms also come equipped with a hairdryer, direct dial telephone and radio. Additional features include tea and coffee making facilities, individually regulated air conditioning and a balcony or terrace.

The hotel serves a continental breakfast buffet. Lunch can be enjoyed as a buffet, but is also available from a set menu or à la carte. Dinner can be chosen either from a set menu or à la carte. The outdoor informal dining area on the terrace overlooks the sparkling pool and is a favourite meeting place for a breakfast, light lunch or sundowner. The bar offers a wine list which has consistently been awarded Platinum and Diamond awards since its opening in 1998.

Guests can enjoy browsing through the well-stocked library, or simply relax under one of the pool gazebos in order to admire the garden and watch the birdlife. For fees, guests can enjoy the outdoor swimming pool or make use of the large, world-class, fully equipped gym, complete with his and her complimentary steam and infra red sauna facilities. The exquisite Balinese spa facilities featuring an authentic imported Balinese garden and a private couples spa villa are also well worth a visit as massage and spa treatments provide the perfect way to relax.

From Johannesburg International Airport to the hotel (approximately 25 km/20 minutes): On leaving the airport, take the R24 to Johannesburg. Stay on the motorway until signs to Pretoria appear. Then move into the lane signposted as the N3 to Pretoria, which will then loop under the R24. Travel north along the N3, then take the Marlboro exit ramp and turn left. Continue along this road until the T-junction (Marlboro and Katherine Avenue - which changes name to Bowling Avenue at this point). Next, turn right and go through 4 sets of traffic lights. Immediately after the 4th set of traffic lights, turn left onto Alma Road. Drive 500m down Alma Road where the road will bend sharply. At this point, look for the hotel's name in brass letters on the right hand side. Finally, turn right into the hotel grounds.