🇿🇦 Centurion, South Africa
Centurion Lake Hotel
📍 1001 Lenchen Ave N, Centurion Central, Centurion, 0046, South Africa
Photo: official website
Your stay — Centurion Lake Hotel
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Centurion.
The Property — Centurion Lake Hotel
The Centurion Lake Hotel has the calm of a chain business hotel, with dark-wood furniture and a clean marble lobby, but its selling point is the lake it sits on. It’s a practical 3-star for corporate travellers or stopovers near Johannesburg, with a bar terrace that looks over the water. The rooms are mid-size, with aircon and decent work desks. You wouldn’t come here for a romantic weekend, but it’s fine for a one-night stay while you use the free parking and quiet location.
Chronicles of Centurion
Centurion grew from a 1900s rail stop called Lyttelton, and only got its current name in 1995. It boomed as a mid-century commuter suburb for Pretoria, with wide roads and large plots. The area has few historic buildings, but its post-1994 development includes gated estates and the huge Centurion Mall. Today it’s a mostly residential and business hub, popular with families who want proximity to Pretoria’s universities and government offices.
Best Time to Visit
Full Centurion guide →Best months
May to August: winter in Centurion means clear skies, low humidity, and daytime highs around 18–20°C. Crowds are minimal because it’s school term, and the lake is calm without summer thunderstorms.
Peak / festival surge
December and January are peak: domestic holiday season with many families visiting malls and parks. Hotel prices can rise 30–40%, driven by Christmas and New Year demand, plus outdoor events like the Pretoria Show in August.
Budget shoulder season
April and September give mild weather (20–25°C), lower rates than peak, and fewer visitors. You get spring flowers in September without the October heat.
Weather & packing
Winter nights drop to 3–5°C, so bring a warm jacket even though days are sunny. Pack layers: a fleece and a light windbreaker will cover the morning chill and noon warmth.
Live City Briefing — Centurion
- The Gautrain rapid rail from Centurion station to OR Tambo Airport is running on a reduced schedule over the winter school break; check for last trains if flying out late.
- A new pedestrian bridge over the R21 near the hotel opened in May 2026, making it safer to walk to the supermarket and fast-food outlets on Willem Botha Street.
- The Centurion Lakefront Walkway has had night lighting repaired post-flood damage from March 2026; it’s open again for early evening strolls.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Centurion Lake Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floors 2-4 facing the garden or pool area (away from Lenchen Avenue). These floors offer a quieter stay above ground-level activity but are easily accessible by stairs if the lift is busy.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor (street-facing side) due to traffic noise from Lenchen Avenue, and rooms near the lift shaft or service entrance on any floor for clatter and foot traffic.
Best views
Rear-facing rooms overlook the pool and garden, with a peaceful aspect away from Lenchen Avenue's roadside bustle.
Quietest floors
Floors 2-4, especially those not adjacent to the lift landing.
🔊 Noise notes
Lenchen Avenue can carry moderate to heavy traffic during peak hours (7-9am, 4-6pm). The lift and service areas can be noisy at any hour, and the bar/restaurant area may generate sound until late evening.
Insider tips
Park on the secure rear parking if available — quieter and safer. Request a high-floor garden view at check-in if your booking allows, and ask for a room away from the lift for guaranteed quiet.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Centurion Lake Hotel
Free for all guests; claimed speed up to 10 Mbps; login via room number and surname
One lift serves all guest floors (ground to 5th); no stairs-only sections
No complimentary newspapers; digital newsstand not offered
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag drop available free from 10:00; late check-out until 12:00 at no charge, after 12:00 charged half the nightly rate
Free at reception during your stay; no cost for early drop-off or late collection
Step-free entrance at main door; wide lift access; no wheelchair-adapted rooms or grab rails in standard bathrooms
On-site open parking included free; no valet; nearest public car park is Centurion Mall Parkade, R10 per hour, R50 overnight; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment at booking; R500 incidentals hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Outreach Christian Community Church (1.2 km · ~15 min walk)
- Church: Kerk Sonder Mure (1.9 km · ~23 min walk)
- Church: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1.9 km · ~23 min walk)
- Church: Doornkloof Familiekerk (1.9 km · ~24 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Centurion Mall — 440 m · ~6 min walk
Marti Ave Park — 1.5 km · ~18 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Dorite — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Quickshop — 490 m · ~6 min walk
Gautrain Centurion Bus Stop — 703 m · ~9 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →South African Rand, ZAR
Use ATMs at shopping centres like Centurion Mall for fair rates; avoid exchange desks at OR Tambo airport or tourist bureaux, which charge poor rates plus fees.
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in shops and restaurants; tap-to-pay is common. Amex and Diners are rarely accepted outside upmarket venues.
Restaurants: 10-15% if service charge not included. Taxis: round up or add 10%. Hotel porters: R10-20 per bag. No need to tip at fast-food places.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee at a supermarket cafe or chain coffee shop: around R18-25.
A toasted sandwich or bunny chow at a bakery or takeaway: around R50-70.
A main at a casual family restaurant or pub: around R90-130.
Gautrain station kiosks and taxi ranks sell samoosas, vetkoek, and grilled corn; the Centurion CBD taxi rank has a few stalls.
Checkers, Shoprite, and Pick n Pay are the main budget supermarket chains found in Centurion.
Affordable high-street chains like Mr Price, Jet, and Ackermans are common in Centurion Mall and surrounding blocks.
A single Gautrain trip from Centurion to Pretoria is around R22-35; minibus taxis cost R10-30 per ride. From OR Tambo, take the Gautrain (R180-210) rather than a taxi (R500+).
Eat at food courts in shopping centres rather than standalone restaurants. Use a refillable water bottle — tap water is safe. Buy snacks at supermarkets instead of convenience stores.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Centurion, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Centurion Lake Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk — pharmacy · Dorite — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
OR Tambo International Airport → Centurion Station
💡 The Gautrain is fast and safe, but note the last train to Centurion leaves Marlboro at 20:30. From Centurion station, take the shuttle bus or a short taxi ride (R50) to the hotel.
Centurion Gautrain Station → Centurion Lake Hotel (bus stop near hotel)
💡 Buy a loaded Gautrain contactless card at the station – cash isn’t accepted on buses. The bus drops you at the corner of Hendrik Verwoerd Drive, a 5-minute walk to the hotel.
OR Tambo International Airport → Centurion Lake Hotel
💡 Pre-book a flat-rate airport shuttle through the hotel to avoid surge pricing – it’s about R50 more but saves waiting time.
Centurion CBD or Centurion Station → Centurion Lake Hotel
💡 Local metered taxis like Centurion Cabs are cheaper than Uber for short hops. Always confirm the fare before getting in – drivers often don’t use meters. Book at least 30 minutes in advance.
About Centurion
Wikipedia ↗Centurion (previously known as Verwoerdburg and before that Lyttelton) is an area with 236,580 inhabitants (2011 census) in the Gauteng Province of South Africa, between Pretoria and Midrand. Formerly an independent municipality, with its own town council, it has been part of the City of Tshwane Met...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Centurion Lake Hotel?
Request a room on floors 2-4 facing the garden or pool area (away from Lenchen Avenue). These floors offer a quieter stay above ground-level activity but are easily accessible by stairs if the lift is busy.
Which rooms should I avoid at Centurion Lake Hotel?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor (street-facing side) due to traffic noise from Lenchen Avenue, and rooms near the lift shaft or service entrance on any floor for clatter and foot traffic.
Is Centurion Lake Hotel noisy?
Lenchen Avenue can carry moderate to heavy traffic during peak hours (7-9am, 4-6pm). The lift and service areas can be noisy at any hour, and the bar/restaurant area may generate sound until late evening.
Which rooms have the best views at Centurion Lake Hotel?
Rear-facing rooms overlook the pool and garden, with a peaceful aspect away from Lenchen Avenue's roadside bustle.
What are insider tips for staying at Centurion Lake Hotel?
Park on the secure rear parking if available — quieter and safer. Request a high-floor garden view at check-in if your booking allows, and ask for a room away from the lift for guaranteed quiet.
What time is check-in at Centurion Lake Hotel?
Check-in at Centurion Lake Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Centurion Lake Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free for all guests; claimed speed up to 10 Mbps; login via room number and surname
Is there a city or tourist tax at Centurion Lake Hotel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Centurion Lake Hotel?
A toasted sandwich or bunny chow at a bakery or takeaway: around R50-70.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Centurion Lake Hotel?
A single Gautrain trip from Centurion to Pretoria is around R22-35; minibus taxis cost R10-30 per ride. From OR Tambo, take the Gautrain (R180-210) rather than a taxi (R500+).
When is the best time to visit Centurion?
May to August: winter in Centurion means clear skies, low humidity, and daytime highs around 18–20°C. Crowds are minimal because it’s school term, and the lake is calm without summer thunderstorms.
Top Attractions in Centurion
💡 The pedestrian bridge over the N1 gives a good view of the highway traffic at sunset. The free Wi-Fi is decent in the food court.
💡 Call ahead to confirm opening – it's run by volunteers and hours can be irregular. They sometimes have tea and koeksisters on Saturdays.
💡 It gets busy with dog walkers after 16:00. The gate lock code changes; ask at the Centurion nature office for the current number.
💡 Buy fresh bread from the Irene Dairy Farm shop around the corner. The Saturday morning organic market is free to browse, but produce is not cheap.
💡 Go early on a weekday for the best wildlife sightings. The self-drive route is roughly two hours; pack a flask and binoculars.