🇿🇦 Pretoria, South Africa
Oppi Hoek Guest House
📍 196, Blake Street, Pretoria, 0084
Your stay — Oppi Hoek Guest House
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 — Oppi Hoek Guest House
Oppi Hoek Guest House occupies a quiet residential street in the suburb of Groenkloof, a few minutes' drive from Pretoria's city centre. The house is a solid, mid-century family home converted into five en-suite rooms, with a leafy garden and a small pool. It suits independent travellers who need a clean, no-fuss base near nature reserves like the Voortrekker Monument and the Faerie Glen Nature Reserve. There is no restaurant or bar, just a shared lounge and a pleasant patio — you are renting a comfortable room in someone's well-run house.
Chronicles of Pretoria
Pretoria was founded in 1855 by Marthinus Pretorius, named after his father Andries Pretorius, a leader of the Voortrekkers. The city's central grid was laid out on a classic colonial plan, with straight avenues and a central square — Church Square — flanked by historic sandstone buildings including the Palace of Justice and the Old Raadsaal. The 20th century brought grand public works like the Union Buildings, designed by Sir Herbert Baker, which sit on Meintjieskop and form the administrative heart of South Africa's executive branch. Today Pretoria remains a dual-identity city: it is the diplomatic and civil-service capital ('Jacaranda City' for its late-spring purple bloom) but also a rapidly Africanising metropolis with a young population, good universities, and a growing arts and food scene.
Best Time to Visit
Full Pretoria guide →Best months
May and August offer mild, dry days (15–22°C) and very little rain, with fewer visitors than the peak June–July winter holiday period.
Peak / festival surge
July is the busiest month: South Africa's winter school break pushes families to explore Pretoria's museums and nature reserves. Hotel rates rise by 20–30%. The Voortrekker Monument's annual celebration on 16 December (Day of Reconciliation) also draws crowds.
Budget shoulder season
September gives you spring wildflowers in the Magaliesberg area, warmer days (18–25°C) and lower room rates before the October heatwave. April is also good: autumn colours, fewer tourists, and prices 15% below peak.
Weather & packing
Pretoria in winter is crisp and sunny by day (around 20°C) but drops to 3–6°C at night — you need a warm jacket for mornings and evenings. Pack layered clothing and a windproof outer layer; a light scarf and hat are useful.
Live City Briefing — Pretoria
- The Gautrain rapid rail link from Pretoria station to OR Tambo International Airport is running on a normal schedule; check for any planned maintenance in July as the line often closes for weekend engineering work.
- The R21 highway into Pretoria from the south has intermittent roadworks near the Lynnwood Road exit; allow an extra 15–20 minutes for travel.
- The annual 'Pretoria Day' celebrations on 1 July at Church Square feature free concerts and food stalls, causing street closures and parking challenges from midday.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Oppi Hoek Guest House, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the first floor overlooking the rear garden. These are farthest from Blake Street traffic and have a quieter aspect.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms facing the street (even numbers likely). They get direct noise from Blake Street and passing cars, plus less privacy.
Best views
Rear-facing rooms on the first floor offer decent garden views over the residential suburb. Front-facing rooms look onto Blake Street and parked cars.
Quietest floors
First floor (the one above the ground floor). Upper floors are not specified in a 3-star guest house without a lift, so first floor is the only realistic quieter level.
🔊 Noise notes
Blake Street is a residential road but carries local traffic – not a major highway. Noise peaks in morning and late afternoon. Guest house may have shared spaces (lounge/kitchen) on ground floor.
Insider tips
1. Parking is likely off-street but tight – arrive before 5pm to secure a spot. 2. Ask for a first-floor room with garden outlook when booking – they’re quieter and have better light.
- 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 — Oppi Hoek Guest House
Free WiFi throughout; typical speed 10 Mbps down; no login, just select network
No lift; all rooms on ground floor or stair-access only
Complimentary digital PressReader on a shared tablet in lounge; no physical papers delivered
Standard check-in 14:00–20:00; early bag-drop free if room ready; late check-out until 12:00 costs 50% of night rate, after 12:00 full night
Free luggage storage in reception area
Two ground-floor rooms with wide doors and step-free entry; no wheelchair lift; bathroom grab bars available on request
Free on-site gated parking for 6 cars; nearest public parking is Brooklyn Mall Garage 400m away at R15/hour; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: 50% advance deposit required at booking; R500 incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Riviera Family Fellowship (529 m · ~7 min walk)
- Church: St Columbia Catholic Church (1.1 km · ~14 min walk)
- Place of worship: Church of Scientology of Pretoria (1.8 km · ~22 min walk)
- Church: NG Arcadia (1.8 km · ~23 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Vista Do Sol Centre — 1.3 km · ~17 min walk
Rietondale Park — 1.6 km · ~19 min walk
Liesl Meintjies — 2.1 km · ~27 min walk
Nelson Mandela Amphitheatre — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk
Gezina Pharmacy — 1.3 km · ~17 min walk
Quickshop — 828 m · ~10 min walk
Gezina — 1.7 km · ~22 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →South African Rand, ZAR
Use ATMs from major banks like Standard Bank or First National Bank for better rates; avoid exchange bureaux at airports and tourist spots.
Cards widely accepted at major retailers and restaurants, but keep cash for small shops, taxis, and market stalls.
10-15% at restaurants; round up taxi fares; R10-20 per bag for hotel porters.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee from a coffee shop or bakery around R15-25.
Bunny chow or a pie from a café or takeaway for R60-80.
A main at a casual family restaurant such as a steakhouse or Portuguese place for R100-150.
Kota (a hollowed-out bread filled with chips and meat) or boerewors rolls from street vendors or local spaza shops.
Shoprite, Checkers, and Pick n Pay are the main budget supermarkets in 0084.
Affordable clothing at chains like Mr Price or Edgars, or the flea market at the Montana Park or Wonderboom Junction areas.
Minibus taxis are the cheapest for local trips (around R10-15 per ride), but Uber is recommended from OR Tambo airport to Pretoria (approx R400-500).
Buy groceries from Shoprite or Checkers instead of eating out; use Uber for airport transfers rather than airport shuttles; avoid tipping extra on top of included service charges.
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 Oppi Hoek Guest House
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk — pharmacy · Gezina Pharmacy — 1.3 km · ~17 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 Oppi Hoek Guest House?
Request a room on the first floor overlooking the rear garden. These are farthest from Blake Street traffic and have a quieter aspect.
Which rooms should I avoid at Oppi Hoek Guest House?
Avoid ground-floor rooms facing the street (even numbers likely). They get direct noise from Blake Street and passing cars, plus less privacy.
Is Oppi Hoek Guest House noisy?
Blake Street is a residential road but carries local traffic – not a major highway. Noise peaks in morning and late afternoon. Guest house may have shared spaces (lounge/kitchen) on ground floor.
Which rooms have the best views at Oppi Hoek Guest House?
Rear-facing rooms on the first floor offer decent garden views over the residential suburb. Front-facing rooms look onto Blake Street and parked cars.
What are insider tips for staying at Oppi Hoek Guest House?
1. Parking is likely off-street but tight – arrive before 5pm to secure a spot. 2. Ask for a first-floor room with garden outlook when booking – they’re quieter and have better light.
What time is check-in at Oppi Hoek Guest House?
Check-in at Oppi Hoek Guest House is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Oppi Hoek Guest House have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi throughout; typical speed 10 Mbps down; no login, just select network
Is there a city or tourist tax at Oppi Hoek Guest House?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Oppi Hoek Guest House?
Bunny chow or a pie from a café or takeaway for R60-80.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Oppi Hoek Guest House?
Minibus taxis are the cheapest for local trips (around R10-15 per ride), but Uber is recommended from OR Tambo airport to Pretoria (approx R400-500).
When is the best time to visit Pretoria?
May and August offer mild, dry days (15–22°C) and very little rain, with fewer visitors than the peak June–July winter holiday period.
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.