Johannesburg is South Africa’s only global city and is the economic powerhouse of the country. It is a cosmopolitan and vibrant city filled with a multitude of exciting things to see and do, and a nightlife that rivals any city in the world. Indulge your senses at some of the country’s finest restaurants, and be sure to experience the ultimate in luxury accommodation at some of Protea Hotel’s most elegant city hotels. The city has many museums containing a wealth of exhibits detailing its troubled past. A museum worthy of mention is the Apartheid Museum which contains very moving exhibits of that turbulent era in South Africa’s history.  For those wishing for a moment of tranquillity in the middle of this bustling metropolis need not look further than the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens which a serene green refuge within Johannesburg. The gardens house a host of birds, including the endangered Black Eagle. Travelling westwards, the 4-star Protea Hotel Parktonian offers service levels and friendliness to ensure the ultimate suite experience.

Gold and the history of Johannesburg are intertwined. 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. A mere 6km from Johannesburg's bustling city centre lies Gold Reef City Village, a unique reminder of that bygone era. Centred around shaft No. 14, which was started in 1887, Gold Reef City is an inimitable combination of a theme park, a living museum of Victorian architecture and lifestyle and Africa's most unique hotel - the 4-star Protea Hotel Gold Reef City. This elegant hotel offers the chance to escape the pressures of modern day living in a safe and secure environment of fun and Old World elegance.

For those wanting to experience what it feels like to live in a township there are many tours that take place in the large settlements of Alexandra and Soweto, the latter containing the home of former president Nelson Mandela which is now a museum. Township tours have become increasing popular with international, as well as local visitors and local artisans and shebeens are very welcoming to visitors and delight in sharing their traditional way of life.

In contrast to the townships, the northern and northwestern suburbs have become the centre for the wealthy, containing the high-end retail shops as well as several upper-class residential areas such as Hyde Park, Sandhurst, Northcliff and Houghton. For those who seek premier quality and elegance, the 4-star Protea Hotel Balalaika Sandton is the distinctively superior choice. Set in private gardens, this stylish property has an air of luxurious tranquillity which is coupled with personalized service, making it an elegant retreat for business travellers.

Nelson Mandela Square is a shopping centre in Sandton. Formerly known as Sandton Square, it 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. The complex is a myriad of high end stores, restaurants and boutiques and is the perfect location for a spot of retail therapy. Also in Sandton, the 5-star Fairlawns Boutique Hotel and Spa, with its elegant courtyard suites set upon rolling lawns and manicured gardens, is a peaceful Palladian retreat. The beautiful surroundings and warm, homely ambiance, elicit the response "one would never say one is in Johannesburg".

From the holiday haven of the 4-star Protea Hotel Wanderers, you can venture into Sandton, Rosebank or the Melrose Arch Precinct, which are minutes away and offer some of the finest shopping and dining experiences on the continent.  Through innovative architecture and outstanding design, the 5-star Melrose Arch Hotel has become a destination in its own right, attracting those who take pleasure in modern elegance and sophistication. Feel the pulse of urban Africa, whether for business or absolute pleasure, the Melrose Arch Hotel combines superb facilities and service excellence to ensure a truly unique experience. The 3-star Protea Hotel Transit is situated behind Customs at OR Thambo International Airport (previously Johannesburg international Airport). The hotel offers a welcome opportunity for travellers to rest between international flights.

The Johannesburg Zoo is one of the few places in the world that houses white lions and is the only zoo in South Africa to have successfully bred Siberian Tigers. Siberian Tigers are the largest cats in the world.  This reserve, which stretches over 54 hectares and is home to over 2 070 animals, is an attraction for both young and old.