Last Night I slept at Hotel Lamunu in Braamfontein on the outskirts of what most white South Africans would consider a “No-go” zone, Unless you wanna be killed, mugged and raped – in that order.
It was a promotional invitation to raise awareness of the Hotel and the new neighbourgoods market across the road which started today & runs every Saturday. We ate at the Ramen Restaurant and had drinks at the Hotels Bar. The staff were friendly and the beers were cold. They had live Jazz & DJs and the vibe was chilled, young (not THAT young) and truly European in feel. The Hotel has been well decorated and not just thrown together. Each piece, and there were lots of pieces, is well thought out and well placed to give that chic , yet African, feel. There are Ubercool conference rooms and lounges around every corner.
Rates start at around R220 per person for B&B which is Cheap and makes it reasonable to book after a late night at Kitchners Bar down the road, rather than taking a cab home.
This morning we had Breakfast which isn’t one of those tiny meals you may expect, but a decent full English breakfast. We strolled out and had a Cappuccino at Velo coffee bar before literally taking 20 steps to the new market. Now maybe we should have skipped breakfast and eaten at the Market. Fresh foods, pizzas, Micro-breweries and Cupcakes for the girls, which all looked and smelt unbelievable.
Across the road, on Juta street, are small modern stores that sell everything from Lomo-fi cameras to old LP’s and t-shirts and some cool retro furniture. Art Galleries and more deli’s to please your soul.
I’m tired of malls and artificial sunlight when we have THE BEST WEATHER IN THE WORLD here in Jozi, so while you reading this on your mobile device sitting in the Mugg and Been-there, do yourself a favour, step out of your comfort zone, take a quick drive over to experience what the rest of the world has been doing in cities – that we have been missing out on, in Johannesburg.
dont knock it until you have tried it.
Much love.
#iloveJozi
