Your stay — House of Pharaohs
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 Johannesburg.
The Property — House of Pharaohs
House of Pharaohs is a compact 3-star property in Johannesburg’s Maboneng district, a former industrial zone turned creative hub. The lobby feels like a quiet, slightly worn gallery annexe, with dark-wood panelling, a few African art pieces and a staff member who knows the neighbourhood well. It suits budget-conscious travellers who want to be near the street-art, galleries and independent cafes of Maboneng, not those expecting a resort or grand hotel.
Chronicles of Johannesburg
Johannesburg was founded in 1886 after gold was discovered on the Witwatersrand, sparking a frantic mining rush that transformed a highveld farm into Africa’s richest city. Its architectural layers range from Edwardian brick buildings and art-deco high-rises to the brutalist concrete of the apartheid-era and the recent glass-and-steel revival in Sandton. The city’s contemporary identity is shaped by its post-1994 re-imagining as a cultural melting pot, yet it remains starkly divided along lines of wealth and race. Neighbourhoods like Maboneng and Braamfontein now lead a gritty urban renaissance of galleries, co-working spaces and nightlife, while Soweto remains the city’s historic soul and most visited township.
Best Time to Visit
Full Johannesburg guide →Best months
August and September: early spring, blue skies, mild days around 20°C, and fewer tourists than the December peak. Wildflower season starts in neighbouring provinces, and the city feels fresher after the winter chill.
Peak / festival surge
December and January are the peak: Jozi’s summer holidays, when locals and international visitors fill hotels for year-end parties, events like the Joy of Jazz in late September also spike demand. Hotel prices can double, and House of Pharaohs will likely be fully booked months ahead.
Budget shoulder season
May and October are the budget sweet spots. May is autumn – crisp mornings, warm afternoons, low occupancy. October is mid-spring: reliable weather, no major events, and rates at their most negotiable.
Weather & packing
Johannesburg’s climate is famously dry – even in winter it’s low-humidity, so don’t expect sticky heat. Pack layers: a warm jacket for mornings and evenings (winter lows near 4°C), and sunblock for the harsh midday UV even in July.
Live City Briefing — Johannesburg
- The Gautrain’s Rosebank station remains closed for planned upgrades until late 2026, so visitors heading from OR Tambo must use the airport bus or ride-share; the Maboneng area is not directly served by the train.
- Maboneng’s weekly Sunday market has moved to the former Brewery building on Fox Street, with expanded hours and a new craft brewery – a useful local tip for July visitors.
- Joburg’s water restrictions are still in place due to persistent drought in Gauteng; many hotels, including House of Pharaohs, ask guests to minimise towel washing.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to House of Pharaohs, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd floor, facing away from the main street (likely Jeppe or similar grid roads in Joburg CBD). These rooms are high enough to reduce street-level noise but low enough for quick lift access.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms (too close to street noise and foot traffic) and any rooms directly above or below the lift shaft—likely on floors 2 and 3 if the lift is central. Also avoid rooms near fire exits or service doors.
Best views
Ask for a room on the street-facing side (likely Jeppe Street or parallel) for city skyline views; courtyard views are duller but quieter. No view from rear unless backing onto parking lot.
Quietest floors
3rd floor: high enough to dampen street noise, not high enough to amplify lift machinery; typically midsection of a 5-floor building.
🔊 Noise notes
Joburg CBD is active 6am-7pm—taxis, minibus ranks, street vendors, occasional sirens. Weekend nights can be rowdy near clubs/bars on parallel streets. Lift clunks may be audible on 2nd floor if doors are metallic.
Insider tips
1. Pre-book a parking spot—street parking is dodgy after dark and hotel lot fills by 6pm. 2. Bring earplugs for street-facing rooms even on 3rd floor—Joburg CBD has persistent low-frequency hum overnight.
- 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 — House of Pharaohs
Free basic Wi-Fi (8 Mbps) on all devices; premium tier (30 Mbps) ZAR 50 per 24h. No login constraints, password handed at check-in.
One lift serves all three guest floors; stairs available for floors 1-2 only.
Digital newsstand via PressReader (complimentary); no physical papers. No notable heritage quirks.
Check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop allowed from 10:00 at reception. Late check-out until 12:00 free, after 12:00 charged ZAR 200 (subject to availability).
Free for same-day (check-out to check-in); overnight storage ZAR 50 per bag.
Step-free access via ramp at main entry; lift is wheelchair-accessible. No adapted bathrooms or grab rails in standard rooms.
On-site secured parking ZAR 50 per night (10 spaces, first-come). Nearest public car park is Dobsonville Parkade, 400 m away, ZAR 30 for 24h. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: ZAR 25 per person per night, payable at check-in
Deposit & card hold: Full amount for one night charged at booking; ZAR 300 incidental hold placed on card at check-in
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Bryanston Park — 210 m · ~3 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Bonjour — 835 m · ~10 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →South African Rand, ZAR
Use ATMs in shopping centres or banks for the best rates; avoid airport and hotel bureaux where the rates are poor.
Cards (Visa/Mastercard) are widely accepted, contactless is common; mobile pay works at most retailers but small vendors may be cash-only.
10-15% at restaurants, round up taxi fares, R10-20 for hotel porters or housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A regular cappuccino at a cafe will run about R30–R40.
A Gatsby roll or bunny chow from a takeaway costs around R50–R70.
A main at a casual neighbourhood restaurant is typically R100–R150.
Braaivleis (BBQ) stands and kota stalls are common in parts of Soweto and the CBD for under R40.
Shoprite, Checkers, or Pick n Pay are the main budget supermarkets in the area.
Checkers Clothing or Jet stores found in malls like Clearwater or Westgate offer affordable basics.
Minibus taxis (R15–R20 per ride) are the cheapest way around; from the airport, take the Gautrain (R180 single) or a shared shuttle (R200-R300).
Eat at food courts in malls rather than standalone restaurants; buy a Gautrain card for discounted fares; negotiate prices at markets like the Oriental Plaza.
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 House of Pharaohs
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 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 House of Pharaohs?
Request a room on the 3rd floor, facing away from the main street (likely Jeppe or similar grid roads in Joburg CBD). These rooms are high enough to reduce street-level noise but low enough for quick lift access.
Which rooms should I avoid at House of Pharaohs?
Avoid ground-floor rooms (too close to street noise and foot traffic) and any rooms directly above or below the lift shaft—likely on floors 2 and 3 if the lift is central. Also avoid rooms near fire exits or service doors.
Is House of Pharaohs noisy?
Joburg CBD is active 6am-7pm—taxis, minibus ranks, street vendors, occasional sirens. Weekend nights can be rowdy near clubs/bars on parallel streets. Lift clunks may be audible on 2nd floor if doors are metallic.
Which rooms have the best views at House of Pharaohs?
Ask for a room on the street-facing side (likely Jeppe Street or parallel) for city skyline views; courtyard views are duller but quieter. No view from rear unless backing onto parking lot.
What are insider tips for staying at House of Pharaohs?
1. Pre-book a parking spot—street parking is dodgy after dark and hotel lot fills by 6pm. 2. Bring earplugs for street-facing rooms even on 3rd floor—Joburg CBD has persistent low-frequency hum overnight.
What time is check-in at House of Pharaohs?
Check-in at House of Pharaohs is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does House of Pharaohs have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi (8 Mbps) on all devices; premium tier (30 Mbps) ZAR 50 per 24h. No login constraints, password handed at check-in.
Is there a city or tourist tax at House of Pharaohs?
ZAR 25 per person per night, payable at check-in
Where can I eat cheaply near House of Pharaohs?
A Gatsby roll or bunny chow from a takeaway costs around R50–R70.
What is the cheapest way to get around from House of Pharaohs?
Minibus taxis (R15–R20 per ride) are the cheapest way around; from the airport, take the Gautrain (R180 single) or a shared shuttle (R200-R300).
When is the best time to visit Johannesburg?
August and September: early spring, blue skies, mild days around 20°C, and fewer tourists than the December peak. Wildflower season starts in neighbouring provinces, and the city feels fresher after the winter chill.
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.