PRICE:
Frommer's Very Highly Recommended

Jozi's self-proclaimed "hip hotel" is something of a knockoff of the Philippe Starck-Ian Schrager model, and though it's not in the same league, it is filled with flourishes that help make it a celebration of the city's newfound confidence and optimism. It's ideal for the young (or young at heart) traveler looking for some action -- you're a stroll from some great restaurants -- and has a quirky edge that clearly differentiates it from the other chain-run hotels in the city. The designers have tried to throw in plenty of eye-catching elements, like the entrance lobby floor that constantly changes color, the long drapes that hang from oversize chrome coat hangers, and different "mood" elevators for day and night. Guest rooms feature the latest in stylish technology and playful decor: Wooden parquet flooring vies with block-print carpets, glass-top work stations with exposed brick walls, and chintz drapes with Roman blinds -- a mishmash of elements sure to delight the postmodernist. Separated from the bedroom only by a large curtain, the bathrooms feature deep oval tubs and walk-in "rain" showers. Ironically, there is one major drawback to the amount of development that has gone on since the hotel opened 5 years ago: You'll notice (particularly around the pool, with its dazzling gigantic tree-size "potplants" and in-pool table arrangements) that the hotel is now completely hemmed in by designer office blocks, all of which have windows looking your way. Although the Melrose Arch is a lot of fun, with a funky soul, it remains a large hotel. For my money I prefer the ultrastylish Peech Hotel, just up the road; it's both considerably less expensive and far more intimate .

Copyright: Excerpted from Frommer's South Africa, 5th Edition, (c) 2008, Wiley Publishing, Inc.

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