Home from home provides expansive views of the city forest

I arrived on an overcast day, the views from my 12th-floor apartment blurred by rain clouds. Ahead of me lay the northern suburbs of Johannesburg, the water tower on Northcliff Ridge, a prominent landmark, and a sea of rain-drenched green, the city’s lush human-made forests. In the distance the Magaliesberg mountain range was wreathed in watercolour misty blues.

I had a one-bedroom apartment at Illovo Reserved Suites for two nights. This meant I had a full-size kitchen, complete with a no-frost Bosch fridge, a Nespresso machine, a kettle, washing machine and a full complement of cutlery, plates and pots to cook with. The open-plan kitchen and the rest of the cabinetry in the apartment was done in charcoal grey. A round glass table gave me a view past the lounge with its single couch, and big-screen TV, to the balcony, with outdoor seating and that view.

The bathroom was small and functional, though it had just a shower. However, the pressure in the shower was a little low, especially for washing thick, longish hair. I also would have liked a full-length mirror. The bathroom has a decent mirror, but not full-length. The bedroom housed a queen-sized bed that I sunk into gratefully when it was time. 

Situated in Illovo Central, this 16-storey development offers rooms as well as apartments for short-term or longer stays, for corporate and leisure travellers. There are also residents who have bought apartments in a body corporate scheme and live here full time. There are also a few penthouse suites. A small selection of businesses have offices here. Sandton City is a few kilometres away, as is Melrose Arch and Rosebank. It doesn’t get more central than this. There is also a Fourways branch.

But like some of the corporate clients who make this place home — whether for a few days or even a longer stay such as six months — I was here to work. I asked for an office chair with arms, and one was graciously and quickly found for me. On my key ring was a WhatsApp number to contact the concierge should I need anything. I had the Wi-Fi code, and I logged in smoothly. The connection was strong and steady, exactly what you need when working.

I had a guest for supper that night and we chose to eat at the in-house eatery, Café on Central. Situated on the eighth floor, the cafe offers unpretentious dining in a casual setting. There’s a small amount of seating, a wall of chocolates and chips and other nosh-type fare, as well as fridge with cold drinks and sandwiches. Pies are also on offer. We both opted for shawarmas—one beef and one chicken — with French fries. We devoured these rather quickly. Drenched in a lemon-herb dressing, our shawarmas were delicious and moreish.

Other items on the menu included pasta dishes, tramezzinis, toasted sandwiches, wraps, salads, and a range of grilled meats, schnitzels and burgers. There’s no fish on the menu, and that would be a good addition I felt was lacking. While the meal was excellent in the cafe, a large-screen TV was on and blaring; I’d have preferred it off, or for it to be quieter.

The cafe closes at 7.30pm.

Breakfast is served until 11am, a civilised hour. I called down for a muffin and a red cappuccino instead. While room service is prompt, I was given a regular coffee cappuccino instead. (I don’t drink coffee.) The problem is that the kitchen is very noisy and the woman taking my order didn’t quite hear my soft voice. I’d suggest that a WhatsApp number be supplied when ordering from the kitchen so you can text your orders. Bran muffins had been sold out, but my carrot muffin with requested cheese, and the red cappuccino, which arrived after I phoned down again, hit the spot. For those wanting a more substantial breakfast there are a range of options such as eggs, toast and macon (not bacon). 

You can choose to tour the rooms and apartments available through the YouTube channel, though as a guest I was taken through to view the rooms. The smallest rooms are cosy, and equipped with some kitchen essentials. The studios have full kitchens. In addition to the one-bedroom apartment I had, there are also two- and three-bedroom apartments. The décor is all angled clean lines, some are finished in the grey carpentry I had, some in white. There are also big-screen TVs in both apartments and rooms, tastefully set against the walls, to make them less obvious. I toured the on-site Metawell Gym, all offered as part of a stay here. There are few gyms with views towards the futuristic Sandton skyline. You can work out, steam afterwards, have a Pilates class and, if it’s summer, head to the pool just outside the cafe. I oohed and aahed at the infinity pool, wondering what it might have been like to swim on top of the world.

Lunch at my desk was a tramezzino packed with spinach and feta, eaten while gazing out at Johannesburg. 

Supper was another feast from the cafe, pastas this time: a spaghetti bolognese and a vegetarian special. We also ordered a Greek salad, and a glass of The First Lady Chardonnay 2023 for my friend. We took it to my apartment and ate at the dining room table.

And then the lights went off — the area was experiencing either load-shedding or a blackout. But within seconds the lights flicked on, courtesy of the generator, and the lifts were operational.  

It was noirish and misty as we stood on the balcony gazing at the view. The immediate streets were in darkness, with rings of lights beyond the immediate suburbs. Shadows seemed to move among the mist as my friend snapped photos. 

I leapt out of bed on Friday morning to see the sun shining brightly, and that view stretched out before me. I had a friend joining me for breakfast — tasty mince on toast for him, yoghurt, muesli and fruit for me. We stood on the balcony, taking photos, pointing out the Brixton Tower and the SABC building, then looking at the forest of trees below, trying to work out where our own homes were. We drank in the view; we didn’t want to leave. He recalled living in a flat in Hillbrow in the 1980s, and the sense of freedom experienced when you’re high in the clouds. That’s it, freedom. We should all swoop up now and again, and doing so at Illovo Reserved Suites is a mighty fine way to do it.

Notes:

Queen rooms start from R1,350 per day and one-bedroom apartments start from R2,200 per day. 

Monthly rates start from R22,000 for deluxe studios, with one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments also available at discounted monthly rates. 

Detailed rates can be requested from sales@reservedsuites.com or +010 822 7844 

• Salafranca was a guest of Illovo Reserved Suites.