Highlights
Outdoor pool, stylish rooms, excellent location, delicious breakfast, phenomenal service, and NO GYM(??!!).
Booking
The African Pride is an Autograph Collection hotel and part of the Marriott portfolio, so you may use and earn Marriott points for stays here. Average rates at the hotel seem to go for about 250$ a night or 12,500 points, so I’d say points are a fantastic value here.
Hotel Lobby
Location
The hotel is located in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg, in among the nicest and safest areas in the city, Melrose Arch. While Johan1nesburg is a massive city, the location should be great for most people traveling to the city on business or pleasure. Just outside of the hotel is the Melrose Arch shopping and business complex where you have access to dozens of restaurants, cafes, shops, and many businesses who have offices in the
area.
The Room
Though I am often upgraded to larger rooms or suites, the hotel has just 12 larger executive rooms which were sold out and only one suite (the presidential suite) which was booked as well. I was given room 304, a standard room facing the back of the hotel. For a standard room, I was very impressed. The room featured a separate bathtub and shower, espresso maker, TV, desk, plenty of space to store things, and some interesting décor. The room wasn’t so large, but was comfortable for one or two people.
Breakfast
This is where I was really blown away. Breakfast was served in the restaurant just adjacent to the main lobby. The space was so nicely decorated and I enjoyed a lengthy breakfast while I got some work done there. There was so much variety ranging from, meats, fish, fruits, sweets, South African food, hot dishes, juices, coffee and more! The food was of very high quality as well compared to the usual hotel breakfast.
Extras
Maybe the most disappointing part of the hotel are the extra amenities they offer. There is no gym at the hotel, rather you can pay about 25$ per day to use a gym about 300 meters away from the hotel. The hotel does have
an outdoor pool which, though on the small side, is a great area to relax in
the summer heat. Due to the summer storms that hit Johannesburg every afternoon however, I didn’t get the change to go for a swim. What I did appreciate was that the hotel put out a spread of drinks, champagne, and snacks by the front desk, complementary for all guests throughout the day.
Bottom Line
The African Pride is a great place to stay for most people visiting Johannesburg. While it is pricey, the points rate offers phenomenal value here and I would no doubt stay here again. Though the lack of a gym was
very disappointing, the hotel made up for this in other areas that made for a great stay!