JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA—Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff Johannesburg has opened here.
An 18-month, $56-million redevelopment of the Westcliff hotel includes complete redecoration of all 117 guestrooms and suites and public spaces, and the addition of new restaurants, lounges and a newly built spa complex.
Four Seasons worked with South African firms RSL Architects and Jacket Interiors on the project, which includes the addition of a radical design element to an otherwise residential-style series of buildings, according to the hotel: exterior glass elevators were installed to take advantage of the views over the city’s treetops and of the zoo next door as guests travel to the new View and Flames restaurants.
A curated collection of contemporary African art includes Hannelie Coetzee’s Face Sculptures in the arrival area. Commissioned for the hotel, the giant concrete plinths are topped with sculptures created from mining core drill waste inspired by the area’s platinum and gold mining history. In all, 375 original artworks were commissioned from local artists for the hotel’s guestrooms and public spaces.
Executive Chef Dirk Gieselmann presides over the new signature restaurants, Flames and View. Flame offers a palette of earthy, natural colors and textures, and its menu is influenced by local barbecue, known as braai. Opening in January, View is meant to resemble an art gallery, reflecting the inky shades of the cityscape just after sunset, graduating from midnight blue to pale shades of light blue, according to the hotel. Interiors were designed by Blacksheep. Additional restaurants and lounges at Four Seasons include Cellar Door, Apres-Spa and Westcliff Deli.
Opening in January 2015, the newly built Spa at Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff encompasses nine treatment rooms and men’s and women’s facilities, including ice fountains, saunas and steam rooms. There’s also a new 24/7 fitness center and two outdoor pools.
Meeting spaces include 15,683 sq. ft. of naturally lit event spaces, including the 6,620 sq. ft. Arcadia Ballroom. Thirteen additional rooms offer a choice of smaller venues, or a complete suite for a conference.
Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff Johannesburg is the brand’s first hotel in South Africa.