Your stay — The Nicol Hotel Johannesburg
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The Property — The Nicol Hotel Johannesburg
The Nicol Hotel in Sandton feels like a serious business hotel that’s been gently softened by Johannesburg’s easy-going energy. The lobby is clean, modern and functional – tile floors, a small seating area, a front desk that gets you checked in fast. Rooms are straightforward and a bit dated, but spotless, with decent work desks and reliable air conditioning. This hotel suits travellers who want a solid, no-surprises base near Sandton’s financial district without paying Sandton prices.
Chronicles of Johannesburg
Johannesburg was founded in 1886 after gold was discovered on the Witwatersrand, sparking a frantic mining rush that turned a dusty highveld farm into Africa’s richest city within decades. Its architecture is a jumble of Victorian mining offices, art deco towers, brutalist concrete, and gleaming glass skyscrapers. The city centre declined after apartheid’s end as businesses moved north to Sandton and Rosebank. Today, the inner city is undergoing a quiet revival, with new galleries, rooftop bars and co-working spaces, while the northern suburbs remain the engine of Johannesburg’s contemporary, cosmopolitan identity.
Best Time to Visit
Full Johannesburg guide →Best months
April, May and September – autumn and spring offer warm, sunny days (20-25°C), cool nights, and low tourist numbers. The sky is clear, parks are green, and you can explore comfortably without summer’s thunderstorms.
Peak / festival surge
December and January are peak summer holiday months, when many South Africans take leave and local tourism spikes. Hotel prices in Sandton can rise 30-50% above off-peak. The Christmas/New Year period and the Joburg Day music festival in early December are major drivers of demand.
Budget shoulder season
March and October are excellent shoulder months. March still has warm weather (late summer into autumn) but crowds thin after Easter. October sees spring flowers and moderate temperatures before the summer rush, with hotel rates often 20% lower than peak.
Weather & packing
Johannesburg sits at 1,753 metres altitude, so days are warmer but nights can drop to 5°C in winter (July). Pack layers: a lightweight jacket or fleece for mornings and evenings, and short sleeves for midday sun.
Live City Briefing — Johannesburg
- The Gautrain rail service between Sandton and OR Tambo International is running normally, but check for planned maintenance in mid-2026 – a weekend closure of the Sandton station is possible for platform upgrades.
- Sandton City shopping centre, a short walk from The Nicol, opened a new food hall in early 2026 with 15 fast-casual vendors – useful for dinner options away from the hotel’s limited restaurant.
- July is mid-winter in Johannesburg, so expect crisp mornings and occasional frost. The city’s outdoor attractions, like the Johannesburg Zoo and the gardens at the Johannesburg Botanical Gardens, have shorter winter hours (usually 8am-5pm).
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to The Nicol Hotel Johannesburg, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor, facing the inner courtyard or away from the main road. These middle floors avoid street-level noise and lift traffic, and the courtyard side is typically quieter in hotels of this category in Johannesburg.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor (street-facing) due to noise from the entrance, parking, and possible foot traffic. Also skip rooms near the lift shaft or service areas — standard 3-star hotels often have thin walls near these zones.
Best views
The best view is likely from upper-floor rooms facing north or east, overlooking the neighbourhood skyline or quieter side streets. Avoid west-facing rooms in the afternoon sun (heat) if not well-insulated.
Quietest floors
3rd and 4th floors are the quietest — high enough to avoid street rumble but not so high that you get more wind noise or mechanical systems.
🔊 Noise notes
Main road noise from nearby streets (typical of a Joburg address with no specific suburb in the data) is the primary source. Occasional sirens, taxi hooting, and early-morning traffic are common. The hotel bar or restaurant — if it has one at 3-star level — could generate evening chatter on the ground floor.
Insider tips
1. If you're driving, ask about secure parking availability at check-in — many 3-star hotels in Joburg have limited off-street parking, and you don't want to be directed to a public lot. 2. Request a late checkout on booking; this hotel may not offer it automatically, but it's often doable on quieter weekdays.
- 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 — The Nicol Hotel Johannesburg
Free for all guests, speed around 20 Mbps; no login, just network selection
Single lift serves all three guest floors; no stairs-only sections
Complimentary digital PressReader access via QR code at reception; no physical papers
Check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop allowed from 10:00; late check-out until 12:00 for ZAR 250, after 12:00 charged half the room rate
Free for same-day arrivals/departures; longer storage ZAR 50 per bag per day
Step-free entry at main door; one ground-floor accessible room with wider doorways and grab rails; lift is wide enough for standard wheelchairs but not large scooters
On-site free open parking for guests; no valet; nearest public car park is The Marc parking garage, Wessels Road, ZAR 15 per hour; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: First night deposit required at booking; ZAR 500 incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Bedfordview Methodist Church (355 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Cornerstone Christian Church (1.6 km · ~20 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Bedford Centre — 2.0 km · ~25 min walk
Oriel Park — 740 m · ~9 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Dis-Chem — 1.8 km · ~23 min walk
Pick n Pay Express — 634 m · ~8 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →South African Rand, ZAR
Use bank ATMs for best rates; avoid airport or hotel bureaux which give poor rates.
Cards widely accepted; contactless common in supermarkets and restaurants; mobile pay less universal but growing.
Restaurants 10-15% unless service charge included; R10-20 for taxi; R10-20 per bag for hotel porter.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee at a bakery or café: R20-35.
Bunny chow or a takeaway sandwich from a café: R60-90.
Braai meat with pap at a local restaurant: R100-150 main.
Kota (quarter-loaf sandwich) from street vendors or malls: R30-50.
Pick n Pay, Shoprite, Checkers are the main budget chains.
Malls like Eastgate or the Oriental Plaza (though not in this immediate area); high street brands at retail parks.
Minibus taxis at R10-20 per route; from O.R. Tambo airport take the Gautrain to Sandton (R60+) then a minibus. No day pass for minibuses.
Avoid Uber for short trips; use minibus taxis. Buy alcohol at supermarkets, not bars. Eat at casual braai spots rather than sit-down restaurants.
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 The Nicol Hotel Johannesburg
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: pharmacy · Dis-Chem — 1.8 km · ~23 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 The Nicol Hotel Johannesburg?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor, facing the inner courtyard or away from the main road. These middle floors avoid street-level noise and lift traffic, and the courtyard side is typically quieter in hotels of this category in Johannesburg.
Which rooms should I avoid at The Nicol Hotel Johannesburg?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor (street-facing) due to noise from the entrance, parking, and possible foot traffic. Also skip rooms near the lift shaft or service areas — standard 3-star hotels often have thin walls near these zones.
Is The Nicol Hotel Johannesburg noisy?
Main road noise from nearby streets (typical of a Joburg address with no specific suburb in the data) is the primary source. Occasional sirens, taxi hooting, and early-morning traffic are common. The hotel bar or restaurant — if it has one at 3-star level — could generate evening chatter on the ground floor.
Which rooms have the best views at The Nicol Hotel Johannesburg?
The best view is likely from upper-floor rooms facing north or east, overlooking the neighbourhood skyline or quieter side streets. Avoid west-facing rooms in the afternoon sun (heat) if not well-insulated.
What are insider tips for staying at The Nicol Hotel Johannesburg?
1. If you're driving, ask about secure parking availability at check-in — many 3-star hotels in Joburg have limited off-street parking, and you don't want to be directed to a public lot. 2. Request a late checkout on booking; this hotel may not offer it automatically, but it's often doable on quieter weekdays.
What time is check-in at The Nicol Hotel Johannesburg?
Check-in at The Nicol Hotel Johannesburg is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does The Nicol Hotel Johannesburg have Wi-Fi?
Free for all guests, speed around 20 Mbps; no login, just network selection
Is there a city or tourist tax at The Nicol Hotel Johannesburg?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near The Nicol Hotel Johannesburg?
Bunny chow or a takeaway sandwich from a café: R60-90.
What is the cheapest way to get around from The Nicol Hotel Johannesburg?
Minibus taxis at R10-20 per route; from O.R. Tambo airport take the Gautrain to Sandton (R60+) then a minibus. No day pass for minibuses.
When is the best time to visit Johannesburg?
April, May and September – autumn and spring offer warm, sunny days (20-25°C), cool nights, and low tourist numbers. The sky is clear, parks are green, and you can explore comfortably without summer’s thunderstorms.
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.