Despite being well over 120 years old (founded on 4 October 1886 during the gold rush), Johannesburg is still one of the youngest major cities of the world. It bears many names, including City of Gold or ‘eGoli’. But to locals, it’s fondly known as ‘Jozi’. The distinctive skyline remains unchanged, but the heart of the city is transforming through art and culture. Being labelled the new African capital of hip, Johannesburg’s creative potential is booming.

There is so much more to Johannesburg than just the city; it is also the world’s biggest man-made forest, with over 10 million trees. High up on the rocky Witwatersrand on 3 hectares of wooded hillside overlooking the urban jungle, you’ll find the Four Seasons Hotel, The Westcliff – a chic hillside village. We’ve chosen this property for the BLACK@ Guest not only for its ideal location (the city skyline in its sight, and jungle at its feet), but also for its elegant style and exceptional service ethic.

South of Johannesburg is Soweto, a city developed as a township for black people under the apartheid system. Most of the struggle against apartheid was fought in and from Soweto, championed by the immortal icons Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. Today Soweto is a sprawling township of enterprise and eclectic culture.

With the rich archaeological site (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) known as the Cradle of Humankind on the outskirts of the city, it’s not surprising that 40% of the planet’s human ancestor fossils have been discovered here. To connect with one’s origin is a deep and meaningful experience.