Breathing new life into Bezuidenhout (Bez) Valley, the Garden Top Hotel, north-east of the Johannesburg’s city centre, recently opened its doors.

The hotel officially opened in September, says GM, Alby Bester: “However, the hotel had a soft launch at the end of August.”

Nestled between Parktown to the west and Bedfordview to the east, the hotel is located on Albertina Sisulu Road, dominating its humble surroundings with its modern design, as it aims to attract business executives and adventure seekers looking for a base close to Johannesburg central business district.

Garden Top Hotel features 28 en-suite stylish rooms, a large swimming pool, a Sky Lounge, Rooftop Bar, 24-hour security, the Acapella Restaurant, and a balcony area providing views of the city. It also has a dedicated shuttle to and from OR Tambo.

Local attractions close to the hotel include Braamfontein, the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club, as well as Maboneng, which was recently named on Forbes ‘12 coolest neighbourhoods in the world’.

“We are less than 20 minutes from OR Tambo International Airport, and close to the Eastgate shopping centre and the cultural melting pot of Maboneng,” adds Bester.

Following the success of Maboneng, other old and forgotten suburbs skirting the inner city have begun to witness a transformation. Victoria Yards, a formerly derelict industrial zone in the heart of Bezuidenhout Valley, has grown into a collective space occupied by artisans. 

Bester believes that the opening of the new hotel is exactly what the area needs to bring prosperity and a bit of pizzazz back to the area. “The owner, Samuel Okoye, has played an important role in the upliftment of Bez Valley over the years, and has utilised his extensive experience in the hospitality industry to re-energise this illustrious suburb.”