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Relax and Unwind: The Best Weekend Getaways in Johannesburg
Weekends are there to help you recharge and spend time with your loved ones before you get back to your regular work week or routine. Luckily, you don’t have to travel far to enjoy a great weekend getaway when in Johannesburg.
From lodges to guest houses, casinos, and nature reserves, we listed the best weekend getaways for you to check out in and around this wonderful city in South Africa!
1. Lombok Lodge
From daddysdeals
Address: 18 Casuarina Rd, Sea Park, Port Shepstone, 4241, South Africa
Distance from JO: 1 hour and 41 minutes
Website: https://www.lomboklodge.co.za/
Contact Number: +27 82 491 5131
Price: $
Lombok Lodge is the perfect getaway site if you want to take in the spectacular views South Africa has to offer. Aside from getting a fantastic view of the greenery blanketing the mountainside, you also get an amazing view of the ocean from the hotel’s balcony.
The facilities in this lodge are also top-notch and designed to help you to better relax during your weekend getaway. For example, their outdoor pool isn’t the largest one we’ve seen, but it’s surrounded by reclining chairs for you to kick back and chill!
| Pro Tip: This lodge is located close to Tweni Beach, a great spot for you to better enjoy and take in the clear blue waters of the ocean. It’s just a short drive away from the beach and has many fast food options in the area. |
2. Emerald Resort and Casino: River Resort, Vanderbijlpark
Address: 777 Frikkie Meyer Blvd, Vanderbijlpark, 1900, South Africa
Distance from JO: 1 hour and 5 minutes
Website: https://www.emeraldcasino.co.za/
Contact Number: +27 16 982 8000
Price: $
If you’re into the thrill of a good card and dice game, then the Emerald Resort and Casino: River Resort might be your best option. The casino area of this property is simply stunning with huge card tables manned by dealers and slot machines to the side.
They offer apartment-style rooms and a common open garden space for you to stroll and hang out in during your free time. There is also the option of going on a caravan adventure at their caravan site to camp outdoors using your own vehicle.
| Pro Tip: If you’re planning to stay here with the entire family, you can do so in comfort, as they offer family-sized lodges that can accommodate a family of 6. In addition, you’ll fall in love with the Serengeti Safari style of these lodges! |
3. Damview Holiday Apartment 2, Hartbeespoort
From mandela_mkamba
Address: 43 Monica Rd, Schoemansville, Hartbeespoort, 0216, South Africa
Distance from JO: 1 hour and 36 minutes
Website: http://www.damviewholidayapartments.co.za/
Contact Number: +27 76 408 0220
Price: $
Going on a relaxing weekend getaway doesn’t need to be expensive or stressful. Thanks to the Damview Holiday Apartment, you can get affordable rooms with a beautiful view of the surrounding scenery (via the balcony) without breaking the bank.
Each room is equipped with large sliding doors that open up to your own personal balcony where you can kick back and relax without a care in the world. The view of the dam and the South African sky here is also a refreshing break from the urban jungle.
| Pro Tip: If you plan on checking out the nearby restaurants and malls, you need to be ready to either book a taxi or drive, as these establishments are located within a 5-kilometre radius of the hotel. Bring your own supplies just in case. |
4. Sun Deck Lodge, Port Shepstone
From teekay_thequeen
Address: 79 Scott St, Schoemansville, Hartbeespoort, 0216, South
Distance from JO: 1 hour and 36 minutes
Contact Number: +27 73 234 7612
Price: $
Sun Deck Lodge is a simple but relaxing getaway spot from the hustle and bustle of the city. It’s not the biggest among the facilities on this list, but it has a kid-friendly garden and playground with a swing, sandbox, and tons of toys for your little ones.
The rooms are well-maintained and spacious with a comfortable common area that’s ideal for get-togethers or for catching up with family and friends. To enhance your getaway relaxation, you can also book one of their massage packages on offer.
| Pro Tip: In case you encounter a gadget-related emergency (e.g., lost charger cables and missing charging bricks), there’s a nearby electronics store called Incredible Connection that sells all kinds of electronics and peripherals. |
5. Lourie Lodge
Distance from JO: 41 minutes
Website: https://lourielodge.co.za/
Contact Number: +27 11 465 4509
Price: $
Lourie Lodge is a great option if you’re after a relaxing getaway in a rural setting with traditional and classy accommodations. The area is lush with trees, shrubs, and beautifully landscaped surroundings.
All of the rooms here have a wonderful garden view with access to the clean and well-maintained pool in the middle of the property. The garden surrounding the pool also has some lounge chairs and umbrellas where you can chill while soaking up the sun!
| Pro Tip: If you decide to stay in Lourie Lodge, you can make the most of your getaway by visiting nearby attractions. Some of the more popular ones in the area include the Cradle of Humankind and the Johannesburg Zoo. |
6. Monte La Vue Hotel
Address: 60 Turaco St, Norscot, Sandton, 2055, South Africa
Distance from JO: 35 minutes
Contact Number: +27 10 010 8148
Price: $
Your weekend getaway in Johannesburg can’t get any classier than a stay at Monte La Vue Hotel. Their mantra “The Art of Good Living” really does show from the beautifully crafted interiors to the elegant and spacious rooms they offer.
As a four-star hotel, they go beyond customer expectations with rooms that have large kitchens, marble flooring, and modern fixtures. The exteriors are also phenomenal with trees scattered across the garden and green grass covering the hotel’s grounds.
| Pro Tip: The hotel also hosts comedy nights during certain dates. If you’re into this kind of entertainment, proceed to the hotel lobby to ask where the event will be held. It’s usually on the hotel’s ground floor and right below the rooms. |
7. The Highland Rose Country House and Spa, Dullstroom
From ethym_4
Address: Guest house in Dullstroom, Mpumalanga, South Africa
Distance from JO: 1 hour and 35 minutes
Contact Number: +27 71 388 6466
Price: $
The Highland Rose Country House and Spa, Dullstroom is the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of daily urban life. Its Victorian-era looks remind us of how authors described huge mansions of old with wide gardens and a luxurious house in the middle!
It’s an enchanting place to stay in, and we think this is the perfect location if you want a romantic getaway with your loved one.
To further rekindle the flame, treat your partner to any of the spectacular spa offerings of this country house (e.g., massages and waxing).
| Pro Tip: Google Maps may have some trouble pinpointing the exact location of this property. You have to take a dirt road going to Amajuba Street to reach this country house or you can also just call the hotel itself to get directions. |
8. Zebra Nature Reserve, Cullinan
Address: Plot 57, Leeuwkloof Cullinan, 1002, South Africa
Distance from JO: 1 hour and 35 minutes
Website: https://zebranaturereserve.com/
Contact Number: +27 12 880 2148
Price: $
Combining a safari experience with a great weekend getaway can seem like a difficult task—but not if you check in at the Zebra Nature Reserve! Here, you get to stay in four different accommodation options spaced out in a wide-open 400-hectare reserve.
Within the reserve, you’ll experience firsthand the beauty of Mother Nature with trees, plateaus, creeks, and varied South African wildlife along with some man-made structures for you to relax on such as sheds and campsites!
| Pro Tip: The Zebra Nature Reserve offers a ton of activities for you and the entire family. You can ask hotel staff about their best packages that combine nature drives, picnics, hiking trails, fishing, and so much more! |
9. Rustika Guest Lodge, Fourways
From thepicnicpantry
Distance from JO: 42 minutes
Contact Number: + 27 114 657 830
Price: $
Checking in to the Rustika Guest Lodge at Fourways feels like staying in a lovely rural home. The cottages here have a traditional look, and the area is covered in greenery with friendly animals (e.g. ducks) scattered about.
What’s more, the lodge also has an outdoor pool and an in-house restaurant—ideal if you just want to laze around the property during your weekend getaway. You can also visit the picnic area of this lodge if you want your family to bond.
| Pro Tip: With its shuttle service for guests, you can request this hotel to pick you up from and drop you off at the airport depending on your arrival and departure. Just make sure to coordinate with them by giving them a call. |
