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Nestled in a serene and secure residential suburb of Kempton Park, just 10 km from Johannesburg International Airport (O.R. Tambo), African Rock Hotel, with its 11 rooms, offers a unique blend of relaxed exclusivity, luxury, and tranquillity. Away from the noise of flight paths, our boutique lifestyle resort is perfectly situated with quick highway access to Johannesburg, Sandton, and Pretoria. This exclusive boutique lifestyle resort is a private sanctuary where only registered guests can enjoy the boutique resort facilities. Set amidst a well-established lush tropical garden, it features a heated swimming pool and a spacious outdoor patio for relaxing and socializing in comfort. The hotel’s architecture and interiors harmoniously fuse African, Western, and Oriental design trends, creating a warm, welcoming, and contemporary atmosphere. Modern-day technologies ensure an effortlessly comfortable stay for every guest.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to TGCSA - Tourism Grading Council of South Africa.
From the minute I was met at the airport by Lucky I was made to feel welcome. The short airport transfer in an air conditioned minivan was quick and pleasant to this gorgeous boutique hotel with a bird filled tropical garden. On arrival online check in was professional and quick. Dinner at the Blue Hippo Restaurant was world class and the lanterns in the garden around the pool created a fabulous ambience, so homely and inviting. The interior decor of the hotel including the double volume executive suite were extremely tasteful and luxurious. Highly recommend at least 2 nights to overcome jet lag and enjoy the spa treatments available at the spa upstairs. You will be well looked after by the whole team at this hidden gem, their attention to detail will impress any intrepid traveller.
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Date of stay: December 2024
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Trip type: Travelled solo
Room Tip:Request for a room with a garden /pool view.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Otti Meijer, Owner at African Rock Hotel and Spa
Responded 12 Dec 2024
Hi there, Thank you for taking the time to write such a detailed review. Much appreciated by all here at African Rock Hotel & Spa. We are happy that you enjoyed your stay here with us!. We wish you many more happy travels!! Best, the team at ARH
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This hotel is absolutely Devine. The room is perfect The staff are incredible The bathroom is beyond expectations The food was fantastic We all loved this hotel and we wished we had more time perfect hotel for any occasion!! Thank you so much
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Date of stay: October 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Otti Meijer, Owner at African Rock Hotel and Spa
Responded 22 Oct 2024
Hi there, Thank you very much for taking the time to write a review. We are glad you enjoyed your stay here with us, although it was a short one. We wish you many more happy travels!! Warm regards from all of us here at ARH.
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The African Rock Hotel & SPA was great, they gave us a pretty big room where the hotel staff treated us wonderfully. Although we were late, they did us the favor of washing our clothes (which was no small thing) and we gave ourselves one of Top-rated couples massages they have ever given us. We stayed less than 24h but it served us to rest and continue the journey with the batteries charged
We were picked up from the airport very punctual and friendly
The food was delicious, both dinner (carpaccio de kudu highly recommended) and breakfast (pancakes and fruit, very good) we loved, that yes a lot 😊
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Date of stay: August 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Staff are very friendly, location is ok, 30 minutes from the airport. Rooms are nice and well serviced. But it’s way way overpriced for what it is. Our stay was booked as an add on to an African Safari tour. I have travelled to over 50 countries and stayed in some 5 star hotels and resorts, this is not one of them. To pay $500-$600 AU a night for these rooms is ludicrous. Rooms are not large, only average furnishings and fittings. You will get a lot better value for money staying at suite at a Hilton, Marriott or Hyatt. For similar money or even less you will get a two room suite in Johannesburg.
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Date of stay: February 2025Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Otti Meijer, Owner at African Rock Hotel and Spa
Responded 3 weeks ago
Thank you for your review and for taking the time to share your thoughts. While we appreciate your feedback, we would like to take a moment to highlight the unique experience that African Rock Hotel & Spa offers compared to large-scale chain hotels. Our boutique hotel is intentionally designed to provide a more personalized, intimate, and bespoke experience, which is a stark contrast to the often impersonal nature of large chains such as Hilton, Marriott, or Hyatt. At African Rock, you are not just another guest—our well-trained and well-compensated team is dedicated to ensuring that each stay is tailored to your needs. We take pride in delivering attentive service that larger hotels simply cannot match. While we understand that pricing can be a significant factor in choosing where to stay, we believe the value of a boutique experience lies in the intimate atmosphere, exclusivity, and carefully curated services and amenities that many travellers seek when looking for something different from the large, cookie-cutter hotel chains. We would also like to note that all relevant information about African Rock, including rates, room details, and services, is readily available for perusal on our website and other social media platforms, including TripAdvisor. We have, however, no influence on how well guests are informing themselves prior to booking. This transparency ensures that guests, as well as their relevant booking agents, have all the information they need to make an informed decision before booking, allowing them to fully assess the value of the experience we provide. We appreciate that your previous experiences in five-star hotels have shaped your expectations, but our boutique offering isn’t designed to replicate large-scale properties. Instead, we aim to provide something more special, unique, and connected to the local character and culture. We believe this is what sets us apart and provides value beyond just the physical size or furnishings of the room. Thank you again for your feedback, and we wish you many more Happy Travels!
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Very nice boutique hotel in Johannesburg, few rooms make you feeling the only guest, and rooms are filled with all nice details to make them each different. Dining is superb, with internal kitchen and chef, only slightly slow at breakfast during peak hour. Very quiet and safe, continently close to the international airport
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Date of stay: September 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Otti Meijer, Owner at African Rock Hotel and Spa
Responded 26 Sept 2022
Thank you for writing a review Marco. We are glad you enjoyed your stay with us! We wish you many more happy travels, best regards, Otti & Zelda and team ARH
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Great hotel to start our journey past a number of lodges. The meet & greet at the airport is a nice extra service. The hotel is quietly located a short distance from the airport, which is convenient if you pick up your rental car at the airport the next day (transfer to the airport is also included). The lady who took us to the airport took the time along the way to explain the traffic rules and what you should pay attention to, very attentive! The rooms are spacious with good beds. Lovely garden to relax after the long flight.
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Date of stay: May 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The beauty of this hotel lies in its grounds and its cuisine. In fact, I was a little put off by the cramped dining area and definitely by the gray carpet and somewhat tacky furnishings of Room 1 when we arrived at night. The next morning, I changed my tune. The gardens are thickly lush and well-tended. The outdoor tables are comfortable and, at dinner, a lovely fire crackled.
We actually felt like we had a private chef since the only other couple ate early before an international flight. We stopped by the homey kitchen to discuss her recommendations. My extremely tender springbok was from a local farm. The veggies were perfect as was the sauce. Dessert was delicious. My husband enjoyed his fish, not at all overcooked as can happen, and the papaya salsa served with it.
In the morning the lattes were excellent and my husband pronounced the everything omelette the best he’d ever eaten.
Not least, Dineo, the driver helped us with a pharmacy and optician in a very proactive, professional and persistent way. She’s a gem.
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Date of stay: March 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Otti Meijer, Owner at African Rock Hotel and Spa
Responded 1 Apr 2024
Hi there, Thank you for taking the time to write a review! I am glad your feelings flipped for the better. :) Just to add to your comments. Our dining areas are sufficient in size for our 11 suites and seat 30 patrons comfortably. The gray carpet is just that, grey with a speckle as part of the interior design. The tacky thing, you must have gotten from the deliberately distressed look as an interior design feature achieved by a specialized paint technic. Dineo is always happy to be of service and will help wherever she can. We are glad you enjoyed your stay with us and wish you many more happy travels. Best, the team at ARH.
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Lovely small hotel with great service. The gardens make you feel a million miles away, the open fire takes the chill off in the evening. Very well decorated with some original art works Would definitely stay again thank you.
We only stayed for one night as a stop over but again a very good hotel.
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Date of stay: January 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Otti Meijer, Owner at African Rock Hotel and Spa
Responded 15 Feb 2024
Hi there, Thank you for writing this review, we are glad that you enjoyed your stay with us. We wish you many more happy travels!! For a next time, keep our city break specials in mind and explore Johannesburg and surrounds with an experienced guide.
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Super great little boutique hotel. Unfortunately we were only there one night which was far too short next time definitely book two nights Staff very friendly rooms very tastefully and quality furnished. Food and breakfast was also very delicious
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Date of stay: November 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Just a wonderful place to stay! Very nice Spa, great food , special gift shop, extremely helpful and warm and friendly staff. We were only there one night , but will return again. We would choose to stay there instead of the airport hotel, it’s convenient and they offer a free shuttle.
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Date of stay: April 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Otti Meijer, Owner at African Rock Hotel and Spa
Responded 7 May 2023
Hi there Rachel, thank you for the review, much appreciated by all here at African Rock. Until the next time! Happy Travels,
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
There are more places to choose from in the Kempton Park area.
PRICE RANGE
HK$2,635 - HK$3,008 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
South AfricaGautengGreater JohannesburgKempton Park
NUMBER OF ROOMS
11
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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