The Best Hotels in Johannesburg

Johannesburg Hotels

Johannesburg is the largest city in South Africa - an enormous, sprawling urban wonderland that overflows with culture, history, and nightlife. Glitzy high-rises spear the glimmering skyline, and idyllic parks and gardens stipple the buzzing city streets. Culture-fiends can explore mesmerising art galleries and museums that tell of the region’s fascinating history, and families can visit crazy theme-parks and the fun-filled zoo. Splurging shoppers, meanwhile, will go wild for the spread of upper-end malls and boutiques.

Things to see

Start your bright Johannesburg day at the Apartheid Museum. This modern museum complex tells of the tumultuous history of apartheid in South Africa, through inspiring films, info-graphics, and archival artefacts - all centred around the legendary story of Nelson Mandela. After you’ve experienced this touching museum, get another culture-fix at the Johannesburg Art Gallery. Behind the stately museum’s Neo-Romanesque exterior, you’ll find 15 wide white halls lined with fine 18th and 19th century European paintings, and a large collection of regional contemporary work. There’s also a flower-flecked sculpture garden onsite. As the afternoon rolls around, head to the Johannesburg Zoo. Wandering this green-washed 55-acre site, kids will go wild for the sleek Siberian Tigers, goofy gorillas, and rare white lions. If you are travelling with little ones, cap off your day at Gold Reef City, a quirky amusement park that mixes roller-coasters and kid-friendly science museums, themed around South Africa’s 19th century gold rush.

Hotels in Johannesburg

As such a huge city, it’s no surprise that the hotels in Johannesburg can cater to all types of taste and budget. Urban explorers looking for an inexpensive no-frills place to bed down should stay in one of the cheap 2-star hotels, which offer cosy rooms, free parking, and handy tour and ticket assistance. For some mid-range accommodation, check out Johannesburg's 3-star hotels. Here you’ll enjoy spacious air-conditioned rooms and laid-back in-house bar lounges. Alternatively, treat yourself to some city luxury at one of Johannesburg’s many 5-star hotels, which boast concierge service, pristine outdoor pools, and full service spas.

Where to stay

Johannesburg is made up of many different districts and neighbourhoods - each with their own distinct vibes. Many will want to stay somewhere within the Central Business District - Johannesburg’s Downtown core. The Market Theatre area is perfect for culture-fiends, while the university area - called Braamfontein - is ideal for late-night party-goers, as it sings with bouncing clubs and bars. But if you’re after an upper-end urban getaway, Johannesburg’s affluent Northern Suburbs are for you. Here, you’ll find ritzy 5-star hotels, and plenty of stylish shopping malls and designer stores.

How to get to Johannesburg

It’s easy to get to Johannesburg - simply glide in through South Africa’s azure skies to O. R. Tambo International Airport, an immense hub of international aviation that serves flights from destinations in every continent. The airport is based 35 kilometres from central Johannesburg, and there’s plenty of ground transportation. You can either take the cheap Metro train, the speedy Gautrain, or jump in an official taxi outside the station. Some hotels also offer airport pickup. Alternatively, you can hire your own car at the airport - this will come in handy for getting around the city, as the public transport system is limited.