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THE REEF HOTEL: A NEW ERA FOR AN ICONIC JOHANNESBURG LANDMARK

Johannesburg has always been a city of reinvention. A city built on ambition, shaped by culture and brought to life by the extraordinary spirit of its people. Now, in the heart of its historic Marshalltown precinct, The Reef Hotel is preparing for its own transformation. 

Following a change of management effective 1 September 2026, The Reef Hotel has entered an exciting new chapter under the leadership of seasoned hoteliers with a vision to re-establish the property as a distinctive urban hospitality destination. 

At the heart of this transformation is a celebration of Johannesburg’s rich cultural identity, drawing inspiration from the glamour, music and unmistakable sophistication of Sophiatown’s legendary Kofifi era. 

The vision is one of contemporary African elegance, where heritage meets modern hospitality. From the interiors and  ambience to the music, dining and guest experience, the hotel’s evolving identity will reflect the character of a city that has  never been afraid to express itself. 

A rooftop with a new rhythm 

An important part of the revitalisation will be the reimagining of The Reef Hotel’s rooftop as a vibrant social destination. 

With sweeping views of the Johannesburg skyline, the rooftop will become a stage for curated experiences, including  sunset sessions, live entertainment, jazz-inspired evenings and cultural activations designed to attract both hotel guests and  Johannesburg’s social community.

The ambition is to create a destination that celebrates the city’s creative energy while offering an inviting space to meet,  unwind and reconnect. 

Experienced leadership. Elevated hospitality. 

Behind the transformation is a management team bringing extensive hospitality expertise and a commitment to raising  standards across accommodation, service, food and beverage, and entertainment. 

The approach is considered and ambitious: to retain the character that makes The Reef Hotel distinctive while  introducing the quality, sophistication and attention to detail that today’s discerning traveller expects. 

Beyond the hotel itself, the new leadership sees an opportunity to contribute to the continued revival of Johannesburg’s  inner city, supporting local creativity, celebrating African culture and encouraging visitors to rediscover Marshalltown. 

A new beginning, rooted in the city’s soul 

There is something undeniably special about Johannesburg. Its resilience, its rhythm, its history and its people have always  set it apart. 

For The Reef Hotel, this transformation represents more than a new chapter in hospitality. It is a statement of  confidence in the city and everything it still has to offer. 

The Reef Hotel’s four-star accommodation remains central to its offering, combining contemporary comfort, stylish  interiors and warm African hospitality in the heart of Marshalltown, Johannesburg. 

The Reef Hotel is ready to welcome Johannesburg back. 

For more articles like this click here.  

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About us

Actually, Home Food and Travel offers a lot more than just reviews of accommodation, restaurants, spas and adventure activities.  We also visit great destinations, receive advice from interior designers and stop to smell the roses and taste the coffee.

Our team of journalists are seasoned travels and love visiting the myriad of exciting places around South Africa.  Whether it is off the beaten track or in the heart of the top attractions of the country, we’ll be there,

Home Food and Travel advice on finding the right accommodation

So what is the right accommodation?  Well more often than not, it’s your travel budget that dictates the type of accommodation that you choose. 

Expensive is not always better.  Our team at Home Food and Travel will tell you that they have camped in areas with limited ablutions and had a wonderful holiday.  They have also spent a night in a five star hotel only to be disappointed because their expectations exceeded the experience.

The reason for your travels will also affect your choice.  A business trip requires different amenities to a beach holiday. 

Our articles, reviews and experiences can certainly help you make your decision.

Restaurants with a good mix of service, food and ambiance

To my mind a great restaurant offers three things – excellent service, great food and a wonderful ambiance.  Of these, service is the most important. 

No matter that the food is delicious and the setting delightful, poor service can ruin the occasion.  However, great service combined with mediocre meal and a plane jane restaurant can still be a pleasant night out.

We’ve eaten in restaurants that are really dirty but with incredible food and couldn’t help but give a rave review.  We’ve also hardly noticed what we ate because the setting was just amazing.

However, the best restaurants come with the best of service, food and ambiance.

Spas are the ultimate relaxation aid

How do you know when you have had a great spa experience?  The answer, of course, is when you doze off on the treatment table. 

Well that’s our theory anyway.  It also doesn’t take a grand location with enormous facilities for a spa to be really good

A small, personal spa that is owner run can result in the best massage you have ever experienced.  However, the grand spas in five star hotels offer unsurpassed facilities in an environment that just makes the stress in your shoulders and neck melt away before you even finish checking in.

Adventure!

You don’t have to be an adrenaline junky to enjoy an exciting experience.  In fact, what are commonly termed adventure activities usually have incredibly high safety standards and unblemished safety records.

Ziplining, bungy jumping and shark cage diving are all very safe.  It’s just that our mind tells us we are craaazzzzyyyy to be doing this.

On the road to great places of accommodation, restaurants, spas and adventure activities

If you’re driving, be safe and make use of all the wonderful farm stalls that populate South Africa’s open roads.

If you overhear somebody asking a lot of questions or see someone taking photos of empty bedrooms chances are it’s one of our Home Food and Travel team members.

We’re out looking or those great places of accommodation, restaurants, spas and adventure activities.

See you on the road!

 

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