Simpiwe Piliso

Simpiwe Piliso

The revamped Rosebank Hotel officially opens its glass doors to guests in August - alleviating the shortage of top end hotels in Johannesburg.

Rosebank, north of Johannesburg, already boasts three other hotels: The Grace, The Hyatt and The Don.

Private developer Greg Hutton recently said the increase in holiday and business tourists had resulted in a phenomenal demand for hotel accommodation in Johannesburg. "On any given Monday night, it's almost impossible to find an available top-end hotel suite," he said.

Pieter de Bruin, head of tourism for Fifa sponsor First National Bank, said Johannesburg and Cape Town's four and five-star hotels were already experiencing 72percent occupancy rates, and one to three-star hotels were also doing well, supported mainly by business tourism.

Yesterday the owners of the Rosebank Hotel, the Hospitality Property Fund, said the hotel's total makeover cost R250million.

"New and existing guests will see the 318-roomed establishment take on a new and energetic lease on life with an elegant, modern look," said Andrew Rogers, chief operating officer of the Hospitality Property Fund.

He said the hotel was being built to the highest standards.

According to the spokesman Tim Hill, the hotel will be stylish without "being snobby" and is aimed at both business and leisure travellers.

And for guests, neighbouring residents and local office employees, the hotel will boast the exclusive Circle Bar, offering a wide range of "cutting edge cocktails" designed by an award-winning mixologist.