Sleeping in the Footsteps of Nelson Mandela

The Story of the “Mr President” Room

Tucked within the former residence of Nelson Mandela, the room Mr President (Room 1) is unlike any other stay in the world. Once his personal bedroom during a pivotal chapter in South Africa’s history, this room holds not just memories, it holds legacy.

From 1992 to 1998, this home served as Madiba’s sanctuary. It’s where he rested after long days of nation-building, met with global leaders behind closed doors, and found quiet comfort in his private moments. After his presidency, the house became the headquarters of the Nelson Mandela Foundation. Today, this same space welcomes guests who want more than a hotel room – guests who want to connect with history and sleep where a president once dreamed and reflected on the future of a nation.

Named Mr President to honour Mandela’s role as South Africa’s first democratically elected leader, this room still carries echoes of the man himself. Inside, guests will find original artefacts from his private bathroom, carefully preserved and respectfully displayed, like towels and amenities he once used; offering an intimate glimpse into his daily life. The scent in the room echoes the clean, comforting undertones of CK One — the fragrance found in his bathroom alongside his towels — a subtle, sensory tribute to the man behind the icon. Every detail has been thoughtfully preserved to allow you to feel the weight of his story and the comfort of his home.

The Mr President room is offered as part of a dinner, bed and breakfast experience that’s as thoughtful as it is luxurious. Guests enjoy a fully stocked mini bar, complimentary transfers to the Nelson Mandela Foundation for an exclusive tour of the archives that offer deeper insight into Mandela’s life, values and vision.

The room combines history with all the modern comforts you’d expect from a boutique hotel of this calibre: satellite TV, air conditioning, a spacious bathroom with both shower and bathtub, and 24-hour service. Every element of your stay is curated to reflect the quiet dignity and warm hospitality that defined Mandela himself.

To stay in the Mr President room is to immerse yourself in both luxury and legacy. This is an unforgettable opportunity to experience the same walls that once held the thoughts, hopes and rest of one of the greatest leaders of our time.

At Sanctuary Mandela, we invite you to make this historic home your own, if only for a night.

Book your stay today and become part of the story.