10 Best Hotels in Johannesburg, South Africa

Primarily catering to business travelers, this ultramodern hotel is within the Melrose Arch shopping, dining, and residential enclave. The eclectic decor mixes modern and traditional African influences with high-tech, colored lighting throughout and sculptures, baskets, and furnishings all highlighting the African locale. Even the elevators reflect this mix, with one representing the African day and the other, almost completely dark, suggesting the night. Wi-Fi is free in both rooms and in the public areas, including the warm, mahogany-clad library bar. The rooms are well equipped, and each has a view of the pool and garden or overlooks a square. The pool area highlights the eccentric and modern taste that is echoed throughout the hotel, with trees planted in larger-than-life steel buckets, and tables and chairs set out in a few inches of water. Sip a cocktail here while soaking your feet in the heated pool, which has music piped underwater. African-inspired meals are offered at the stylish and modern restaurant, March.

One of South Africa's largest hotel spas is located at this peaceful retreat near Magaliesburg. The award-winning spa is a destination in and of itself (open 7 days a week) with a number of rock plunge pools, steam rooms, as well as therapy baths and it, offers a range of services, including couples' treatment rooms and hydrotherapy. The expansive, thatched hotel sits in the midst of beautiful gardens with drop-dead gorgeous views of the Magaliesberg Mountains from the restaurant's lookout deck. Golf carts are available to take guests across the property's facilities if needs be. The rooms feature contemporary decor with a splash of color, and most have a private terrace overlooking the landscaped grounds, while the suites have their own heated pool that's necklaced by a wooden deck. The Rambling Vine restaurant specializes in farm-to-table dishes made with fresh local ingredients. 

Surrounded by a lush garden in the heart of the Magaliesberg, this lodge has rooms with beautiful antique furniture and is a good place to base yourself if you just want to get into the country for a river ramble or a mountain hike–even the drive is scenic. Dinner (reservations essential) is a four-course set menu of French-influenced cuisine that changes daily. Even if you don't stay overnight, drive through for a delightful gourmet picnic (24-hour advance bookings required) beneath the shade of the trees, along the edge of the small stocked dam, or try your hand at catch-and-release fishing.

Paths thread through pleasant gardens to rooms in these small apartment blocks overlooking a man-made lake. The Cabanas, which are within the Sun City complex but are a short shuttle drive away from the main hotel and entertainment area, are modern, clean, and convenient for accessing the resort's restaurants, casino, and outdoor activities, which are all open to Cabanas guests. The cabanas have TVs, tea/coffeemakers, and air-conditioning and are particularly popular with families, who appreciate being out of the fray.

This small, upmarket boutique hotel in central Rosebank is a renovated Cape Dutch house with a gracious garden that offers good value in an area known for expensive accommodations. It has an engaging mix of old and new—Oregon pine floorboards, antique inlaid-wood side tables from Morocco, custom-made couches, and modern, whimsical sculptures like one by Anton Smit, of a woman floating above water. The bedroom suites are luxurious and have heated floors; four have wheelchair access. The superb food in the Clico Restaurant showcases European-style cuisine using fresh local ingredients.

Notable for its quirky public spaces—Louis XVI reproduction armchairs, white shaggy rugs, and the very popular Circle Bar with its beaded booths—The Rosebank Crowne Plaza has standard rooms that are small but perfectly formed, with white vinyl armchairs and side tables. Most will love the black-glass bathroom cube in the deluxe rooms (except those who enjoy privacy—this is not the room to share with a buddy). The beds are comfortable, and directional lighting means you can read while your partner sleeps. Sony Bravia LCD screens with 28 satellite-TV channels, and iPod docking stations are standard in every room. Rooms also feature good work spaces, with back-supporting swivel chairs and multiple plug adaptors at eye level.

The Maropeng Boutique Hotel offers peace and tranquility with magnificent views of the Magaliesberg and Witwatersberg mountain ranges just 90 minutes from Johannesburg. Rooms are decorated in warm, earthy tones that reflect the African setting, and each one has a small outdoor space where you can watch the sun set while sipping delicious cocktails. There is plenty to do in the area: the Maropeng Visitor Centre is a short walk from the hotel; the Sterkfontein Caves are just a few minutes' drive away; and for those looking to unwind, the wooden deck and pool are the perfect spot to relax (even though they are directly adjacent to the reception and welcome lounge). Don't miss the stargazing evening with the resident astronomer on the last Saturday of the month, if the dates work out. The restaurant, which is open to the public for all meals, serves South African food that might include roasted meat (lamb, beef, barbecued chops and pap, curried chicken) with fresh-cooked veggies, such as pumpkin and roast potatoes.

Conveniently situated in the heart of bustling Sandton, the Maslow is a case study in modern, seamless sophistication and, if only for a few moments, you'll forget you're anywhere near a city. Beyond the basics of free high-speed Wi-Fi, universal plug points, and first-class conferencing facilities, business travelers can expect unique offerings like the Incubator Room for out-of-the-box strategy sessions, or the Wayfarer Lounge, which provides a well-equipped work base (equipped with private showers) between flights. Minutes from the Sandton Gautrain station, the Maslow offers a free shuttle service that departs every 15 minutes, also stopping at Sandton City Mall and Nelson Mandela Square. The beautifully designed Africology spa is one of the most unique of its kind in Johannesburg, and the tranquil Oasis Garden is the perfect place for some downtime. Ask for a room on the far side of the wing that overlooks the garden and pool. 

Located just 55 steps from the Sandton Gautrain station, this is a popular destination for international tourists and local business travelers with well-appointed rooms, an outdoor splash pool, and a deck that overlooks Sandton's high-rise buildings. The interior has a bright and modern aesthetic, and clever design elements have been incorporated throughout the hotel to mimic features of the Gautrain station and rail line. The hotel also likes to keep visitors guessing by introducing fresh new concepts to entertainment offerings and food menus, such as Central One’s Full Flavour Board for 2, or a new DJ on the deck every weekend. Ask about the weekly specials.

Directly connected to Sandton City via a sky bridge, this hotel is particularly attractive to keen shoppers and businesspeople who value proximity and easy access to Johannesburg's premier mall and meeting venues. Smart and upscale in every way, it delivers an Afro-chic aesthetic in the form of African art and sculpture and rooms decorated in earth tones. Despite the hotel's large size, the staff strives to deliver intimate service, which is especially useful for business travelers who form the main client base. The gym, spa, and swimming pool offer the perfect excuse to relax when the meetings are done.