Lucky Bean Guesthouse

Lucky Bean Guesthouse

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Room & Suite (36)
Lucky Bean Guesthouse
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Avg. R 1,325 /night, 2/10 - 2/11
R 1,325
per night
R 1,316
per night
R 1,306
per night

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About

#1 of 3 B&Bs in Melville
4.7 of 5 bubbles
Location
4.8 of 5 bubbles
Rooms
4.8 of 5 bubbles
Value
4.9 of 5 bubbles
Cleanliness
4.9 of 5 bubbles
Service
4.9 of 5 bubbles
Sleep Quality
Lucky Bean guesthouse is set on a large, old world style Melville property with a beautiful garden and pool. Rooms are light and spacious with clean lines and a chic and urban contemporary style. Each with its own entrance, most of the rooms offer patio space and garden views. True Johannesburg warmth and also free, fast wi-fi!
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Pool
Breakfast available
Bicycle tours
Walking tours
Babysitting
Airport transportation
Secured parking
Wifi
Pool / beach towels
Outdoor pool
Complimentary Instant Coffee
Complimentary welcome drink
Snack bar
Baggage storage
Concierge
Non-smoking hotel
Outdoor furniture
Shared kitchen
Sun terrace
Sun umbrellas
Private check-in / check-out
Laundry service
Room features
Air conditioning
Desk
Housekeeping
Safe
Flatscreen TV
Complimentary toiletries
Hair dryer
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
3.5 of 5 stars
HOTEL STYLE
Romantic
Mid-range
Languages Spoken
English

Location

129 1st Avenue, Melville, Johannesburg 2092 South Africa
Getting there
Somewhat walkable
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Grade: 68 out of 100
68
Johannesburg Intl Airport
24.3 km•
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Lanseria Airport
28 km•
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Traveller rating
  • 365
  • 48
  • 5
  • 3
  • 0
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Detailed Reviews
avril w wrote a review Jul 2024
Northamptonshire, United Kingdom
Property's Favourite Review
5.0 of 5 bubbles
The people make the Lucky Bean Guesthouse a wonderful place to stay. Conway was so helpful organising things for us before and during our trip. Our airport taxi pickup by Derrick went smoothly. When we arrived a bit late, we were warmly welcomed, helped to find a great restaurant and shown how to use Uber. Our day trip around Johannesburg with Cecilia was the absolute highlight of our stay. The ladies that served us breakfast were fab too.
Having now seen the impersonal areas of Rosebank and Sandton where most of the main hotels are, I’m so glad that we opted to stay at the Lucky Bean in Melville. It’s a nice, quiet residential area, within walking distance of a great cafe. We were able to feel like a local and always felt safe.
Even though it was winter in SA, the weather was warm and we enjoyed sitting around the pool in sunshine.
For such a lovely experience, it’s excellent value for money.
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Date of stay: July 2024
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
5.0 of 5 bubblesSleep 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.
Nina K wrote a review Feb 2024
Moscow, Russia
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Lucky Bean Guesthouse is what you need to relax after a long flight or an exhausting journey. Our room was quiet, clean and had everything we needed - bath, shower, safe, fridge, kettle and tea and coffee. There are European sockets in the rooms, so charging our phones was easy. There are only a few rooms in the property, and guests share a lovely swimming-pool with sunbeds and a dining room. Breakfast included fruit, cereal, yoghurt, toast, jam with tea and coffee and a variety of egg dishes made especially for us. The owner, Conway, was really friendly and helpful, he consulted us on the shopping, wine, local cafes and other things. It was such a pleasure to talk to him and discuss everything we needed.
The area of Melville is safe in comparison to downtown Johannesburg. It's green, quiet and has some very nice restaurants and cafes. Getting around by Uber is cheap and convenient. We spent 2 days on the property and enjoyed the peace and quiet of its garden. Thank you so much, Conway, for making us feel at home :)))

The area of Johannesburg has electricity problems now and then, but there's a generator in the guestouse, and wifi was always available, as well as the lights.
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Date of stay: February 2024
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
Trip 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.
Becka H wrote a review Nov 2022
Leicester, United Kingdom
5.0 of 5 bubbles
The Lucky Bean Guesthouse is an ideal accommodation for anyone looking to stay in Johannesburg, I recommend it without hesitation.

It is comfortable, there is lots of indoor and outdoor seating to socialise and relax, the pool and gardens are lovely, there is wifi, and it is in a super location with some nice cafes, restaurants and shops within walking distance.

The thing that made my stay at the guesthouse so enjoyable though was the people. It is because of them that I encourage anyone travelling to Johannesburg to consider staying at the Lucky Bean Guesthouse!

Conway and Natasha, the owners, were friendly, helpful and accommodating before, during and after our stay. They ensured we were comfortable, they advised us on how to explore and stay safe, they provided recommendations of things to do (most of which my friend and I followed and enjoyed thoroughly), they helped us to organise and book activities we wished to do, they provided us with contacts of local drivers (Derek) and tour guides (Cecilia) who were fantastic, they catered to our every need and went above and beyond their role to make our stay easy, joyful and memorable. Murphy and Sofisa who work at the guesthouse were so friendly and spoiled us rotten at breakfast time too! They helped us with any questions we had and were lovely to get to know during our stay.

My friend and I stayed at the guesthouse before and after a trip to Kruger and the owners made this really easy for us to do. Rather than being sad to leave Kruger, we were happy to return to the guesthouse with such warm, genuine people and it felt like coming home. Conway and Natasha not only run a great business but they are able to create an atmosphere that makes guests feel like family and it is this that makes staying here so special.

Thankyou so much to Conway, Natasha, Murphy and Sofisa. You made our trip so fantastic, went above and beyond your roles and I am so pleased to have met you all, what amazing people you all are.
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Date of stay: November 2022
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
Trip type: Travelled with friends
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.
gdel64 wrote a review Mar 2020
Connecticut
5.0 of 5 bubbles
We spent 4 days at the Lucky Bean when we needed to wait for a safari we were going to start in a few days. Upon our arrival we were met by one of the women who is a caretaker for the guest house. A few minutes later the owner Conway came in and we were shown to our room. Upon our request we were moved to a room with a/c and we soon found out that we did not need it.
That night we walked down to 7th street and ate dinner, and we ubered back about $2 US. The next morning we contacted Conway and asked to move to a different room which was bigger but did not have a/c, Conway said we absolutely could and we spent the rest of our time there. Upon our return to Lucky Bean that afternoon our belongings had been moved to a beautiful and Big room. TV had some movie channels and sports, also CNN. We had a nice patio to spend some time outside and there was a pool but we did not use it.
We got information about how to get downtown and both Conway and his wife helped us. He suggested if we wanted to visit Soweto a woman who had lived there. We took a day long trip with her it was fantastic. Other days we ubered to downtown the cost and the uber was about 4.50 US each way.
Breakfast each day was made to order, great coffee, and there were also fruit and cereals if you wish. Water from the tap in all of Johannesburg is drinkable and we did drink it each day.
Conway has a fridge stocked with wines and beers as well as juices and bottled water for your use at a minimal charge which is all on the honor system.
The Lucky bean is in an area which is what we consider very safe during the day, we walked around and down to the 7th street area to eat when we wanted when it was light out. Very good restaurants there. After dark as Conway said just Uber back, very simple.
We would highly recommend the Lucky Bean Guest House for anyone who is interested in a great place to see Johannesburg and relax. Conway and staff are very nice, accommodating and the place is so comfortable. Thank you Conway and staff for a great and restful stay.
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Date of stay: February 2020
5.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
5.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
Room Tip: tell Conway you want the room on the left in front or the one around the corner.
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.
sartjie wrote a review Jun 2024
Brunswick, Maine
5.0 of 5 bubbles
I could not recommend Lucky Bean highly enough: from the extremely comfortable room and delicious breakfasts, to the kindness of the staff (who, among other things, helped to organise airport transfers) and the loveliness of the garden. It’s perfectly situated for getting around Melville, and for zipping to both Wits University and UJ.

Perhaps most importantly, though, I stayed there when maintenance was being done on Joburg’s water infrastructure and so much of Melville and surrounds was without water. Not only did we have water at Lucky Bean thanks to clever forward planning (there are tanks and water is bought in), but we were all kept abreast of developments. It made for a reassuring stay.
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Date of stay: June 2024
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
5.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled on business
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.
Kathy J wrote a review Jul 2022
5.0 of 5 bubbles
I found Lucky Bean on Trip Advisor when 2 other guesthouse stays in Joberg fell through and how lucky we were to have stayed there. The proprietor, Conway, was awesome with his email communications with me. He answered my many questions since it was our first visit to South Africa, despite the 10 hour time difference from California. He arranged our airport transportations and guided tours with friendly and reliable people. The gardens surrounding the property were serene. My group occupied 3 different rooms with their own entrance and patio. The rooms were spacious, beds comfortable, bathrooms clean and each room had a decor theme. In the common area, the staff would cook a delicious breakfast to order. Conway would ask us what are plans were for the day and help to arrange a tour or get more information for us. He went above and beyond to make our time in Joberg enjoyable and stress-free. The neighborhood had great restaurants within walking distance but he actually dropped us off at one of the restaurants himself on our first night. Before our stay, he emailed me important information regarding the frequent power-outs in South Africa, water usage during their drought (which we are already used to in California.) and safety. He provided lighting and heating that was not reliant on electricity in each room. We came back to Lucky Bean after our safari in KwaZulu-Natal and it felt like coming home. Our flight back to the US was in the evening and he let us keep our luggage in storage for the day. I would totally recommend Lucky Bean!
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Date of stay: July 2022
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
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.
Mark B wrote a review Feb 2024
Hanover, Pennsylvania
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Conway and Natalie were excellent hosts and obviously love and want to share Johannesburg with their guests. The property is beautiful and safe, in a very nice and quiet area. The breakfasts provided were excellent, and Conway or Natalie was there to answer questions, if needed. There is a large and beautiful pool.. Melville is a nice neighborhood with walkable streets and minimal traffic, and there are several nice restaurants we ate at. There is a shopping center that we walked to that had a laundry, ATM, grocery, and pharmacy. Ubers were never more than a couple of minutes away, and we used them to go to the Apartheid Museum and the Rosebank Sunday African Crafts Market.
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Date of stay: February 2024
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
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.
Antoinet V wrote a review Aug 2022
5.0 of 5 bubbles
We stayed for 4 nights while we explored the city of Johannesburg. Such a warm and relaxed experience. The rooms and the property are really nice and clean (the garden!), the location is rather central so you never have to travel far but most importantly: the warm welcome and the great personalized tips, advice and connections made our stay unforgettable. Conway, Natascha and their team care about their guests and really want you to have a good time so they spend time thinking what suits you and your family best - thank you so much! We hope to come back again!
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Date of stay: July 2022
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
Room Tip: all rooms are unique and nice!
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.
Sabine R wrote a review Oct 2021
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Due to school holidays we only had one night to stay at the beautiful Lucky Bean Guesthouse in Melville. Melville is probably one of the most European-like areas in South Africa with streets that you can wander and plenty of restaurants closeby to choose from.
After 2 weeks in the bush we arrived in a big Toyota Fortuner which just fitted through the entrance gate so we had safe and free parking on the premises. We stayed in 2 spacious rooms looking out into the lovely garden and pool and the room that our 3 teenagers stayed in had an added third bed put in. Conway and Natasha are genuinely friendly hosts with great suggestions on restaurants, things to do or organizational stuff. Staff were equally friendly and breakfast was great.
Upon our request prior to our stay Conway had organized a Soweto Tour for us with Cecilia, a great guide who took us on an incredibly insightful tour around her township - highly recommended.
What else to say? Next time in Jo'burg we will definitely stay here again.
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Date of stay: October 2021
5.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
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.
Linda M wrote a review Mar 2024
5.0 of 5 bubbles
The Lucky Bean is a haven. The rooms are spacious and elegant and nothing is too much trouble for the staff. There is a great pool to have a dip in the morning, areas to sit outside and a communal kitchen which is open all the time for tea, coffee and wine. We were served fresh and delicious breakfasts by Murphy and her team. Great African art throughout. I would not stay anywhere else on future trips. Thanks to everyone for making it such a relaxing trip.
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Date of stay: March 2024
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
Trip type: Travelled on business
Room Tip: It is good to make sure you stay in a safe area in Jo’burg as crime rates are high.
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.
…
Dayna M asked a question Feb 2018
Are hair dryers provided?
Answer from hcsirries
Mönchengladbach, Germany44 contributions9 helpful votes
Sorry for my late response: yes!
Roger B asked a question Oct 2016
United Kingdom13 contributions5 helpful votes
Is there 24hr check-in? Because we might not arrive until 1am or 2am.
Answer from marcel s
It is not cause the owner works only if he is in the right mood, most time he only complain about Europe!
Cynthia T asked a question Apr 2016
Houston, Texas1 contribution
How much is the airport shuttle?
Answer from Samuel K
Haifa, Israel11 contributions3 helpful votes
The shuttle is 400R
Jim R asked a question Jan 2016
Seattle, Washington, United States6 contributions7 helpful votes
airport transportation???
Answer from marcel s
Of course not cause of the lazy owner, as you can see you dont get a respond cause oooooofffffff: The Owner is lazy and dont care!
Abbie1979 asked a question Jan 2016
Australia14 contributions2 helpful votes
Can you please tell me how far Lucky Bean is from the Airport. Thanks
Answer from marcel s
5 years without respond? It shows the Anti Europe Manager dont care , dont believe the buyed ratings!
Anna M wrote a tip Jul 2024
4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"Conway and Natasha will go out of their way to make your stay in Johannesburg as enjoyable as possible. "
Read full review
Linda M wrote a tip Mar 2024
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"It is good to make sure you stay in a safe area in Jo’burg as crime rates are high. "
Read full review
Aida Botha wrote a tip Jan 2023
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"The Woven Dreams room is tucked away and offers a secluded and private."
Read full review
Kate D wrote a tip Oct 2022
8 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"I don’t think there is a bad room in the house "
Read full review
Antoinet V wrote a tip Aug 2022
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"all rooms are unique and nice!"
Read full review
…
Not the right property for you?
There are more places to choose from in the Melville area.
PRICE RANGE
R 1,159 - R 1,325 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
South AfricaGautengGreater JohannesburgJohannesburgMelville
NUMBER OF ROOMS
9
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect average nightly room rates, including taxes and fees that are fixed, known to our partners, and due at time of booking. Please see our partners for more details.
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LUCKY BEAN GUESTHOUSE - UPDATED 2024 B&B Reviews & Price Comparison (Melville, South Africa)

Frequently Asked Questions about Lucky Bean Guesthouse
Which popular attractions are close to Lucky Bean Guesthouse?
Nearby attractions include Lindfield Victorian House Museum (0.8 km), 44 Stanley (1.0 km), and Melville Neighborhood (0.4 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Lucky Bean Guesthouse?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, a pool, and free parking.
Which room amenities are available at Lucky Bean Guesthouse?
Top room amenities include air conditioning, a flat screen TV, and a desk.
What food & drink options are available at Lucky Bean Guesthouse?
Guests can enjoy breakfast, free instant coffee, and a free welcome drink during their stay.
Is parking available at Lucky Bean Guesthouse?
Yes, free parking and secured parking are available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Lucky Bean Guesthouse?
Conveniently located restaurants include Salvation Cafe, Bambanani, and The Great Eastern Food Bar.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Lucky Bean Guesthouse?
Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay.
Does Lucky Bean Guesthouse have airport transportation?
Yes, Lucky Bean Guesthouse offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Is Lucky Bean Guesthouse located near the city centre?
Yes, it is 0.6 km away from the centre of Melville.
Are there any historical sites close to Lucky Bean Guesthouse?
Many travellers enjoy visiting Constitution Hill Human Rights Precinct (3.3 km), Johannesburg Fort (3.8 km), and Nelson Mandela Foundation (5.7 km).
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