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When you’re in Sandton, you just can't escape the hype that surrounds the luscious and luxurious lifestyle that comes with it. Nestled in the heart of Africa's richest square mile district is The Maslow hotel, which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary in style.
The 281-room property, which opened its doors in 2012, went through an epic refurbishment that cost R250 million.
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Revelled as a garden oasis in the middle of the big city, The Maslow’s story is as whimsical as the hotel itself. The project was a new business model for the popular hotel franchise, Sun International, which looked at it as an experiment, different from what they had done before. Before their transition into The Maslow we know and love, it was the Southern Sun Grayston Hotel, and even a holiday inn in the 1980s. Now, the hotel is hailed as the first business-centric hotel within Sun International's portfolio, even though it certainly doesn’t feel that way.
Herman Swart, the current general manager of the hotel, said:
The Maslow was built using the inspiration of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. The concept was initially introduced in 1943 by humanistic psychologist Abraham Maslow. It theorises that there is a hierarchy of personal basic needs which humans must achieve to self-actualise before they are more motivated to fulfil advanced needs and the needs of others.
The Maslow is built upon this theory and intends to help its guests self-actualise and prioritise their own self-care.
“You cannot be creative or innovative if you don’t sit at the top of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Creativity and innovation are both about self-actualisation and that is what we are all about. We are an incredibly compact space, but we pack a solid punch,” Swart added.
For their 10th anniversary celebration, guests were treated to an all-expenses paid evening, with a fresh new menu that was curated by Lacuna Bistro's executive chef Omar Menhouk, who brought an array of flavours to the menu.
The hotel’s dining options for the Lacuna Bistro, Bar and room service enjoyed a refresh, with Menhouk working closely with his kitchen staff to bring forward a new and refined menu, filled with different flavours from across the world, including France and Africa.
“We have something for every member of the family, from our new children’s menu to vegan and vegetarian options, a full steak house offering, seafood and tapas,” Menhouk said as he introduced himself and told us more about The Maslow'S dining experience and the new flavours he would be introducing to his menu, which drew inspiration from his Algerian heritage.
For the rest of the evening, we were treated to an expansive cuisine, with flavours from across Africa, along with some fresh seafood and exquisite desserts.
While the menu left us more than satisfied, the rooms were truly the star of the show. Designed with true sophistication in mind, each room takes on a hybrid model, with business and pleasure as the focal point of the design.
The Maslow prioritises its guests with many facilities for work and play, including The Africology Spa at The Maslow, which is a popular spot to unwind and relax after a long and tedious week.
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“I’m so proud that we were able to achieve the vision that we had for at The Maslow, and we are still finding ways to grow, and to cater to exactly what our guests want and need. This is a place for people to come and stay for long periods of time and make it home. Many people have said that they are able to leave their worries at the door, and that is really what it is all about, and why I'm so proud to do what I do,” Swart added.
The Maslow is not only a place for business, but also the epitome of self-love and self-care in the hustle and bustle of city life, deadlines and more work than we care to do, making it the perfect place for a casual visit or even a place you can call your home away from home.
