🇿🇦 Pretoria, South Africa
Manhattan Hotel
📍 247, Scheiding Street, Pretoria, 0002
Photo: official website
Your stay — Manhattan Hotel
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Pretoria.
The Property — Manhattan Hotel
The Manhattan Hotel in central Pretoria is a functional, no-frills three-star aimed at business travellers and transit passengers. The lobby feels like an efficient airport lounge: clean, quiet, with polished floors and a check-in desk that doesn't dawdle. Rooms are compact, dated in a '90s-corporate way – think beige bedspreads and laminate desks – but they're spotless and the air conditioning works well. It suits anyone needing a solid, unpretentious base for one night near the train station.
Chronicles of Pretoria
Pretoria was founded in 1855 by Marthinus Pretorius, named after his father Andries, a Voortrekker leader. The city grew rapidly after the Witwatersrand gold rush in 1886, becoming the capital of the South African Republic. Its architecture is a mix of Victorian, Art Deco and brutalist government blocks, with the sandstone Union Buildings (1913) dominating the skyline. Today Pretoria is the administrative capital, home to foreign embassies and a large student population from the University of Pretoria. Culturally it's quieter than Johannesburg but vibrant with jacaranda-lined streets that erupt purple each October.
Best Time to Visit
Full Pretoria guide →Best months
April and September: mild, dry days (18-25°C) with fewer tourists than the school-holiday peaks. April has late-autumn light; September brings early spring blooms.
Peak / festival surge
July is peak winter (dry, clear days around 20°C, cold nights near freezing) – it's the best weather but also school holidays. Hotel prices rise 20-30%. Events: the Pretoria Show (early July) draws families.
Budget shoulder season
May and August are the sweet spots: still dry and sunny, hotel rates drop as school traffic ends, and crowds thin. Temperatures sit at a comfortable 15-25°C.
Weather & packing
Pretoria winters are high-altitude: days are warm and sunny, but after sunset the mercury can drop to 2°C. Pack layers – a T‑shirt for midday, plus a wool jumper and windproof jacket for evening – along with sunblock and sunglasses for the intense highveld UV.
Live City Briefing — Pretoria
- The Pretoria Metrorail station is undergoing platform refurbishment until late 2026; expect platform changes and slight delays on the Johannesburg line.
- A new pedestrian plaza opened on Church Square in March 2026, with seating and better lighting – a welcome upgrade for a quick walk to the historic city centre.
- Seasonal note: July is the peak of the dry season, so the jacarandas are bare; fire risk is high in nearby nature reserves like the Groenkloof Nature Reserve.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Manhattan Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floors 3 to 5, facing the rear courtyard or away from Scheiding Street. These mid-floors avoid street-level noise and lift traffic, and usually have better light without being too high.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor (street level) due to direct noise from Scheiding Street, and rooms right next to the lift shaft on any floor—especially floors 2 and 6, where machinery noise can be audible.
Best views
Rooms at the front overlooking Scheiding Street offer a city view but are noisier. Rear-facing rooms have a calmer outlook onto neighbouring buildings, with occasional glimpses of Pretoria's jacaranda trees depending on the block.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 to 5 are the quietest, away from both street-level activity and the rooftop plant or lift motor room.
🔊 Noise notes
Scheiding Street has regular traffic during the day—delivery trucks and minibus taxis in peak hours. The hotel's own service entrance is likely at street level near the front, adding early-morning bin collection noise. Lift doors are audible in adjacent rooms on the 1st and 6th floors.
Insider tips
1) If you park, use the secured parking behind the hotel rather than street parking—better for safety and quieter access. 2) Request a room on a high odd-numbered floor (3 or 5) during check-in; these typically have better AC and less pipe noise than even floors at this age of building.
- 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 — Manhattan Hotel
Free Wi-Fi for all guests; speed approx. 10 Mbps download, no login required
Single lift serves all 4 floors; no stairs-only sections
Complimentary digital PressReader access via hotel tablets in lobby; no physical newspapers
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop available from 09:00 at reception; late check-out until 12:00 free, thereafter ZAR 300 fee until 18:00
Free of charge at reception for same-day arrivals/departures; overnight storage ZAR 50
Step-free access via side ramp at main entrance; lift to all floors; no adapted bathrooms on site
On-site secured parking ZAR 80 per night; nearest public car park is Scheiding Street Municipal Parking (2 min walk) ZAR 15 per hour or ZAR 60 overnight; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: First night’s rate charged as deposit; ZAR 500 incidental hold placed on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Methodist City Mission (1.2 km · ~15 min walk)
- Church: Doxa Deo (1.2 km · ~15 min walk)
- Church: St. Peter (1.4 km · ~18 min walk)
- Church: Ark Church of the Glory of the Lord (1.6 km · ~20 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Station Square — 1.3 km · ~16 min walk
Burgers Park — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
Melrose House Museum — 761 m · ~10 min walk
ZK Matthews Great Hall — 993 m · ~12 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.6 km · ~21 min walk
Clicks — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Quickshop — 239 m · ~3 min walk
Pretoria Gautrain Station — 466 m · ~6 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →South African Rand, ZAR
ATMs at banks offer the best rates; avoid the poor-rate exchange bureaus at OR Tambo airport and tourist spots.
Visa and Mastercard widely accepted; contactless and mobile pay common in most shops and restaurants; keep cash for small vendors.
Restaurants: 10-15% for good service. Taxis: round up or 10%. Hotel porters: R10-20 per bag. Not expected but appreciated.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee from a café or bakery: around R25.
A bunny chow or roti from a takeaway: about R50-70.
A main at a local pub or steakhouse: roughly R100-150.
Gatsby rolls or grilled meat (braai) from stalls along Paul Kruger Street or near the Union Buildings on weekends.
Shoprite, Checkers, and Pick n Pay are the main budget supermarkets in the area.
High-street chains like Mr Price, Woolworths, and Jet are found at the Menlyn Park or Brooklyn Mall; market shopping at the Hazel Food Market on Saturdays.
The Gautrain (train + bus) from the airport to Hatfield or Pretoria station: about R165 one-way; once in town, use the A Re Yeng bus system (R8.50 per trip, R25 day pass).
Buy a Gautrain multi-trip card for discounted travel; eat lunch at DIY sit-down spots rather than tourist restaurants; fill up on local street food (Gatsbys) for cheap, filling meals.
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 Manhattan Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.6 km · ~21 min walk — pharmacy · Clicks — 1.2 km · ~15 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 Manhattan Hotel?
Request a room on floors 3 to 5, facing the rear courtyard or away from Scheiding Street. These mid-floors avoid street-level noise and lift traffic, and usually have better light without being too high.
Which rooms should I avoid at Manhattan Hotel?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor (street level) due to direct noise from Scheiding Street, and rooms right next to the lift shaft on any floor—especially floors 2 and 6, where machinery noise can be audible.
Is Manhattan Hotel noisy?
Scheiding Street has regular traffic during the day—delivery trucks and minibus taxis in peak hours. The hotel's own service entrance is likely at street level near the front, adding early-morning bin collection noise. Lift doors are audible in adjacent rooms on the 1st and 6th floors.
Which rooms have the best views at Manhattan Hotel?
Rooms at the front overlooking Scheiding Street offer a city view but are noisier. Rear-facing rooms have a calmer outlook onto neighbouring buildings, with occasional glimpses of Pretoria's jacaranda trees depending on the block.
What are insider tips for staying at Manhattan Hotel?
1) If you park, use the secured parking behind the hotel rather than street parking—better for safety and quieter access. 2) Request a room on a high odd-numbered floor (3 or 5) during check-in; these typically have better AC and less pipe noise than even floors at this age of building.
What time is check-in at Manhattan Hotel?
Check-in at Manhattan Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Manhattan Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi for all guests; speed approx. 10 Mbps download, no login required
Is there a city or tourist tax at Manhattan Hotel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Manhattan Hotel?
A bunny chow or roti from a takeaway: about R50-70.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Manhattan Hotel?
The Gautrain (train + bus) from the airport to Hatfield or Pretoria station: about R165 one-way; once in town, use the A Re Yeng bus system (R8.50 per trip, R25 day pass).
When is the best time to visit Pretoria?
April and September: mild, dry days (18-25°C) with fewer tourists than the school-holiday peaks. April has late-autumn light; September brings early spring blooms.
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.