Joburg: More Than Just a Bad Rap
If you tell someone from Cape Town you’re from Johannesburg, you’ll probably see that classic “shame” hand gesture. They’ll think of potholes, high walls, and traffic jams. Yeah, Joburg has all that. But it’s also a city built on gold, which means it’s busy, ambitious, and super social. It’s got a unique energy that’s playful and curious.
Rosebank: The Heart of the Hustle
Want to see Joburg’s cool side? Head to Rosebank. There’s this awesome car-free zone linking the Rosebank Mall and The Zone. By day, it’s packed with tourists and office workers. By night, it’s all about movie crowds and people dressed up for dinner and DJ sets. It’s always buzzing.
Hyde Johannesburg Rosebank: Your New Fave Hangout
Right in the middle of all this action is the Hyde Johannesburg Rosebank. It’s part of an old 70s building called The Bank. The hotel used to be called Voco The Bank but got a total refresh in late 2024. Now it’s run by Ennismore, a group that wants hotels to feel like social hubs, not just places to sleep.
From Hollywood Parties to Joburg Vibes
The Hyde brand started as a super-exclusive Hollywood lounge for celebs like Paris Hilton. Now it’s a small chain of hotels and beach clubs that keep that “party-girl” spirit but with a boho-luxe, festival-like feel. Opening their first-ever hotel in Africa in Rosebank? Perfect fit.
First Stop: The Lobby
The hotel is in a cool black-brick building with secure access for cars. Step inside, and you get the “social hub” vibe immediately. It’s a big, bright space with two giant couches (their signature “Endless Sofa”) and smaller seating nooks with armchairs and low tables.
The look is earthy and textured with a bohemian feel. The best part? The walls are covered in art from local female artists, so it’s 100% Mzansi.
Eat, Drink, and Be Seen
Proud Coffee
The casual spot. Grab a coffee and a pastry at the street-side counter or order room service.
Proud Mary: The Main Event
This is the famous “eatery and wine bar” that’s been a Rosebank hit since 2021. The dining room is mid-century modern with warm wood, curved lines, and soft golden light. The bar is a work of art—curved and glowing with bottles like jewels.
The menu is a world tour: think beef sandwiches, tuna tataki salad, and chicken katsu for lunch. Dinner ups the ante with shareable small plates and big dishes like a massive 1.2kg tomahawk steak. Breakfast (included for guests) is anything but basic, with options like Bombay frittata and “on toast” with turmeric onions or miso dust.
Nine Lives: The Secret Speakeasy
If Proud Mary is the main stage, Nine Lives is the VIP lounge. It’s a hidden bar tucked between the 4th and 5th floors. To get in, you press “S” in the lift, walk down a red-lit hallway, and push through a velvet curtain. Feels like you’re in on a secret.
Inside, it’s all moody 70s vibes: glossy black floors, leather banquettes, velvet chairs, and a giant mural of a prowling cat. The graffiti quote from The Cure’s “Love Cats” (“We bite and scratch and scream all night”) adds to the rebellious, whispery feel.
The manager says the cat theme is about curiosity and adapting. Nine Lives is where you become your “after-work self” or your “night self”—the one who wants mystery, smoke, and cool sounds.
They serve shareable snacks and cocktails with fun names like “Filthy AF” and “Beautiful, Dirty, Rich.” The bar list has lots of hard-to-find spirits too.
Your Room: A Peaceful Hideout
Hyde has 131 rooms. Mine looked out over the neighborhood trees—nice view, and no noisy street sounds at night. With the blackout curtains on, it felt like a calm, cozy cocoon.
Besides the usual stuff (Nespresso machine, minibar, smart TV), each room has Bluetooth speakers and a “Try-On Wall.” This is a rack of handmade local accessories—beaded jewelry, woven fans—that you can try on and maybe even buy to support local creators.
Some rooms have a freestanding bath right by the floor-to-ceiling windows, so you can soak while looking over Joburg’s treetops.
The Staff: House Party Vibes
A lot of the team used to work in Rosebank’s restaurants, so they’re super experienced but still really warm and personal. At check-in, they’ll be bobbing along to the music and greeting you like you’re arriving at a friend’s house party, not a hotel.
Bottom Line: Why You’ll Love It
If you’re visiting Joburg, Rosebank is the easiest way to experience the city’s best—edgy, eclectic, and full of life. The Hyde hotel fits right into that scene. It’s warm, stylish, and built for meeting people. For curious cats (get it?), it’s the perfect intro to a city that’s maybe “treacherous” sometimes, but also “so wonderfully, wonderfully, wonderfully pretty.”
• Prices start at around R2,000 per person per night, breakfast included. Check out hydehotels.com.
