The 11 best affordable hotels in Johannesburg

The Indaba Hotel’s countryside setting in Fourways, north of Johannesburg, makes it easy to forget that you are in the city. A serene sanctuary amid bustling surroundings, the hotel has come a long way from its humble beginnings as a 14-bedroom establishment in 1952.

Today, its sprawling grounds are home to 260 rooms spread over multiple buildings, along with swimming pools, tennis courts, a fitness centre and two dams, which attract a wide variety of birdlife.

The popular Mowana Spa is set among lush bushveld gardens and offers treatments based on traditional practices. One thing hasn’t changed, though - the hotel is still renowned for its Sunday lunches, which are now served at the Chief’s Boma to the vibrant sounds of a live marimba band.

How often does one get to stay in a national monument? Don’t let the big brand name fool you. This Victorian-style villa in the historic suburb of Parktown was built in 1895 as a private residence and has been recognised as a national monument and heritage site. It served as the official residence of Lord Alfred Milner, the former British High Commissioner in South Africa, during the late 19th century.

The hotel is surrounded by four acres of terraced gardens dotted with 150-year-old oak trees, koi ponds, benches and fountains. Indoors, the elaborate staircase, wood-panelling and pressed ceilings will take you back to the charm of a bygone era. Guests can also enjoy access to the secluded swimming pool and fitness centre.

Aparthotels have become a trendy accommodation option thanks to flexible millennial lifestyles. Reflecting this trend is BlackBrick Aparthotels, one of Africa’s fastest-growing apartment hotel networks. More like vertical villages than hotels, they are built around the concept of having everything in one place, and consist of hotel rooms, apartments, social areas and workspaces.

Their flagship property in the heart of the Sandton CBD features a jet-black exposed brick exterior façade and an industrial-style interior enhanced by murals from local artists.

Facilities include a cinema, restaurant, yoga studio, co-working spaces and rooftop pool. The spacious open-plan hotel rooms are ideal for both short-term and long-term stays and have working, lounging and sleeping areas, along with kitchenettes. Both apartment servicing and room service are available.

A rarity in South Africa, Hotel Sky Sandton is big on fun and technology but easy on the pocket. State-of-the-art technology is used to make your stay smooth, starting with the app, which allows you to book your stay, check in, make restaurant and spa bookings and even access your room. Even more impressive, three AI-powered robots handle room service deliveries and respond to hotel-related guest queries.

Situated in the heart of Sandton, the hotel has 453 rooms ranging from standard rooms to luxurious suites, fitted with smart TVs so you can stream your favourite shows. The hotel has two restaurants, a lounge with a self-playing Yamaha piano, a wellness spa and one of the largest heated swimming pools in Sandton.

Founded by the late Lebo Malepa in the early 2000s, Lebo's Soweto Backpackers was one of the pioneering tourism businesses in Soweto, South Africa’s largest township. Maria, Lebo’s Swedish-born wife, now runs the thriving business, one of the most unique places to stay in Johannesburg. Situated close to Nelson Mandela’s former home, Lebo’s offers multiple opportunities to immerse oneself in township life, from walking and bicycle tours to cookery classes and musical evenings.

Guests can choose between shared rooms or private rooms, depending on their budget. There’s also a campsite with small chalets and communal bathrooms. The open-air restaurant serves traditional homemade African meals with ingredients grown in the community gardens. It is adjoined by a park where local events are hosted.

This Moroccan-inspired retreat in Linbro Park, Sandton, will transport you to North Africa through its architecture, interior design and cuisine. It has a variety of bespoke room types, comprising bachelor rooms, family rooms and suites. Guests also have the option of booking a self-catering unit or glamping in a forest cabin.

The light and airy Limoni Restaurant overlooks the beautiful gardens and serves a blend of Moroccan and international cuisine. Guests can unwind at the Rumaan Spa and Wellness Centre, play a game of padel or cool down in the outdoor swimming pool. Mini-golf, archery and horse-riding are also available. If you’re travelling with kids, they will love the farmyard with its myriad animals, including camels, llamas, rabbits and sheep.

Curiocity’s flagship property in the Maboneng Precinct of Joburg’s inner city has a rich history. The premises in which it is housed once served as a printing press for anti-apartheid activists and is believed to have provided sanctuary to the likes of Nelson Mandela and Joe Slovo. It now provides budget-friendly accommodation for travellers seeking authentic experiences.

Options include private en-suite rooms, private rooms with shared bathrooms and shared dormitories. Guests can explore the Maboneng Precinct, which is home to The Bioscope (the city’s only independent cinema), the POPArt theatre, the weekly Market on Main, as well as restaurants, coffee shops and other quirky stores. Curiocity also provides inner-city walking and cycling tours, and Soweto tours.

The Capital Hotels and Apartments is another hybrid hotel group that has been expanding rapidly. A short walk away from the Rosebank Gautrain station, Keyes Art Mile and Rosebank’s main shopping centres, The Capital On Bath is their Rosebank offering. Rooms range from standard hotel-style rooms to apartments and penthouses with kitchenettes and washing machines, which are much more economical for larger parties. The largest penthouse accommodates up to ten guests!

The in-house café serves breakfast daily while the deli will appease those snack cravings. For other meals, there are numerous restaurants within close proximity that one can visit or order from via food delivery apps. Guests can also make use of the fitness centre, outdoor swimming pool and complimentary shuttles.

Located in a peaceful, residential area of Sandton, the suites at the Hyatt House Johannesburg Sandton aparthotel feel more like a home than a hotel. Depending on the size of your party, you can choose between one, two or three bedrooms, adjoining a fully equipped kitchenette and comfortable living area. This makes it ideal for longer stays. Cook up a quick meal in your suite if you feel like it or eat at the Medley Restaurant. You can also enjoy an outdoor wood-fired pizza al fresco in the cosy treehouse restaurant perched atop an ancient tree. The 24-hour H-Market caters to caffeine addictions and late-night cravings. After all this feasting, you can burn some calories in the fitness centre or outdoor swimming pool.

On arrival at Home Suite Hotels Rosebank, you will be welcomed not only by the friendly staff, but also by their resident rescue pooches, Hazel and Maggie. The only Home Suite Hotel in Joburg (there are three in Cape Town), this pet-friendly boutique hotel is just a kilometre away from the Rosebank Gautrain station. It strives to create a home-like experience with five comfortable room types. Sleep is taken seriously with Hypnos mattresses approved by the British Royal Family and a sleep menu with a variety of pillows, sleep devices, calming teas and aromatherapy amenities.

Gourmet meals are served at the in-house restaurant and there is a special menu for the fur babies. Don’t miss the sunset views of the Joburg skyline from the rooftop pool deck.

Housed in an 80-year-old Cape Dutch-style manor on a leafy street in Rosebank, Clico Boutique Hotel was designed for discerning travellers. With just nine en-suite rooms, designed for two guests each, you can expect warm, personalised service and exclusivity. Most of the rooms open onto the inviting garden and pool area, while others have balconies overlooking them.

Clico’s convenient location, a short walk away from the Rosebank Gautrain station and Rosebank Mall, eliminates the need for a car. However, be sure to reserve your appetite for the hotel’s in-house restaurant. Long renowned for its innovative fine dining, it recently rebranded as Sec Restaurant under the guidance of acclaimed Chef Dario de Angeli and has been receiving rave reviews.