Where to sleep in Johannesburg South Africa: 10 best hotels
Johannesburg is the economic heart of South Africa but it is also a city steeped in history. Its most famous (and poorest) neighborhood, Soweto, is home to many apartheid museums. It contrasts with uptown from Melrose Arch, Sandton and Rosebank filled with shops, bars and restaurants. To make sure you don't miss any of the city's best activities and all these unmissable cultural visits, we recommend that you stay in a of the 10 best hotels in Johannesburg listed below.
NB: We recommend that you book excursions in advance with a recognized service provider such as Civitatis in order to visit Johannesburg safely. Among other things, we do not advise you to visit Soweto on your own.
Book an excursionBlu Trea Guest House: the hotel with the best value for money for accommodation in Johannesburg
We recommend that you sleep at Blu Trea Guesthouse that offers all the comfort you need at a low price. This guest house is very pleasant with its small swimming pool, charming staff and clean and tidy rooms. In short, nothing to complain about! It is for us the hotel with the best value for money to stay in Johannesburg. In addition, this B&B is located in the central Melville district which is one of the best areas of the city. It is very lively and we recommend that you have breakfast at the permanent market of 27 Boxes. The atmosphere is great and it gives you a taste of the diversity that reigns in Johannesburg.
Check availabilityFor further : Discover the accommodations with the best value for money in South Africa
84 on Fourth and Arum Place Guest House: quality B & Bs in Johannesburg
If Blu Trea Guest House is full, then 84 on Fourth and Arum Place Guest House are the other two guesthouses that we recommend. Arum Place Guesthouse is a little more expensive than Blu Trea but the decoration and the service are a little more upscale. 84 on Fourth is the same price as Blu Trea for a similar quality of accommodation. In addition, these two B & Bs are also located in the trendy and bohemian district of Melville, home to many artists. We recommend them if you want to sleep in Quality Guest Houses close to everything without breaking the bank.
1 on Fourth Guest House
Book in advance 84 on Fourth Guest House :
Check availability2. Arum Place Guesthouse
Book in advance Arum Place Guesthouse :
Check availabilityFor further : Discover the best guesthouses and B & Bs for accommodation in South Africa
Curiocity Backpackers and Once in Joburg: Johannesburg's best hostels
1. Curiocity Backpackers
Curiocity Backpackers is a hostel located in the heart of Maboneng, the most hipster district of Johannesburg. Graffiti, art galleries, ephemeral restaurants, trendy bars… This district is THE district for going out in the most fashionable places of the moment. The hostel is also very hipster and offers impeccable rooms and dorms at unbeatable prices. In short, for us it is the best backpackers in Johannesburg.
Check availability2. Once in Joburg Backpacker
Once in Joburg is the second youth hostel we recommend. It's a guarantee of quality and good atmosphere just like in its sister establishment in Cape Town: Once in Cape Town. We only list it in second place because Curiocity is a bit cheaper but both are great. In addition, the Once in Joburg hostel is located in a central and safe area.
The + : You are close to a stop for the red tourist buses.
Check availabilityConsulting : These two establishments do not only offer dormitories! Their double rooms are very good and at great prices. If you want to enjoy the great 'hostel' atmosphere, party and meet people then we recommend that you book here. But if you want to be quiet, the best is to book in a B&B or a guest house!
For further : Discover the best hostels to stay in South Africa
Pablo's House: our favorite for the best Guest House in Johannesburg
Pablo's House is for us THE best Guest House in Johannesburg and even the best accommodation in town. It too is located in the heart of Melville. This is our favorite neighborhood because it is trendy, safe and central (Constitution Hill, Apartheid Museum, Maboneng or Rosebank Mall are only a maximum of 15min away). You have access next to the B&B to lots of delicious restaurants (we loved 'NCW' and 'the little house'), trendy bars, hipster cafes, vintage shops, etc ... In addition, the guesthouse is built on the highest point of Melville, offering wonderful panoramic views from your room's balcony or the restaurant terrace (which makes fantastic wood-fired pizzas). Tastefully decorated in a contemporary style, the design of the rooms is superb. We literally fell in love with this establishment. The photos speak for themselves… With a swimming pool surrounded by greenery, a bar, a restaurant and spa treatments, we are far from the traditional guest house and closer to a boutique hotel… The best it is that you certainly pay a little more than the B & Bs mentioned above, but much less than a hotel that would offer the same quality of service. At this price, it's really cheap! The service is excellent, the staff very friendly, the atmosphere calm and the rooms nickels (they even have Netflix!). Book quickly because they only have 8 rooms!
Check availabilityFor further : Discover the best dream hotels for accommodation in South Africa
The Winston and Clico Boutique Hotel: Johannesburg's best hotels in South Africa
NB : We recommend booking a hotel only if you are not really the Guest House type because B & Bs are cheaper and often better than hotels (like Pablo's House). To do better than guest houses in terms of service and comfort, then 4 to 5 star hotels must be booked. This is why we will only recommend hotels of this standard because we consider that the 3 stars are not worth it compared to the Guest Houses.
1. The Winston Hotel
The Winston Hotel is located in Melrose, an upscale area of Johannesburg known for its boutiques and commercial streets. This is the perfect place for shopping! Inside this luxurious boutique hotel, everything is perfect: the swimming pool, the decor, the service, the restaurant on the patio… It is an oasis of calm in the middle of the city. During our visit, we were lucky: the manager gave us the room for the honeymoons without asking for anything! Suffice to say that we were surprised but above all very happy! Our three nights in this hotel were truly magical. It is for us the best hotel in Johannesburg and we highly recommend it to anyone who wants to have a special time.
The plus: the breakfast is excellent (especially their shakshuka).
Check availability2. Clico Boutique Hotel
If The Winston Hotel is fully booked, we recommend Clico Boutique Hotel located in Rosebank (another posh neighborhood of Johannesburg). The hotel is also a 5 star so you don't have to worry about the quality of the accommodation! The decor is quaint and the rooms luxurious. Everything is done to make you feel pampered. You can book with your eyes closed.
Check availabilityFor further : Discover the best boutique hotels for accommodation in South Africa
Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff and Saxon Hotel: Johannesburg's best luxury hotels
Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff and Saxon Hotel have a great chance of being off budget if you are not a celebrity… Much more expensive than the 5 star hotels proposed above, those are the two most prestigious luxury hotels in Johannesburg. We tell you right away, we have never been there but we are talking about it here because their reputation is well established: in Johannesburg everyone knows these two hotels. The Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff is the most famous because it is the residence of stars when they come to shoot films in South Africa. Saxon Hotel he is known because it was the residence of Nelson Mandela and he wrote his autobiography there 'Long Walk to Freedom'(which we advise you to read before or during your trip to South Africa). If they are in your prices, then don't hesitate a second to book!
1. Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff
Book in advance Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff :
Check availability2. Saxon Hotel
Book in advance Saxon Hotel :
Check availabilityFor further : Discover the best luxury hotels to stay in South Africa
Our tips for a successful trip:
- Book your flight in advance to take advantage of the best prices
Airline ticket prices are cheaper when booked 6 to 3 months in advance. To be sure of getting the best price, we recommend using a flight comparator such as Skyscanner.
- Book your accommodation before departure to have access to the best offers
You will always find a room at the last minute, but the best located accommodations are necessarily those that are always full. That's why it's best to book your accommodations as soon as possible. We recommend going through Agoda which offers the best prices. In addition, this site allows you to be easily reimbursed in the event of cancellation.
- Skip the line to visit the most popular attractions
By booking your excursions in advance on Civitatis, you do not queue on site to get your tickets. Less time waiting = more time enjoying your vacation! Plus, their guided tours ensure you have a knowledgeable guide who speaks your language.
- Use a comparator to find a rental car at the lowest price
Save yourself hours of research with rentalcar.com ou discovercars.com. These comparators are the best for finding rental cars at the lowest prices.
- Don't leave without travel insurance
For us, it is unimaginable to leave without travel insurance. We recommend the one proposed by AXIS. This is the best guaranteed way to leave with peace of mind. However, consider taking out additional specialized insurance for activities not covered (such as skiing or scuba diving).
- Want more information about your destination?
Do not hesitate to complete the information present on this blog with a travel Guide. You can take it in your luggage and refer to it throughout your vacation.
To find out more about South Africa:
The itinéterre team
Itinéterre is a travel blog written by a team of expatriates and locals. They share their experiences so that you can enjoy the best tours in their countries. Their advice will help you plan your vacation easily as if a local is accompanying you!
