6 Best Hotels in Johannesburg, South Africa

If you're looking for an authentic, malaria-free safari experience close to the airport, Mongena is a great option for a couple of nights without having to leave the province. The lodge is fenced in and has lovely thatched rooms overlooking beautifully landscaped gardens, a boma with fire in the evening, a swimming pool, and resident zebra, springbuck, and nyala that roam freely around the lodge, giving guests an additional taste of the wild. Safari drives, guided walks, and boat cruises on Mongena Lake are available. To get closer to nature, check out the luxury glamping options at "Little Mongena," an unfenced accommodation overlooking the picturesque dam. 

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.

If resort life is what you’re after, then look no further than the contemporary Houghton Hotel—kitted out with five swimming pools (including a ying yang–shaped one with a tumbling water feature), award-winning spa, 24-hour gym with daily classes, adjoining 18-hole golf course, and acclaimed restaurants. The rooms are done up in a modern style that leaves one wanting for nothing, with floor-to-ceiling sliding windows that look out onto the hotel, golf course, or extensive grounds which boast an 8 km (5 miles) walking path. Séjour will allow you to travel the globe with its elevated dining menu, as well as its more relaxed tapas and grill options, while the all-day Nova Bistro serves Mediterranean-inspired fare. Even if you aren’t a guest, the spa is worth a visit for its half- and full-day treatments, steam room and sauna, two pools, outdoor relaxation area, as well as nail boutique and hair salon. For all of this, and more, The Houghton Hotel bagged the title of South Africa's Leading Hotel by The World Travel Awards 2021.

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.

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.