Johannesburg is the seat of business, power and commerce in Africa, so it’s no surprise that there are plenty of hotels there that cater to the corporate set. Running the gamut from budget and luxury, there are literally thousands of places to lay your head while you’re doing business in Jozi. While you could potentially stay in any of them and still manage to get work done, there are some that go above and beyond to meet the needs of business travelers. Here are our picks for the top business hotels in Johannesburg.

Radisson Blu Gautrain, Sandton

If you want the most convenient location when coming from the airport to Sandton, it’s hard to beat the Radisson Blu Gautrain. The hotel is directly opposite the Sandton Gautrain station exit, and even offers a rental car center onsite. It’s also an easy walk to Sandton City, Nelson Mandela Square and numerous office buildings that line the streets around the station. The hotel features 216 rooms with urban-chic decor throughout. There are several public spaces for business meetings in the hotel, including comfy booths and over-sized chairs for getting work done. Although it’s in the center of a busy commercial area, it’s quiet due to the hotel’s double-glazed windows, ensuring that you’ll get a great night’s sleep before the big meeting.

Intercontinental Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport

The best place to do business in Johannesburg just might be at the airport. The Intercontinental even beats the Radisson Blu in convenience, as you can literally walk straight out of the airport’s downstairs arrivals area, across the street, and into the lobby in less than two minutes. This hotel has everything a business traveler could want, including multiple conference rooms, a fabulous restaurant, a rooftop spa and workout center with panoramic views of the city, a cigar lounge, and an excellent lobby for hanging out. Many travelers with long airport layovers choose to book a day room here and spend their time indulging in spa services or relaxing in the lavish lobby, which is much better than waiting in the dreary airport. The rooms at the Intercontinental come with large business desks, speedy complimentary WiFi, Nespresso machines and exclusive TV systems that displaying work and pictures. There are even two presidential suites on site, each equipped with an entire office, including a desktop computer and printer. You could literally run a business from here if you wanted to.

Royal Elephant Hotel & Conference Center, Centurion

Centurion, which is located between Johannesburg and Pretoria, is a secondary business hub in Gauteng. Business travelers who need a great place to stay around Centurion will love the Royal Elephant Hotel. While it’s not quite as polished as some of the hotels in Sandton, it has a grand lobby, plenty of conference facilities, and multiple restaurants, bars, luxurious rooms and suites. The lounge area is perfect for entertaining guests in the evening and features a fantastic fireplace. Design-wise the Royal Elephant is quite different from most other hotels in Johannesburg, featuring a Moroccan theme throughout instead of the typical African or modern styling. It’s also convenient to the highway and the Gautrain, allowing business travelers to get to and fro with ease. 

Hyatt Regency, Rosebank

The Hyatt Regency is probably the best hotel in Rosebank catering to business travelers. It might even be the best hotel in the area, period, given its five-star amenities and convenience. Guests appreciate the fully equipped fitness center, heated rooftop pool, steam room, travel agency, car rental desk, limo service, currency exchange, and valet. Of course, the hotel also features stylish rooms with an African theme, large conference and meeting facilities, a cigar and wine bar, and a well-equipped business center. Business travelers enjoy the convenience of the hotel’s location directly across the road from the Rosebank Mall and Rosebank Gautrain Station, which provides easy access to other areas like Sandton, downtown, and the airport.

African Pride, Melrose Arch

Melrose Arch is another popular center of business in Johannesburg, but the business hotel offerings in the area are mostly lacking in comparison to those in Sandton. However the African Pride saves the day. Guests get a grand entrance immediately upon entering, and the hotel does everything in its power to wow them — from the quirky touches in the lobby, to the whimsical artwork in the rooms made by local craftspeople. Business travelers will appreciate the conference and banquet area (which includes five boardrooms), along with a sound-proof room where they can relax and watch DVDs in private. If you want the best the hotel has to offer, make sure to book the executive suite on the top floor, which features a penthouse garden and fantastic views of the city.

Intercontinental Johannesburg Sandton Towers, Sandton

This property has the same upscale feel as the Intercontinental at the airport, and has recently gone through a complete renovation, adding design changes to the rooms, pool area and the fantastic Sky Walk roof. Most rooms at the towers are up high, giving guests prime views of the city and beyond. One of the best parts of this hotel is the Club Floor, an exclusive area that offers guests snacks, afternoon canapés and free use of the boardroom. Business travelers will enjoy the large business center, well-equipped gym, and fabulously relaxing spa. They can also use all of the conference facilities at the nearby Sandton Sun hotel or the Sandton Convention Centre, both connected to the hotel via a skywalk. The Gautrain, Sandton City mall and a dozen upscale restaurants are just a two-minute walk from the hotel.

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