Your stay — The Garces no. 10
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The Property — The Garces no. 10
The Garces no. 10 is a clean, no-fuss three-star guesthouse in Brooklyn, Pretoria’s leafy diplomatic quarter. You get solid brick walls, high pressed-tin ceilings, and a small garden pool that catches afternoon sun—this isn't design-led, but it's run with genuine care. It suits travellers who want quiet, walkable access to the city's best restaurants and government buildings without paying for hotel amenities they won't use. Standing in the lobby, you smell floor polish and fresh coffee, and the receptionist remembers your name.
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—an awkward compromise that stuck, leaving the city with three capitals' worth of bureaucracy. The grid of jacaranda-lined streets was laid by mid-century town planners, and the trees (over 70,000 of them) turn the city violet every October. Today it’s a polyglot place: Afrikaner heritage sits alongside fast-growing suburbs like Hatfield and Menlyn, driven by students from the University of Pretoria and the capital’s diplomatic corps. The city remains formal, slightly conservative, and more functional than glamorous, but its café culture and urban parks have quietly improved over the last decade.
Best Time to Visit
Full Pretoria guide →Best months
May, August, September. Autumn (May) gives crisp mornings and warm afternoons with empty streets; August-September is spring’s start—jacarandas begin to leaf, rain is minimal, and highveld light is sharp.
Peak / festival surge
October (jacaranda bloom). The city gets a flood of selfie tourists and wedding photographers; hotel rates jump 20–40%. The Pretoria Show (late September) also pushes demand. July is mid-winter but quietly busy with local leisure travellers escaping Cape Town’s cold.
Budget shoulder season
June and July. Winter is dry and cold (overnight lows near 2°C), but days are sunny. Crowds are thin, and guesthouses like The Garces often offer 10–15% discounts. November is also shoulder: still pleasant but thunderstorms begin afternoons.
Weather & packing
Pretoria’s climate quirk: it’s 1,300m above sea level, so a midwinter day can range from 3°C at dawn to 22°C by noon. Pack like a mountaineer going to a business meeting—layers are non-negotiable: a lightweight down jacket for mornings, short sleeves for afternoons, and always a sun hat (the UV index is brutal even in winter).
Live City Briefing — Pretoria
- Gautrain’s Hatfield station is fully operational but weekend frequency was cut in early 2026 to 30-minute intervals due to maintenance; check the timetable if you’re using it from OR Tambo airport.
- The Brooklyn Theatre (2 km from the hotel) reopened in May 2026 after a year-long refurbishment of its art deco interior—now showing a mix of indie films and live jazz every Friday.
- July is the height of Pretoria’s fire season; the city has issued a stage 1 air-quality warning for controlled burns in the Fountains Valley reserve. Keep windows shut if you smell smoke.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to The Garces no. 10, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the third or fourth floor facing the rear garden (away from Leander Road). These floors sit above street-level noise from the busy residential road and avoid foot traffic. The rear side overlooks the garden and parking, offering quieter mornings.
Rooms to avoid
Rooms on the ground floor near the entrance or reception area (likely facing Leander Road) are noisy from street traffic and arrivals. Also avoid any room adjacent to the lift shaft on any floor—stairwell and lift clatter carry through thin walls in a 3-star building.
Best views
Rooms on the upper floors (3-4) facing Leander Road get a wide view of the leafy suburban street. Rear-facing rooms view the garden or neighbouring properties—nothing striking, but pleasant greenery at this address in Pretoria's residential Arcadia district.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 (top floor in a typical low-rise building) are quietest, farthest from street level and lift traffic on the ground floor. No lift noise above this if it's a standard 4-floor property.
🔊 Noise notes
Leander Road is a main residential artery near schools and the Pretoria Zoo so expect morning school-run traffic (7-8.30am) and afternoon rush hour (4-6pm). Also a nearby church may ring bells on Sundays. The hotel's own parking area generates light car door noises in the evening.
Insider tips
1. Street-side rooms have afternoon sun that heats up the small rooms—pack a light sleeping mask and ask for a fan if the AC is weak. 2. Check in earlier (before 4pm) to grab a rear-facing room on floor 3-4; reception staff are helpful but often run out of upper-floor rooms later in the day.
- 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 — The Garces no. 10
Free Wi-Fi available throughout; speeds sufficient for browsing and email (approx. 10 Mbps download). No login constraints.
One lift serves all three floors (1–3); no stairs-only sections.
Complimentary digital access to PressReader; no physical newspapers delivered. The building is a converted 1920s guesthouse with original wooden staircase and pressed-metal ceiling in the lobby.
Standard check-in 14:00–20:00; early bag drop available from 10:00; late check-out (until 14:00) subject to ZAR 250 fee and availability.
Complimentary storage day of check-in/out at front desk; otherwise ZAR 100 per bag per day.
Step-free access via a ramp at the main entrance; one wheelchair-accessible ground-floor room (No. 2); no lift to the rooftop terrace (historic stairway only).
Free on-site parking for 8 cars (first come, first served). Nearest public car park: Strand Street Garage, 500 m away, ZAR 20 per night (18:00–08:00). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (no city or tourist tax levied in Pretoria).
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment of the first night required at booking; an incidental hold of ZAR 500 at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: New Apostolic Church Olympus (795 m · ~10 min walk)
- Church: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1.3 km · ~16 min walk)
- Church: NG Tygerpoort (1.8 km · ~22 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Olympus Village — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →South African Rand, ZAR
Use ATMs at banks like Absa or Standard Bank for the best rates; avoid airport or hotel exchange bureaus where spreads are poor.
Visa/Mastercard widely accepted in shops and restaurants; contactless pay is common in supermarkets and fast food. Smaller vendors and taxis prefer cash.
Restaurants: 10–15% for good service; taxis: round up or R10–R20; hotel porters: R10–R20 per bag; not expected but appreciated.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee or a cappuccino from a bakery or chain coffee shop – around R25–R35.
A bunny chow or a simple chicken wrap from a café or deli – roughly R55–R75.
A main of grilled meat or curry at a standard sit-down restaurant – about R100–R140.
Look for kota (quarter-loaf sandwich) or boerewors rolls at informal stands near taxi ranks and in places like Sunnyside; most street food is around R20–R40.
Common budget chains include Shoprite, Checkers (also the 24-hour ones), and Pick n Pay; there's a Spar in central areas.
Mr Price and PEP are the go-to high-street cheap clothing stores; for second-hand bargains try the flea market at the Pretoria City Hall on Saturdays.
The cheapest way around is the municipal bus (Tshwane Bus Service) – single ride about R5, or grab a metered taxi app like Uber for short trips (R40–R80 within the 0184 area). From OR Tambo Airport, take the Gautrain to Hatfield station (about R170) then a short Uber or bus; avoid airport taxis that charge flat rates over R500.
Buy groceries at Shoprite or Checkers and prepare picnics rather than eating out thrice daily. Use the Gautrain for airport runs instead of a taxi, and buy a Gautrain card for discounted fares. Look for 'daily specials' at supermarkets for reduced-price groceries like bread and milk.
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 The Garces no. 10
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 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 The Garces no. 10?
Request a room on the third or fourth floor facing the rear garden (away from Leander Road). These floors sit above street-level noise from the busy residential road and avoid foot traffic. The rear side overlooks the garden and parking, offering quieter mornings.
Which rooms should I avoid at The Garces no. 10?
Rooms on the ground floor near the entrance or reception area (likely facing Leander Road) are noisy from street traffic and arrivals. Also avoid any room adjacent to the lift shaft on any floor—stairwell and lift clatter carry through thin walls in a 3-star building.
Is The Garces no. 10 noisy?
Leander Road is a main residential artery near schools and the Pretoria Zoo so expect morning school-run traffic (7-8.30am) and afternoon rush hour (4-6pm). Also a nearby church may ring bells on Sundays. The hotel's own parking area generates light car door noises in the evening.
Which rooms have the best views at The Garces no. 10?
Rooms on the upper floors (3-4) facing Leander Road get a wide view of the leafy suburban street. Rear-facing rooms view the garden or neighbouring properties—nothing striking, but pleasant greenery at this address in Pretoria's residential Arcadia district.
What are insider tips for staying at The Garces no. 10?
1. Street-side rooms have afternoon sun that heats up the small rooms—pack a light sleeping mask and ask for a fan if the AC is weak. 2. Check in earlier (before 4pm) to grab a rear-facing room on floor 3-4; reception staff are helpful but often run out of upper-floor rooms later in the day.
What time is check-in at The Garces no. 10?
Check-in at The Garces no. 10 is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does The Garces no. 10 have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi available throughout; speeds sufficient for browsing and email (approx. 10 Mbps download). No login constraints.
Is there a city or tourist tax at The Garces no. 10?
None (no city or tourist tax levied in Pretoria).
Where can I eat cheaply near The Garces no. 10?
A bunny chow or a simple chicken wrap from a café or deli – roughly R55–R75.
What is the cheapest way to get around from The Garces no. 10?
The cheapest way around is the municipal bus (Tshwane Bus Service) – single ride about R5, or grab a metered taxi app like Uber for short trips (R40–R80 within the 0184 area). From OR Tambo Airport, take the Gautrain to Hatfield station (about R170) then a short Uber or bus; avoid airport taxis that charge flat rates over R500.
When is the best time to visit Pretoria?
May, August, September. Autumn (May) gives crisp mornings and warm afternoons with empty streets; August-September is spring’s start—jacarandas begin to leaf, rain is minimal, and highveld light is sharp.
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.