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****UPDATE: This hotel’s opening has been delayed until June 2025****
tl;dr—The Park Hyatt Johannesburg has been a promised property for some time now, but it appears that it will finally open this coming Spring. Though the hotel is a smaller property, it is a welcome addition to the luxury hotel scene in Joburg.
In 2022, Hyatt announced the Park Hyatt Johannesburg – a project that would remodel and rebrand the Winston Hotel – bringing it into the top-tier brand of the Hyatt portfolio. Originally scheduled to open in 2023, the project has met numerous delays. Thankfully, we have a positive update, as the Park Hyatt Johannesburg is now expected to open in April 2025. The hotel is located in the Rosebank neighborhood of Johannesburg, about eight minutes away (in different directions) from two hotels I stayed at on my recent trip to South Africa, The Residence and Melrose Arch, An Autograph Collection Hotel. With just 31 rooms, guests can expect a more intimate experience, which will equate to quite an in-demand property for points and miles enthusiasts. Let’s jump into the details.
Despite being the 8th largest city in Africa, the country’s financial capital, and home to the busiest airport in Africa, Johannesburg does not have a plethora of upper-market luxury hotels. Thus, opening a new luxury hotel, particularly one bookable on points, warrants attention. Hyatt has three properties in the city: the Hyatt House Johannesburg Sandton, Hyatt House Johannesburg Sandton, and the Hyatt Regency Johannesburg. So, the Park Hyatt Johannesburg will nestle in at the top of the portfolio. 
The Park Hyatt Johannesburg page is already live on Hyatt’s website, and reservations are open for stays beginning April 1, 2025, or later. The hotel will feature three dining outlets, including two full-service restaurants—The Dining Room and The Terrace—and Tito’s Cigar Lounge, a cocktail bar currently listed as open from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m., but I have to believe that is a typo.
You can expect a spa, a premium fitness center, and an outdoor swimming pool.
According to the investment company that owns the property, Millat, the 31-room hotel will feature 26 King Bedrooms, two Junior Suites with enchanting garden views, one Wellness Suite, one Winston Suite, and one Rosebank Suite – and this hotel will not just be ‘a place to stay; it is a place to experience the best that Johannesburg has to offer.’ Well then. Shiver me, timbers. All rooms will have spa-like bathrooms, including separate soaking tubs and showers. A look at some rooms and suites at the PH Johannesburg – Source: Hyatt.com / Millat
As far as the rooms are concerned, they look modestly elegant, maybe? Airbrushed photos are always hard to judge, and I never stayed at the Winston Hotel before the rebranding/remodel. Still, my initial honest opinion is that the rooms feel more ‘workmanlike’ than expected.
Nevertheless, it’s great to see more hotels come to market in Johannesburg. The city has such a rich, deep, troubled, and complex history, and there’s no better way to learn about it than by visiting. Not to mention, it’s also the gateway for Kruger National Park for many. If you plan a trip to Johannesburg in April 2025 or later, keep the Park Hyatt Johannesburg on your radar.
