Operating at the intersection of recognition, curation, and strategic advisory, LUXE brings together the LUXE Awards, LUXE Guide, and LUXE Consulting to define excellence, shape perception, and influence the industry at the highest level.
Grounded in credibility, discernment, and cultural relevance, LUXE serves as a trusted benchmark for brands, operators, and audiences seeking quality without compromise.
Together, the LUXE Awards, LUXE Guide, and LUXE Consulting form an integrated ecosystem shaping the future of luxury hospitality in South Africa.
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LUXE Awards represent the highest benchmark of excellence within South Africa’s luxury hospitality and dining landscape, recognising the establishments and individuals shaping the country’s most distinguished offerings.
LUXE Guide is a curated editorial platform inspiring discovery year-round, offering a considered lens on contemporary luxury across hospitality, travel, dining, and lifestyle.
LUXE Consulting partners with select hospitality and lifestyle brands to refine positioning, strengthen perception, and build enduring brand equity.
More than recognition, LUXE defines the standard against which excellence is measured.
Beyond accolades, the LUXE Awards serve as a standards-setting platform reflecting what excellence looks like at the highest level of hospitality.
To be recognised by LUXE is to be measured against peers who lead through consistency, craft, and guest experience.
Recognising culinary excellence across South Africa’s most accomplished dining establishments. Categories celebrate innovation, technique, service, atmosphere, and overall guest experience.
Honouring hotels, lodges, and destinations that deliver exceptional service, design, and sense of place while meeting the highest standards of luxury hospitality.
Reflecting authentic guest appreciation and celebrating brands that inspire loyalty, relevance, and emotional connection.
Our Judging Framework
Built on credibility, integrity, and discernment, the LUXE Standard of Excellence is our proprietary judging methodology. It guides every evaluation, nomination, and award decision across the LUXE platform.
Rooted in rigorous assessment, deep industry expertise, and independent review, this framework ensures that every recognised establishment meets the highest benchmarks of quality, consistency, innovation, and guest experience.
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A diverse panel of 50 reviewers scouts South Africa’s top hospitality destinations. Reviews from these trusted industry experts converge in a comprehensive database to highlight the nation’s premier establishments.
A panel of six independent judges, comprising chefs, authors, sommeliers, food critics, and more, assesses the shortlisted candidates. Each restaurant is visited by every judge. The chief judge validates ratings through on-site visits. Affirmed establishments are added to the nominee shortlist.
Online customer reviews are integrated, giving them a 10% weighting in the final “Luxe score”. This step incorporates the voice of the public while maintaining the expert-driven focus of the awards.
Every review score is converted into a standardized grade, ranging from 0 to 100, using conversion tables specifically tailored to our guidebook’s specifications. This ensures consistency and fairness across all evaluations.
For each shortlisted nominee, we meticulously calculate the average of all approved standardized review grades conducted throughout the review period, from 1 March – 30 September 2025. This ensures a comprehensive assessment reflecting various perspectives throughout the review period.
All nominees in the award categories are ranked according to their “Luxe score,” which is determined by combining the judges’ scores and customer reviews. This final score determines their placement in the relevant categories.
The LUXE Guide is the editorial and recommendation platform from the authority behind the LUXE Awards. It exists to inspire discovery, celebrate excellence year-round, and provide a considered lens on South Africa’s luxury hospitality, dining, travel, and lifestyle landscape.
LUXE Consulting operates at the intersection of strategy, reputation, and influence. Drawing on deep industry insight and an intimate understanding of luxury markets, the consultancy partners with brands navigating growth, repositioning, and increased visibility within competitive environments.
LUXE works with brands to define clear, differentiated positioning within the luxury hospitality landscape. This includes clarifying brand identity, refining messaging, and aligning offerings with audience expectations and market opportunity.
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Drawing on awards and audit expertise, LUXE advises on guest experience design, service standards, and experiential consistency, ensuring that brand promise is delivered seamlessly across every interaction.
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LUXE supports brands in managing reputation across industry, media, and consumer channels. This includes guiding how brands are perceived, discussed, and positioned within the market, particularly during periods of growth or change.
Rather than acting as a traditional PR agency, LUXE provides strategic direction on communications, helping brands articulate their story, engage with the right platforms, and maintain credibility within luxury media and industry circles.
Leveraging insight from awards, editorial, and industry engagement, LUXE offers informed benchmarking and perspective, helping clients understand where they sit within the competitive landscape and how to evolve.
LUXE Consulting partners with a curated portfolio of hospitality and lifestyle brands, operators, and investors who share a commitment to excellence and long-term value creation. Engagements are selective and typically begin through direct enquiry or referral.
Trusted by those who define excellence in luxury hospitality.
The LUXE Restaurant Awards honour craftsmanship, consistency, and true dedication to the guest experience. They set a meaningful standard for our industry.
LUXE has created a platform that is elegant, strategic, and deeply respected. It reflects a clear understanding of luxury, storytelling, and long-term brand value.
Being acknowledged by LUXE is about more than winning. It reflects discipline, excellence, and a commitment to pushing South African dining forward.
The LUXE Restaurant Awards celebrate individuals and establishments that continually redefine excellence through consistency, creativity, and uncompromising standards.
LUXE has established itself as the definitive authority of luxury hospitality in South Africa. Its platform reflects an unwavering commitment to recognising true excellence.
All establishments and individuals are assessed through the LUXE Standard of Excellence, our proprietary evaluation framework. This process combines expert review, structured criteria, and ongoing industry analysis to ensure consistent and informed recognition.
LUXE exists for leading restaurants, hotels, and hospitality professionals committed to excellence, innovation, and long-term reputation. It serves those who operate at the highest level of their craft.
Recognition by LUXE reflects sustained performance, professional discipline, and distinction within the luxury hospitality landscape. It signals alignment with the highest standards of quality and service.
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