Women’s Day in South Africa is more than a date on the calendar. It commemorates the 1956 march of over 20,000 women to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest the pass laws. It honours the bravery, resilience, and collective power of women who stood up for their rights and helped reshape the course of history. Today, it is both a tribute and a reminder—a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come, and how much more still lies ahead.

It is also an opportunity to pause, connect, and celebrate the women in our lives, including ourselves. And this year, with Women’s Day falling on a Saturday, there is no built-in long weekend—but that doesn’t mean you can’t create your own. All it takes is a little planning, a sprinkle of indulgence, and the right setting.

Luckily, Sandton Central is more than up to the task. Whether you are treating yourself to a solo reset, rounding up your best friends for a girls’ day, or planning something special with your partner or family, the heart of the city offers everything you need to turn a single day into a full-blown celebration.

Wake Up Somewhere Beautiful

If you really want to embrace the idea of a weekend getaway, start by waking up in a luxury hotel. There is something about crisp sheets, city views, and breakfast you didn’t have to cook that shifts your entire mindset. Thankfully, Sandton Central is packed with five-star options offering winter specials that bring a little magic without blowing the budget.

• The Sandton Sun and Towers is running a Winter Indulgence package that makes city living feel like a spa retreat. From R4,995 per couple, you get a one-night stay in a Standard Room, dinner at San Restaurant to the value of R1,000, breakfast, and generous discounts on spa treatments and products. If you’ve been craving a massage, a facial, or just a long soak in a quiet space, this is the reset you didn’t know you needed.
• The DAVINCI Hotel and Suites offers a similarly indulgent option. For R4,860 per couple, their winter package includes luxury accommodation in an executive room, a three-course dinner at Maximillien Restaurant, a bottle of bubbly with strawberries, red rose turndown, and breakfast the next morning. It’s sleek, sophisticated, and ideal for couples looking to celebrate in style.
• Prefer something with a more romantic flair? The Michelangelo Towers Celebrate Package wraps everything up in a little red bow. For R5,950 per couple, you’ll enjoy dinner at ROAR Bistro and Bar with a bottle of house wine, a romantic turndown, luxury accommodation, and breakfast the next morning. The setting is plush, the atmosphere timeless, and the experience curated with care.
• If your plans include the whole family, Southern Sun’s SunBreaks Winter Deal is a winner. From just R1,390 per family room per night, you’ll get breakfast for two and kids under 18 stay and eat free when sharing with adults. It’s affordable, flexible, and an easy way to turn Women’s Day into a relaxed family break.

Take It Slow with a Spa Day

For those craving calm, a spa day is the ultimate act of self-celebration. Whether you opt for a full package or just a couple of hours to yourself, Sandton’s spas offer world-class treatments in some of the city’s most beautiful spaces.

Sandton Sun Spa is a firm favourite, especially when paired with the Winter Indulgence hotel package. With 20 percent off all treatments and 10 percent off spa retail products for guests, it’s the perfect excuse to finally book that deep tissue massage or vitamin C facial. Alternatively, pop in for a foot massage and a glass of bubbly before heading back out to shop or dine.

If you’re staying at the DAVINCI or the Michelangelo, both offer in-house spa services to complete the experience. For something more low-key, book an appointment at Life Day Spa on Alice Lane, where hydrotherapy pools, floatation tanks, and bespoke facials promise to melt away every ounce of stress.

Brunch, Bubbles, and Beautiful Backdrops

No Women’s Weekend is complete without a long, lazy brunch. Call the girls, dress up a little, and head into the city for a morning filled with caffeine, conversation, and maybe even a cocktail or two.

San Deck at Sandton Sun is one of the most iconic brunch spots in the city. It’s got all the ingredients you want from a rooftop venue: stunning views, a warm and modern setting, and a menu that ranges from light bites to indulgent breakfast feasts. Their coffee is strong, their mimosas legendary, and the vibe is always just right for a celebration.

Looking for a little more flair? Book a table at Saint in The Marc. It’s lively, dramatic, and known for its wood-fired brunch pizzas and bold cocktails. The crowd is fashionable, the space is Instagram-ready, and the energy is unmistakable.

If you’d rather keep it a little quieter, ROAR Bistro and Bar inside Michelangelo Towers offers a more refined dining experience. With plush seating, polished service, and a classic menu, it’s perfect for an intimate catch-up with a close friend or a relaxed solo treat.

Top it All Off with a Little Sparkle

If you only plan one thing this weekend, let it be this. Alto234, the highest urban bar in the Southern Hemisphere, is running a Winter Special you do not want to miss. For R300 per person (normally R390), you’ll receive entrance to this iconic rooftop space, plus a glass of Moët & Chandon on arrival. The sunset views are unmatched, the vibe is elegant without being stuffy, and the experience feels like something straight out of a travel magazine. Whether you’re winding down your weekend or starting your evening with a clink of glasses, Alto234 is the kind of place where memories are made.

Theatre, With a Twist

Looking for something a little unexpected? Every Friday and Saturday night in August, Hotel Sky Sandton is hosting Falace in Wonderland at its Infinity Auditorium. This cheeky, clever reimagining of Alice’s journey drops her straight into the chaotic world of online dating. Packed with noughties music, outrageous dance numbers, and laugh-out-loud storytelling, the show is a light-hearted, adults-only escape that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Tickets are R200 and the show runs from 8pm until late. Book ahead, grab a cocktail, and settle in for a girls’ night with a twist.

Round It Off With Some Retail Therapy

Whether you are on the hunt for something specific or just wandering with a coffee in hand, Sandton Central delivers retail therapy with a capital T. Sandton City, Nelson Mandela Square, and The Marc offer a mix of high fashion, local gems, luxury beauty, and homegrown design.

Check out the winter sales for stylish bargains, or treat yourself to a new fragrance, bold lipstick, or statement bag. Head to the beauty counters for a mini makeover or skincare consultation. Or take your time exploring hidden gems in between the major brands.

However You Celebrate, Make It Count

Women’s Day is about more than just a calendar date. It is a chance to honour the resilience, complexity, joy, and strength of women in all forms. Whether you are toasting to friendship, treating yourself to some much-needed rest, or simply taking a moment to slow down and breathe, Sandton Central gives you the space to do it all in style.

So, plan it. Book it. Enjoy it. And let this Women’s Weekend be one filled with laughter, connection, and the kind of indulgence that reminds you just how worth it you are.