2 Best Hotels in Rosebank and Houghton, Johannesburg

Get an insider’s insight into Nelson Mandela with a stay at Sanctuary Mandela, which has converted his former Houghton home and heritage site into a boutique hotel that pays homage to the human rights activist with specially commissioned art pieces that document his lifetime. One of the boardrooms displays the foundations of his rondavel meeting room which was added to the main house, and where CODESA talks were held. The rooms are done up in a subtle yet elegant style with hints of African design, and a flash of forest green in the bathrooms. At Insights Restaurant (open to the public with bookings), you can gratify your hunger with a meal prepared by chef Xoliswa Ndoyiya, who was the former statesman’s personal chef for more than 20 years. She prepares some of his best-loved dishes like Nguni sirloin, mushroom and samp risotto, and what the family called "sweet" chicken with contemporary flair. Though it may be new, stories come to life within these walls and through retellings by the staff. Guests can opt for an exclusive private tour of the archives at the nearby Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory (run by the Nelson Mandela Foundation)—a complimentary experience that cannot be requested without a stay, though the other exhibits of this nonprofit are open to the public.

Most of the visitors to 54 on Bath are international business travelers and foreign tourists drawn to the modern yet intimate elegance behind the towering brick facade and Doric columns, though the Champagne bar is popular with locals. It's also in the center of Rosebank and linked to the nearby mall and Rosebank Art and Craft Market by a second-floor sky bridge. The upmarket restaurant, Level Four, has established itself as one of Johannesburg's culinary centers. Travelers rave about the breakfast and dinner (an à la carte menu including dishes like rib-eye steak, duck, and salmon). One of the hotel's finest features is the rooftop garden and pool area, which has sweeping views of the northern suburbs' greenery.