Ten Bompas

Johannesburg is a bit off the travel radar, for such a large city; whether it's geography (on a high plain, nowhere near a body of water) or much-publicized social issues (there are still neighborhoods that are not quite safe for tourists), no one can say for sure. But travelers who do brave the arid plains and find themselves in this gold rush town, there are a number of sleek and stylish hotels.

One of these, and probably the most intimate and stylish, is Ten Bompas, named for its Sandton/Rosebank location, at Number Ten, Bompas Road. There are only ten suites here, but they vary widely, having been created by ten different designers, in ten different styles, from African tribal to haute couture. All have separate lounges and bedrooms, fireplace and steam bath, and outdoor access via patio or balcony, and, perhaps best of all, a fully stocked minibar included in the room rate.

Sides restaurant is quite up to the level of the rest of the hotel, and is in fact one of the city's best, with better food and service that one might expect from a fashionable boutique hotel. South African wines are quite good, not to mention cheap, and Sides serves a variety of them. Don't forget to visit the (unisex!) bathrooms — with TVs beneath glass flooring and Perspex toilet seats, embedded with colorful toy lizards and spiders, they are giving the Japanese a run for their money.

How to get there:

Ten Bompas is approximately a 30 minute drive from Johannesburg International Airport. Taxis wait opposite Terminal A at the airport and should cost approximately R400 (40 USD) for a one way transfer. Taxi fares should be agreed upon before departing the airport.

• 10 Rooms
• Style: Cutting-Edge
• Atmosphere: Quiet
• 3 Guest Reviews

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