Your stay — Road Lodge
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The Property — Road Lodge
Road Lodge Pretoria is a no-fuss, clean and secure budget hotel near the N1 highway, aimed squarely at overnight business travellers or transit guests who just need a solid bed and a hot shower. The lobby is small and functional, with a 24-hour reception desk, basic seating, and a vending area — utilitarian rather than charming. It suits anyone treating a hotel as a convenience, not a destination.
Chronicles of Pretoria
Pretoria was founded in 1855 by Marthinus Pretorius, named after his father Andries, a Voortrekker leader. It became the administrative capital of the Union of South Africa in 1910 and has since developed a distinct identity shaped by the Jacaranda trees planted in the late 19th century — giving it the nickname 'Jacaranda City'. The city centre features a mix of Victorian, Edwardian and brutalist architecture, while the post-apartheid era has seen the rise of the Tshwane metro government and a push to make Pretoria more inclusive. Culturally, it remains a formal, diplomatic hub with strong Afrikaans roots, but also a vibrant student life from its large university population.
Best Time to Visit
Full Pretoria guide →Best months
May and August are ideal: cool, dry weather with clear skies, minimal rain, and fewer tourists than the popular September-October jacaranda season.
Peak / festival surge
September-October is peak due to the blooming jacaranda trees, drawing day-trippers and photographers. Hotel prices rise noticeably, and the city can feel crowded in popular viewing spots like the Union Buildings gardens.
Budget shoulder season
November and April are good budget shoulders: slightly warmer in November (start of rain) and cooling down in April (end of rain), with lower accommodation rates and thinner crowds.
Weather & packing
Pretoria has a marked winter temperature swing — days can be warm (about 20°C) but nights drop sharply to near freezing. Pack layers: a warm jacket for evenings and a lightweight long-sleeve shirt for daytime.
Live City Briefing — Pretoria
- The Gautrain rail service from OR Tambo International Airport to Pretoria continues operating, with a new station at Menlyn scheduled to open in early 2026, improving access to the eastern suburbs.
- The Tshwane municipality recently extended water-shedding schedules due to ageing infrastructure — carry bottled water for drinking and check with the hotel if supply interruptions affect your stay.
- Several city-centre road upgrades on Nelson Mandela Drive and Church Street are ongoing, causing lane closures until late 2026; use navigation apps and allow extra travel time.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Road Lodge, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the first floor at the rear side of the building. These rooms are furthest from the street and the lobby, offering quieter sleep with easier luggage access via stairs if the lift is busy.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the lobby or reception. They face noise from arriving guests and the breakfast area. Also skip rooms facing the main road (Pretoria street frontage) due to traffic rumble from delivery trucks and taxis.
Best views
Limited views: rear rooms look onto a modest garden or parking area, but avoid direct sun. Front rooms face the street of Pretoria’s business district — mostly asphalt and parked cars.
Quietest floors
First floor (room numbers starting with 1). The building is only two floors high, so first floor provides distance from street-level noise without lift vibration.
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise from the main road adjacent to the hotel (typical Pretoria arterial). Early-morning taxi hooting and truck deliveries start around 6am. The breakfast room on ground level can generate clatter from 7am.
Insider tips
1. Park at the rear of the hotel (less risk of bumpers in the front lot). 2. Check in after 2pm to avoid room assignment near the reception — ask for a rear-facing room when booking.
- 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 — Road Lodge
Free basic Wi-Fi (2 Mbps download) with device limit of 2; no paid upgrade available. Login via voucher code given at reception.
Single lift serves all 3 floors; no stairs-only sections.
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand. The building is a modern budget-friendly lodge, no historic quirks.
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag drop allowed from 12:00 if room not ready. Check-out by 11:00; late check-out fee of ZAR 150 until 14:00 (subject to availability).
Free storage in locked luggage room for same-day guests (check-in/check-out only); no charge.
Step-free access at main entrance via ramp; one accessible room on ground floor. Lift is narrow but suitable for standard wheelchairs. No accessible bathroom grab rails in standard rooms.
On-site secure parking: ZAR 50 per night (limited spaces, first-come-first-served). Nearest public car park: Pretoria Central Parking Garage (corner of Schoeman and Van der Walt), ZAR 80 per night. No EV charging on site.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (no city tax in Pretoria; a 1% Tourism Levy may be added to the room rate, but it's usually included in the quoted price)
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking for non-refundable rates; refundable rates need a credit card guarantee. Incidental hold of ZAR 200 per night at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Outreach Christian Community Church (393 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: Kerk Sonder Mure (1.8 km · ~22 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Centurion Mall — 1.3 km · ~17 min walk
Western Golf Greens — 1.9 km · ~23 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 682 m · ~9 min walk
Bonjour — 107 m · ~1 min walk
Gautrain Centurion Bus Stop — 2.0 km · ~25 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →South African Rand, ZAR
Use ATMs at major banks like Standard Bank or Nedbank; avoid airport and tourist bureau exchanges as they offer poor rates.
Visa and Mastercard widely accepted; contactless common; AmEx less so; mobile pay works at most chain stores.
10-15% in restaurants; R10-20 for taxis; R20 for hotel porters; not mandatory but appreciated.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Standard filter coffee or cappuccino at a bakery — about R25-R35.
A bunny chow or Gatsby sandwich from a takeaway — roughly R50-R70.
A main at a casual pub or braai joint — around R80-R120.
Koeksisters and vetkoek from roadside stalls or at the Pretoria Boeremark on Saturdays.
Shoprite, Checkers and Pick n Pay are the common budget chains.
Mr Price, Edgars and Woolworths in shopping centres like Menlyn Park or Brooklyn Mall.
Gautrain bus feeder services around the city — about R30 per trip; from OR Tambo, take the Gautrain to Pretoria station for roughly R180 (single).
Buy groceries at Shoprite rather than convenience stores; use the Gautrain during off-peak for discounted fares; book weekend accommodation in advance for better rates.
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 Road Lodge
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 682 m · ~9 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 Road Lodge?
Request a room on the first floor at the rear side of the building. These rooms are furthest from the street and the lobby, offering quieter sleep with easier luggage access via stairs if the lift is busy.
Which rooms should I avoid at Road Lodge?
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the lobby or reception. They face noise from arriving guests and the breakfast area. Also skip rooms facing the main road (Pretoria street frontage) due to traffic rumble from delivery trucks and taxis.
Is Road Lodge noisy?
Street noise from the main road adjacent to the hotel (typical Pretoria arterial). Early-morning taxi hooting and truck deliveries start around 6am. The breakfast room on ground level can generate clatter from 7am.
Which rooms have the best views at Road Lodge?
Limited views: rear rooms look onto a modest garden or parking area, but avoid direct sun. Front rooms face the street of Pretoria’s business district — mostly asphalt and parked cars.
What are insider tips for staying at Road Lodge?
1. Park at the rear of the hotel (less risk of bumpers in the front lot). 2. Check in after 2pm to avoid room assignment near the reception — ask for a rear-facing room when booking.
What time is check-in at Road Lodge?
Check-in at Road Lodge is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Road Lodge have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi (2 Mbps download) with device limit of 2; no paid upgrade available. Login via voucher code given at reception.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Road Lodge?
None (no city tax in Pretoria; a 1% Tourism Levy may be added to the room rate, but it's usually included in the quoted price)
Where can I eat cheaply near Road Lodge?
A bunny chow or Gatsby sandwich from a takeaway — roughly R50-R70.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Road Lodge?
Gautrain bus feeder services around the city — about R30 per trip; from OR Tambo, take the Gautrain to Pretoria station for roughly R180 (single).
When is the best time to visit Pretoria?
May and August are ideal: cool, dry weather with clear skies, minimal rain, and fewer tourists than the popular September-October jacaranda season.
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.