If you were looking for a good reason to visit Durban this holiday season, this is it. The ONOMO Hotel Durban‘s new Topaz Restaurant & Skybar has opened its doors just in time for the summer holidays and it is the very first of its kind in the city.
The ONOMO Hotel Durban is part of ONOMO Hotels, a leading African hotel group that operates 21 hotels in 12 African countries. It has been operating for three years already, including the COVID-19 lockdown. ONOMO Hotel Durban and Signature Lux by ONOMO Sandton were the first South African hotels in the group to return to operation under lockdown Level 2 and have been scaling up operations since 1 September.
The ONOMO Hotels group has partnered with world leader in testing, inspection and certification services, Bureau Veritas, to certify the COVID-19 safety processes implemented in each of its 21 hotels and the five South African hotels were part of the auditing process to certify their existing World Health Organisation-aligned protocols. ONOMO Hotel Durban is therefore the only hotel in KwaZulu-Natal with Bureau Veritas status. It is also the first ONOMO hotel to have been built from scratch.
Designed by a French company based in Morocco, they have been bringing Africa into Africa with their designs. The European influence is also very evident, though with an overall minimalist, practical layout and design.
Topaz Restaurant & Skybar Whether it’s during the day or at night, the 6th floor Topaz Skybar lends itself to a variety of events. With views across the Indian Ocean, Moses Mabhida and Kings Park stadium, it’s a skybar that will certainly draw both locals and tourists to come and explore. At night, the venue is decorated with 360 degrees of Durban’s sparkly city lights as backdrop. It’s ideal for friendly get-togethers or glamorous events, including delicious meals and brilliant local live music.
The Topaz Restaurant & Skybar‘s decor brings a tropical, yet African feel to the venue, with giant leaves hanging from the ceiling, a vibrant photo corner, seating with bright shweshwe style fabrics and large, triangular lighting that links the outside views with the inside.
It’s a space for both corporate guests and leisure guests, uniquely located walking distance from the beach and it is open to the public from Thursdays to Saturdays from 16:00 to 23:00 and on Sundays from 14:00 to 23:00.
Ingwe Terrace
In addition to the Topaz Restaurant & Skybar, the ONOMO Hotel Durban also offers guests the ground floor Ingwe Terrace, which is adjacent to the swimming pool. This gourmet restaurant specialises in regional cuisine in a relaxed, ‘shebeen-chic’ environment.
Accommodation
The rooms are well equipped and simple, yet elegant with a strong ONOMO feel throughout. Wood, brick and pure white linen are what stands out in the rooms, with simplicity being key.
My favourites at ONOMO Hotel Durban
· The Wifi is brilliant.
· There is a variety of quality event venues, which allows you to match your event to the venue easily.
· The staff are lovely! Have a look at the story that Good Things Guy did on one of the waiters (www.goodthingsguy.com/people/onomo-durban-waitertip)
· It’s super close to the beach.
· There’s a lovely swimming pool with daybeds.
· Their cappuccinos are divine.