WIN WITH #JACARANDAINYOURPOCKET!
If you’re lucky, you could be doing it all on us. The second-place winner of our #JacarandaInYourPocket 2025 photo competition will enjoy a luxury stay at The Leonardo worth R6,500, with welcome drinks, breakfast at Leo Lounge, and a chance to cheers at Alto234 rooftop bar. We think the perfect way to end off Joburg's jacaranda season is with a summer escape. Entries close on Mon, Nov 10, 2025. The winners will be announced in our newsletter on Thu, Nov 20, 2025. Follow us on Instagram @johannesburginyourpocket for more details.
1. Check in and chill out at The Leonardo hotel
In the heart of Sandton, The Leonardo hotel is where urban luxury meets artistic flair. Every corner is designed with form and functionality in mind, blending sleek modern design with classic elegance. Stay the night and wake up to views that make the city look cinematic. Then ease into the morning at Leo’s Lounge and Deli, where hearty breakfasts, fresh light meals, and golden pastries are served in a peaceful, sunlit spot. Pair your plate with a fresh juice, premium tea, or perfectly brewed coffee as fuel for a summer day above the city. Book your stay here.
2. Spa and sweat: Legacy Balance Spa and Gym
The Legacy Balance Spa blends ancient rituals with modern wellness in a tranquil escape. From lava shell massages to revitalising facials, it’s the ultimate place to reset. Treat yourself to one of the spa’s advanced skin therapies – a smart move for Joburg’s high UV days (your future self will thank you). Afterwards, take your summer body upkeep to the 24-hour Technogym. Though with city views this good, don’t be surprised if your workout turns into a photo op instead. Book for the spa here.
3. Creativity above all: Contemporary art tour
Mbongeni Buthelezi's floor-to-ceiling mural is one of our favourites. Photo: The Leonardo on Instagram.
Once you feel rejuvenated, take a Contemporary Art Tour of The Leonardo’s incredible 150-piece private collection of contemporary African art, one of the largest in the country. A diverse group of local artists and designers were commissioned to create works especially for the building, turning every corridor, lobby, and lift into part of a living gallery. Even the stairwells and conference rooms hold masterpieces. Some highlights include Fusion, Mbongeni Buthelezi's massive floor-to-ceiling mural made entirely from recycled plastic, Winston Luthuli’s intricate wooden sculptures, and The Ancestor – a swirling chandelier made out of half a ton of brass and copper that nods to Joburg’s golden past. The tour starts at R900 p.p. and also includes entrance to Alto234, a glass of Moët & Chandon, and tapas. Book here.
4. Sky bars and sundowners: Octo and Alto234
When the summer afternoon stretches long and golden, The Leonardo’s bars are where you’ll want to be. Try Octo Bar for lunch, perched beside the 25-metre heated pool on the 7th floor. Here, the vibe is laid-back and sun-soaked; wood-fired pizzas, crisp cocktails, and people-watching that only Sandton delivers. Dip your toes between meetings, ease into the weekend, or cool down when the city gets too busy. Note: The pool is only open to guests staying at The Leonardo.
Then, at the pinnacle of your stay, head up to Alto234, Africa’s highest bar. Suspended 234 metres above the city, it’s where 360-degree views meet seriously tasty tapas and Moët Minis from a champagne vending machine (yes, really). By day, you’ll see Joburg’s endless canopy of trees; by night, it’s city lights and clinking glasses. Whether you’re toasting with bubbles or watching the world fade to dark, Alto234 makes for the perfect way to crown a summer’s day in the city. Bookings for Alto234 are essential, and are R390 p.p. Book here.
EXPERIENCES AT ALTO234
Book the Afternoon, Sunset, or Night Lights Experience for a front-row seat to the shifting light show, or book the Weekend Brunch for pastries, small plates, and panoramic selfies with the skyline.
5. High dining: Aurum and Akido
End your evening back on the 7th floor with Aurum’s contemporary African dishes alongside the gorgeous pool deck that feels made for summer nights. Expect a menu that balances elegance and warmth, and celebrates local ingredients by plating them with creative flair. The wine list gives the best of South Africa centre stage. The open space lights up soft gold at dusk, making it ideal for long dinners that evolve into poolside conversation, or even a dip, under the city’s glow. Book at bookings@aurumrestaurant.co.za.
Downstairs, at street level, you’ll find Akido, Sandton’s hidden sushi gem. It’s intimate, exclusive, and authentic. With only 20 seats and a handful at the sushi counter, every detail is considered. Fish is flown in fresh from Cape Town and internationally, and the chefs, led by Earl Akido (formerly of Nobu Cape Town), have a story to tell you with each dish. Try the ‘toro’ or tuna belly that you won’t find anywhere else in Joburg, or order the Omakase if you’re in the mood for a journey: 14 pieces of melt-in-your-mouth precision that will leave you refining your idea of what sushi can be. Bookings for Akido are essential. Book at booking@akido.co.za.
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