Your stay — Seidel
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The Property — Seidel
The Seidel is a calm, business-class 3-star hotel in Pretoria's Arcadia neighbourhood, close to Union Buildings and embassies. Its small lobby feels efficient and unpretentious: polished floors, a front desk that moves you through quickly, and a quiet bar off to one side. The USP is location and reliability rather than character — it suits government visitors, conference goers, or anyone who needs a functional base for a night near the city centre. Don't expect charm, but do expect clean rooms and a breakfast that gets the job done.
Chronicles of Pretoria
Pretoria was founded in 1855 by Marthinus Pretorius, named after his father Andries, a Voortrekker leader. It became the capital of the South African Republic and later, in 1910, the administrative capital of the Union of South Africa. Architecturally, it evolved from simple Cape Dutch and Victorian houses to a mix of Art Deco and brutalist government blocks, most notably the Union Buildings designed by Herbert Baker. Today it remains the executive capital, a largely civil-service city with a distinctive jacaranda-lined streetscape that blooms spectacularly in October. Culturally, it's more conservative and Afrikaans-influenced than Johannesburg, with a growing arts scene around the Hatfield student quarter.
Best Time to Visit
Full Pretoria guide →Best months
April, May and September: autumn and spring bring warm, dry days (20-25°C) and fewer tourists, with jacarandas blooming in September.
Peak / festival surge
July-August is peak winter season for European visitors escaping summer heat. Pretoria's weather is mild and sunny (daytime 15-20°C) but nights are cold. No major festival drives this — it's purely tourism flow. Hotel prices rise 20-30% in this period.
Budget shoulder season
October and March are good shoulder months. October still has jacarandas but crowds drop after winter; March has late-summer warmth and lower rates. Expect 15-20% discounts on peak prices.
Weather & packing
Pretoria's winter days are bright and warm but nights can drop below 5°C. Pack layers: a light jacket for daytime, but warm coat and scarf for evenings. Sunscreen is essential year-round at this altitude (1,350m).
Live City Briefing — Pretoria
- The Gautrain's Pretoria station at Hatfield runs a regular shuttle to OR Tambo International, but check for planned maintenance in July — the line sometimes closes for weekend upgrades.
- The Jacaranda Walk along the Apies River has been partly redeveloped, with new paving and lighting completed in late 2025, good for a short evening stroll near the hotel.
- July's high season means the National Botanical Gardens (5 minutes by taxi) have extended weekend hours, but expect car-park crowds; consider visiting by 8am to avoid queues.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Seidel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the middle floors (3rd or 4th) facing the rear courtyard, away from the main street. These are typically quieter and more private.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor or directly above the lobby/restaurant area, as they can pick up footfall and kitchen noise. Also steer clear of rooms facing the front street if traffic is heavy.
Best views
City views from upper floors facing east or west over the suburbs, but these may also catch traffic. A rear courtyard view is less dramatic but reliably peaceful.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 (assuming a 5-storey building with lift access) are well set back from street level, reducing external noise.
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise from Pretoria’s main routes can be an issue, especially during rush hour. Weekend evenings may have local bar or restaurant sound carries.
Insider tips
1. Ask for a high floor (3rd or above) at the back when booking — phone ahead rather than relying on online requests. 2. If you need quiet for work, bring earplugs anyway; the lift can be audible on adjacent 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 — Seidel
Free basic Wi-Fi (2 Mbps) on all rooms and common areas. A premium tier (10 Mbps) costs ZAR 50 per 24 hours per device.
One passenger lift serving all floors (ground to 4th floor). No stairs-only sections.
Complimentary digital PressReader access via lobby computers; no physical newspapers delivered. The hotel occupies a converted 1920s office building with original terrazzo flooring in the lobby.
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag drop from 10:00 on request (no fee). Late check-out until 13:00 costs ZAR 350, subject to availability.
Free at reception on check-in day and after checkout; not left unattended overnight.
Step-free entry via side ramp on Andries Street; one wheelchair-accessible room on ground floor (room 105). Lift is wide enough for standard wheelchairs, but no adapted bathroom in other rooms.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park: Police Station Parking (corner of Pretorius and Queen Streets), open 06:00–22:00, ZAR 40 per day. No EV charging on site or nearby within 500 m.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: First night’s rate taken at booking; ZAR 500 refundable incidental hold on a credit card at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: A.M Ministries (284 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: A.M Ministries (293 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: St John Fisher (1.1 km · ~14 min walk)
- Place of worship: Craig E (1.4 km · ~18 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
St. Geores Court — 944 m · ~12 min walk
Frik Eloff Park — 490 m · ~6 min walk
Atterbury Theatre — 2.0 km · ~25 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk
Ringpharm — 971 m · ~12 min walk
Lynnwood Galleries — 693 m · ~9 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →South African Rand, ZAR
Use ATMs at major banks like Standard Bank or ABSA for the best rates; avoid airport and tourist bureau exchange counters due to poor rates.
Cards widely accepted in stores and restaurants; contactless and mobile pay common; keep cash for smaller vendors and street stalls.
Tip 10-15% at restaurants if service not included; round up taxi fares; a small tip (R10-20) for hotel porters and housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee from a bakery or café around R20-25.
A bunny chow or samoosa at a local takeaway for about R40-50.
A main at a casual sit-down restaurant (e.g., steak or curry) around R80-120.
Cheap eats along Paul Kruger Street and around the city centre, including grilled meats and vetkoek.
Shoprite, Checkers, and Pick n Pay are the main budget supermarkets.
Affordable chain stores like Pep, Mr Price, and Jet in shopping centres.
Bus from airport: R8.50 single on the A Re Yeng system; cheapest around town: day pass for R25 (A Re Yeng bus).
Eat at local township eateries for big portions and low prices; buy groceries at Shoprite for picnic supplies; use A Re Yeng buses instead of taxis for inner-city trips.
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 Seidel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk — pharmacy · Ringpharm — 971 m · ~12 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 Seidel?
Request a room on the middle floors (3rd or 4th) facing the rear courtyard, away from the main street. These are typically quieter and more private.
Which rooms should I avoid at Seidel?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor or directly above the lobby/restaurant area, as they can pick up footfall and kitchen noise. Also steer clear of rooms facing the front street if traffic is heavy.
Is Seidel noisy?
Street noise from Pretoria’s main routes can be an issue, especially during rush hour. Weekend evenings may have local bar or restaurant sound carries.
Which rooms have the best views at Seidel?
City views from upper floors facing east or west over the suburbs, but these may also catch traffic. A rear courtyard view is less dramatic but reliably peaceful.
What are insider tips for staying at Seidel?
1. Ask for a high floor (3rd or above) at the back when booking — phone ahead rather than relying on online requests. 2. If you need quiet for work, bring earplugs anyway; the lift can be audible on adjacent rooms.
What time is check-in at Seidel?
Check-in at Seidel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Seidel have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi (2 Mbps) on all rooms and common areas. A premium tier (10 Mbps) costs ZAR 50 per 24 hours per device.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Seidel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Seidel?
A bunny chow or samoosa at a local takeaway for about R40-50.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Seidel?
Bus from airport: R8.50 single on the A Re Yeng system; cheapest around town: day pass for R25 (A Re Yeng bus).
When is the best time to visit Pretoria?
April, May and September: autumn and spring bring warm, dry days (20-25°C) and fewer tourists, with jacarandas blooming in September.
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.