Devised as a more intimate alternative to the large city hotel, the family-owned Grace, within walking distance of Rosebank's boutiques, galleries, and art cinemas, is a gracious residence that feels more like a London gentleman's club than a 75-room hotel. In stark contrast to the brutal Hyatt (also in Rosebank) or the over-the-top opulence of the Michelangelo, the Grace is designed to human scale and furnished and finished in tasteful, traditional English style. Wood paneling, floral brocades, generous sofas, gold-framed paintings, and well-thumbed books create a serene, comfortable, and warm atmosphere. The Grace is also generous, with no hidden extra costs -- you get complimentary in-room continental breakfasts and a selection of complimentary teas, coffee, and cakes (a slice of the "melktert," a traditional Afrikaans dessert, is a must) served in the library where comfortable sofas invite you to peruse the dailies or books from the ample collection. Small touches like fresh milk and home-baked biscuits, supplied with in-room tea- and coffee-making facilities, as well as the generous size of the comfortable rooms and bathrooms, simply add to this. The service is gracious and personal yet unobtrusive, and the staff do their utmost to ensure your complete comfort. The dining room at the Grace enjoys an excellent reputation (the breakfast buffet is particularly ample and features smoked salmon, ham, and every fresh juice and fruit imaginable), and is regularly included in critics' selections of Johannesburg's top restaurants. The Grace is a great choice, but it's worth bearing in mind that for more or less the same money you could book a luxury room at the Westcliff and enjoy the best view of the city.
© 2005, Wiley Publishing, Inc.