The Michelangelo Hotel in Sandton is reminiscent of fashionable charming Europe. Overlooking the Nelson Mandela Square,( formerly known as Sandton Square ) it epitomises sheer indulgent luxury, and is also conveniently located close  to movie houses, theatre, coffee shops, restaurants, and shopping- one the best things to do in Sandton. Joining the Michelangelo Hotel is a cosmopolitan discerning shopping mall, where local and international clothing designer shops can be found, as well as home décor, and unusual gifts with an African flavour. The nearby Sandton City Shopping Mall is a mecca for shopping- 3 stories of everything you need- ranging from household and toiletry necessities, it is also home to prestigious international branded goods, like the Pumpkin Patch clothes for kids from New Zealand, the first Haagen-Dazs store in South Africa, as well as Mango, leading clothing store from Spain, and top international hair stylists, to a fast food court, or fine dining restaurants. 

The Johannesburg Zoo, which is in close proximity to the Michelangelo Hotel, boasts the only polar bears in Africa- set in beautiful landscaped gardens, with its own lake; it is a worthwhile day out. The Johannesburg Zoo also offers a moonlight tour which takes you behind the scenes, up close and personal with their big cats.

The Rhino and Lion Park, is a 4 hour tour that departs from Johannesburg, where you can see most of the big Five, including wild dogs. The city theatres offer a wide range of both local and international productions, including opera and symphonies. Restaurants and cafes are aplenty, catering to every taste, with Johannesburg being called the “restaurant mecca of South Africa”. A day or night trip to Soweto showcases one of the highest concentration of people in Africa, with shacks, mansions, and informal traders living side by side.

Bruma Lake offers rowing boats, as well as a Sunday market, where everything from Africana to clothing is sold. Another famous Sunday market is on the rooftop of Rosebank Mall, which is well worth a visit. .Art Africa in Parkview has a dazzling array of Africana, whether it’s a head sculpture, or something funky or contemporary, its all to be found in this colourful shop

From bookstores to model trains, everything that you would want is close by. Sporting activities available include ten pin bowling, skateboarding, golf, tennis, bowls, windsurfing, polo, ice-skating, sky diving, archery and horse riding.

The museums and art galleries in and around Sandton are plentiful- The Museum of Man and Science found in Diagonal Street is actually a shop that sells traditional African medicine, or “muti”, as well as interesting and unusual items like tyre sandals, and hand-carved walking sticks. The Dynamite Museum and the Adler Museum of Medicine, the Apartheid Museum, and the First National Bank Museum all offer interesting and well detailed homage to their displays. The James Hall Transport Museum is the most comprehensive transport museum in South Africa, The Madiba Freedom Museum, which showcases the country’s struggle to freedom, and the Museum Afrika, which takes you into a 1950’s set up of a local shebeen, are some of the city’s finest museums that are worth visiting.

Nelson Mandela Square

Nelson Mandela Square itself is home to beautiful eateries, with something happening on the square every weekend, whether its African tribal dancing, drumming, martial arts displays, dancing, or clowning, there is always something to watch, so sit back and relax, cappuccino, wine or a wonderful meal in hand, and enjoy Sandton.