Want to celebrate the season with us at Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff? We've got a brilliant experience in store for you as part of our #JacarandaInYourPocket 2025 event series.
Join us on Sat, Oct 25 from 07:00 – 11:00 to explore Joburg's jacaranda-lined streets, cameras in hand, then hop in for a helicopter ride over the purple city. The morning ends back at Flames restaurant, where you can choose from a sumptuous breakfast or morning tea, served against one of the most spectacular views in the city. Book now.
Here's a bit more of what's in store. Plus, a new menu means even more reason to visit Flames and Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff while Joburg's jacarandas are at their best.
1. Jacaranda photowalk
On Sat, Oct 25, the morning starts at 07:00 sharp with a welcoming refreshment at Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff, followed by a short stroll to some of the hotel’s best photo spots. From there, enjoy a guided walk led by Kennedy Tembo of MicroAdventure Tours, Joburg's "king of adventure", through the leafy neighbourhood streets and up the famous Westcliff stairs, pausing to capture the jacarandas in full bloom.2. Helicopter flips
In 2024, we sent photographer Clare Appleyard up into the skies with Bastion Aviation to capture Joburg's purple-lined streets. "It's hard to avoid the cliches," says Appleyard, "but it was pretty jaw-dropping. Seeing [the jacarandas] from that angle... it has this patchwork effect. It almost looks like areas of Joburg are woven together with these trees." So awed by her experience, we wanted to make this available to more people – and have partnered with Bastion Aviation to make it happen. Once you return from your walk around Joburg's purple streets on this #JacarandaInYourPocket experience, you'll then hop into a helicopter for a five-minute flight over the city. (It sounds short, but you won't believe how much ground you can cover in that time.)3. Bites with a view
This whirlwind experience closes on an elevated note, with a delicious bite to eat – your choice of breakfast or morning tea – at Flames restaurant at Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff. Perched high upon the Westcliff ridge with a magnificent view over the verdant northern suburbs, this is one of the best vantage points for admiring Johannesburg's treeline.SURPRISE... ANOTHER HELI RIDE
If sundowners are more your speed, book for a helicopter experience with Bastion Aviation and Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff on Sat, Oct 25 from 16:00 –18:00. Tickets are available here.
4. Bonus: Fresh flavours at Flames
If the sweeping jacaranda views aren't enough enticement for you, Flames recently switched things up with a brand-new culinary team – and new menu offerings to match. Book a return visit to enjoy the sweeping vista with sundowners in hand, then tuck into something marvellous as the city's lights twinkle all around you.
At the helm of Flames' new team is Executive Chef Rudi Liebenberg. His signature style fuses produce-driven African ingredients with globally-inspired techniques. At his side is Chef de Cuisine Avuyile Fumba, putting Africa’s flame-grilling traditions on a modern stage with inventive dishes that honour local ingredients while taking them to new heights. And rounding off the new culinary ensemble is Executive Pastry Chef Nathan Jacobs, back from the UK to craft confections that delight. Together, they’re serving up a bold, flavour-packed chapter in the hotel’s culinary story.
At the media launch (August 2025) we were treated to a taste of the new menu items. The Mossel Bay Springbok "New Style" Carpaccio with rocket, hot sesame oil, and ginger is a winning canapé, while for mains we loved the perfectly charred baby gem Crayfish Caesar, peri-peri chicken, and coal-roasted kingklip with chimichurri. Even the sides and vegetables impress, from memorable ash-roasted beetroot with creamy cashew cheese sauce, tangy spekboom, and roasted peppers with baba ganoush, to earthy, coal-smoked mushrooms. For dessert, you won't go wrong with malva pudding with rich vanilla ice cream and crème anglaise, or try the blackcurrant vacherin topped with a sweet white chocolate whip.
Photo: Johannesburg In Your Pocket.
From afternoon tea to their signature Westcliff breakfast, date night treats, vegan offerings, and the Flames a la carte menu, browse all of the menus here.
Flames is open Mon – Sun from 06:30 – 21:00
Breakfast: 06:30 – 11:00
Lunch: 12:00 – 15:00
Sundowners: 15:00 – 18:00
Dinner: 18:00 – 21:00
Sunday Brunch: Sun from 11:30 – 15:00
Afternoon Tea: Wed – Sun from 12:00 – 15:00
Note: No walk-ins are allowed at Flames. Make a reservation here.
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