FIRST LOOK

This Joburg hotel will have its own jazz bar. PLUS win a ticket to the opening!

When you’re in a very urban space in the city, there are two ways you can go: try to mitigate its concrete, its noise, its grey tar, hard corners and yellow lines, or you can embrace these elements. The latter is how I would describe what Hallmark House does. This is another project of property wunderkind Jonathan Liebmann, of Propertuity, and this time, he partnered with London-based architect David Adjaye, while Aimee Henning, of local company Malica Designs, did the interiors. It’s a 13-storey building, excluding parking levels. The suites are only two storeys; the rest is given over to apartments and penthouses, and on the rooftop there’s a spa, gym and bar/ restaurant. The ground floor has a restaurant, coffee shop and mini bar, and in the basement a jazz bar and barber shop are opening this month. The hotel’s rooms have modern, clean lines, as well as a distinctive African vibe. Some, like the one I stayed in, have shweshwe-covered headboards that make a bold, handsome statement. My room was golds and blacks with touches of red, I saw another in greens and blues. It celebrates Africa classily – gorgeous big woven baskets, wooden stools/side tables, fired pots and local art. Bathrooms are simple white functional spaces. All the rooms have full-length glass doors that lead out onto concrete balconies, some bigger than others, all with chairs and a side table. And below you is the busyness of downtown Joburg. That night, we went walking. First stop was Agog, the three-storey gallery with a very cool cafe on the top floor, followed by dinner at the vibey Maboneng precinct, which is within walking distance (or there’s a free hotel shuttle). Breakfast, lunch and dinner are also all available in the hotel. BEST FEATURE The hotel rooms are really very comfy, and I love the idea of a jazz bar on site. Sadly it hadn’t opened yet when I stayed. COSTS From R1 210 per room SLEEPS 2 BOOK newmarkhotels.com