Johannesburg Hotel Tips by sue_stone

Gecko Garden B&B is located in the eastern suburb of Edenvale, 10-15 minutes drive from the airport. We stayed there as it was just around the corner from our friends house. Our stay didn't get off to a good start... we arrived, got out of the car, and as we were saying hello to the owners their dog bit Alex on the hand!

We didn't think it was too serious a bite, but we were understandably angry, and concerned about infection. The owner, Pat, was shocked, saying that the dog (Shadow, a white Alsatian) had never bit anyone before. She accompanied us to the local medical centre, bossing doctors around and paying all expenses.

After that excitement we went back to the B&B and checked into our room. We had been allocated the "Pond Room" at the rear of the building. Initial impressions were fairly good - a large bed, spacious room, huge TV and big bathroom. We weren't so impressed when we asked where the key to the room was and were told that there wasn't one - the door didn't lock. In a place with so much security like Johannesburg we found this very strange.

Unique Qualities: When we came back to the room later that evening we discovered that the bathroom smelt very musty and the shower cubicle was pretty mouldy. But best of all we realised that at night, when we had the light on, you could see straight into our room through the flimsy curtains!!

Thankfully the bed was comfortable, though we received a 5.20am wake up call from a small bird that started tapping on the window, and did so for the 3 nights we stayed!

A continental breakfast was served on the patio over-looking the garden - we found the food more generous on the morning that the owners weren't there. Speaking of the owners, they were very friendly and I reckon they could talked for hours if you gave them the chance :-/

But whatever you do, watch out for that dog!

We paid R500 per night in Nov 2007

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Theme: Bed and Breakfast
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$20-40  » Currency Converter
Phone: +27-11-4520327
Address: 6 Columbus Avenue, Eastleigh Ridge, Edenvale, Johannesburg
Directions: Located east of central Jo'burg, just 10-15 minutes drive from the airport
Website: http://www.wheretostay.co.za/geckogarden/

Ingwenya Country Escape is located about a 40 minute drive north-west of Johannesburg. It is a wedding and conference centre which is situated on an attractive estate by the banks of the Crocodile River. We stayed there for one night as it was the venue for our friends wedding.

There is hotel style accommodation, along with a VIP Guesthouse. A couple of restaurants, a bar, conference centres, reception halls, golf course, and a swimming pool with separate children's play area, are the main facilities on offer. There is also a lovely open-air riverside chapel, where our friends got married.

The hotel staff were very friendly, though it was a bit chaotic at check in, and several of the wedding guests were unable to get into their rooms until much later than promised. When we did manage to get into our room we discovered that there was no water. It seemed to be a problem for the whole wing of the hotel we were in, and was resolved after about 40 minutes.

Unique Qualities: Our room was an 'Executive' room, though we were a little disappointed. There was no outside window - just a window that looked into the inner corridor. And the (concrete) floor was pretty dirty. Oh well, the bed was comfortable and the room was a good size….shame the bathroom sink leaked, but those extra towels came in handy to mop it all up.

A buffet breakfast was included in our room rate (R700, Nov 2007), though it wasn't too appetising to be honest, and there were lots of flies buzzing over the fruit and pastries.

I know I haven't painted the best picture, but Ingwenya is quite a nice place, I think I just had too high expectations.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$40-80  » Currency Converter
Phone: +27 11 659 0466
Address: 46 Elandsdrift Road, Muldersdrift
Directions: Refer to website for detailed directions
Website: http://www.ingwenya.com