Your stay — Ashanti
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The Property — Ashanti
Ashanti is a converted 1906 house in the inner-city suburb of Yeoville, blending Victorian bones with bright, hostel-meets-hotel energy. The lobby feels like a lived-in living room: mismatched sofas, local art on the walls, and a chatty reception desk that doubles as the bar. It’s not a luxury stay—rooms are basic but clean, with shared kitchens and a leafy courtyard—and it suits budget-conscious backpackers or short-stay travellers who want a social base near the city centre.
Chronicles of Johannesburg
Johannesburg was founded in 1886 after gold was discovered on the Witwatersrand, sparking a mad rush of prospectors and migrant workers. The city grew fast, its early architecture a jumble of tin shacks and sandstone banks, then later art deco skyscrapers like the 1936 Chrysler Building (now the Ponte City residential block). Apartheid turned Joburg into a segregated patchwork—blacks forced to townships, whites in northern suburbs—but since 1994 it has become a symbol of African reinvention, with Soweto’s street life, Braamfontein’s creative scene, and the Maboneng precinct’s galleries all rewriting the story.
Best Time to Visit
Full Johannesburg guide →Best months
May and September: mild winter days (15-20°C), low rain, and fewer tourists than the summer peak. October is also excellent—spring flowers in the parks and warm but not sticky.
Peak / festival surge
June to August is Johannesburg’s winter peak, driven by school holidays (South African and European) and clear, crisp weather. Hotel prices rise 20-30%. Events include the Soweto Wine Festival (July) and the Joburg Art Fair (usually September).
Budget shoulder season
April and November are the sweet spots: April still has autumn colours and light crowds; November sees summer storms start but hotels discount 15-25% ahead of the December rush.
Weather & packing
Johannesburg sits at 1,750m altitude, so July days are sunny (around 17-18°C) but nights drop to 4°C. Pack a warm jacket and layers—you’ll peel them off by noon and need them back by sunset.
Live City Briefing — Johannesburg
- The Rea Vaya bus rapid transit system now has a direct route from Yeoville to Bree Street in the CBD—cheaper than taxis and runs every 10-15 minutes on weekdays.
- Maboneng’s Market on Main is closed for renovations until late 2026, but Arts on Main gallery remains open at 298 Fox Street.
- City Power is doing scheduled load-shedding maintenance in July—check the daily timetable on their website to avoid blackout surprises in your room.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Ashanti, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floors 3 to 5 facing the rear courtyard, away from the main road. These floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise but still within the lift's range, and the rear orientation cuts traffic sound.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on floor 1 (ground level) facing the street: direct exposure to Johannesburg road noise and potential security concerns. Also skip rooms next to the lift shaft on any floor—the lift can be audible.
Best views
Rear courtyard views offer greenery and calm; street-facing rooms look onto a busy Johannesburg road with little aesthetic value.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 to 4 are quietest: far enough from the lobby bustle and street, and the lift stops here less frequently than on higher floors.
🔊 Noise notes
The main source is street traffic from the road outside—Johannesburg has constant vehicle noise, including taxis and trucks. Avoid rooms near the hotel's entrance or service door, likely at the front or side, for early morning deliveries.
Insider tips
Check in early to request a rear-facing room; they're limited at a 3-star. If you drive, ask reception for the safest parking spot—Johannesburg security matters.
- 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 — Ashanti
Free WiFi with 10 Mbps download speed; no login required, just accept terms.
Single lift serves all three floors; stairs only to rooftop terrace.
Digital newsstand (PressReader) accessible via lobby tablet; no physical papers. Building is a converted historic mansion with original pressed-metal ceilings.
Check-in from 14:00, check-out by 11:00. Early bag drop allowed at reception. Late check-out fee of ZAR 250 until 15:00 if available.
Complimentary luggage storage at reception on check-in/check-out day.
Step-free entry via ramp at side door; lift to all floors; no grab bars or adapted bathrooms in standard rooms.
Limited on-site parking: ZAR 100 per night, first-come-first-served. Nearest public car park: Park Station Garage (corner of Carr and Harrower), ZAR 60 for 24 hours. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; refundable incidentals hold of ZAR 500 per night taken at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: World Restoration Service (699 m · ~9 min walk)
- Mosque: Kerk Street Mosque (778 m · ~10 min walk)
- Mosque: Hamidia Masjid (1.5 km · ~19 min walk)
- Church: The Cathederal of St Mary the Virgin (1.6 km · ~20 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Westgate Centre — 568 m · ~7 min walk
Beyers Naudé Square — 627 m · ~8 min walk
Sci-Bono Centre — 816 m · ~10 min walk
Gauteng Opera — 394 m · ~5 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 722 m · ~9 min walk
Victory Pharmacy — 583 m · ~7 min walk
Egoli — 603 m · ~8 min walk
Chancellor House Bus Station (Westbound: C1, T1, T2) — 342 m · ~4 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →South African Rand, ZAR
Use ATMs at major banks like Standard Bank or FNB for the best rates; avoid currency exchange bureaux at OR Tambo Airport or tourist areas due to poor rates.
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted at shops, restaurants, and hotels; contactless payments are common; American Express is less accepted. Mobile pay works in most places.
Restaurants: 10-15% if service charge not included. Taxis: round up or 10%. Hotel porters: R10-20 per bag; housekeeping: R20-50 per day.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee at a takeaway kiosk or bakery, about R20-R25.
A bunny chow (hollowed-out bread with curry) or a gatsby (large sandwich) from a local café, around R50-R70.
A plate of pap and wors (maize porridge and sausage) at a township eatery, roughly R60-R80 for a main.
Look for grilled meat (shisa nyama) or bunny chow in Soweto or at street stalls near taxi ranks and transport hubs.
Shoprite, Pick n Pay, and Checkers are the main budget supermarket chains.
Mr Price and Jet for cheap everyday clothes; market shopping at the Rosebank Sunday Market or Bruma Flea Market for bargains.
Minibus taxis are the cheapest way around (about R15-20 per ride within the city), but for safety and ease, use the Gautrain (R35-50 for a single trip). From the airport, the Gautrain costs about R100 to Sandton or R140 to Park Station.
Buy a Gautrain card for discounted travel on the train and connecting buses.Haggle at flea markets and street stalls, especially at Bruma or Rosebank Sunday Market.Eat at local shisa nyama spots (bring your own meat to braai) for a cheap, filling meal.
Emergency Contacts
JohannesburgWhere to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Johannesburg, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Ashanti
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 722 m · ~9 min walk — pharmacy · Victory Pharmacy — 583 m · ~7 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Rosebank Gautrain Station → Courtnay's Hotel (nearest stop: 5 km away in Parktown)
💡 The bus doesn't reach Courtnay's directly—you'll need a short Uber from Parktown. Cheaper than a taxi but adds 20 minutes. Time it with the train from the airport: R195 for the full journey.
O.R. Tambo International Airport → Rosebank Station
💡 Fastest option by train—20 minutes to Rosebank, then a 10-minute Uber to Courtnay's. Download the Gautrain app for tickets; avoid peak (07:30–08:30) as it's packed. No luggage restrictions.
O.R. Tambo International Airport → Courtnay's Hotel
💡 Use Uber Black or UberX for reliability. Avoid minibus taxis if you're new to Joburg—they skip stops and routes are confusing. Always check the licence plate matches the app.
O.R. Tambo International Airport → Courtnay's Hotel, Johannesburg
💡 Pre-book to avoid haggling; R450 is a shared ride, private costs around R650. Uber from the airport runs R400–R550, but the shuttle has a fixed, no-surge price.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Ashanti?
Request a room on floors 3 to 5 facing the rear courtyard, away from the main road. These floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise but still within the lift's range, and the rear orientation cuts traffic sound.
Which rooms should I avoid at Ashanti?
Avoid rooms on floor 1 (ground level) facing the street: direct exposure to Johannesburg road noise and potential security concerns. Also skip rooms next to the lift shaft on any floor—the lift can be audible.
Is Ashanti noisy?
The main source is street traffic from the road outside—Johannesburg has constant vehicle noise, including taxis and trucks. Avoid rooms near the hotel's entrance or service door, likely at the front or side, for early morning deliveries.
Which rooms have the best views at Ashanti?
Rear courtyard views offer greenery and calm; street-facing rooms look onto a busy Johannesburg road with little aesthetic value.
What are insider tips for staying at Ashanti?
Check in early to request a rear-facing room; they're limited at a 3-star. If you drive, ask reception for the safest parking spot—Johannesburg security matters.
What time is check-in at Ashanti?
Check-in at Ashanti is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Ashanti have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi with 10 Mbps download speed; no login required, just accept terms.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Ashanti?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Ashanti?
A bunny chow (hollowed-out bread with curry) or a gatsby (large sandwich) from a local café, around R50-R70.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Ashanti?
Minibus taxis are the cheapest way around (about R15-20 per ride within the city), but for safety and ease, use the Gautrain (R35-50 for a single trip). From the airport, the Gautrain costs about R100 to Sandton or R140 to Park Station.
When is the best time to visit Johannesburg?
May and September: mild winter days (15-20°C), low rain, and fewer tourists than the summer peak. October is also excellent—spring flowers in the parks and warm but not sticky.
Top Attractions in Johannesburg
💡 Start at the Arts on Main building (264 Fox Street) and explore the side alleys – there’s a hidden mural by Faith47 in a parking lot off Albertina Sisulu Road. Best done in daylight; it’s safe in the precinct but don't wander far.
💡 Bring your own cooler box and braai wood – the grills are free. Go on a Saturday morning between 07:00 and 09:00 to watch the rowing club practice. Parking is free on the street but fills early on weekends.
💡 Park at the Emmarentia Dam side and walk the loop trail across the top – it’s flat and takes about 45 minutes. Weekday mornings are dead quiet, but Sunday afternoons get busy with families and informal soccer games.
💡 Entry is R10 (about 50p) for South Africans; R30 for foreign visitors. Go on a weekday when the court is sitting – you can sit in on a real hearing from the public gallery.
💡 Entry is by donation (suggested R20). The guided tour, offered at 11:00 and 14:00, adds context about how apartheid-era South Africa interacted with Nazi Germany – well worth the extra time. Allow 90 minutes.