16 Best Hotels in Johannesburg, South Africa

The iconic Four Seasons The Westcliff is the paragon of a luxurious urban resort. Perched atop a hill, its view of Johannesburg’s urban forest (and purple haze of jacarandas in spring) provides an exquisite setting. All 117 rooms offer immaculate accommodations along with all the refinements you’d expect from a five-star establishment. The resort’s business facilities are equally impressive. Staff exude a love for Johannesburg and are quick to recommend places of interest to international visitors. Guests are also offered escorted tours of inner-city cultural hubs like Maboneng Precinct and Braamfontein. Expect nothing short of impeccable dining with a South African flair at Flames, which is accessible via panoramic glass elevators.

If you’re genuinely eco-conscious and seeking an authentic wilderness experience, then choose this unique bush camp set plumb in the middle of Madikwe’s best game-viewing areas. Apart from the elephant-high electric wires that encircle this delightful camp, there’s no other electricity, but oil lamps and hot water heated in the donkey boilers for your bush showers are both practical and romantic. Separate, private ablutions and toilets are easily accessed from your comfortable twin cabin on stilts, but be warned, they're basic. The simple home-cooked food is delicious and you’ll receive personal attention from the friendly, knowledgeable staff. Mosetlha’s local rangers are among the best anywhere and have won international awards, so expect your game-viewing to be spectacular. Lions, wild dogs, leopards and hyenas have all been known to wander through the unfenced camp, but you’ll be quite safe in your cabin or as you sit round a crackling fire sharing sightings of the day. There may be no frills but this family-owned little camp has top marks for authenticity, eco-awareness and spectacular sightings.

You might think a hotel based on the concept of a lost African palace would suffer from theme-park syndrome, but happily, that's not the case here as sculpted cranes and leaping kudu appear to take flight from the hotel towers, elephants guard stairways and bridges, and graceful reminders of ersatz Africa strike you at every turn. No expense has been spared, and the attention to detail is mind-boggling. All rooms have hand-carved doors and furnishings, the jungle paintings on the ceiling of the lobby's rotunda took 5,000 hours to complete, and the hand-laid mosaic floor is made up of 300,000 separate tiles. The property was renovated in 2022.

The luscious garden with its two adjoining swimming pools is the central feature of this award-winning, owner-run boutique hotel that is equidistant from Melrose Arch, Rosebank, and Sandton. The dense vegetation pays homage to Joburg’s man-made forest and every room has a private outdoor space, balcony, or patio that makes it easy to forget you’re in a city. The welcoming eco-chic rooms are tastefully decorated with subtle hints of African design and are equipped with iPod docking stations, USB, and universal plug points. Eco-conscious guests will appreciate the heat pump water heating system, gray-water reticulation, recycling initiatives, and on-site vegetable and herb garden used for its two restaurants. The on-site bistro serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner to guests. Basalt is its prix-fixe, fine-dining restaurant with optional wine pairing that is housed in the original 1940s heritage home and is also open to the public.

Abutting Pilanesberg, this lodge sits at the head of a long valley with terrific views of a hippo pool that forms the lodge's central attraction—it's not unusual to have hippos grazing 100 feet from the terrace restaurant. Despite this, the lodge never really succeeds in creating a bush feel, perhaps because it's such a big convention and family destination. Its brick buildings feel vaguely institutional. Nevertheless, the guest rooms, particularly the executive studios, are very pleasant, thanks to light pine furniture, colorful African bedspreads, and super views of the valley. The lodge conducts game drives in open-air vehicles, as well as ranger-guided walks. A shuttle bus (R110 round-trip, booking required) runs to Sun City, 10 km (6 miles) away.

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 gracious boutique hotel, once a private home owned by the Oppenheimer family, has individually decorated suites that mimic classic Eastern and European styles with large windows overlooking the manicured gardens that are spread across 5.7 hectares (14 acres). The large grounds, with their sweeping lawns and rose beds, play host to picnics in summertime and romantic private dinners after sunset. Guests can unwind poolside or at the Balinese-themed spa. There's also a well-equipped gym, an à la carte restaurant, and conference facilities that frequently host weddings.

This boutique hotel in a game estate within the Cradle of Humankind aptly alludes to the mysterious and fascinating story of the development of humanity in every bit of its decor and can be a good option if you want to spend some time outside but near Johannesburg. Artwork of bygone years adorn the walls and the modern architecture takes into account the landscape. The windows have sweeping views and natural veld (pronounced felt)—long, African grasses—grows on the rooftops. Guests can visit the nearby Sterkfontein Caves and Maropeng Visitor Centre for an additional cost. The superb fine-dining restaurant, Roots, specializes in contemporary cooking with a South African influence, but only serves breakfast and dinners, with the exception of a four-course, wine-paired lunch on Sunday. You can also order a gourmet picnic to eat on one of the private wooden platforms along the riverside. There's also a gallery and wine cellar on the property. 

A few paces from international arrivals and adjacent to the car-rental companies and bus terminal, this is a good choice for those who have a one-night layover. The InterContinental is very comfortable and upscale, with a chic African interior of warm woods and granite. Those who spend a few nights here do so for the business and meeting facilities and proximity to industrial areas, though it's also a quick 12-minute ride on the high-speed Gautrain into the center of Sandton from the airport. Rooms are soundproof and have blackout curtains, and the eighth-floor heated pool, gym, and spa offers jet-lag-specific treatments. There are great runway views from the gym and pool. The Quills Restaurant and Bar on the ground level serves meals 24 hours.

The two lodges that make up Jaci's Lodges are family-owned and have a long-standing reputation for friendliness, superb game drives, and comfortable accommodations. They are located side-by-side in the southeast of the reserve on the edge of the Marico River. At Jaci's Safari Lodge, you'll stay in one of eight roomy tented suites with outdoor showers, handcrafted mosaic baths, and a private deck overlooking the bushveld and river below. There are also two suites that sleep about 8 each if you have a bigger family group and two romantic star bed suites. The welcoming public areas are cheerful with a seamless fusion of contemporary and African decor. Children are well catered for (6 to 12 years, younger by special arrangement). The eight suites of the secluded Jaci's Tree Lodge, built of wood and thatch and perched on stilts connected by wooden walkways, have views through the riverine trees across the Marico River. All stays include all meals, house drinks, and game drives.

This intimate lodge, with only five suites, is the ultimate in luxury, with its marble floors, elaborate chandeliers, and plush furnishings. Watch animals at a waterhole on a wide plain from the deck in front of the main lodge area, the sunken fire pit, or from the luxury of your own deck or private plunge pool. Many Madikwe lodges serve excellent food, but at Jamala Madikwe, fine dining is taken to the next level, with three chefs serving up a different menu each night, sometimes running up to six courses and including dishes like tempura lobster served with a soy dipping sauce and compressed pork belly with wilted pak choi. For something really special, inquire about joining a unique conservation experience such as notching a rhino or collaring a cheetah, which the lodge offers in conjunction with the park's management.

Africa’s second-tallest building, at 55 stories and 234 meters (767 feet), this hybrid skyscraper stands at the foot of Sandton with panoramic views that stretch beyond Johannesburg’s borders and includes a refined retail space, a contemporary hotel with all the bells and whistles, and residential apartments and luxury penthouses. The hotel's spacious one-, two- and three-bedroomed suites include a fully-equipped kitchen, dining area, a lounge and working area, and a balcony, making them ideal for a longer stay. The hotel is defined by its extensive collection of artwork, in various media, throughout its public areas. Even Aurum (the Latin word for gold), which specializes in modern European fare and serves all-day breakfast, brunch, lunch with a high-end dining experience for dinner, has a golden metal swirl suspended overhead. The restaurant leads out onto the rooftop where there's a swimming pool, gym, spa, and Octo, the wood-fired pool terrace bar. Alto 234 (the continent’s highest bar) requires an online booking and payment (R390) for a 2½ to 3-hour experience that includes a glass of bubbles.

Located in the west of Madikwe, Rhulani is a multi-award-winning lodge with nine private rooms, located around an attractive communal lounge and pool area, and overlooking a waterhole frequented by elephants and other animals. A hide at the waterhole, accessed through a short underground tunnel, will get you breathtakingly close to animals and birds. The service and food are first-rate and the accommodation is African chic, with an air of relaxed luxury. Each room has its own plunge pool and fireplace, and you can book a spa treatment in the comfort of your room. With only nine suites, spaced well apart, this lodge offers privacy and seclusion.

In the exclusive suburb of Sandhurst, this luxurious and impeccably designed Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa has repeatedly received awards for its excellence. Heads of state have stayed here, including Nelson Mandela, who came here after his release from prison to work on his autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom. The butlers pride themselves on keeping files on their guests, right down to what they order from the bar. An azure pool adjoins the sleek, modern building. Inside, the feeling is calm and classical, and there's an extensive African art collection on display throughout the hotel. Rooms are huge, with big bay windows overlooking the gardens or pool. Large-screen TVs, DVD players, surround sound, and a workstation with a high-speed internet connection are standard. Qunu restaurant has an African feel to it.

This is the original Sun City hotel, housing spacious and comfortable rooms in the complex that houses the resort's gaming casino, banks of slot machines, and other gaming activities. If gambling and nonstop action are your scene, you'll love it. The hotel pool is large, surrounded by lovely lawns and gardens. There's an area just below the hotel decked out like a Tarzan jungle, with palms, artificial waterfalls, and rope walkways. And a stay here also includes complimentary access to The Valley of Waves.

The five-star Tshukudu Bush Lodge offers a fully-inclusive experience that includes brunch, high tea, a five-course dinner, and local beverages, as well as two daily game drives. It is built into the side of a steep, rocky hill and overlooks open grassland and a large waterhole where elephants bathe. If you watch long enough, you might see most of the Big Five from your verandah. Winding stone stairways lead up the hill to thatched cottages with private balconies, wicker furniture, African materials, and black-slate floors. Fireplaces and mosquito nets are standard, and sunken bathtubs have spectacular views of the waterhole. At night you can use a spotlight to illuminate game at the waterhole below.