Sprawling and apartment block-strewn, little stays the same in Rosebank – except for the certainty that you’ll have a blast! Now, a fiery food scene and creative energy is being harnessed to make it one of the hottest properties around. Come here for high-street shopping, local fashion labels, art galleries and the most exciting restaurant launches. In the vastness of Rosebank, there’s a stay ‘just right’ for you. So, here are our favourite places – both established and new to the neighbourhood that’s constantly evolving to emerge as the new cool hotspot.
WHERE TO STAY
54 on Bath
Best for world-class decadence
Glimpsed from the street, you might mistake the red face brick 54 on Bath hotel for fashionable city-break apartments, since there’s no showy sign. But the urban garden with its single-lane pool, one of Rosebank’s hottest social spots, is a giveaway that this is no self-catering hotel. The romantically-lit reception is hidden away to the side, and everything – from the highly-polished check-in desk to the piano player tinkering away – sets the mood. The upbeat and extremely helpful staff, dressed in smart suits, make you feel at home the moment you step into the lobby. Before you’re ushered to your room, stop for a drink at the signature green, white and gold Perrier-Jouët champagne bar, a veritable showstopper decked out with curvy low chairs and Maison Perrier-Jouët’s delicate art nouveau anemones. Spread out over 10 floors, guests of 54 on Bath can choose from 75 minimalist white and grey rooms and suites. It’s the rooms set within a garden-fringed enclave at the front of the hotel that you’ll want to book. For business travellers, the interiors have a calming, neutral feel and the room amenities are fantastic, including free and unlimited Wi-Fi, a coffee bar with an espresso machine, and a desk and chair for remote workers or early-morning admin. Those with more time on their hands will pick up on beautiful details such as shimmery floor-to-ceiling curtains, super-dreamy towels and bed linens, toiletries in the bathroom that smell heavenly plus the ultimate pièce de résistance – a standout painting of Joburg above the bed. Our Deluxe Room was a mini sanctuary; a deeply comfortable place to rest our head where no detail was overlooked. It might feel impossible to leave this luxury cocoon during your stay – but try to. Directly connected to Rosebank Mall, 54 on Bath is within walking distance of great shops and restaurants. The hotel’s intimate Level Four Restaurant, with its red interiors and black-and-white checkerboard floors, is also one of the best places to eat in and around Rosebank. Très romantic, if you ask us. Whether you want classic mushroom risotto with smoked buffalo mozzarella; grilled sea bass with chorizo bisque, calamari tagliatelle, pickled fennel and harissa baked mussels; or decadent glazed duck breast with a confit duck leg wonton, beetroot caramel, pickled beetroot, cherries, brioche pistachio crumble and coffee jus; it’s all impressively fresh and respectfully cooked. The breakfast menu spans typical menu options executed perfectly, like a blueberry pancake stack, a poached egg on avocado toast or buttery smoked salmon scrambled eggs. The rooftop garden is a more comfortable place to hang out during the day, where you can meet a friend or do a little work.
54 Bath Avenue, Rosebank
011 344 8500
54onbath.reservations@southernsun.com
Southern Sun Rosebank
Best for a no-frills stay that feels like home
With glittering views inside and out, Southern Sun Rosebank offers the quintessential Rosebank hotel experience – amplified. Although it’s not as flashy as some of its neighbours, its prime location (around the corner from fashion-forward Oxford Parks and The Zone @ Rosebank) makes it an ideal spot for travellers with centrality and comfort in mind. Southern Sun Rosebank welcomes a mix of corporate and leisure travellers loyal to the Southern Sun brand and the frequentGuest rewards programme. Despite its modern overhaul, the hotel remains a classic: The 318 rooms – all dark lacquered woods, chocolate brown furniture, leather accents and contemporary surrounds – are decorated in a palette of punchy colours. Ranging from Standard Rooms to Executive Suites, each of the smartly kitted out bedrooms is different in size. Common denominators, however, are king beds, black-out shades, a workspace, a good-sized bathroom with a walk-in shower, and the best night vistas of The Parks and Northcliff Hill. Guests looking to indulge can opt for the Presidential Suite with a double-volume bar opening onto a dining room and lounge. Another renovation across this year will bring new-look rooms – we can hardly wait for the big reveal. As enticing as it is to rely on 24-hour room service, it would be a shame to do so. An exciting new addition is The Grill Jichana, where the hotel’s inventive East African menu can be found. Inspired by Africa’s epic spice route, the restaurant offers sizzling and flame-grilled meat, chicken and fish dishes. Don’t shy away from the classics, including a rump steak with café de Paris butter or slow-braised lamb shank, because The Grill Jichana does them brilliantly. For round one, beef carpaccio is served with freshly made tomato compote, cheesy prawn gratin is paired with lemon-scented cream, and black mushrooms are accompanied with hollandaise sauce, rocket, balsamic reduction and toasted brioche. The main event is the succulent pepper-crusted ostrich fillet with roasted baby onions, button mushrooms, sautéed spinach, creamed mash potatoes and red wine jus – it’s sourced and prepared with the utmost consideration. A well-stocked continental breakfast is served daily at Fresh Restaurant on the ground floor. Elsewhere, there’s a well-equipped gym, an outdoor swimming pool and a tranquil little Zen garden that will transport you to a world away from the Joburg hustle. Another compelling reason to return is the Camelot Spa, with an extensive treatment menu including the Thalgo 3 Algae Facial and Body Wrap as well as a signature CBD oil massage. Guests who can navigate the big city will find the best restaurants, wine bars and art galleries within easy reach.
Corner of Tyrwhitt & Sturdee Avenues, Rosebank
011 448 3600
ssrosebank.reservations@southernsun.com
WHERE TO EAT
Mamasamba
Feel the beat and enjoy the bites. Combining vibrant cuisine with a banging atmosphere, Mamasamba is one of Rosebank’s most popular new spots to go to for Latin American food. From the hearty dishes of Mexico to the zesty flavours of Brazil, the varied eclectic menu is a melting pot of flavours, spices and cooking techniques. Be sure to take your friends along, as you’ll want to sample everything. Still not convinced? Boasting both style and substance, this two-floor, plant-filled haven overdelivers at every turn while music pulses gently in the background. The OTT urban jungle interior – think hyper-bright colours, terrazzo floors, a spiral staircase, and graffitied florals and trees – designed by interior architect Tristan du Plessis will have you sold. Whether you choose to come to this perennial party place for a casual midweek catchup on the patio or fancy a raucous Saturday lunch, Mamasamba has something for everyone. The antojitos – Latin American-inspired small plates – were destined to be washed down with a tasty cocktail selection. The Lupita (Bacardí Añejo Cuatro rum, pineapple juice, passionfruit syrup, lime juice and creole bitters) prepared our palate for the smoked sake ponzu oysters with chilli oil and apple. There are plenty of high-end dishes like crispy crayfish taquitos (rolled tacos) with salmon roe and punchy yuzu mayo, or wagyu tataki in a ginger soy dressing, scattered with truffle shavings that drop an umami bomb. Sushi is a particular talent here – signatures include Peruvian acevichado rainbow rolls, rock shrimp rolls topped with chipotle mayo, salmon roses with wasabi pearls as well as miso wagyu uramaki rolls. The plates are as playful as the décor, making this a not-to-be-missed sushi experience. The meat and seafood – cooked in a Josper charcoal oven or on a Parrilla grill – is also on point. Special shoutouts go to the rib eye with chimichurri on a bed of traditional samba salad and batatas fritas; the beef or pork ribs stroked with a mango and cola glaze, served with fennel and smoky jalapeño salad; and the chargrilled octopus that packs a flavourful punch with ancho ponzu, black rice, stir-fry vegetables, sweet potato bravas and yellow chilli pepper mayo. The bar is worth a pitstop before or after supper, too. We recommend the tequila martini – Patrón Reposado tequila complete with Martini Bianco, Martini Extra Dry and peach bitters, garnished with a tortilla chip.
The Zone @ Rosebank, 177 Oxford Road, Rosebank
010 110 0313
