Lakeside Serenity Ararat Haven

Hotels
6 Ararat Street , Johannesburg , ZA

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Free
Children allowed

Facilities

WiFi available
Free WiFi
Parking
Free Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Terrace
Family rooms
Garden
Non-smoking throughout
Private parking

Review Highlights

Pros:
Friendly, welcoming and helpful staff/owner
Quiet, peaceful location close to universities
Reasonable/fair rates
Self-catering kitchen and ability to prepare hot meals
Some guests found rooms clean and comfortable
Cons:
Poor bathroom cleanliness (mold, hair, unclean showers)
Old/worn furniture and uncomfortable sofas
Maintenance issues and unpleasant smells in places
Insufficient towels/glasses/cutlery for larger groups
View not as pictured / obstructed lake view
Privacy concern noted (staff presence/sleeping in house)

Categories

Cleanliness
1
Multiple reviewers reported poor cleanliness — sooty mold in showers, hair in bathrooms, unpleasant smells and reports that showers/areas were not properly cleaned — though a few guests noted their room felt clean.
Service
1
Consistently described as friendly, welcoming and accommodating hosts/owners; staff were helpful and informative. (One review raised a privacy concern about staff presence in the house.)
Location
1
Praised as quiet, peaceful and conveniently close to universities; however several guests noted the lake/view was obstructed or not as pictured.
Room Quality
1
Multiple complaints about old/worn furniture, uncomfortable sofas, curtains sweeping the floor and wardrobes needing maintenance; some guests did find rooms comfortable nonetheless.
Amenities
1
Kitchen facilities allowed self-catering and were appreciated, but common areas need modernising (no TV), and equipment was insufficient for larger groups (not enough glasses/cutlery, no decent towels).
Value for Money
1
Rates described as reasonable and fair by guests; several reviewers felt the cost was appropriate for what was provided.
Food and Beverage
1
Standard quality for this hotel tier
Overall Experience
1
Mixed overall: positive impressions from helpful staff, reasonable rates and a peaceful location balanced against notable cleanliness and maintenance issues; overall skewing slightly positive due to service and value.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-04-07 04:35

Property Description

Experience tranquil escape at Lakeside Serenity Ararat Haven, nestled in the heart of Johannesburg's lush landscape.

Comfortable Accommodations
Choose from a variety of homely accommodations featuring cozy seating areas and some with private terraces. Enjoy modern amenities like cable flat-screen TVs with streaming services to enhance your stay.

Delightful Dining
Start your day right with our hearty full English/Irish or American breakfast, crafted to satisfy every palate.

Convenient Location
Just a short drive to Parkview Golf Club and the vibrant Johannesburg Stadium, our haven is perfectly situated for both relaxation and adventure. O.R. Tambo International Airport is conveniently located 18 miles away, making travel a breeze.

Book your stay now and immerse yourself in the serenity of Lakeside Serenity Ararat Haven!

Important information:

This property does not accommodate bachelor(ette) or similar parties.
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.
A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 10:00 AM

Location

Guest Reviews

Cleanliness: 1
Service: 1
Location: 1
Room Quality: 1
Amenities: 1
Value for Money: 1
Food and Beverage: 1
Overall Experience: 1
G
Goakantswe • extended_group • za
8
2026-09-19 • via Nuitee
P
Plaatyie • solo_traveller • za
10
2026-09-15 • via Nuitee
D
Dionne • solo_traveller • za
5
Pros:

The room was clean and the staff were welcoming. Check in and check out was good with no issues

Cons:

There was no hot water for us to shower. We basically paid to sleep there.
Bathroom light was also very dim, close to fusing.

2026-09-01 • via Nuitee
S
Sanelisiwe • solo_traveller • za
8
It was good
Cons:

There was a water shortage and there was no backup. This really inconvenienced me as I like taking my hot showers but overall I loved my stay, very clean and staff is really sweet

2026-08-30 • via Nuitee
S
Suliat • solo_traveller • za
4
My stay was half satisfactory
Pros:

The stable wifi

Cons:

My room was never tidy after I left in the morning, which defeats the purpose of the guest house. Also i paid foe a specific guest house but was moved all of a sudden to another area is is not safe, also the other lady at the other guest house was very very rude, lack customer service

2026-08-28 • via Nuitee
L
Lesedi • solo_traveller • za
6
2026-08-06 • via Nuitee
A
Angella • solo_traveller • za
8
Lovely stay
Pros:

Beatiful, cozy and quiet place

2026-07-25 • via Nuitee
A
Andreas • family_with_children • ls
5
My stay was just okay
Pros:

Location is great👍

Cons:

There was no heater in the middle of winter
Only one bathroom had hot water

2026-07-18 • via Nuitee
N
Nobuhle Amanda • couple • za
7
2026-07-05 • via Nuitee
M
Mercy • solo_traveller • za
10
2026-06-21 • via Nuitee
K
Karen • solo_traveller • za
10
2026-05-12 • via Nuitee
H
Hlongwane • solo_traveller • za
10
2026-04-23 • via Nuitee
K
Kirshay • couple • za
10
The host that stayed with us is such a sweetheart she is so sweet
Pros:

The house is beautiful

Cons:

The area looked dodge but the house feels safe and secure

2026-04-23 • via Nuitee
D
Desiree • couple • za
3
2026-04-13 • via Nuitee
A
Avuzwa • family_with_children • za
7
2026-03-31 • via Nuitee
K
Keke Monese • couple • za
8
Pros:

Staff friendly

Cons:

View not as on pic

2026-03-27 • via Nuitee
S
Sphesihle • solo_traveller • za
10
2026-03-15 • via Nuitee
M
Musa • solo_traveller • za
7
Overall, I had a comfortable and peaceful stay
Pros:

I stayed at Lakeside Serenity Ararat Haven for study purposes, and overall, I had a good experience. The rates are reasonable and fair for what is offered. I had access to everything I needed, and I was able to prepare my own hot meals without any limitations, which was very convenient. The area is quiet and peaceful, making it suitable for studying. My room was clean and comfortable, and I felt at ease during my stay. The location is also very convenient, especially being close to the universities. I would consider staying there again in the future.

Cons:

For the price I paid, I honestly have no complaints. One small area that could be improved is modernising the living room to create a more relaxing and updated atmosphere. The sofas could possibly be upgraded, and adding a TV would make the space even more comfortable. The kitchen, is fine for me.

2026-03-04 • via Nuitee
K
Kola • extended_group • za
4
the property needs maintenance/refurbishment so that they can me ecstatically pleasing/
Pros:

I liked the the location

Cons:

I did not like the smell,
the shower is not properly cleaned
The curtains in the room I've booked in were too long, in a way that they were sweeping the floor
sofas not comfortable
wall robes needs maintenance, they smell horrible

2026-03-01 • via Nuitee
I
Innocentia • couple • za
9
2026-02-27 • via Nuitee