Johannesburg, known as Egoli or the City of Gold, combines apartheid history, street art, Soweto heritage and easy day trips to the Cradle of Humankind and Pretoria.
Accommodation overview
Johannesburg accommodation is spread across distinct neighbourhoods rather than one central district. Sandton and Rosebank hold most of the international-brand hotels, malls and restaurants, and both sit on the Gautrain line linking OR Tambo International Airport with Pretoria. Melrose Arch and Sandhurst suit business and luxury stays, Maboneng and Braamfontein cater to budget and creative travellers, and Soweto offers hostels and guesthouses close to Vilakazi Street. Prices are quoted in rand with approximate US dollar equivalents. Most properties in the northern suburbs offer 24-hour security, and many run backup power during load-shedding.
- Budget
- R200-R1,600 per night (~$12-$98)
- Mid-range
- R1,200-R3,200 per night (~$73-$195)
- Luxury
- R2,200-R20,000 per night (~$134-$1,220)
- Where to stay
- Sandton or Rosebank for dining, malls and Gautrain access; Maboneng for budget and creative travellers; Soweto for cultural stays
Hotels by budget
Find accommodation that fits your travel budget.
Budget-friendly
Travetel O.R. Tambo Airport Hotel
Budget-friendly airport hotel used for short stopovers near OR Tambo.
Check rates on Booking.comCURIOCITY Backpackers Maboneng
Industrial-chic hostel in Maboneng, named by The Guardian among top hostels worldwide.
Check rates on Booking.comBackpackers Ritz
Long-running hostel in Dunkeld West, close to Rosebank and Melrose Arch.
Check rates on Booking.comLebo's Soweto Backpackers
Hostel on Vilakazi Street, within walking distance of Mandela House and the Hector Pieterson Memorial.
Check rates on Booking.comMid-range
Southern Sun Rosebank
Mid-range hotel beside Rosebank Mall and a short walk from the Rosebank Gautrain station.
Check rates on Booking.comSouthern Sun Sandton
Mid-range Sandton hotel near Sandton City and Nelson Mandela Square.
Check rates on Booking.comProtea Hotel Fire & Ice! Melrose Arch
Design-led Marriott-brand hotel in the Melrose Arch precinct, known for its themed lobby and bar.
Check rates on Booking.comProtea Hotel by Marriott Wanderers
Mid-range hotel in Illovo, near the Wanderers Stadium and Sandton.
Check rates on Booking.comProtea Hotel Parktonian All-Suite
All-suite hotel in Braamfontein, close to Wits University and Constitution Hill.
Check rates on Booking.comCity Lodge Hotel Sandton Morningside
Reliable business-standard hotel in Morningside, Sandton.
Check rates on Booking.comCity Lodge Hotel at OR Tambo International Airport
303-room hotel close to OR Tambo International Airport, popular for early flights.
Check rates on Booking.comSouthern Sun O.R. Tambo International Airport
Airport hotel with a 24-hour shuttle to OR Tambo terminals.
Check rates on Booking.comProtea Hotel O.R. Tambo Airport
Value-oriented airport hotel with clean, well-equipped rooms.
Check rates on Booking.comPremier Hotel O.R. Tambo
Airport-area hotel from the Premier Hotels group with shuttle service.
Check rates on Booking.comGarden Court O.R. Tambo International Airport
Airport-area hotel near the OR Tambo terminals.
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.
Check rates on Booking.comFour Seasons Hotel The Westcliff
Terraced hillside hotel overlooking Johannesburg's northern suburbs and the zoo.
Check rates on Booking.comPark Hyatt Johannesburg
Intimate 31-room luxury hotel in a restored 1930s mansion in Rosebank.
Check rates on Booking.com54 on Bath
Boutique luxury hotel on a quiet street in Rosebank, close to the Gautrain station and Rosebank malls.
Check rates on Booking.comThe Peech Hotel
Boutique hotel in leafy Melrose, set in gardens close to Melrose Arch.
Check rates on Booking.comJohannesburg Marriott Hotel Melrose Arch
Business-oriented five-star hotel in the pedestrian-friendly Melrose Arch precinct.
Check rates on Booking.comSandton Sun & Towers
Large five-star hotel complex beside Sandton City and Nelson Mandela Square, operated by Southern Sun.
Check rates on Booking.comHilton Sandton
Five-star Hilton on Rivonia Road, a short walk from Sandton City and the Gautrain station.
Check rates on Booking.comRadisson Blu Hotel Sandton, Johannesburg
Contemporary business hotel in the Sandton commercial district.
Check rates on Booking.comRadisson Blu Gautrain Hotel, Sandton
Hotel beside the Sandton Gautrain station, useful for airport and Pretoria rail connections.
Check rates on Booking.comThe Maslow Hotel
Tsogo Sun business hotel on the Grayston Drive and Rivonia Road corner in Sandton.
Check rates on Booking.comInterContinental Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport
IHG five-star hotel within walking distance of the OR Tambo terminals.
Check rates on Booking.comBest neighborhoods to stay
Choose your base based on your interests and travel style.
City Center
The heart of Johannesburg 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.
Check rates on Booking.comPark Hyatt Johannesburg
Intimate 31-room luxury hotel in a restored 1930s mansion in Rosebank.
Check rates on Booking.com54 on Bath
Boutique luxury hotel on a quiet street in Rosebank, close to the Gautrain station and Rosebank malls.
Check rates on Booking.comThe Peech Hotel
Boutique hotel in leafy Melrose, set in gardens close to Melrose Arch.
Check rates on Booking.comJohannesburg Marriott Hotel Melrose Arch
Business-oriented five-star hotel in the pedestrian-friendly Melrose Arch precinct.
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 stays fill up around 16 June (Youth Day)
The Michelangelo Hotel in Sandton has been reported as standing empty amid an ownership dispute, so its status should be checked before any booking
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.