Idwala Serviced Apartments Johannesburg
13 Garrick Road Johannesburg, Randburg 2194 South Africa
Lock in the lowest price from these sites
* 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.
Full view
View all photos (101)101
Room & Suite (27)
Dining (13)
About
#3 of 16 in Randburg
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
Born out of our love for travelling, hospitality and sharing beautiful spaces with guests from all over the world, Idwala was opened in 2005 as 5-Star Boutique Hotel. Since then, guests from all corners of the planet enjoyed their stay with us during their business trips, holidays or attending sport events like the 2010 soccer world cup. During the time as Boutique Hotel, Idwala won numerous awards, such as "Winner of Tripadvisor's Traveller's Choice category luxury hotels", Gold as "Best establishment with excellent service" at the Business of the year award by FNB & Randburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) and "Business of the year", was featured in the Portfolio Collection – Benchmark of the Best holiday accommodation in South Africa and Swaziland and graded for many years as 5 Star hotel by the South African Tourism Council. Our biggest accolade though was our guest return rate and the many guests that became friends. In 2020 travel & hospitality all over the world (and everything else) changed. “It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one more responsive to change,” said Charles Darwin. So we changed our concept from boutique hotel accommodation to serviced apartments. Idwala was reborn and we could continue sharing beautiful spaces with guests from all over the world.
Read more
Property amenities
Free parking
Secured parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Wifi
Airport transportation
Non-smoking hotel
Laundry service
Washing machine
Room features
Air conditioning
Housekeeping
Safe
Seating area
Coffee / tea maker
Flatscreen TV
Extra long beds
Bath / shower
Separate dining area
Wardrobe / wardrobe
Iron
Private bathrooms
Kitchenette
Microwave
Minibar
Oven
Refrigerator
Stovetop
Electric kettle
Kitchenware
Hair dryer
Show more
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
HOTEL STYLE
Romantic
Business
Languages Spoken
English, German
Location
Full view
Contact
13 Garrick Road Johannesburg, Randburg 2194 South Africa
Getting there
Car HireSee all Randburg car hire
123Reviews1Q+A29Room tips
Reviews
Traveller rating
- 102
- 16
- 2
- 0
- 3
Time of year
Traveller type
Language
Selected filters
- Filter
- English
Sort by:
Most Recent
Really lovely place - staff are great, the chef is amazing- african hut rooms are great. Gaps under doors, so watch the rain spiders ;-). Nicely located and has on site parking of you hire a car. Secure, clean and relaxing.
Read more
Date of stay: November 2019Trip type: Travelled
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
Helpful
My wife was given a gift voucher for a Champagne Breakfast for Two and was meant to come with all the trimmings. If I had to pay for this I would have thrown my toys, as for that amount money, geez we could have gone for a 3-course dinner. From a setting point of view, seeing its in the middle of Randburg it was really great. You kind of get the sense you are in the bush and not suburbia. The staff was very friendly and attentive so no fault there. Unfortunately, whilst we where there the inevitable load-shedding took place, so no coffee for breakfast other than decaf. We had a brief walkabout and looked at the accommodation and that all looked very nice. I would have given this a much higher rating if the outrageously expensive breakfast actually was justified.
Read more
Date of stay: February 2020
Value
Service
Helpful
This place is really nice if you're looking for something a bit different to the usual chain hotel experience and once I got over my initial reservations I allowed myself to enjoy the place for what it is. It isn't exactly a hotel, you'll be staying in a thatched roof guesthouse, meaning that it can be a little exposed to the elements and I wound up with a giant spider in my bathroom at one stage - but for the most part it is very relaxing and well facilitated. The biggest issue I had was with mosquitos and I was bitten a lot during the night, so much so that I had to wear two layers. The hotel could perhaps provide insect repellant? All in all, it was a nice change of scenery and the staff looked after me well.
Read more
Date of stay: November 2019Trip type: Travelled
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Helpful
As fabulous as always!!! A hidden sanctuary in the heart of Johannesburg. Could not be faulted. The service, the staff, the attention to detail. Outstanding. Lovely having dinner at Idwala and not having to log out. Would not consider staying anywhere else!!!
Read more
Date of stay: November 2019Trip type: Travelled
Helpful
Response from JeanetteFriese, Owner at Idwala Serviced Apartments Johannesburg
Responded 06 Nov 2019
Dear Sue Thank you for writing a review on Idwala, we so appreciate that you take the time and trouble to do this! It was lovely to have you back at Idwala and to meet your parents, we hope that the next time you will all be able to spend more time as there is so much to do and see in Johannesburg. Best regards from the Idwala Team
Read more
What a disappointment. Dont know who they bribed to claim they 5 star hotel. When I phoned to get my booking confirmed, then receptionist did.not even know if the rooms have aircon. Eventually someone phoned to say they have a room with aircon, but it was so noisy you had a choice, have no sleep with a cool room or swelter in the heat. Morning coffee, no milk, had to phone for that. Shower too terrible, no pressure and took forever to get to temperature, a pure waste of water. Breakfast, no choice of what type of toast, which only came after breakfast finished.(and it was not even fresh - as if they needed to move old stock rather than throw it away) Had to ask numerous times for a second cup of coffee, which only came when we were ready to.leave. The whole hotel seems to be on a cost cutting budget drive riding on their 5 star rating which it is not. Limited and terrible TV channel selection, unless you love SABC1,2 and 3 and some nondescript DSTV channel. The TV itself must be at least 20 years old. Nothing like the extensive list shown on the channel guide. It seems Idwala believe a large comfy bed entitles them to a 5 star hotel. …
Read more
Date of stay: October 2019Trip type: Travelled
2 Helpful votes
Helpful
Response from JeanetteFriese, Owner at Idwala Serviced Apartments Johannesburg
Responded 23 Oct 2019
Dear Geoff At Idwala we do our best to ensure that guests leave feeling relaxed and happy, and I regret that your stay was such a disappointment. As I mentioned when we spoke before your departure the aircon obviously was not in good working condition, this has now been confirmed by our technician and we are awaiting parts to repair it. If we had only known this during the afternoon or evening of your stay we would have immediately moved you to another room, but presumably the problem occurred only after you had been running it for some hours. I would be happy to discuss your many complaints further with you should you wish to contact me directly. Kind regards Jeanette Friese
Read more
Our experience was nothing short of wonderful. Our stay there was part of a larger trip with friends from RSA. The experience started when we ended up cutting one part of our trip short and called last minute to see if we could get 2 of us in a day earlier so we did not have to change accommodations. They were able to get us in, and Chef Paul stayed up to get us settled. The breakfast was amazing by him the nest morning! The rest of our party arrived that day and we toured with our friends. We then called about dinner for us and our friends (11) and they Paul put together an absolutely amazing dinner for all! We were able to spend a little time with Jeanette and she is wonderful! When she found out our plans had changed again for an early morning departure (5:30am) the next day for Kruger, they made us sandwiches for the trip since we would miss breakfast. This was the highlight of our accommodations for our two weeks. The only regret is we did not have more time to tour the grounds more and see more of the property that was gorgeous. The rooms were great, clean, and well appointed with very comfortable beds and we had two wonderful nights sleep. We will definitely stay here again on our next trip to Joburg!…
Read more
Date of stay: June 2019Trip type: Travelled
Value
Location
Service
Helpful
Response from JeanetteFriese, Owner at Idwala Serviced Apartments Johannesburg
Responded 07 Aug 2019
Thank you so much for taking the time and trouble to review Idwala - and for your very positive comments! We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed both your accommodation at Idwala and also Paul's cooking - he is indeed a fantastic Chef! We hope that the rest of your trip was good and that the Kruger Park came up to expectations! We look forward to the pleasure of accommodating you again in the future. Best regards from the Idwala Team
Read more
As before, we can only recommend Idwala for a good stay and their food is as before simply great, vibes add to a relaxed atmosphere. Paul the chef knows how to cook!!! The service is outstanding. We enjoyed our stay there a lot! Great start of our holiday with our friend.
Read more
Date of stay: March 2019Trip type: Travelled
Rooms
Location
Service
Room Tip: All rooms and garden units are spacious and well equipment, home from home feeling
See more room tips
Helpful
Response from JeanetteFriese, Owner at Idwala Serviced Apartments Johannesburg
Responded 05 Jul 2019
Thank you very much Rainer, we are always so pleased to see you coming back to Idwala with your friends, and very much appreciate your comments. We hope you all enjoyed the travelling after you left us and look forward to seeing you soon! With best wishes from The Idwala Team
Read more
This fantastic boutique hotel is situated in Johannesburg but has a great African Bush Lodge feel surrounded in a tranquil environment with lots of greenery. Our Suite was very comfortable and spacious with a great bathroom. The outside Boma area with the plunge pool was cosy with a very relaxed atmosphere. The service was great and the food was superb. Compliments to chef Paul as the dinner and breakfast was outstanding . A personal Thank you to Jeanette for showcasing this beautiful boutique hotel. I would highly recommend this hotel as we had a wonderful stay.
Read more
Date of stay: February 2019Trip type: Travelled
Value
Location
Service
Helpful
Response from JeanetteFriese, Owner at Idwala Serviced Apartments Johannesburg
Responded 05 Jul 2019
Many thanks Nalini for your very complimentary review, we are delighted that you enjoyed your dinner and breakfast so much and hope to see you again soon. With best wishes from the Idwala Team
Read more
This is a special hotel - the garden rondevals are beautifully appointed, with a heavenly soft bed, deep bath, rock walls & rustic thatched roof. But the staff are the most noteworthy highlight. Helpful, attentive friendly and generous. Highly recommended - especially if you’re looking for an oasis amidst Joburg’s hustle.
Read more
Date of stay: February 2019Trip type: Travelled
Helpful
Response from JeanetteFriese, Owner at Idwala Serviced Apartments Johannesburg
Responded 05 Jul 2019
Thank you very much Julie, it is wonderful to have such an appreciative guest and we are so happy that you enjoyed your stay! The staff in particular would like to thank you! With best wishes from the Idwala Team
Read more
Stayed here for one night and my wife and I were not disappointed. Having read the reviews (even the 2 ridiculous 1 star reviews) we were delighted with our stay in the Protea Cottage. From the welcome at the gate from Brian, to all the staff that made our stay wonderful a big thank you. A relaxed atmosphere with a truly personal feel this hotel comes highly recommended. Jeanette and Paul, you have a fantastic oasis in the city. It was all we hoped for and more. If anyone is reading this review with the view of possibly staying there please read the two negative ones. Everybody is entitled to opinions and reviews but during our stay we did not have any negative feedback to give. The food was cooked to perfection and was of a very high standard and quality. Don’t pass by on this hidden gem. …
Read more
Date of stay: February 2019Trip type: Travelled
Helpful
Response from JeanetteFriese, Owner at Idwala Serviced Apartments Johannesburg
Responded 05 Feb 2019
Thank you so much for posting a review on Idwala - we are delighted that you enjoyed your stay so much and hope to see you back some time in the future. With best wishes from the Idwala Team
Read more
FORMERLY KNOWN AS
Idwala Boutique Guest House
LOCATION
South AfricaGautengGreater JohannesburgRandburg
NUMBER OF ROOMS
8
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim Your Listing Frequently Asked Questions about Idwala Serviced Apartments Johannesburg
Which popular attractions are close to Idwala Serviced Apartments Johannesburg?
Nearby attractions include Cresta Shopping Centre (1.1 km), The Barnyard Theatre (1.1 km), and The Barnyard Theatre (1.1 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Idwala Serviced Apartments Johannesburg?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free parking, and airport transportation.
Which room amenities are available at Idwala Serviced Apartments Johannesburg?
Top room amenities include a kitchenette, a minibar, and air conditioning.
Is parking available at Idwala Serviced Apartments Johannesburg?
Yes, free parking and secured parking are available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Idwala Serviced Apartments Johannesburg?
Conveniently located restaurants include Plaka Restaurant Cresta, Not Bread Alone, and Fish Hook.
Does Idwala Serviced Apartments Johannesburg have airport transportation?
Yes, Idwala Serviced Apartments Johannesburg offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Are any cleaning services offered at Idwala Serviced Apartments Johannesburg?
Yes, laundry service and a washing machine are offered to guests.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Idwala Serviced Apartments Johannesburg?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and German.
Are there any historical sites close to Idwala Serviced Apartments Johannesburg?
Many travellers enjoy visiting Nelson Mandela Foundation (7.6 km).
Is Idwala Serviced Apartments Johannesburg accessible?
Yes, it offers wheelchair access and reduced mobility rooms. For specific enquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.