SANDTON OVERVIEW

Sandton’s Maslow hotel turns 10

The unexpected garden oasis of The Maslow has been welcoming guests to Sandton’s financial district for the past decade, and while small details might have changed, it is still focused on doing hospitality simply, but exceptionally.

The 281-room property opened its doors in December 2012, after a R250-million refurbishment, and has had three general managers at the helm — beginning with Johan Scheepers, Ashwin Jose and the current incumbent, Herman Swart.

Before transforming into The Maslow, it was the Southern Sun Grayston Hotel, and a Holiday Inn in the 1980s. The Maslow became Sun International’s first business-centric hotel in their portfolio - a personalised four-star experience which balances work and play.

According to Booking.com, The Maslow has more repeat guests than most other properties.

Over the years, prominent guests have included the likes of Nelson Mandela, The Waterboys, The Cure, Bonang, Baby Face, Brian McKnight and various Miss South Africa contestants who have stayed during the competition over the years, as well as leading soccer and rugby players.

Mr Swart believes the quality of the Maslow’s guests influence his staff’s performance. “We have a three-year contract with an airline and our staff love serving them. They have become loyal regulars who bring their favourite waiter or front of house staff member birthday gifts, a motivating factor for the team, who love their energy, as they frequent the swimming pool or dining areas.”

Mr Swart attributes the many repeat guests to his staff’s interaction with guests, the quality of service, as well as the Maslow’s stunning garden environment.

Mr Swart expected conferencing to be slow to return, instead surprisingly, bounced back fast as businesspeople find value in face-to-face interaction. “As a result, our conferencing venues are sold out weeks in advance.”

“In what is a new trend, we are seeing businessmen staying for periods of up to 30 days. For these guests, who may tire of our menu, we have ‘chef on call.’ They tell our executive chef Omar Menhouk what they feel like eating, and it is prepared to their taste.”

The Maslow’s Lacuna Bar and Bistro challenges the conventional thinking that hotels are not known for exceptional food. “Our menus are in line with what the Maslow is all about — simple, but quality food.” Chef Menhouk has refreshed the hotel’s dining options, bringing a lighter, fresher fare with on-trend ingredients to the fore.

The Africology Spa at The Maslow is popular with Johannesburg locals and regular guests, who are savvy enough to know to book in advance. One of the most popular treatments is the 90-minute ‘The Maslow Journey’, a bespoke massage and facial which is exclusively available at the hotel. Besides the usual manicures, pedicures, massages and facials, the spa has its own hydrotherapy area, with a Rasul Chamber, steam room, ice walkway and heated pool.

In Mr Swart’s many years with Sun International, The Maslow is the smallest property he has managed, but, he says, the most rewarding to be involved in. “I see myself as the conductor of the team. We have turned things around since the pandemic, to become profitable, and my team is motivated and happy. It is an honour to represent the Sun International brand in such a competitive environment as Sandton, and for our next decade, we aim to grow occupancy levels to 75 per cent using our excellent customer satisfaction rates as a base.”