Back in June 2022, Hyatt announced its plans to bring the Park Hyatt brand back to South Africa by transforming an existing hotel in Johannesburg. At the time, the goal was to open in early 2023. After more than two years of delays, the newly reimagined Park Hyatt Johannesburg has officially opened its doors as of July 1, 2025.

While initial details were sparse, the hotel has now released full visuals of the redesigned space. We finally have a clear look inside what is now the most exclusive Park Hyatt property in the world.

The Winston Hotel Reopens as Park Hyatt Johannesburg

Located in Rosebank, one of Johannesburg’s most sought-after neighborhoods, the former Winston Hotel has been completely renovated and rebranded under the Park Hyatt name. After extensive design work and updates, the hotel is officially welcoming guests.

Opening delays are common in luxury hospitality, but this particular project saw significant setbacks. As recently as August 2024, the hotel was expected to launch by October 15 of that year. The fact that it ended up opening more than eight months later raises questions. Most of the construction and interior work was reportedly completed well in advance, though it’s unclear what caused the prolonged holdup.

This marks a notable return for the Park Hyatt brand in Johannesburg. The original Park Hyatt Johannesburg was rebranded as the Hyatt Regency back in 2007. Now, nearly two decades later, the Park Hyatt name is back—but this time on a much more exclusive, boutique-style property.

The transformation was led by the renowned design studio Yabu Pushelberg, known for their work on other high-profile Park Hyatt locations like New York, Bangkok, and Shenzhen. The team focused on blending modern luxury with local South African artistry and heritage, resulting in a hotel that honors its setting while offering world-class elegance.

Only 31 Guest Rooms at Park Hyatt Johannesburg

This property is officially the smallest Park Hyatt in the world, with just 31 rooms total. Every room features a king-sized bed and a spacious workstation. The hotel offers two types of standard guest rooms, distinguished by the view, plus four suite categories.

In addition to rooms, the hotel includes an upscale restaurant with both indoor dining and an outdoor terrace, a stylish bar, and a flexible event space that can host up to 60 attendees. Though compact, the hotel delivers everything you’d expect from a luxury property, just in a more intimate format.

A spa is also part of the future plans, though it’s not available at launch. Guests can expect the wellness facility to open at a later date.

Rates and World of Hyatt Points Requirements

Now that Park Hyatt Johannesburg is officially open, what should travelers expect in terms of pricing?

For World of Hyatt members, this hotel is categorized as a Category 6 property. That means a free night in a standard room will cost between 21,000 and 29,000 points per night. Booking a standard suite will run you 36,000 to 44,000 points per night.

Originally, this property was expected to open as a Category 5 hotel. However, due to the delayed opening and presumably a reassessment of its luxury status, the category was bumped up.

Cash rates reflect the hotel’s boutique luxury positioning. Nightly rates start at around $500 USD, depending on the season and availability. Pricing may shift now that the hotel has opened and starts filling up rooms.

If you’re planning a paid stay, booking through the Hyatt Privé program is highly recommended. You’ll gain access to value-added perks like room upgrades, daily breakfast for two, early check-in, late checkout, and a property credit.

Our Thoughts on Park Hyatt Johannesburg

At TheMilesAcademy, we were surprised we hadn’t come across The Winston Hotel before—especially with a name like that, which happens to match our team’s favorite office pup. We honestly hoped the rebrand would’ve kept that original charm with a name like “The Winston Johannesburg, a Park Hyatt Hotel.” That said, we love that one of the suites is still called “The Winston Suite.” You can bet that’s where we’ll be booking when we visit.

What really stands out to us is how small and personal this hotel feels. With just 31 rooms, it offers a genuine boutique atmosphere—but still gives you access to the full power of the World of Hyatt program. For travelers like us who prefer intimate luxury over sprawling mega-hotels, this place hits the sweet spot.

The renovation work is clearly extensive and thoughtful. Comparing the old visuals to what we see now, it’s clear that this isn’t just a facelift—it’s a complete reinvention. Park Hyatt Johannesburg has all the ingredients to be one of the city’s most elite addresses.

Among Johannesburg’s top-tier accommodations, we see this new addition going head-to-head with names like The Saxon Hotel and Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff Johannesburg. And based on what we’ve seen so far, it absolutely deserves to be in that conversation.

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