Background
Previously known as The Grace – a well-established Johannesburg hotel – Tsogo Sun bought the building in 2011, revamped and re-opened it as its boutique 5-star property, 54 on Bath, in June of 2012. A striking feature is its design and decor, with hand-picked pieces of art from the old hotel featured alongside a series of compositions of the surrounding neighbourhoods.
Where Is It?
On Bath Avenue in Rosebank, one of Johannesburg’s rejuvenated suburbs or ‘nodes’, approximately 10 minutes’ drive from Sandton. Rosebank has a group of branded hotels and a number of corporate offices, whilst 54 on Bath backs onto the recently revamped Rosebank Mall, which is home to a host of shops, restaurants, and cinemas. The hotel is also a five-minute walk from the local Gautrain station and a 40-minute drive from O.R. Tambo International Airport.
Room Facilities
54 on Bath has 75 rooms, consisting of 60 Deluxe Standard rooms, 12 Executive rooms and three Luxury suites. A feature of our Deluxe room was the décor – a theme carried throughout the property – with crisp white linen set against black, grey, teal and cream, which apparently produces a “calming effect”. All mod-cons were on offer, with complimentary Wi-Fi, an Illy espresso machine, full mini-bar, 42-inch LED television with satellite TV, tea and coffee facilities, and air-conditioning. Our room enjoyed a view of the terrace garden below. The en-suite bathroom was a little on the small side, but I imagine that’s a legacy of what Tsogo Sun inherited from The Grace, in terms of what space they had to work with, without having to reduce the number of rooms. The same can be said of the shower, which, for a man over six foot was a little cosy. Nonetheless, the quality of the bathroom and its amenities couldn’t be faulted, whilst I thought the complimentary pressing of three of my clothing items was a nice touch.
Restuarants & Bars
Level Four Restaurant & Champagne Bar serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Unlike many other modern day hotels, 54 on Bath clearly doesn’t need a host of different dining options to throw at its guests, because Level Four makes a bold enough statement on its own. For my dinner starter I opted for the ‘ethically-caught Yellowfin tuna with watermelon, Bloody Mary jellies, and Chimichurri’, and it was worth having to repeat that to the waiter. Tastefully presented, the tuna basically melted in my mouth, which was convenient, as I needed to find space for the outstanding ‘Afrikaner cattle rib-eye, with mash and baby vegetables’, washed down with a glass of the 2012 Stellenzicht Golden Triangle Pinotage. The service itself was spot-on, in terms of attention, and the same can be said of that we received the following morning. The fresh coffee and delicious Eggs Benedict further emphasised the feeling I left with the night before, that Level Four is likely to build its own reputation as one of Johannesburg’s finest eateries, independent of its association with the hotel.
Business & Meeting Facilities
54 on Bath has four conference/meeting venues, ranging in size from the 198m2 Kentridge room that can accommodate 120 delegates cocktail or cinema-style, to the 28.5m2 De Jongh room, which can do 30 people cinema-style. A fifth venue is a boardroom that can accommodate 14. Each venue is equipped with the requisite bells and whistles, in terms of audio-visual equipment. Otherwise, if you’re looking for a one-on-one meeting venue, I recommend the ground floor lounge bar, adjacent to reception, with its luxury furniture, exclusive feel, and complimentary tea, coffee and pastries between 06h00 and 11h00. Sherry and port with savoury bar snacks are also served there after 17h00.
Leisure Facilities
There’s a fitness club with state-of-the-art equipment, and a 20-metre outdoor pool on level four, an area in which you can also enjoy ‘al fresco’ drinks and snacks, as well as afternoon tea. Additional hotel services include airport transfers, 24-hour room service, dry cleaning and laundry, complimentary underground parking, a concierge service, and limousine car hire.
Verdict
5-star. Nothing less.
Dylan Rogers
Contact
Address: 54 Bath Avenue, Rosebank
Tel: +27 11 344 8500
Email: 54onbath.reservations@tsogosun.com
Web: www.tsogosunhotels.com