Your stay — Melville Manor
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Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Melville Manor, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Guests of Melville Manor may want to request rooms on the upper floors, ideally 3rd or 4th floor, as they tend to be quieter given the hotel's location on the corner of 1st Avenue and 6th Street in Johannesburg. The lift only goes up to the 4th floor, so guests will have to walk up to the 5th floor, which may be a consideration for those with mobility issues.
Rooms to avoid
Guests may want to avoid rooms near the lift, particularly those on the 1st and 2nd floor, as these are more prone to noise from the lift and possibly the service entrance.
Best views
Given Melville Manor's location on 1st Avenue, rooms with a north or east-facing view (likely on the 3rd or 4th floor) may offer a glimpse of the city skyline, although the view will likely be obstructed by surrounding buildings.
Quietest floors
The 3rd and 4th floors are likely to be the quietest, given the hotel's layout and the fact that the lift only goes up to the 4th floor.
🔊 Noise notes
Guests can expect some street noise from 1st Avenue, particularly during peak hours, and the hotel's proximity to the city center means that there may be some distant traffic noise.
Insider tips
Arrive early to secure parking, as spaces can fill up quickly, especially on weekends. Request a room with a balcony for a bit more space and a view, but be aware that the balconies may be small and not particularly private.
- 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 — Melville Manor
Free, 50 Mbps fibre-optic internet; no login constraints
Yes, serves all floors; some rooms have stairs-only access due to historic building constraints
Complimentary PressReader digital newsstand, but no physical newspapers available
14:00-22:00, early bag-drop not available, late check-out until 12:00pm next day with R200 fee
Available on request at R50 per bag per day
Step-free access to main entrance, wheelchair-accessible rooms available; some rooms have structural limitations
On-site parking available at R100 per night; nearest public car park is at Johannesburg Botanical Gardens (R30 per hour); no EV charging facilities
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: R500 advance deposit + incidental card hold of R1,000 at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: Auckland Park Mosque (762 m · ~10 min walk)
- Church: Melville Methodist Church (1.2 km · ~15 min walk)
- Church: Melville Kruisgemeente (1.3 km · ~16 min walk)
- Church: Heritage Baptist Church (1.5 km · ~19 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Campus Square — 743 m · ~9 min walk
Leeubekkie park — 1.3 km · ~16 min walk
Lindfield Victorian House Museum — 355 m · ~4 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 838 m · ~10 min walk
Clicks — 607 m · ~8 min walk
Melville Convenient Supermarket — 848 m · ~11 min walk
SABC Media Park Bus Station (T3, C6) — 329 m · ~4 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →South African Rand, ZAR
You can change currency at major banks or currency exchange offices like Travelex or Global Exchange, but be aware that airport bureaux often have poor exchange rates. Consider using an ATM or a reputable exchange service to get a better rate.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in Johannesburg, including at most restaurants, shops, and ATMs. Contactless payments are also common.
Tipping is customary in South Africa, with 10-15% in restaurants and bars, and R20-R50 for taxi drivers. Hotel staff may also appreciate a small tip.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →You can find a cup of coffee for around R20 at a street vendor or a small café.
A plate of street food or a sandwich from a takeaway costs around R30-R50.
A basic meal at a local restaurant or eatery costs around R60-R80 for a main course.
The Braamfontein and Hillbrow areas are known for their street food options, including traditional South African dishes and international cuisine.
Shoprite and Pick n Pay are common supermarket chains in this area.
You can find affordable clothing at local markets like the Neighbourgoods Market or at second-hand stores in the Berea area.
A single taxi ride costs around R20, and a day pass for public transport costs R20. The Gautrain from the airport to Sandton costs around R400.
Consider buying a reusable water bottle to refill at filtered water stations, use public transport instead of taxis, and eat at local restaurants or street food stalls instead of touristy areas.
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 Melville Manor
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 838 m · ~10 min walk — pharmacy · Clicks — 607 m · ~8 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 Melville Manor?
Guests of Melville Manor may want to request rooms on the upper floors, ideally 3rd or 4th floor, as they tend to be quieter given the hotel's location on the corner of 1st Avenue and 6th Street in Johannesburg. The lift only goes up to the 4th floor, so guests will have to walk up to the 5th floor, which may be a consideration for those with mobility issues.
Which rooms should I avoid at Melville Manor?
Guests may want to avoid rooms near the lift, particularly those on the 1st and 2nd floor, as these are more prone to noise from the lift and possibly the service entrance.
Is Melville Manor noisy?
Guests can expect some street noise from 1st Avenue, particularly during peak hours, and the hotel's proximity to the city center means that there may be some distant traffic noise.
Which rooms have the best views at Melville Manor?
Given Melville Manor's location on 1st Avenue, rooms with a north or east-facing view (likely on the 3rd or 4th floor) may offer a glimpse of the city skyline, although the view will likely be obstructed by surrounding buildings.
What are insider tips for staying at Melville Manor?
Arrive early to secure parking, as spaces can fill up quickly, especially on weekends. Request a room with a balcony for a bit more space and a view, but be aware that the balconies may be small and not particularly private.
What time is check-in at Melville Manor?
Check-in at Melville Manor is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Melville Manor have Wi-Fi?
Free, 50 Mbps fibre-optic internet; no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at Melville Manor?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Melville Manor?
A plate of street food or a sandwich from a takeaway costs around R30-R50.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Melville Manor?
A single taxi ride costs around R20, and a day pass for public transport costs R20. The Gautrain from the airport to Sandton costs around R400.
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.