We had a great stay and transit experience at Afton Guest House; I also read good reviews of AfricaSky and Marben Manor..

How funny is that to have two posts about the same guest house at the same moment in time? When we were there, they offered a very nice home cooked braai for $20, so we never left the site til it was time to go back to the airport..

That is funny! When we were there we opted for the steak house (no invite to a braai) and it was so very good. And cheap. We did that both times.

Wow, such prompt and useful replies! Thank you so much.

Another big vote for the Southern Sun OR Tambo. We always stay there when transiting JNB and have never been disappointed.

We have just returned from SA. We picked up our car upon arrival and drive about 8km to The Courtyard Eastgate hotel (located on Bruma Lake). No dinner restaurant (I think they were renovating), butthey run a shuttle bus to a nearby mall with plenty of retaurants I believe. Great breakfast. Ver clean, comfortable and an economical first night's accommodation. We paid R1500 for 2 studio apartments.

PRLCH, I stayed at a Courtyard (Cape Town) at least once many years ago, and I found it a great hotel if you prefer something larger than a single room and one that also has a basic kitchenette.

But visualising the route I was very surprised that you say that the Courtyard Edenvale is only 8 km from OR Tambo. So I went to their website (they are part of the City Lodge Group, www.citylodge.co.za) and it does claim that. But checking my map I'd say it's a least twice that distance. I measured it roughly as 17-18 km.

ArthurSA,
It was Courtyard Eastgate (not Edenvale)- right on Bruma Lake. I cannot say definately that it was 8km, but what I can say is, it was really close and easy to get to. Just looking at my JHB and Midrand Map now, I would estimate it at 12km - but don't hold me to it.

Apologies, there is no such hotel as Courtyard Edenvale, I did mean Eastgate. Edenvale is a major area not far away and the name probably caught my eye when I looked at the map to measure the distance. (You see, I really did!)

But I'm still amazed they can hoodwink travellers (not referring to you PRLCH) who might be paying and budgeting for taxi rates. Because I still think it's at least 16 km, which is twice the advertised distance. I'll try and remember to measure at least part of the route when I'm next in the area! :-)

And now that the cynic in me is aroused, it's interesting that they use Eastgate in the name and not Bruma Lake. The former is on the other diagonal side of a busy road, and the hotel is right in the Bruma Lake area, which is probably almost as well-known locally as the Eastgate shopping mall. Bruma Lake has had a chequered reputation over many years, not least for the varying condition of the Lake and the lack of success in developing its shopping and restaurant outlets. And despite the growth of Jo'burg's "new" Chinatown just up the road.

For me that's a big plus for that area, it's just a stroll away from Chinatown, in Derrick Avenue. Many restaurants there, some of them favourites of mine for a very casual inexpensive meal. How about a two-course whole Peking Duck for two, for about R165 (just over $8 per person)? I think only a little more for the 3-course version.

Now that I've hijacked this thread and promoted Chinatown, I'd better add that it's nothing like the scope of Chinatown in most or even all other large cities. You also have to be prepared for mostly bright fluorescent lighting, formica tables, sometimes very casual service, cash only not credit cards, and relatively early closing of kitchens at night.