Ten Bompas Hotel and Restaurant, Johannesburg, South Africa

Ten Bompas had comfortable beds in spacious rooms

Address






10 Bompas Rd

Dunkeld West, Gauteng 2024

PO Box 786064

Sandton, 2146
Telephone
+27 11 325 2442
Fax
+27 11 341 0281
Email
Email
Web Site
Website

Overall impression: Ten Bompas, a remarkable boutique hotel near Sandton, is now one of our favorite small hotels. When we first heard about it, we were hesitant. We had planned to stay at one of Johannesburg's larger and more opulent properties, which offered all the usual bells and whistles. The more we learned about Ten Bompas, the more we wanted to stay there. From the moment we arrived, we felt genuinely welcome by the hotel staff. Conveniently situated in an attractive Johannesburg neighborhood. it offered a wonderful haven of quiet African elegance with accommodating service, delicious food, a selection of fine wines and a guest-centered emphasis on comfort.

After a couple of weeks in the bush, a much delayed flight and airport snafu, we could hardly wait to arrive at our warm and cozy Ten Bompas rooms. In spite of a late arrival, our rooms were waiting. A home-style meal at Sides Restaurant brought us back to life. We liked it so much; wish there were Ten Bompas hotels in other cities.

The pool and yard area in the center of hotel

Location: Central Johannesburg In Dunkeld West, one of the leafy northern suburbs of Johannesburg . A secure residential suburb close to the business and shopping centers of Hyde Park , Sandton, Rosebank, Parktown and Randburg. It was 30 kms from Johannesburg International Airport .

Owned: Peter Aucamp and Christoff van Staden

General manager: Andrew Foote

Year opened/renovated: Opened 1997, renovated 2003

Class of accommodation: Superior luxury

Size: 10 suites

Handicapped access: Suite 2

Check-in/check-out process ease: Both check-in and check-out were excellent. .

Languages: English

Little artistic touches were visible throughout Ten Bompas

Lobby and common areas : Ten Bompas was the former family home of one of the owners who converted it into a small deluxe hotel. It featured modern décor with authentic African artifact accents from Amatuli Fine Arts, a Johannesburg purveyor of African art. The bottom half of the bar had a glass overlay with the words for one of the South African national anthems sketched.

Room: Elegant and comfortable suites with a homey feel. Our suites were spacious and professionally designed with attention to detail. Each suite had a unique style. The ones we stayed in all had an anteroom or lounge with a love seat, three chairs, coffee and side tables, a mini bar, a dual lounge/bedroom fireplace, remote controlled TV, small sound system, and fax machine. A doorless space connected the lounge and large bedroom, the centerpiece of which was a king size bed with a night table and lamp on each side.

Each guest room at Ten Bompas was designed by a different interior designer.

An electronic safe was inside the wall to wall closet. In the middle of the closet, there was a small vanity area with a stool and mirror. The ground level suites connected to a pretty garden area through sliding glass doors in the bedroom and lounge. The upper level suites connected to balconies.

Bathroom : There were two bathrooms in each of our suites. More accurately, there was a half bathroom with a water closet and sink conveniently situated for guests near the suite entrance. An en suite full bathroom, with lots of natural light, included a bathtub, water closet, a separate steam shower and two sinks.

Cleanliness: Excellent

Amenities: Ten Bompas brand full size bathroom toiletries including shampoo, hand lotion, and liquid soap. A complimentary mini bar. There were two bathrobes and two pairs of slippers for use during our stay.

Facilities: Computer room with a dial-up Internet connection; guest lounges; Sides restaurant; wine cellar; bar and conference room.

The pool area was inviting in the afternoon sun

Pool: Yes, a small outdoor swimming pool

Service: From the waiters to the managers to the chef, the staff was friendly, helpful, and accommodating. Rooms were serviced multiple times during the day. Memorable touches included a welcome half a bottle of chilled South African sparkling wine in an ice bucket and delicious sushi pre-appetizers.

The sitting area in our room was cozy and attractive

Food and restaurants: A la carte meals were available at Sides Restaurant and via room service. What a pleasant surprise to find a small property serving refined “home cooked” style meals. Breakfast was made to order. It included a light yogurt sorbet, freshly made juices and breads; and that was before the individual orders arrived.

There was a free standing wine cellar with 3 500 bottles of choice wines from South Africa , Australia , Chile and the US . Most of the South African wines were sourced at the annual Cape Winemakers Guild auction by the Ten Bompas owners.

Conference facilities: One meeting room for a maximum of 12

Other: An exercise bicycle was available at guests request. Hotel guests were also able to work out at a nearby gymnasium.

Length of stay: Two nights

Date of last visit: May 2004

Would you stay again? Yes

The patio behind the room was a wooded retreat

The passage way to the rooms at Ten Bompas was lined with art