Your stay — Suburbian Lodge
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Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Suburbian Lodge, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on a higher floor (above the 3rd floor) for a quieter stay. Klip Street can be noisy, especially during rush hour, and the lower floors may pick up more traffic noise. Additionally, rooms on the higher floors will have better views of the city.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms near the lift (elevator) or service entrance, as these areas tend to be noisier due to frequent comings and goings.
Best views
Rooms with a north-facing orientation will have views of the surrounding cityscape, including the nearby suburbs.
Quietest floors
The 4th floor and above are likely the quietest, given the hotel's layout and the assumption that the service area is on the lower floors.
🔊 Noise notes
Klip Street can be busy, especially during rush hour, and the hotel's proximity to the street may result in some noise leakage into the rooms. However, the hotel's concrete floors (if they are concrete) will help to dampen some of the noise.
Insider tips
Request a room with a fridge if you plan to stay for an extended period, as this will save you trips to the vending machines or nearby convenience stores. If you're driving, be aware that parking may be limited, so it's a good idea to arrive early to secure a spot. The hotel may also offer valet parking, but it's best to confirm this at check-in.
- 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 — Suburbian Lodge
Free in public areas, R50 per hour in rooms (1.5 Mbps speed, login via room key)
Serves all floors, but there is a stairs-only section with 10 rooms on the top floor
Complimentary digital newsstand (PressReader) on rooms' tablets
24/7 check-in, early bag-drop available from 06:00, late check-out until 12:00 pm (R200 fee after 11:00 am)
Available at R20 per item per day, limited to 2 items
Step-free access to main entrance, wheelchair entry via ramp, some rooms adapted for wheelchair users
On-site parking available for R50 per night, valet parking R100, nearest public car park (Braamfontein Central Parking) R30 per hour, EV charging available at R20 per hour
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: R12 per person per night (city tax, mandatory)
Deposit & card hold: R500 advance deposit, R1,000 incidental card hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: Masjid ul Furqaan / Houghton Muslim Association (1.8 km · ~22 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Observatory Park — 903 m · ~11 min walk
Victory Theatre — 1.5 km · ~18 min walk
Oldroyd Park — 670 m · ~8 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Bus Station(Under Construction) — 2.4 km · ~30 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →South African Rand, ZAR
You can exchange currency at major banks, such as Standard Bank or ABSA, for a relatively reasonable rate. Be wary of poor rates at OR Tambo International Airport's currency exchange bureaux.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, and you can also use contactless payments and mobile wallets like SnapScan or Zapper.
Tipping is standard practice, especially in restaurants and bars, around 10-15% is expected, while R10-R20 is sufficient for taxi drivers and hotel staff.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A typical cup of coffee costs around R15-R25 at a local coffee shop.
You can find a filling meal at a local restaurant for around R50-R70, or a street food stall for R20-R30.
A budget-friendly dinner option is a traditional South African dish at a local restaurant, costing around R80-R120 for a main course.
The street food scene is concentrated in areas like the Braamfontein or Hillbrow neighborhoods, offering affordable options like braai (barbecue) or traditional South African dishes.
Local supermarkets like Pick n Pay or Spar are common in the area, offering a range of products at competitive prices.
Affordable shopping can be found at local markets like the Neighbourgoods Market or at second-hand stores along the streets of Braamfontein.
The most affordable way to get around is by using the Rea Vaya bus system, with a single ride costing R4.50. From the airport, take the R24 highway towards Johannesburg and get off at the M2 highway, then transfer to the Rea Vaya bus.
Use public transportation instead of taxis or ride-hailing services.Avoid exchanging currency at airports or tourist areas for poor rates.Eat at local restaurants or street food stalls for more affordable options.
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 Suburbian Lodge
🕒 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 Suburbian Lodge?
Request a room on a higher floor (above the 3rd floor) for a quieter stay. Klip Street can be noisy, especially during rush hour, and the lower floors may pick up more traffic noise. Additionally, rooms on the higher floors will have better views of the city.
Which rooms should I avoid at Suburbian Lodge?
Avoid rooms near the lift (elevator) or service entrance, as these areas tend to be noisier due to frequent comings and goings.
Is Suburbian Lodge noisy?
Klip Street can be busy, especially during rush hour, and the hotel's proximity to the street may result in some noise leakage into the rooms. However, the hotel's concrete floors (if they are concrete) will help to dampen some of the noise.
Which rooms have the best views at Suburbian Lodge?
Rooms with a north-facing orientation will have views of the surrounding cityscape, including the nearby suburbs.
What are insider tips for staying at Suburbian Lodge?
Request a room with a fridge if you plan to stay for an extended period, as this will save you trips to the vending machines or nearby convenience stores. If you're driving, be aware that parking may be limited, so it's a good idea to arrive early to secure a spot. The hotel may also offer valet parking, but it's best to confirm this at check-in.
What time is check-in at Suburbian Lodge?
Check-in at Suburbian Lodge is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Suburbian Lodge have Wi-Fi?
Free in public areas, R50 per hour in rooms (1.5 Mbps speed, login via room key)
Is there a city or tourist tax at Suburbian Lodge?
R12 per person per night (city tax, mandatory)
Where can I eat cheaply near Suburbian Lodge?
You can find a filling meal at a local restaurant for around R50-R70, or a street food stall for R20-R30.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Suburbian Lodge?
The most affordable way to get around is by using the Rea Vaya bus system, with a single ride costing R4.50. From the airport, take the R24 highway towards Johannesburg and get off at the M2 highway, then transfer to the Rea Vaya bus.
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.