Gauteng

Gauteng (a Sotho word for the Place of Gold) may be the smallest province in South Africa, but it is the most densely populated. Gauteng is home to the major cities of Johannesburg, Pretoria in Tshwane and Soweto, as well as the Crocodile Ramble and the Magalies Meander tourist routes. It is the intersection of African and global trade and a cosmopolitan and multicultural mix of people. Perhaps best known for big business, Gauteng is also a place of entertainment, shopping and culture which is why Protea Hotels chose this province to showcase some its most luxurious hotels.

The breathtaking Highveld of Gauteng is said to have one of the world's best climates. With warm and wind-free days in summer, and crisp, clear days in winter, it's not hard to see why. Summers can produce spectacular Highveld thunderstorms, and winters are mild, though snow does fall rarely. High summer is October to March, and winter is June to August.

The Gautrain is a state-of-the-art rapid rail network in Gauteng. The rail connection comprises of two links, namely a link between Pretoria and Johannesburg and a link between OR Tambo International Airport and Sandton. Protea Hotel Wanderers, Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! Melrose Arch and African Pride Melrose Arch Hotel offer a FREE Gautrain Shuttle - Click here

Johannesburg

Johannesburg is a pulsing, cosmopolitan mix, and one of the cultural highlights of South Africa. Explore South Africa's rich heritage at a diverse range of attractions, from the Apartheid Museum to the Cradle of Mankind, to Newtown Cultural Precinct. Johannesburg has a vibrant mix of restaurants, bars and nightclubs, and some of the best shopping that Africa has to offer.

The city has many museums containing a wealth of exhibits detailing the city's past and the Johannesburg Art Gallery is the biggest gallery on the African continent. The Apartheid Museum contains very moving exhibits of a turbulent era in South Africa's history. A moment of peace and quiet is sometimes needed after exploring such a bustling metropolis. The weary need not look further than the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens which is a serene green refuge within Johannesburg housing a host of birds, including the endangered Black Eagle. To the west, the 4-star Protea Hotel Parktonian is a convenient luxury oasis for the business traveller which promises visitors a truly “Jozi” experience.  

To truly experience the culture of the city one must visit its cultural heart. Township tours to the settlements of Alexandra and Soweto, the latter containing the home of former president Nelson Mandela which is now a museum, are an excellent way to get in touch with the roots of the people. Local artisans and shebeens are very welcoming to visitors and they delight in sharing their traditional way of life.

The Gold Reef City amusement park is a popular attraction for the whole family featuring adrenaline-pumping rides and informative displays on gold mining. The discovery of gold in the late 1890s led to a gold rush by prospectors from all over the world to the area now known as Johannesburg. Gold Reef City is an inimitable combination of a theme park, a living museum of Victorian architecture and lifestyle.

The northern and northwestern suburbs are the refuge of the wealthy and contain the high-end retail shops as well as several upper-class residential areas such as Hyde Park, Sandhurst, Northcliff and Houghton. Set in private gardens, the 4-star Protea Hotel Balalaika Sandton is the distinctively superior choice in luxury accommodation. This stylish property has an air of luxurious tranquillity which makes it an elegant retreat for travellers.

Nelson Mandela Square , formerly known as Sandton Square, was renamed Nelson Mandela Square on 31 March 2004 after a 6-metre statue of Nelson Mandela was erected on the square to honour the famous South African statesman. This exclusive shopping mall is a myriad of high end stores, restaurants and boutiques perfect for a day of shopping.

The urban, contemporary and edgy Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! Melrose Arch is the latest hot-spot in the trendy Melrose Arch Precinct, a unique city within a city, which boasts a new variety of trendy retail & leisure amenities. Following the success and conversations around its predecessor in Cape Town, this contemporary hotel guarantees to spice-up any visit to Jozi and is aimed at the traveller who enjoys being amidst the energetic urban vibe of the cool city life. The hotel is the choice amongst the “forever young” set and offers affordability and value for money mixed with a sense of unique style, unlike anything seen before in this market.

Lovers of sport never need another place to stay during a big game. The 4-star Protea Hotel Wanderers is conveniently located close to the Liberty Life Wanderers Stadium where many live sporting events are played. The innovative design of the 5-star Melrose Arch Hotel is well known in the city of Johannesburg. This exclusive hotel is popular not only for its unrivalled accommodation but also for its superb restaurants and bars, making it the place to be on warm evenings.

The pristine four-star Protea Hotel OR Tambo is set in the heart of Kempton Park, minutes from OR Tambo International Airport, South Africa’s largest airport. Themed around an aircraft hangar, the industrial ambiance of the Hotel is felt in the polished concrete floors, steel finishes, chrome lighting and top to bottom windows that overlook the aeroplanes as they dock and take off.

Reaching a length of 54 hectares and housing 2,070 animals, Johannesburg Zoo is one of the few places in the world where you can see both white lions and Siberian Tigers. This popular attraction is one of the finest zoos in the country and focuses on education and breeding programs in an effort to increase public awareness.

Midrand

Previously known as Halfway House, Midrand, is a town located in the Johannesburg metropolis. Its previous name derives from the fact that it's halfway between The Rand (Witwatersrand) and Pretoria.

A relatively modern city, it's experienced much growth in the last decade. Built around the N1, the city is a convenient business area and is home to UNISA's graduate School of Business Leadership and the Midrand Graduate Institute. It comes as no surprise that so many businesses have relocated there.

The 4-star Protea Hotel Midrand is situated in a beautifully landscaped garden setting. The hotel provides optimum access not only to this prestigious business districts' numerous corporate headquarters and conference venues, but also to business destinations throughout the Gauteng region. The 3-star Protea Hotel Samrand is tailor-made for the executive traveller and offers unrivalled convenience and value for money.

Pretoria

Pretoria (which has been recently been renamed Tshwane) is known as the Jacaranda City because of the magnificent display of blooming jacaranda trees every spring which carpet the streets in purple. It is also the administrative capital of South Africa and houses the Union Buildings, the official office of the President. These imposing sandstone buildings are notable for their terraced gardens planted with exclusively indigenous plants.

A must-see for visitors is the National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, more commonly known as the Pretoria Zoo. There are a multitude of rare indigenous as well as exotic animals on display including silverback gorillas, koala bears and tigers. The gardens include the largest inland aquarium in South Africa as well as a reptile house. Picnickers are welcome to bring refreshments to enjoy at the many picturesque spots along the 6km walkway between displays.

The African Window Museum is also known as the National Cultural History Museum and is one of Pretoria's favourite tourist attractions. The museum accommodates a splendid rock art collection as well as a fantastic collection of South African Heritage exhibits. A popular attraction within the complex is the Reach for the Stars display which highlights space exploration through the ages.

No tour of Pretoria would be complete without a visit to the Voortrekker Monument which overlooks the entire city. It is a massive granite memorial to those who took part in the Great Trek of 1835. Another site worthy of mention is the Kruger House Museum which was home to then President Kruger. The house paints a vivid picture of life in the 1880s and has a selection of fascinating paraphernalia from the period on display.

Protea Hotels is pleased to offer five unique world class hotels in this remarkable city. Protea Hotel Hatfield is situated in the trendy and upmarket suburb of Hatfield. One of the newest hotels in Pretoria, the Protea Hotel Hatfield is ideally positioned close to tourist attractions, business centres, shopping malls, embassies and sports stadiums. It also offers easy access to a host of entertainment venues and restaurants in Pretoria, as well as the Union Buildings and University of Pretoria.

Protea Hotel Manor  provides an urban adventure.  It’s chic design and true affordability provides the ultimate lifestyle hotel for all travellers. The hotel is a brilliant reflection of the trendy and life filled city, while simultaneously representing the next generation of Chic – stylish, young at heart and utterly cool. 

The elegant rooms of the 3-star Protea Hotel Capital are furnished to international standards and are complimented by a theme pub, lounge and distinctive dining room overlooking a landscaped garden with a 12m swimming pool and secure parking.

The 4-star Protea Hotel Centurion, located on the safe and tranquil Centurion Waterfront, has direct access to the Centurion Mall shopping complex, with a variety of restaurants, bars, boutiques, cinemas and banks. This deluxe hotel is surrounded by beautiful landscaped gardens, complimented by an outdoor pool and lake deck overlooking the Centurion Lake, ideal for sundowners.

Book a Protea Hotel in Gauteng today!