Shar

what do you know about the Palazzo Montecasino Hotel and the Hyatt Regency in Johannesburg. The Palazzo looks a bit out of place to me - more Italian and it probably has a casino in it right which probably draws a big crowd and maybe conventions? Both about the same price. Any advice. $230 range for both....

kellyee21

Hi Shar,

While I haven't stayed at either, I live very close to Monte and I did stay right across the street from there when we first moved here so I can give some input about the area. Montecasino is a huge complex of restaurants, hotels and entertainment. I had some friends stay at Palazzo and they thought it was ok but nothing spectacular as far as rooms. It is very much an italian theme and nothing really african about it at all. It does have a casino and is very touristy (I dont really know about the conventions, I haven't noticed that but I would think more are around Sandton). Since we live close by we have been to most of the restaurants there and they are all fine but nothing really outstanding (La Scala is about the best of the bunch). You can walk around any time of day or night safely and the Bird Garden is fun for a couple of hours as well (I was just there again yesterday).

I don't know Rosebank very well at all, I think I have only been there once. Are you going to have a car? If yes then it doesn't matter so much where you stay but if you don't then maybe the Gautrain may get you to a couple places (what are you planning on doing?) or if you take Uber it might be closer and cheaper to most attractions than Monte. On the other hand, that area is very commercial as well so not much african feel there either.

Shar

thanks for info. We will not have a car. We are there for a couple of days to catch up from the long flight from home and then heading off for a tour that starts in Botswana. Leaning more toward the Hyatt as we are familiar with that brand and it had good reviews.....

Odin

I stayed at the Hyatt several years ago and thought it was a very nice hotel in a great area. I visited the hotel last year to take a look and still seems just as nice. It's easy to get to Sandton City on the Gautrain which l think has better restaurants than Rosebank.

gsho

Protea hotel Wanderes is also an option that you can look at.

Lolazahra

Hi there --

I like the Palazzo Monetecasino and have stayed there multiple times. If you are looking for a large hotel, it is a great choice. The casino and multiple restaurants are not inside the hotel but located in an adjacent mall which also has book stores, specialty shops, wine restaurants and entertainment. There is also a nice exotic bird park on the property which is worth a stroll if you have time. The reason why I like it is that if you do not have a car, you have a large property that you can explore while feeling very safe. The other posters are right that is does not have an African feel, but if you visit the mall you will see a mix of South African people of all races enjoying the property that you will not find in many places which is nice. The hotel has a great breakfast buffet and a fantastic concierge team who can book whatever you want whenever you want it. The pool is stunning and having an al fresco lunch outside is very pleasant.

Another nice place to stay is Melrose Arch, really for the same reasons. Nice places to walk, eat and shop without needing a car and feeling safe. There are many nice large hotels right in the center of Melrose Arch and great boutique hotels quite near. I recently stayed at the Peech Hotel, a small but modern funky hotel within a fantastic garden. They have a great restaurant with steller service as well. But if you want something larger, stay right in Melrose.

Have a great time. I have traveled all over South Africa and love safari, Capetown, and the Garden Route -- however, I really do have a soft spot for Joberg as well. There are wonderful museums with great significance and going to Soweto is also worthwhile and exciting.

Have a great time in South Africa!