The Houghton Hotel Project Manager Andrew Morris says that Stefanutti Stocks’ excellent track record in the hospitality industry made the company a natural choice to complete the hotel which, when finished, will be one of the most luxurious establishments in South Africa.

“We were appointed through a process of amicable negotiations, where an innovative contracting structure was concluded to suit this particular project,” explains Dietmar Scriba, Managing Director at Stefanutti Stocks Building Inland.

Morris reports that the earliest stages of construction have already been completed, with bulk earthworks, natural support and piling all installed. “We are well on track for the launch of the first hotel units in late 2017 with The Houghton Hotel opening its doors in 2018,” Morris says.

This is set to be a grand occasion for South Africa’s hospitality industry, as The Houghton Hotel promises to offer accommodation comparable to the best six- and seven-star establishments in the world.  

This has secured it a place amongst the Leading Hotels of the World. Deniz Omurgonulsen, the organisation’s Vice President Membership, explains that a number of factors have earned the hotel entry into this exclusive club, including its park-like setting in Johannesburg’s greenbelt, proximity to Johannesburg’s top shopping and business districts and the overall luxuriousness of The Houghton Hotel experience.

What makes it so special? For a start, the hotel’s design is nothing short of breath-taking. Architects Boogertman + Partners have taken inspiration from the area surrounding the hotel, known to be one of the most affluent in South Africa. This manifests in the use of refined precision design influence and materials, like steel, concrete and glass, which are tempered by sweeping, soft lines referencing its Highveld location.

Inside, a tactile environment has been created with input from leading interior designer Pellerade. Simple furnishings provide a foil for textures carefully selected to give the hotel an inviting, cocoon-like warmth. The rooms boast numerous touches that speak eloquently of elegance, from cutting edge electronics (like touch sensitive light switches) to crystal glasses encased in individual pouches.

Accommodation is offered in three different room types, ranging in size from 50 to 145 square meters. While guest hotel rooms are fitted to provide the ultimate in comfort, a number of hotel suites have been made available to purchase, with prices starting at R3.9 million.

But it’s the amenities that truly set this hotel apart. The establishment’s signature feature is a cascading, terraced water features, set into jungle-like vegetation, which swirls into a waterfall and plunges into a large, circular swimming pool. This is complemented by a tidal pool for children.

Other facilities include a contemporary delicatessen for residents and guests who aren’t in the mood for cooking, as well as a fine dining restaurant, with menus inspired by the late Billy Gallagher. The restaurant also offers three private dining rooms, making it an excellent option for executives who need to merge their work and private lives. If the moment calls for cocktails, the Sky Bar, with its stunning vistas, is the answer.

True convenience comes in the form of a hair and nail bar, gym, spa, heated indoor pool and dry cleaner, while jogging paths traversing the estate’s 7.2km of parkland mean there is no excuse to miss the morning run. Of course, there is also the 18-hole Jack Nicklaus signature golf course which has gained much renown in the area.

The hotel has also borne business in mind, offering a business centre with fully equipped boardrooms and a guest services centre.

Every element of The Houghton has been carefully considered to ensure it creates a harmonious haven; a place people are glad to call ‘home’ – if only for a short while.