Your stay — Cresta Guest House
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The Property — Cresta Guest House
Cresta Guest House is a modest three-star guesthouse set in a quiet residential street of Pretoria’s Brooklyn suburb. The lobby feels more like a well-kept private home than a hotel: polished wooden floors, a small reception desk, and a friendly, unhurried welcome. It suits independent travellers or business visitors who want a clean, no-frills base within walking distance of the University of Pretoria and Hatfield’s restaurants. Don’t expect a pool or bar — the USP is a secure, quiet setting and solid value.
Chronicles of Pretoria
Pretoria was founded in 1855 by Marthinus Pretorius, named after his father, Voortrekker leader Andries Pretorius. It became the capital of the South African Republic in 1860 and later the administrative capital of the Union of South Africa in 1910. Architecturally the city is a mix of Victorian, Art Deco and brutalist government buildings, with Church Square and the Union Buildings as anchors. Today it remains the executive capital, home to foreign embassies and a large student population, but its cultural identity is quieter than Johannesburg’s — more bureaucratic, more conservative, with a strong jacaranda-lined suburban character.
Best Time to Visit
Full Pretoria guide →Best months
May to August are best: winter brings clear, sunny days (around 18–22°C), very little rain, and low humidity. Crowds are thin, and guesthouse rates are steady.
Peak / festival surge
September to October is peak due to the blooming of the city’s 70,000 jacaranda trees, which draws photographers and weekend visitors. Hotel prices rise about 15–25% over August levels. The main driver is the Jacaranda Festival in early October.
Budget shoulder season
April and early November are good shoulder months: weather is mild (20–25°C), tourist numbers drop after Easter or before Christmas, and rates can be 10–20% lower than peak.
Weather & packing
Winter mornings in Pretoria are crisp (often below 10°C) but afternoons are warm, so layering is essential. Pack a lightweight fleece or jacket for mornings and evenings, plus a sun hat and sunscreen — the highveld sun is strong even in July.
Live City Briefing — Pretoria
- The Gautrain station at Hatfield, a 15-minute walk from Cresta, is fully operational with a direct service to OR Tambo airport; check for any planned maintenance in July 2026 as the line occasionally has weekend closures.
- Pretoria’s inner-city bus rapid transit system, the A Re Yeng, has extended its routes along Stanza Bopape Street, which may ease congestion near the hotel but can cause brief lane closures.
- The annual Jacaranda Festival is normally held in early October, not July, so the city is quiet in winter — no major events affecting noise or road closures for your stay.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Cresta Guest House, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the higher floors (3rd floor or above) for a quieter stay, as the lower floors may be noisier due to the hotel's proximity to Francis Baard Street, a busy road. These higher floors will also give you a better view of the surrounding cityscape.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms near the lift, as the Cresta Guest House is a 3-star hotel with a relatively old building, and the lift may be noisy. Also, rooms near the service entrance or bar area may experience some noise from staff activity.
Best views
From the higher floors, you can enjoy a view of the city, including the surrounding shops and office buildings.
Quietest floors
The 3rd floor and above are likely the quietest, given the hotel's design and location.
🔊 Noise notes
The noise from the street and lift may be a concern for light sleepers. Be prepared for some background noise.
Insider tips
1. If you're driving, inform the hotel in advance about your arrival time to ensure someone is available to assist with parking, as the street parking options are limited. 2. Request a room with a fridge, as it's not a standard amenity, but it's worth asking for, especially if you have specific dietary needs or preferences.
- 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 — Cresta Guest House
free, 150 Mbps speed, no login constraints
serves all floors; no stairs-only historic sections
complimentary digital newsstand (PressReader) via in-room TVs
16:00 - 20:00, early bag-drop available from 08:00, late check-out until 12:00 (R 100 fee)
available 24/7, free of charge
step-free access to main entrance; wheelchair entries to rooms; no structural limitations
on-site parking available, R 100 per night; nearest public car park is Centurion City Lodge Parking, R 50 per day; no EV charging available
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: R 15 per person per night
Deposit & card hold: R 200 advance deposit + R 500 incidental card hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Central Baptist (399 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: Christ Church Arcadia (495 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Paulus Gemeente (536 m · ~7 min walk)
- Place of worship: Church of Scientology of Pretoria (607 m · ~8 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Loftus Park Shopping Center — 868 m · ~11 min walk
Pretoria Rosarium — 370 m · ~5 min walk
Pretoria Art Museum — 598 m · ~7 min walk
Nelson Mandela Amphitheatre — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 896 m · ~11 min walk
Dis-Chem — 791 m · ~10 min walk
Woolworths Food — 742 m · ~9 min walk
Loftus Versfeld — 1.3 km · ~16 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →South African Rand, ZAR
Exchange money at a local bank or a reputable currency exchange bureau, avoiding airport kiosks which often offer poor rates. Be prepared to show your passport.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in most establishments, including restaurants and taxis. Contactless and mobile payments are also becoming more common.
Tipping is expected in restaurants and bars, around 10-15% of the total bill. For taxi drivers, rounding up the fare or adding R5-R10 is sufficient. Hotel staff may not expect tips, but a kind gesture is appreciated.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →You can find a cup of coffee for around R10-R15 at a local coffee shop or café.
A filling lunch at a local eatery or food stall can cost around R20-R30.
A budget-friendly dinner at a mid-range restaurant can cost around R50-R70 for a main course.
Street food is available at the nearby Arcadia Street Food Market and surrounding streets.
Local supermarkets like Pick n Pay and Spar are common in the area.
Affordable shopping can be found at local markets like the Pretoria Market Square or at high-street retailers like Jet.
A single taxi ride costs around R10-R15. A day pass for public transport is available for around R20. From the airport, take the RAPID bus service for around R60.
Bargain at local markets, use public transport, and avoid eating at touristy restaurants to save money.
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 Cresta Guest House
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 896 m · ~11 min walk — pharmacy · Dis-Chem — 791 m · ~10 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.
About Pretoria
Wikipedia ↗
Pretoria ( prih-TOR-ee-ə, pree-; Afrikaans: [prəˈtʉəria] ) is the executive capital of South Africa, serving as the seat of the executive branch of government, and as the host to all foreign embassies to the country. Pretoria straddles the Apies River and extends westward into the foothills of the M...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Cresta Guest House?
Request a room on the higher floors (3rd floor or above) for a quieter stay, as the lower floors may be noisier due to the hotel's proximity to Francis Baard Street, a busy road. These higher floors will also give you a better view of the surrounding cityscape.
Which rooms should I avoid at Cresta Guest House?
Avoid rooms near the lift, as the Cresta Guest House is a 3-star hotel with a relatively old building, and the lift may be noisy. Also, rooms near the service entrance or bar area may experience some noise from staff activity.
Is Cresta Guest House noisy?
The noise from the street and lift may be a concern for light sleepers. Be prepared for some background noise.
Which rooms have the best views at Cresta Guest House?
From the higher floors, you can enjoy a view of the city, including the surrounding shops and office buildings.
What are insider tips for staying at Cresta Guest House?
1. If you're driving, inform the hotel in advance about your arrival time to ensure someone is available to assist with parking, as the street parking options are limited. 2. Request a room with a fridge, as it's not a standard amenity, but it's worth asking for, especially if you have specific dietary needs or preferences.
What time is check-in at Cresta Guest House?
Check-in at Cresta Guest House is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Cresta Guest House have Wi-Fi?
free, 150 Mbps speed, no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at Cresta Guest House?
R 15 per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Cresta Guest House?
A filling lunch at a local eatery or food stall can cost around R20-R30.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Cresta Guest House?
A single taxi ride costs around R10-R15. A day pass for public transport is available for around R20. From the airport, take the RAPID bus service for around R60.
When is the best time to visit Pretoria?
May to August are best: winter brings clear, sunny days (around 18–22°C), very little rain, and low humidity. Crowds are thin, and guesthouse rates are steady.
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.