31-Room Park Hyatt Johannesburg Opening June 2025… Maybe

In June 2022, we learned how the Park Hyatt brand would be returning to South Africa, with the conversion of an existing property in the city. At the time, the plan was for the Park Hyatt to open in early 2023.

I want to provide an update on this, as the opening date of this property keeps getting pushed back further, and it’s now supposed to open in June 2025. Let’s go over the details.

The Winston Hotel becoming Park Hyatt Johannesburg

The Winston Hotel in Rosebank, Johannesburg, will be joining Hyatt’s portfolio. The hotel is in the process of undergoing an extensive renovation, and once that’s completed, it will be branded as the Park Hyatt Johannesburg. While the renovation is taking longer than planned, the hotel is accepting reservations for stays as of June 1, 2025.

New hotel opening delays are common, but this property’s delayed opening is particularly bad. As of mid-August 2024, the hotel was supposed to open as of October 15, 2024. We’ve now seen an additional delay of well over seven months. You’d think we’d have a good sense of things a couple of months before the planned opening, but it seems not. I’m curious what’s causing this delay, especially since it seems like work on the property is mostly done.

It’s interesting how the Park Hyatt brand has come full circle in Johannesburg. Back in the day, there was the Park Hyatt Johannesburg, but then in 2007 it was rebranded as the Hyatt Regency Johannesburg. Now a new property will carry the Park Hyatt branding, though it’ll be much more boutique.

The refurbishment of the hotel is being overseen by Yabu Pushelberg, a design firm that previously worked on properties like the Park Hyatt New York, Park Hyatt Shenzhen, and Park Hyatt Bangkok. As it’s described, the redesign will “revitalise the hotel while celebrating the heritage and craftsmanship of its locale.”

Below are some pictures of the Park Hyatt Johannesburg accommodations. As mentioned above, it appears that at least the rooms are ready to go, as these are pictures and not renderings.

Speaking of which, I’ve gotta say that the renderings that were released when this property was first announced looked quite a bit different… or is it just me? Did they have a change of heart when it comes to design, were there budget issues, or…?

The Park Hyatt Johannesburg will have only 31 rooms. All 31 rooms at the property will feature king beds and workstations. There will only be two categories of guest rooms (with the difference being the views), plus four categories of suites.

The Park Hyatt Johannesburg will also have a restaurant with a dining room and outdoor terrace. Then there will be a bar, as well as an event space for conferences and meetings, which can accommodate up to 60 guests. With just 31 rooms, this will be the world’s smallest Park Hyatt in terms of the number of keys.

Park Hyatt Johannesburg rates & points requirements

With the Park Hyatt Johannesburg accepting reservations, what are rates like?

For those redeeming points, this will be a Category 5 World of Hyatt property, meaning a free night redemption in a standard room costs 17,000-23,000 points per night. Meanwhile a free night redemption in a standard suite costs 29,000-35,000 points per night.

Cash rates at the Park Hyatt Johannesburg are on the steep side, but that’s not surprising when you consider how small and high-end this property will be. Rates seem to start at somewhere around $500 per night, give or take. I imagine those rates could get a bit more attractive as the opening date approaches, but we’ll see.

If you are looking to book a cash stay here, I’d recommend doing so through the Hyatt Privé program, which offers extra perks like room upgrades, complimentary breakfast, and a hotel credit.

My take on the Park Hyatt Johannesburg

First of all, I can’t believe there was a hotel named The Winston and I didn’t even know about it (Winston is also my dog’s name!). And I’m extremely disappointed that this will simply be rebranded as the Park Hyatt Johannesburg, rather than as The Winston Johannesburg, a Park Hyatt Hotel. Right, Winston?