Where to stay for a night in Johannesburg?

Old Feb 9th, 2017, 03:44 AM
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Where to stay for a night in Johannesburg?

Hi!
I´m visiting South Africa with my husband and 13 year old son early May.
After some days there, we will close our journey with a day and a half at Johannesburg, arriving at 5 pm on a Thursday and leaving at 11 pm the next day.

Could you recommend us zones to stay? We are still not sure whether we will stay at AirBnB or hotels, we know we would like a safe zone, with a nice atmosphere (it would be nice to go out and walk for dinner) and not too far from the places one usually goes to visit on a 1-day trip to Johannesburg.

Thanks for your help!
B
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Old Feb 9th, 2017, 01:08 PM
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Sandton City is a safe area to stay, it is a mall with several restaurants and hotels that you can walk to. It is easy to get to from the airport on the Gautrain and some hotels offer a pick up service from the station. Marriott Balalaika is just outside the mall and has a lovely garden so you get a country feel and has a great restaurant called the Bull Run.
Rosebank is also a good area but not quite as nice as Sandton City.
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Old Feb 10th, 2017, 02:11 AM
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Check out the hotels in the Melrose Arch area of Joberg. Melrose Arch has lots of restaurants and shopping and easy walking. I stayed at the Peech Hotel once and loved it. It's a small boutique hotel. You can look up hotels in Melrose Arch on TA for more choices. I also love the Residence Boutique Hotel. Great concierge who will ensure you see what is necessary in your short stay and have a nice dinner. Sometimes with my kids, I opt for the larger Palazzo Montecasino. The Montecasino complex is great and secure. Tons of restaurants, shops, music venues, a beautiful exotic bird park, concerts, wine restaurants, etc. all in one complex. It's nice to watch families from all walks of life enjoy it as well. Though the Palazzo Montecasino is my favorite hotel, there are others in the complex. Its in Fourways. The last area I would suggest you look is around Mandela Square which is another area with shopping and restaurants. My favorite Thai and steak restaurant is in the square. I like Sandton and am there often for meetings but the Sandton Mall reminds me of any mall in America, so it's not my favorite. I go there when I need, something, well from home! Although there are some lovely hotels in the area for sure as it's the most upscale area in Joberg. The Saxon is stellar but comes with a hefty price tag. Please don't miss out on the Aparthied Museum and you could do a tour of Soweto. Hopefully it would include the Hector Pieterson Museum, Mandela House, a look at Desmind Tutu's house, and a traditional Black South Afrrican lunch st Wandies or Sakumzi across from Mandela House. And more...If interested for traditional African crafts from all over the continent, try the African shop in the Rosebank Mall. We go, once again, next month for Spring Break! Enjoy!


Good luck.
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Old Feb 10th, 2017, 05:20 PM
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We stayed at Protea Fire and Ice in Melrose Arch. Great hotel in good area. Lots of really good restaurants within [safe] walking distance.

We went on the Red Bus, HOHO bus to see the sites. We did the add on Soweto Tour. We took a taxi to where you get on the bus and one to get back to hotel. Apartheid Museum was a must.
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Old Feb 10th, 2017, 05:26 PM
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It's a Marriott hotel, btw
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Old Feb 12th, 2017, 12:05 AM
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We have a layover from 6 pm to 9 am in Johannesburg in early July. We'd rather not stay right next to the airport so looking for a recommendation for either a hotel or an area to stay that we could go for a walk safely, go out for dinner and just get a feeling for the city. It seems Johannesburg is very spread out. I think the markets are only available on the weekends??

Thanks,
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Old Feb 12th, 2017, 01:28 AM
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Any of the above suggestions would be fine for a short layover.

I suggest Sandton City (including Mandela Square) because of how easy it is to get to from the airport and it would fit some of your requirements, as well as Rosebank. It might be just a mall, but it is a safe (well, safe as it can be) area to walk around and you get dinner in one of the restaurants around Mandela Square or in one of the many hotels. It is easy & quick (but not cheap) to get to/from the airport on the Gautrain. I don't think you will get a feeling for the city though, as it is an upmarket area with lots of hotels etc and does not reflect the feeling of being Joburg IMO. I also mentioned the Marriott Balalaika because it is away from the mall and has a lovely garden and a nice restaurant. In the same street (Maude Street), there is an African market.

The African Market at Rosebank is open daily, it is housed inside a building. Change at Sandton station to get to Rosebank. The Hyatt is a very nice hotel.
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Old Feb 12th, 2017, 06:46 AM
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From 6 pm to 9 am really doesn't afford you a good deal of time to explore, doubstops.

We stayed here for a similar time span. They will take you from and to airport no charge. Breakfast is included and was good. We also had dinner there and it was very reasonably priced. There is a pool table and a pool though it might be too cool to swim.

We actually stayed both coming into and going out of Jo'burg and the rooms were clean, comfortable.

You cannot walk the neighborhood, though. The property is fenced and safe inside.

www.sunrock.co.za/
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