Gauteng is South Africa's smallest and most populous province, home to Johannesburg, Pretoria and Soweto.
Accommodation overview
Gauteng accommodation clusters around a few distinct hubs. Sandton and Rosebank offer the widest range of upscale hotels and guesthouses, with the Gautrain linking both to OR Tambo International Airport and Pretoria in under 40 minutes. Melrose Arch, Illovo and Parktown suit business travellers, while Maboneng and Braamfontein in central Johannesburg have loft-style apartments and backpackers close to Arts on Main and Constitution Hill. Soweto's Vilakazi Street area has family-run guesthouses and hostels for a township stay, and Pretoria's Brooklyn and Hatfield suburbs have mid-range guesthouses near the Union Buildings and the university. Rates run roughly R300-R1,400 for budget beds, R1,300-R3,000 for mid-range rooms and R3,800 and up for luxury stays. Book 4-6 weeks ahead for June-August school holidays and December, and choose properties with 24-hour security and secure parking.
- Budget
- R300-R1,400 per night (~$18-$86)
- Mid-range
- R1,300-R3,000 per night (~$80-$185)
- Luxury
- R3,800-R20,000+ per night (~$233-$1,227)
- Where to stay
- Sandton or Rosebank for safety, dining and Gautrain access; Soweto or Maboneng for cultural stays
Hotels by budget
Find accommodation that fits your travel budget.
Budget-friendly
City Lodge Hotel O.R. Tambo International Airport
Budget-friendly chain hotel close to the airport with a free shuttle.
Check rates on Booking.comLebo's Soweto Backpackers
Hostel on Vilakazi Street run by a local family, with dorms and private rooms.
Check rates on Booking.comCuriosity Backpackers
Backpackers on Fox Street in Maboneng, walking distance to Arts on Main and the Sunday market.
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Hyatt Regency Johannesburg Rosebank
Business-friendly hotel next to Rosebank Gautrain Station and the Rosebank malls.
Check rates on Booking.comInterContinental Johannesburg Sandton Towers
High-rise on Sandton's Nelson Mandela Square, five minutes on foot from Sandton Gautrain Station.
Check rates on Booking.comRadisson Blu Gautrain Hotel, Sandton
Modern hotel directly linked to Sandton Gautrain Station, useful for OR Tambo airport arrivals.
Check rates on Booking.comProtea Hotel Fire & Ice! Melrose Arch
Design hotel in the walkable Melrose Arch precinct with restaurants and cinema on the doorstep.
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Boutique hotel near Rosebank Gautrain Station, with art-filled interiors.
Check rates on Booking.comThe Peech Hotel
Owner-run boutique hotel in Melrose, with African-art interiors and lush gardens.
Check rates on Booking.comThe Maslow Hotel
Business hotel near Sandton City with good access to the Gautrain and the M1.
Check rates on Booking.comGarden Court Sandton City
Mid-range hotel adjoining Sandton City mall, popular with families and business travellers.
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Longstanding Sandton hotel set in gardens a short drive from Sandton City.
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Airport hotel connected to the terminals by an enclosed walkway.
Check rates on Booking.comEmperors Palace Hotel Casino Convention Resort
Large entertainment resort near the airport, with a casino, cinema and multiple restaurants.
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Landmark hotel in Arcadia, close to the Union Buildings and Pretoria's embassies.
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All-suite hotel by the Hatfield Gautrain Station and University of Pretoria.
Check rates on Booking.comThe Capital Menlyn Maine
Serviced-apartment hotel in the Menlyn Maine precinct, one of Pretoria's modern districts.
Check rates on Booking.comMaropeng Hotel
Hotel overlooking the Maropeng visitor centre and the Cradle valleys.
Check rates on Booking.comKloofzicht Lodge & Spa
Country lodge with spa in Muldersdrift, close to the Cradle of Humankind caves.
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Hotel on Walter Sisulu Square in Kliptown; comfortable base for early Soweto tours.
Check rates on Booking.comLuxury
The Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa
Five-star boutique hotel in Sandhurst where Nelson Mandela finished writing Long Walk to Freedom.
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Terraced hillside hotel overlooking Johannesburg's northern suburbs and the Zoo.
Check rates on Booking.comMichelangelo Hotel
Tuscan-styled five-star hotel on Nelson Mandela Square.
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All-suite boutique hotel in the leafy northern suburbs with individually decorated rooms.
Check rates on Booking.comThe Residence Boutique Hotel
Intimate five-star hotel in Craighall Park, close to Rosebank and Sandton.
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Choose your base based on your interests and travel style.
City Center
The heart of Gauteng with easy access to main attractions, restaurants, and transportation.
Best for: First-time visitors, short stays
Old Town
Traditional architecture and local character. Walking distance to historical sites and authentic dining.
Best for: Culture enthusiasts, photographers
Our top picks
Handpicked recommendations for every type of traveler.
The Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa
Five-star boutique hotel in Sandhurst where Nelson Mandela finished writing Long Walk to Freedom.
Check rates on Booking.comFour Seasons Hotel The Westcliff
Terraced hillside hotel overlooking Johannesburg's northern suburbs and the Zoo.
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Business-friendly hotel next to Rosebank Gautrain Station and the Rosebank malls.
Check rates on Booking.comInterContinental Johannesburg Sandton Towers
High-rise on Sandton's Nelson Mandela Square, five minutes on foot from Sandton Gautrain Station.
Check rates on Booking.comMichelangelo Hotel
Tuscan-styled five-star hotel on Nelson Mandela Square.
Check rates on Booking.comRadisson Blu Gautrain Hotel, Sandton
Modern hotel directly linked to Sandton Gautrain Station, useful for OR Tambo airport arrivals.
Check rates on Booking.comBooking tips
Get the best deals and avoid common mistakes.
Book Sandton and Rosebank hotels on Gautrain lines to avoid road traffic
Confirm generator or backup power (load-shedding) with the property
Choose properties with 24-hour security and gated parking if hiring a car
Airport hotels suit early departures; most offer shuttles
Soweto guesthouses fill up around 16 June (Youth Day)
Alternative accommodations
Beyond traditional hotels, consider these options.
Guesthouses
Family-run guesthouses offer authentic local experiences and often include home-cooked meals. Great for cultural immersion.
Serviced apartments
Ideal for longer stays or families. Kitchen facilities help save money and provide flexibility.
Hostels
Budget-friendly option for solo travelers. Dorms and private rooms available with social common areas.