Protea Hotel by Marriott Johannesburg Balalaika Sandton

Hotels
•
Protea Hotels by Marriott
8.4 (2249 reviews)
Maude Street, Sandton , Johannesburg , ZA
+27 11 322 5000

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Paid
Children allowed

Facilities

Fitness facilities
WiFi available
Free WiFi
Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Air conditioning
Fitness center
Swimming pool
24-hour front desk
Restaurant
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Friendly staff
Great location
Cons:
Cleanliness issues
Slow check-in process

Categories

Cleanliness
7.61
Some reviews noted issues with cleanliness, particularly regarding the bathrooms needing upgrades and shower leaks.
Service
9.08
Reviews highlight friendly and professional staff, with specific praise for the concierge team.
Location
9.12
Location praised for being safe, central, and quiet with easy access to the mall.
Room Quality
8.07
Rooms described as clean and comfortable, although some noted maintenance issues.
Amenities
8.1
Garden and shuttle service are praised, but some amenities need improvement.
Value for Money
8.06
Some reviews indicated that while the hotel has great features, there were concerns about it being overpriced.
Food and Beverage
8.61
Breakfast received favorable reviews, although there were minor complaints about specific food items.
Overall Experience
8.58
Most reviews reflect a very positive overall experience with mentions of returning.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-08 03:06

Property Description

Stylish Accommodation and Serene Surroundings
Protea Hotel by Marriott Johannesburg Balalaika Sandton offers a tranquil stay in the heart of Sandton. With 2 swimming pools nestled in lush gardens, 2 gourmet restaurants, and a modern fitness centre, guests can unwind in style.

Convenient Amenities and Services
Enjoy a complimentary luxury shuttle service to Sandton City & Nelson Mandela Square, with easy access to O.R Tambo International Airport. The elegantly decorated guest rooms feature modern amenities including air conditioning, satellite TV, and private bathrooms with complimentary toiletries.

Dining and Entertainment
Indulge in a delicious breakfast at The Conservatory Restaurant or savor prime cuts of South African beef at The Bull Run. With various bars and lounges on-site, including The Heritage Lords Bar and "Coffee on Twenty," guests can relax and socialize in style.

Ready to experience luxury and convenience in Sandton? Book your stay at Protea Hotel Balalaika Sandton today!

Important information:

Protea Hotel by Marriott Johannesburg Balalaika Sandton offers a free luxury shuttle service to and from Sandton City, Nelson Mandela Square and Gautrain, which has a direct link to O.R Tambo International Airport, 12 mi away.

Please note that guests will be charged for 1 night in advance upon check-in.

Please note that the credit card used to book the accommodations will need to be presented upon check-in, as well as identification in the form of an ID book or passport.Please inform of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.
Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.
A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Airport code: JNB

Location

Guest Reviews

8.4
Based on 2249 reviews
Cleanliness: 7.61
Service: 9.08
Location: 9.12
Room Quality: 8.07
Amenities: 8.1
Value for Money: 8.06
Food and Beverage: 8.61
Overall Experience: 8.58
R
Robyn • extended_group • ae
10
2026-09-19 • via Nuitee
D
Dane • solo_traveller • za
9
2026-09-19 • via Nuitee
A
Alvera • couple • us
10
Always happy to come back!
Pros:

We love the gardens and the pools and the walks. The breakfast conservatory and outside patios are beautiful. The bar menu is very convenient if the Bull Run is too much food or you just want a small snack. The place has a cheerful ambiance, I think because of the wonderful service from a very attentive staff and a bunch of guests who really love to stay here for business or pleasure. One of my favorite Protea/Marriots.

Cons:

Liked it all.

2026-09-18 • via Nuitee
G
gsc • extended_group • ch
8
gerne wieder
Pros:

gute Lage, verträumter Garten, grosszügiges Frühstück. Gutes Preis - Leistungsverhältnis

2026-09-17 • via Nuitee
S
Sean • couple • au
10
Exceptional service delivery, safe and comfortable.
Pros:

Beautiful old school style oasis in the heart of Sandton. Lovely pools that no one else seemed to use and stunning gardens. Easy access around Sandton with the hotel shuttle. Superb restaurants on site and staff willing to make you feel like family.
Vessa(I think I got her name right) and her team are absolutely killing it on the service levels they offer.
At breakfast the service levels were out of this world. Lucky was my favourite waiter and has loads of potential. I hope the hotel nurture him and allow him to develop. 100% will return again. A very special hotel.

Cons:

There is absolutely nothing not to like. World class hotel and everything is humming like clockwork. 100 out of 10.

2026-09-15 • via Nuitee
N
Nozizwe Hazel • solo_traveller • za
8
Pros:

The room and hotel amenities

Cons:

Nothing

2026-09-15 • via Nuitee
S
Shaimemanya • couple • na
10
Exceptional Staying
Pros:

Friendly atmosphere Exceptional Exceptional

2026-09-14 • via Nuitee
T
Tekwani • family_with_children • zw
10
Overally it was a good and comfortable stay
Pros:

Its close proximity to mandela square snd child friendly.

Cons:

On check out, we waited for so long to get people to assist us and carry our bags out. We had to eventually go alone to reception carrying our bags on our own.

2026-09-13 • via Nuitee
X
Xolile • extended_group • za
9
Pros:

Comfort & neat

Cons:

Nothing

2026-09-04 • via Nuitee
P
Pierre • solo_traveller • fr
8
2026-09-02 • via Nuitee
K
Kyla • solo_traveller • za
10
2026-09-01 • via Nuitee
K
Kyla • solo_traveller • za
10
2026-09-01 • via Nuitee
L
Leandro LT • solo_traveller • br
10
Pleasant stay
Pros:

We really enjoyed our stay! The location is excellent, and the hotel feels very spacious overall. The green grounds are a standout feature—a really pleasant place to unwind and hang out outdoors

Cons:

Nothing major to complain about, but worth noting that due to the layout, some rooms require quite a bit of walking to reach the main areas like breakfast, reception, or the main entrance. Also, the gym is a bit too simple and could definitely be improved. Overall, though, it didn't ruin our stay!

2026-08-31 • via Nuitee
P
Pascal • couple • za
7
2026-08-31 • via Nuitee
K
Konstantin • solo_traveller • de
8
2026-08-28 • via Nuitee
M
Mcguire • family_with_children • sz
8
Pros:

Excellent location, great facilities and good value.

2026-08-27 • via Nuitee
R
Rayan • couple • sa
10
2026-08-27 • via Nuitee
A
Anthony • extended_group • mw
10
Happy with the amenities, the location and the staff.
Pros:

Location is great - close to everything you'd need nearby. Shuttles to and from major shopping areas and the train station makes it easy to get around. Staff were great too.

Cons:

Ordering drinks at the bar took ages in my opinion. Not sure why but with the amount of people in the bar area and outside the speed of service from the bar area needs to improve.
The other area that was dissapointing was the Bull Run restaurant. I had heard it is a great steak house, unfortunately 2 of our 4 meals were less than average - might have just been an off night though - cannot judge a restaturant on one meal.

2026-08-27 • via Nuitee
T
Thomas • solo_traveller • nz
10
2026-08-24 • via Nuitee
P
Prateek • solo_traveller • in
7
2026-08-22 • via Nuitee