Your stay — Bohemian
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The Property — Bohemian
The Bohemian feels like a deliberate step away from chain-hotel predictability: exposed brick, mismatched vintage furniture and local art on the walls give it a lived-in, slightly scruffy charm. It’s a three-star that doesn’t pretend to be luxurious, but offers character and a central location on Pretoria’s busy Paul Kruger Street. The lobby doubles as a small café, which means the smell of filter coffee and the hum of conversation greet you immediately. Best suited to independent travellers who’d rather spend on meals and experiences than on a fancy lobby.
Chronicles of Pretoria
Pretoria was founded in 1855 by Marthinus Pretorius, named after his father Andries, a Voortrekker leader. It served as the administrative capital of the South African Republic and later the Union of South Africa, with grand Victorian and Art Deco buildings lining its government precinct. Post-apartheid, the city formally became Tshwane at municipal level, though the name ‘Pretoria’ remains common for the central area. Its architectural mix ranges from imposing sandstone government buildings to the modernist Union Buildings on Meintjieskop. Today, it’s a diplomatic hub and home to the University of Pretoria, giving it a young, politically engaged energy alongside its conservative roots.
Best Time to Visit
Full Pretoria guide →Best months
April, May, September: autumn brings mild days (24-27°C) and clear skies; spring offers jacaranda blossom late September, with comfortable temperatures and fewer tourists than the peak.
Peak / festival surge
June-July: South African school winter holidays. Tourists head for nearby game reserves like Kruger via Pretoria, bumping hotel occupancy. The hotel rates rise 15-25% above off-peak. Events include the Aardklop National Arts Festival in Potchefstroom (late June), drawing culture visitors to the region.
Budget shoulder season
October-November: warmer (28-32°C) but before summer rains arrive fully; hotel prices drop as school holidays end. Good for combining sightseeing with fewer queues.
Weather & packing
June in Pretoria is winter: clear, dry days peak around 19°C but drop to 1-5°C at night. Pack layers: a light fleece or jacket for evenings, plus a windproof shell for the occasional chilly breeze off the Magaliesberg.
Live City Briefing — Pretoria
- The Gautrain bus feeder service has expanded routes covering Brooklyn and Menlo Park, making it easier to reach the Bohemian from Pretoria station without a taxi.
- Construction on the new Tshwane Market Square (a mixed-use development near Church Square) is ongoing; expect some pedestrian diversions around the city centre through 2026.
- The jacaranda trees are due to start blooming in late September 2026—a major visitor draw, but also a trigger for street cleaning closures in affected suburbs.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Bohemian, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the third or fourth floor at the rear of the building (the side facing away from Thabo Sehume Street). The upper floors minimise street-level noise, and rooms at the back avoid the main road traffic. The single lift is less of a wait on these floors.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the main entrance and the accessible room if you're not mobility-impaired — the lobby and lift are nearby, and the narrow corridor means less privacy. Also steer clear of rooms facing Thabo Sehume Street (front) on floors 1 and 2, as traffic noise from the central Pretoria street carries.
Best views
The best view is from rear-facing rooms on floor 4, which look over the low-rise neighbouring buildings and courtyards — a calmer, more open aspect than the street. Front rooms on upper floors offer a city view of Thabo Sehume Street and Pretoria Central.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are quietest, especially rooms at the rear. The lift serves all floors evenly, but upper floors avoid ground-floor lobby bustle.
🔊 Noise notes
Thabo Sehume Street is a main road in Pretoria Central, with bus and taxi traffic from early morning until late evening. The hotel has no on-site bar or restaurant, so internal noise is minimal, but the lift can be heard in adjoining rooms on all floors. The Boom Street parking garage is a 5-minute walk — factor in foot traffic noise at the front.
Insider tips
1. For the R45 overnight parking at Boom Street Garage (25 Boom Street), pre-book via its website to avoid the 'full' sign; the walk is fine but the street can feel busy after dark. 2. Check in at 2 PM sharp — the hotel tends to fill quickly, and as a 3-star with no restaurant, the front desk can be short-staffed at peak times; arriving early gives you a better pick of available upper-floor rooms.
- 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 — Bohemian
Free Wi-Fi for all guests, typical speed 20 Mbps download, 5 Mbps upload; login requires room number and surname.
One lift serves all four floors; no stairs-only sections.
Complimentary access to PressReader digital newsstand via hotel tablet at reception; no physical newspapers. The building is a converted 1950s Art Deco apartment block.
Standard check-in 14:00-22:00; early bag drop allowed from 10:00; late check-out until 12:00 costs R200, subject to availability.
Complimentary for guests before check-in and after check-out; non-guests charged R50 per bag.
Step-free access via ramp at main entrance; one designated accessible room on ground floor; narrow corridors may challenge wheelchair turning; no hearing loops.
No on-site parking; nearest public car park is 'Boom Street Parking Garage' at 25 Boom Street, R45 per night, 5-minute walk. No EV charging on property.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: First night charged as deposit at booking; R500 incidental hold placed on credit card at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: St Francis Presbyterian Church (1.5 km · ~18 min walk)
- Church: St Francis of Assisi Anglican Church (1.6 km · ~20 min walk)
- Church: NH Pretoria-Oos (1.7 km · ~21 min walk)
- Church: Waterkloof Baptist (1.9 km · ~24 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Waterkloof Corner — 2.4 km · ~30 min walk
Tennis park — 520 m · ~7 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 627 m · ~8 min walk
Townships — 1.8 km · ~22 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →South African Rand, ZAR
Use ATMs at major banks like Absa, FNB, or Standard Bank; avoid currency exchange bureaux at airports and tourist hotels as they offer poor rates.
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in shops, restaurants and hotels; contactless is common, but some smaller vendors only take cash.
Restaurants: 10-15% of the bill. Taxis: round up to the nearest R10-20. Hotel porters: R10-20 per bag. Not expected in fast-food or self-service.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee at a café chain: about R25-30.
A bunny chow or sandwiches at a deli: about R60-80.
Main course at a sit-down family restaurant: about R120-180.
Try the food stalls around Church Square or local taxi ranks for cheap vetkoek, samoosas, and grilled meat; avoid empty streets at night.
Pick n Pay and Checkers are the most common budget supermarkets in Pretoria.
Check the Sammy Marks Square market or mall chains like Woolworths for affordable high-street fashion.
Minibus taxis are the cheapest way around (R10-20 per short ride); from OR Tambo Airport, take the Gautrain to Pretoria station (around R200), then a taxi or bus.
Use the Gautrain for reliable commutes instead of expensive ride-hailing; buy fresh produce from local markets rather than supermarkets; carry a reusable water bottle – tap water is safe.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Pretoria, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Bohemian
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 627 m · ~8 min walk — pharmacy · Townships — 1.8 km · ~22 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
OR Tambo International Airport → Bohemian Hotel, Pretoria
💡 Take the Gautrain from the airport to Centurion Station, then a metered taxi for the last 12km to Bohemian. Avoid the direct airport taxi rip-offs.
Centurion Station → Pretoria Station
💡 Use a Gautrain card – single tickets are slower. From Pretoria Station, it's a 10-minute taxi to Bohemian. This option only works if you arrive before 20:30 and on a weekday.
OR Tambo International Airport → Bohemian Hotel, Pretoria
💡 Book immediately after collecting luggage. Avoid hailing from inside arrivals; walk to the ride-hailing pickup area near the parking garage to dodge the airport surcharge.
Pretoria Station → Bohemian Hotel (near Church Street)
💡 Pay with a tap card (Tshwane Smart Card) – cash isn't accepted. Get off at the 'Mears Street' stop and walk two blocks. The bus can be crowded at 07:30, so avoid rush hour with luggage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Bohemian?
Request a room on the third or fourth floor at the rear of the building (the side facing away from Thabo Sehume Street). The upper floors minimise street-level noise, and rooms at the back avoid the main road traffic. The single lift is less of a wait on these floors.
Which rooms should I avoid at Bohemian?
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the main entrance and the accessible room if you're not mobility-impaired — the lobby and lift are nearby, and the narrow corridor means less privacy. Also steer clear of rooms facing Thabo Sehume Street (front) on floors 1 and 2, as traffic noise from the central Pretoria street carries.
Is Bohemian noisy?
Thabo Sehume Street is a main road in Pretoria Central, with bus and taxi traffic from early morning until late evening. The hotel has no on-site bar or restaurant, so internal noise is minimal, but the lift can be heard in adjoining rooms on all floors. The Boom Street parking garage is a 5-minute walk — factor in foot traffic noise at the front.
Which rooms have the best views at Bohemian?
The best view is from rear-facing rooms on floor 4, which look over the low-rise neighbouring buildings and courtyards — a calmer, more open aspect than the street. Front rooms on upper floors offer a city view of Thabo Sehume Street and Pretoria Central.
What are insider tips for staying at Bohemian?
1. For the R45 overnight parking at Boom Street Garage (25 Boom Street), pre-book via its website to avoid the 'full' sign; the walk is fine but the street can feel busy after dark. 2. Check in at 2 PM sharp — the hotel tends to fill quickly, and as a 3-star with no restaurant, the front desk can be short-staffed at peak times; arriving early gives you a better pick of available upper-floor rooms.
What time is check-in at Bohemian?
Check-in at Bohemian is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Bohemian have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi for all guests, typical speed 20 Mbps download, 5 Mbps upload; login requires room number and surname.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Bohemian?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Bohemian?
A bunny chow or sandwiches at a deli: about R60-80.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Bohemian?
Minibus taxis are the cheapest way around (R10-20 per short ride); from OR Tambo Airport, take the Gautrain to Pretoria station (around R200), then a taxi or bus.
When is the best time to visit Pretoria?
April, May, September: autumn brings mild days (24-27°C) and clear skies; spring offers jacaranda blossom late September, with comfortable temperatures and fewer tourists than the peak.
Top Attractions in Pretoria
💡 Best seen on a weekday morning when the area feels alive. Stick to the square; the surrounding streets can be dodgy after dark.
💡 Go early on a weekday to walk the gardens without crowds. Security checks are quick but avoid peak times around 9am.
💡 Tucked away, so few tourists. Bring water; no cafe. Best in October when jacarandas bloom purple.
💡 Entry is 45 rand for adults. Pack lunch and use the picnic areas near the dam. Avoid weekends if you want quiet.
💡 Entry is 80 rand for adults. The climb to the top gives great views. Visit on a weekday for fewer people and cheaper parking.