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Gold Reef City Theme Park Hotel

Shaft 14 Northern Parkway, 2159 Ormonde, Johannesburg 2159 South Africa
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Traveller (209)
Room & Suite (20)
Dining (16)

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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.

About

#12 of 81 hotels in Johannesburg
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value

Escape to an age of elegance and grandeur at the Gold Reef City Theme Park Hotel. Located within Africa's biggest theme park, the hotel is reminiscent of an authentic turn-of-the-century mining town. Staying at the hotel also gives you free access to a multitude of fun filled attractions and entertainment in the theme park.

Please note the Theme Park is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays during Gauteng School holidays.The adjacent Gold Reef City Casino complex offers a variety of dining and other entertainment options.

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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Pool
Bar / lounge
Casino and Gambling
Airport transportation
Conference facilities
Banquet room
Wifi
Restaurant
Breakfast buffet
Meeting rooms
Concierge
Gift shop
Non-smoking hotel
24-hour check-in
24-hour front desk
Laundry service
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Room features
Blackout curtains
Air conditioning
Desk
Housekeeping
Safe
Electric kettle
Flatscreen TV
Bath / shower
Telephone
Wardrobe / wardrobe
Bottled water
Clothes rack
Laptop safe
Private bathrooms
Tile / marble floor
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Complimentary toiletries
Hair dryer
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Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
4.0 of 5 stars
HOTEL STYLE
Family
Quiet
Languages Spoken
English, Afrikaans, Xhosa, Zulu
925Reviews9Q+A54Room tips
Traveller rating
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Ian M wrote a review Nov 2023
Durban, South Africa36 contributions16 helpful votes
+1
This is our third stay at this hotel to ride the 94.7 Ride JHB cycle race. The new mamangement have really made a big difference to the facilities and the general attitude of all the staff. Perfectly situated within easy riding distance of the start/finish at FNB stadium about 5 km. Nice refurbishment of the rooms and in particular Barneys Restuarant. Breakfast were excellent as were lunch and dinners. Was very busy at lunch on Sat as the theme park was really busy but they coped, and a little patience was all that was needed as the food quality did not suffer as a result.
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Date of stay: November 2023
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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.
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Response from Goldreef City Theme Park Hotel, Marketing at Gold Reef City Theme Park Hotel
Responded 26 Nov 2023
Thank you for taking the time to review us. We appreciate the positive feedback and we are glad you had a pleasant stay.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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joe2007Dorset wrote a review Feb 2023
Kingston upon Thames, United Kingdom10 contributions8 helpful votes
We started at the Gold Reef City Theme Park Hotel in November, and the first noticeable and pretty unique thing about this hotel is that, unlike most theme park hotels which are outside the parks’ gates, this one is literally in the middle of the theme park. This makes it an ideal location to enjoy the park and not have to faff around with taxis, monorails or the other methods of getting into other theme parks around the world. Entry to the park is free for hotel guests. You go the reception every morning and they give you a wristband which get you on to all the rides. This is a nice little extra which also makes it exceptional value for money. We have stayed at theme park hotels at parks in Europe and the US, where you get charged extra for park tickets so it was great to see that wasn’t the case here. The theme park itself is stunning and I’ve written a separate review just of the theme park. There’s also a casino on site with various chain restaurants and the Apartheid Museum which are both easy walking distance, or the staff are more than happy to take you in the mini bus or golf buggy, just ask at reception, they did this several times for us. The room felt a bit dated. The bed was comfortable enough, but the room just felt a bit bland and like it needed modernising. The front door to our room was very thin and that could do with being replaced. The light in the bathroom also stayed on permanently which was kind of annoying. The hotel grounds are very nice. They have gardeners everywhere and they do an amazing job at keeping the gardens looking nice. We didn’t bother eating at Barney’s restaurant in the evening but we did have breakfast there which was also included (again, making it a great value experience). The breakfast was pretty good, but at dinner time the restaurant looked too bright and didn’t look to have much atmosphere, so we instead ate at the restaurants over in the casino building which were ok, but nothing amazing. There’s also a small pool at the hotel which had some table and chairs around it but surprisingly no sun loungers so we only sat by the pool once in the evening, when Barney’s bar was busy with a corporate function. It looks like some new rooms are being built, and so perhaps the hotel are in the process of updating all the rooms. Either way, I’d still return here. The location of the hotel, the helpfulness of the hotel staff, especially the reception team who were very kind and friendly, and the overall experience we had were all pretty excellent, so I’d definitely return and I’d recommend this hotel to others. The hotel also offer an airport transfer service, our driver was very friendly and took us all the way to the hotel reception, which was very handy for us as we’d not visited before so would probably have got lost otherwise. It’s also worth mentioning that the site is kept very safe. It’s gated and security staff are everywhere, as well as safes in the hotel rooms for valuables.
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Date of stay: November 2022Trip 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.
2 Helpful votes
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Stephenwjwebb wrote a review Dec 2022
Bangor, United Kingdom109 contributions69 helpful votes
Good rides and well laid out park but no one polices the queues so there are lots of queue jumpers and people holding spaces in the queues. When you combine this with no fast track and an abundance of people I would advise you not to bother coming here.
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Date of stay: December 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.
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EricS7184 wrote a review Oct 2022
Gonubie, South Africa10 contributions3 helpful votes
The park could be brilliant but the crowd control is exceptionally poor. You wait hours to get onto rides because people continuely jump the queue. When you report it to the staff marials, they do nothing. These queues need to be monitored and policed continually otherwise it detracts from the experience and causes unnecessary tension and conflict. Its not up to your guests to police the lines. It was my first visit and doubt ill ever be back. Disappointed
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Date of stay: October 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip: If you happy to wait hours to get on rides, then its worth a visit but if not, give it a skip....
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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.
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Sightseer51194054442 wrote a review Sept 2022
2 contributions1 helpful vote
I stayed at the Gold Reef Theme Park Hotel from 6 to 9 September. My room number was 131. Once entering the block of rooms, there was a sewerage smell on the ground floor. The latch on my door lock was broken. These are relatively insignificant against the poor service and food quality at the Barney Restaurant. On the Thursday night I ordered a fairly simple dish, fish and vegetables. I waited 45 min for the food and on arrival the vegetables were raw. Uncooked butternut is very hard to chew and swallow. I sent a piece back for the chef to try. The waiter came back and said the chef agrees. With that, he put down a bowl of salad, said sorry, and left.
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Date of stay: September 2022
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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.
1 Helpful vote
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Patrick K wrote a review Aug 2022
Delaware24 contributions24 helpful votes
Since there aren't many reviews, I'll be a little more comprehensive: The hotel is literally inside the theme park- this is very cool. Getting in and out is not a problem. The rooms are spread out across a number of two-story buildings, so if you book two rooms, as we did, make sure you request they be in the same building. Rooms are fine- we had one suite and one non-suite- wifi and bathrooms are good, beds are comfortable, cleaning was not spotless. The inclusion of admission with the room makes this an incredible value for families. The restaurant available before/after park opening for guests, Barney's, is solid. The breakfast buffet is generous and eggs can be made to order. The hotel's technology is still paper-based in many areas, so don't expect an app or anything like that. The dinner options at Barney's were also solid- not gourmet, but above US theme park standards for sure. The bar is just okay- we had two of the worst glasses of wine we've ever had (didn't drink more than a sip as the bottles had probably been open a while) but then we had a nice bottle newly opened. The theme park is quite good- clean, with 5 coasters of varying thrill levels. The minigolf should not be missed (so different than beach mini-golfs in the US) but they only had a limited number of balls (!!). Staff was friendly and helpful whenever we had a question or issue. Overall, if Gold Reef City Theme Park is on your agenda, we'd highly recommend considering this as a spot to stay.
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Date of stay: August 2022
Rooms
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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.
1 Helpful vote
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TGD_being wrote a review Jul 2022
29 contributions4 helpful votes
It was the day before my birthday and I needed a quiet space to work. Siphiwe and his team were so accommodating to me and my family. They organised accommodation for us and took time to mind the little details like ensuring the room was warm upon arrival and they left me a slice of the yummiest chocolate cake with orange slices - a surprisingly divine pairing. Thank you Siphiwe, Tshidi and Sebi. We really appreciated the exceptional service.
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Date of stay: July 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.
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themohuns wrote a review Jan 2022
Pinetown, South Africa4 contributions1 helpful vote
Stayed with family for three nights. This was our second stay at the hotel but first time for my nephew and his parents as it was his birthday. I understand and accept Covid Changes but Breakfast has minimal and repetitive options. Theme Park cannot even be called one. It's just a glorified amusement park with rides and games. After interacting with some Eateries and fellow guests, closing times of those establishments should be extended past the closing times of the park. On a positive note, some of the staff both at the hotel and park were accomodating and helpful whilst I duly noted that others literally didn't even want to be there to do their jobs.
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Date of stay: January 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.
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Brian B wrote a review Dec 2021
1 contribution
You would think that in a period where the hospitality industry is going through a knock services will be up to scratch. The receptionist was cold and the shuttle services was terrible. Wake up Gold reef city hotel management!! Barneys restaurant was the highlight.
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Date of stay: December 2021Trip 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.
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Thabo C wrote a review Mar 2021
Greater Johannesburg, South Africa1 contribution
It's the best hotal to be at an enjoy your time of space alone.Gold Reef City Theme Park Hotel in Johannesburg is an authentic portrayal of a turn-of-the-century mining town hotel located within Africa's largest theme park. Guests enjoy a choice of 75 luxurious en-suite rooms, access to the hotel's private pools and gardens, and free access to the popular theme park.
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Date of stay: March 2021Trip type: Travelled solo
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.
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PRICE RANGE
R 1,830 - R 2,528 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
protea hotel johannesburg
FORMERLY KNOWN AS
Southern Sun Gold Reef City Hotel
LOCATION
South AfricaGautengGreater JohannesburgJohannesburg
NUMBER OF ROOMS
75
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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GOLD REEF CITY THEME PARK HOTEL - Reviews & Price Comparison (Johannesburg, South Africa) - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Gold Reef City Theme Park Hotel
Which popular attractions are close to Gold Reef City Theme Park Hotel?
Nearby attractions include Apartheid Museum (0.6 km), Gold Reef City (0.3 km), and Lyric Theatre (0.6 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Gold Reef City Theme Park Hotel?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, a pool, and an on-site restaurant.
Which room amenities are available at Gold Reef City Theme Park Hotel?
Top room amenities include air conditioning, a flat screen TV, and blackout curtains.
What food & drink options are available at Gold Reef City Theme Park Hotel?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant and a lounge during their stay.
Is parking available at Gold Reef City Theme Park Hotel?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Gold Reef City Theme Park Hotel?
Conveniently located restaurants include Golden Falcon Spur Steak Ranch, Calisto's Portuguese Restaurant, and Anat.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Gold Reef City Theme Park Hotel?
Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay.
Does Gold Reef City Theme Park Hotel have airport transportation?
Yes, Gold Reef City Theme Park Hotel offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Does Gold Reef City Theme Park Hotel offer any business services?
Yes, it conveniently offers meeting rooms, a banquet room, and conference facilities.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Gold Reef City Theme Park Hotel?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English, Afrikaans, Zulu, and Xhosa.
Are there any historical sites close to Gold Reef City Theme Park Hotel?
Many travellers enjoy visiting Constitution Hill Human Rights Precinct (5.9 km), Johannesburg Fort (6.1 km), and Bus Factory (3.8 km).