Explore Sandton in a Day

If you're staying The Maslow Hotel in Sandton during your business travels, you'll have easy access to some of the city's highlights; like architectural landmarks, public art gems, and outstanding shopping destinations. And if you can carve out some time between your business meetings or sneak some into your conference schedule, you can explore Africa's "wealthiest square mile" in just one day.

Here are some things to do in Sandton:

Start your day with a little history

Just a few hundred metres from the Sandton Gautrain Station, the Little Church in the Pines is one of Sandton's oldest buildings. Towered over by skyscrapers, it's hard to imagine forests once surrounded this little church. While you sip your latte and stare in awe at the simplicity of the building's design, try and picture history's children attending Sunday School beneath the pine trees that gave the church its name.

Fun fact: The church was officially opened in 1924, 50 odd years before Sandton began its trajectory to become Africa's wealthiest square mile.

Take a stroll past the stock exchange

In direct contrast to the little church, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange is the very definition of what Sandton is about today: big, bold and modern. Take a moment to consider the fact that Johannesburg was built on the discovery of gold, and that this building stands as testament to the success of that wealth.

Fun fact: The JSE has adopted some of the most advanced technologies and trading techniques to constantly keep up with the global economy. Its surveillance system alone rivals some of the finest in the world!

Get a measure of green banking

Head down Rivonia Road and catch a glimpse of the new home of Nedbank, the first building in South Africa to be awarded a 4-star Green Star rating. This structure is all about the earth, from using environmentally-friendly construction methods and materials to the overall 'green' policies of its interior design and daily operation. Strolling past here, you can't help but think of ways in which you can green your home.

Fun fact: The building has a full-economy-cycle air-conditioning system that flushes fresh air through the building according to carbon dioxide sensors on each floor, while an innovative black water system recycles and reuses all non-potable water for irrigation.

Take a walk in the park

A little further down Rivonia Road, the Mushroom Farm Park will give you a respite from the high-rise buildings and fast-paced energy of Sandton. Also known as the Hyundai Sky Park, it's a great place to spend the morning among huge trees and on rolling lawns. Do yourself a favour and pack a picnic basket. Once you settle down on a bench beside the duck pond, you won't want to leave this green pocket of calm.

Fun fact: There are about 80 different species of birds that flock around the pond.

Have a seat on some benchmark benches

In 2010 the Benchmark Commission created a series of corporate-sponsored artist benches in Sandton Central. Among these, Louie Olivier's "Differently. Think" is a concrete bench on Fredman Drive with two thoughtful bronze figures seated on it, while along Rivonia Road you'll find award-winning artist Nandipha Mntambo's seat of metal lines that represent a financial graph of profit and loss. Just metres away sits "junk-yard artist" Willie Bester's bench made from disused agricultural parts. Go ahead and take a seat, and think differently.

Fun fact: Sandton's public art has previously been limited to the famous bronze statue of Nelson Mandela, or notable pieces tucked away in corporate headquarters and hotels. These benches form the beginning of a thriving public art scene in downtown Sandton.

Make it a Mandela afternoon

No exploration of Sandton is complete without some time spent at the Nelson Mandela Square. Sandton City's very own piazza is one of the largest open public spaces in South Africa, meaning it's a great place to do some people-watching. Enjoy a cup of exotic coffee at one of its many sidewalk cafés and eateries and absorb some local Sandton flavour. Don't forget to take a selfie with the six-meter tall statue of Nelson Mandela. If you want a bookish escape, head across the square to the Sandton Library and disappear into a novel.

Fun fact: The 2.5 ton statue of Nelson Mandela was crafted by local artists Kobus Hattingh and Jacob Maponyane, and was officially unveiled in 2004 as the world's first public statue of the iconic statesman.

Round off the day with a spoil at The Maslow

Head back to The Maslow for an Africology Spa session before enjoying a poolside drink on the terrace. And if you really must catch up on some work, you're in the right place. As the best business hotel in Johannesburg, The Maslow has all the necessary amenities in place to take care of your corporate needs.