Johannesburg is divided into very distinctive areas, each with its own character and idiosyncrasies to help you decide where to stay.
The central business district (CBD) is generally avoided by tourists, as it has a reputation for being unsafe. However with the right precautions, there is plenty to see here, and its hotels are cheaper than those in more popular areas. One of the best is the 4-star Hotel Parktonian, located in Gauteng in the north of the centre.
Another 4-star hotel here that offers a novel experience is Protea Hotel Gold Reef City, located just south of the CBD. This hotel is housed within a theme park that relives Johannesburg’s gold mining era.
Leaving the city behind and heading east into tranquil suburbia, the 3-star Bedford View guesthouse is an excellent choice. Located in the sleepy residential suburb of Bedfordview, this Johannesburg hotel is also directly opposite the east gate shopping and entertainment centre.
Just north of the city centre lies Parktown, an affluent suburb with homes dating back to the late 19th Century. Here you can find several cozy cottages and guesthouses. Nearby is trendy Melville which has a buzzing nightlife, excellent restaurants and several inexpensive guesthouses.
The northern suburbs offer a taste of modern Johannesburg, with a vast sprawl of shopping centres and business complexes. The 5-star InterContinental Sandton Sun & Towers is located within the Sandton City Shopping Centre. The equally opulent Michelangelo, is located within the neighbouring Tuscan-inspired Sandton Square, which offers excellent shopping and dining.
Read more in our Johannesburg Guide.