My first encounter with The Maslow was a visit to the Lacuna Bar for drinks after work one Friday in May to celebrate a colleague’s birthday the next day. I was impressed with the luxury, the variety of cocktails, the delicious range of snacks, the outstanding and friendly service. I’ve been desperate for a reason to go back, and pondered ways to see what the rooms were like.

When I saw Wisaal ran a competition on her blog for a night’s stay, I immediately entered (and firmly believed that I would win – which of course I did!). I was so excited for my stay, and so happy that I could share the experience with my bestest best friend.

We arrived just before 13:00 on the Sunday afternoon, and was ushered to the Wayfarer Lounge while the check-in desk verified whether our room was ready yet. They had very kindly upgraded us from a Junior Suite to a Luxury Suite with a Balcony.

“​These rooms are slightly larger (48m²) and have king beds with balconies. They are ideal for those who prefer to work in the privacy of their hotel room than in the lobby or lounge. They come with everything you need such as complimentary Wi-Fi, and espresso coffee and a range of teas.” The en-suite bathroom has a separate bath and separate shower (both large and fitted with state-of-the-art fixtures). There are televisions in both the living room area and the bedroom, and a “guest” toilet as you enter the suite. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

Part of the prize I had won was the Gourmet Braai Buffet lunch with a complimentary cocktail and live entertainment. The deliciously smoky smell tickled our taste buds from the moment we entered the hotel. The spread included soup, a range of salads, fragrant starchy sides, veggies, fish, and of course, lots of meat. The dessert options also catered to every taste.

Finally we rolled our food babies headed up to our apartment room. My tummy kept my dropped jaw from actually hitting the floor. This was so much more than I expected – more luxurious, larger; just everything exceeding any expectation I had. My goody bag was actually the last thing I explored.

The Africology Spa at The Maslow Hotel is the next reason I have to return – I received some great samples from their product range in my goody bag – I can’t imagine anything better than being received by the friendly and efficient staff, enjoying some of Chef Dallas’s amazing meals, being pampered at the spa, and relaxing among the fabulously fluffy pillows.

I’m quite seriously considering dipping into my birthday savings to spend a weekend in the luxury that I’ve had a small taste of.

I will be posting more pics on the SITC Facebook and Google+ pages; be sure to have a look! And don’t miss out on the great special offers currently being run by The Maslow.