11 Best Hotels in Johannesburg, South Africa

In France this exclusive establishment would be called an auberge—a five-star destination hotel with a superb restaurant suitable for an overnight or weekend jaunt—and the two-story, sandstone building along the river would not be out of place in Provence. De Hoek sits amid semi-indigenous gardens in the exquisite Magalies River valley. The quiet rooms have golden walls and dark mahogany furniture. Some of the superior suites have fireplaces, and all rooms have underfloor heating. Archery, croquet, lawn bowling, and mountain walks are some of the activities available, but the magnificent restaurant—serving classy five-course dinners and a five-course Sunday lunch (booking essential for outside visitors)—is what brings most people.

This exquisite, Asian-themed boutique hotel is aimed at the discerning traveler who is looking for an unusual and memorable experience and wants to be out of the center of the Johannesburg business district. Suites are large, with equally large bathrooms that have deep soaking tubs and Oriental rugs on the marble floors. There are also shower cubicles with views over the surrounding hills and a separate toilet. All suites feature collectible objets d'art. The Constantinople suite has a 300-year-old Indian four-poster bed; others have a mix of antique and period reproduction pieces. Instead of bathrobes, you will find in your wardrobes authentic galabayas, the all-in-one caftan worn in north Africa and the Middle East. Giant carved timber doors and reflecting pools are found throughout the property. All the rooms offer views over the surrounding hills. If walks in the conservancy (zebra and eland roam freely) don't appeal to you, there's an extensive library. Mosaic restaurant has been recognized for its superlative French cuisine. There's an on-site cinema and a museum of sculptor Tienie Prichard's work.

Get an insider’s insight into Nelson Mandela with a stay at Sanctuary Mandela, which has converted his former Houghton home and heritage site into a boutique hotel that pays homage to the human rights activist with specially commissioned art pieces that document his lifetime. One of the boardrooms displays the foundations of his rondavel meeting room which was added to the main house, and where CODESA talks were held. The rooms are done up in a subtle yet elegant style with hints of African design, and a flash of forest green in the bathrooms. At Insights Restaurant (open to the public with bookings), you can gratify your hunger with a meal prepared by chef Xoliswa Ndoyiya, who was the former statesman’s personal chef for more than 20 years. She prepares some of his best-loved dishes like Nguni sirloin, mushroom and samp risotto, and what the family called "sweet" chicken with contemporary flair. Though it may be new, stories come to life within these walls and through retellings by the staff. Guests can opt for an exclusive private tour of the archives at the nearby Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory (run by the Nelson Mandela Foundation)—a complimentary experience that cannot be requested without a stay, though the other exhibits of this nonprofit are open to the public.

Most of the visitors to 54 on Bath are international business travelers and foreign tourists drawn to the modern yet intimate elegance behind the towering brick facade and Doric columns, though the champagne bar is popular with locals. It's also in the center of Rosebank and linked to the nearby mall and Rosebank Art and Craft Market by a second-floor sky bridge. The upmarket restaurant, Level Four, has established itself as one of Johannesburg's culinary centers. Travelers rave about the breakfast and dinner (an à la carte menu including dishes like rib-eye steak, duck, and salmon). One of the hotel's finest features is the rooftop garden and pool area, which has sweeping views of the northern suburbs' greenery.

Part of Marriott's Autograph Collection, this ultramodern hotel is within Melrose Arch, a high-security gated community with good dining and shopping options within safe walking distance. The Afro-chic decor mixes modern and traditional African influences that carry through from the lobby to the rooms, all anchored by the beautiful baobab tree. The rooms are well equipped, and each has a view of the pool and garden or overlooks a square. The pool area highlights the eccentric and modern taste that is echoed throughout the hotel, with trees planted in larger-than-life steel buckets, and tables and chairs set out in a few inches of water. There are two on-site restaurants: Aduna offers all-day dining while Sebule offers a grillhouse experience for lunch and dinner. 

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.

This Hyatt Regency hotel is trendy and opulent, with lots of black, gold, and glass and enormous picture windows revealing stunning views of the northern suburbs. Local art lines the walls in discreetly lighted passageways, and there's an ultramodern restaurant, a wine bar, and a solar-heated pool on the roof. Sunday brunch is a favorite with guests and local families, and the lobby café serves coffee and light meals. The hotel is adjacent to Rosebank's major shopping malls.

Conveniently situated in the heart of bustling Sandton, the Maslow is a case study in modern, seamless sophistication and, if only for a few moments, you'll forget you're anywhere near a city. Beyond the basics of free high-speed Wi-Fi, universal plug points, and first-class conferencing facilities, business travelers can expect unique offerings like the Incubator Room for out-of-the-box strategy sessions, or the Wayfarer Lounge, which provides a well-equipped work base (equipped with private showers) between flights. Minutes from the Sandton Gautrain station, the Maslow offers a free shuttle service that departs every 15 minutes, also stopping at Sandton City Mall and Nelson Mandela Square. The beautifully designed Africology spa is one of the most unique of its kind in Johannesburg, and the tranquil Oasis Garden is the perfect place for some downtime. Ask for a room on the far side of the wing that overlooks the garden and pool. 

One of the first luxury hotels to open in Sandton, the Sun has a very upmarket-designer, African feel. Elegant and luxurious, the look draws inspiration from bold earth tones and sculptural baobab trees. Guest rooms are small but classy and superbly laid out, with understated lighting and pared-down furniture. The spa includes eight treatment rooms and offers everything from massages and facials to waxing and manicures.

This 10-room hotel is decorated in a minimalist style with each suite decorated by a different interior designer. Rooms are spacious with separate lounges and bedrooms, a fireplace, and wraparound balconies. The restaurant, Winehouse (named after a large painting of Amy Winehouse), receives consistently good reviews and serves a melange of cuisines from around the world, which are often complemented with fresh vegetables and herbs from the hotel's organic garden.

Although it's too big to be called a hideaway, this four-star lodge is located on a 250-acre nature reserve with a stream running through it and a bird sanctuary. Rooms are spacious and private, the surroundings are peaceful, and the spa is glorious. The lodge is popular with corporate groups, but it's big enough for you to find a quiet spot if there's a large group in attendance (the Nature Rooms offer the most privacy). It's also one of few hotels in the area that welcomes small children, so it remains popular for independent travelers and those from Johannesburg who are getting out of the city for the weekend. Rooms have small sitting areas and some have four-poster beds and fireplaces; all have covered patios.