This recently renovated, modern hotel in Pretoria’s Hatfield neighborhood offers a good all-around experience and decent value for money.

The large, airy reception area opens onto gardens and a pool, with loads of floor-to-ceiling windows which light up the space. Check in was fast and efficient, and the staff very polite and professional.

Rooms are average sized and unremarkably furnished in basic beiges and reds. My room had two double beds, a desk, lots of closet space, and a small easy chair in the corner. Everything including lamps, TV, and bathroom fixtures were fully operational. The view over the pool and gardens was verdant and soothing. The only thing that was a little disappointing was the wi-fi speed, but most hotels in South Africa have this same issue.

As far as other amenities, the hotel has an in-house restaurant which offers a tasty and filling breakfast buffet, though it could have used a few more options. The fitness center was something of a standout compared to other nearby hotels – it was in a separate large room out in the garden, and featured newer equipment, a flat screen TV, and even a massage room.

The pool is on the small side, but the pool area is lovely and quiet, and not a bad place to spend a couple of hours on a hot summer afternoon. The only slight drawback of the hotel is the location: though it’s centrally located in Hatfield, it’s on a busy street that can get noisy during rush hour, and it can be hard to navigate to the entrance in traffic if you’re unfamiliar with the one-way street system. Also, there are not many shops or restaurants nearby, except fast food joints and a convenience store. However, central Hatfield is only two minutes away by taxi.

The Garden Court is more suited to the business traveler as opposed to a family on holiday, as it is functional and efficient — but hardly stylish — and not really near any of Pretoria’s touristic attractions.