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Protea Hotel Balalaika Sandton

4.0 of 5
20 Maude Street | Sandown, Sandton 2196, South Africa
Hotel amenities
Protea Hotel Balalaika Sandton
Ranked #10 of 43 hotels in Sandton
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327 reviews from our community

Traveler rating
    84
    157
    59
    14
    13
See reviews for
Families
29
 
Couples
85
 
Solo
37
 
Business
131
 
Rating summary
  • Location
    4.5 of 5 stars
  • Sleep Quality
    4 of 5 stars
  • Rooms
    3.5 of 5 stars
  • Service
    4 of 5 stars
  • Value
    4 of 5 stars
  • Cleanliness
    4 of 5 stars
Date Rating
Tel-Aviv, israel
Contributor
14 reviews 14 reviews
12 hotel reviews
Reviews in 12 cities Reviews in 12 cities
32 helpful votes 32 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed May 19, 2013 NEW

First of all hotel has a great location both for business and leisure travelers. Most of my meetings (with banks and funds) were within a short drive and when i had some time off it is just a short walk to Mandela square with some very nice shops and restaurants (recommend montego bay and the butcher shop). However the rooms... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
Contributor
16 reviews 16 reviews
9 hotel reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed May 11, 2013 via mobile

Stayed here for 4 nights last week during a business trip. Though the hotel is old, it is centrally located in sandton. Got a room with a nice view of the pool and the garden. The room was spacious enough and clean. They serve good breakfast. And the Bull Run is great. Overall good.

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Balalaika_Management, General Manager at Protea Hotel Balalaika Sandton, responded to this review
May 14, 2013

Dear ‘bthoms’. Thank you for taking the time to write on ‘tripadvisor’. Your positive feedback is greatly appreciated. we are not the typical high-rise, modern styled hotel, but pride ourselves in having a cozy and welcoming ambience & style. We look forward in welcoming you back again soon. Kind regards, Jörg Zwinscher General Manager & TEAM More

Senior Reviewer
6 reviews 6 reviews
6 hotel reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed May 7, 2013

Nice hotel. overall central convenient location - though being linked to a derelict shopping centre is not great. The bathrooms and gym need renovation. Lovely breakfast. Friendly staff. Overall good experience.

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Balalaika_Management, General Manager at Protea Hotel Balalaika Sandton, responded to this review
May 14, 2013

Dear ‘Grahamtu 12’. Thank you for writing on ‘tripadvisor’. Your praise about our friendly STAFF and delicious breakfast is greatly appreciated. However, we are not sure what you mean by ‘dated’ bathrooms? We are pleased to read that your overall experience was a positive one. Kind regards, Jörg Zwinscher General Manager & TEAM More

Melbourne, Australia
Contributor
15 reviews 15 reviews
8 hotel reviews
Reviews in 11 cities Reviews in 11 cities
15 helpful votes 15 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed May 4, 2013

We overnighted here on our way home from safari. Our rooms were located towards the back of the hotel and we walked past the garden and swimming pool which was pleasant. Unfortunately as we had just left an amazing 6-star holiday experience, Protea did not compare favourably at all. The room itself however was a bit dark and needs updating.... More

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Balalaika_Management, General Manager at Protea Hotel Balalaika Sandton, responded to this review
May 14, 2013

Dear ‘Nelliebly_Melbour..’. Your comments on ‘tripadvisor’ refer. How sad to read that you feel that ‘our saving grace’ would be the Bull Run; we pride ourselves in our friendly STAFF, our beautiful gardens, our cozy ambience and our Colonial décor. We are not the typical high-rise, modern styled hotel. May we ask if at any stage you brought any of... More

lagos
1 review
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
1 of 5 stars Reviewed April 29, 2013

i stayed at Balalaika for a week; good food, good location and good ambiance. however, the hotel double charged my credit card and have totally refused to refund my money. i checked out of Balalaika over 3 months ago and they have absolutely refused to refund over $200 to my credit card. they have ignored all mails and ofcourse i... More

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Balalaika_Management, General Manager at Protea Hotel Balalaika Sandton, responded to this review
May 2, 2013

Dear ‘quchilase’. Thank you for your feedback on ‘tripadvisor’. Please accept our sincere apologies about the delay in the cancellation of the pre-authorization of on your credit card. The banks have informed us that the release on international credit cards unfortunately can take up to a month. Yes, this is truly very frustrating and it is also concerning to read... More

Perth, Australia
Senior Reviewer
9 reviews 9 reviews
7 hotel reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
8 helpful votes 8 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed April 28, 2013

Stayed here 2 nights. Location is great, an easy walk to Sandton Sq where all the shopping is. The rooms are bright and comfortable. When we first arrived, it seemed damp walking to our room which is more like a motel-style set up as it is not a high rise. We walked along tree-lined paths which is prob why it... More

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Balalaika_Management, General Manager at Protea Hotel Balalaika Sandton, responded to this review
April 29, 2013

Dear ‘fongs’. Your comments on ‘tripadvisor’ are greatly appreciated. How wonderful to read that you enjoyed your stay with us. Yes, our set up is not the typical high-rise Hotel; this enables us to have 2 beautiful, luscious gardens, which adds to our cozy ambience. We look forward in welcoming you back again soon. Kind regards, Jörg Zwinscher General Manager... More

missouri
Senior Contributor
28 reviews 28 reviews
10 hotel reviews
Reviews in 17 cities Reviews in 17 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 26, 2013

Stayed here 2 nights pre-tour of South Africa. Excellent location--not too far from airport. Great steak house attached to hotel--The Bull Run. Got a very tasty steak there, perhaps the best I have ever had. Hotel has been updated. The interior of my room was beautiful. I saw only a glimpse of some cabinetry that hadn't been. A fair enough... More

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See 2 more reviews by Godsgirl66 for Sandton
Balalaika_Management, General Manager at Protea Hotel Balalaika Sandton, responded to this review
April 29, 2013

Dear ‘Godsgirl66’ Thank you for taking the time to write on ‘tripadvisor’. We are pleased to read that your all round experience was such a positive one and that you enjoyed the steak in the Bull Run so much. We look forward in welcoming you back again soon. Kind regards, Jörg Zwinscher General Manager & TEAM More

London, United Kingdom
Senior Reviewer
10 reviews 10 reviews
7 hotel reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
4 of 5 stars Reviewed April 26, 2013

Mixed feelings about this hotel. Nice, peaceful garden which forms an oasis in the busy centre of Johannesburg. Rooms very uninspiring by comparison - even though the hotel was not at all busy the first rooms we were given were both below outside ground level, looking out into a lightwell - Reception changed them for us without a fuss, but... More

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atlanta
Senior Reviewer
10 reviews 10 reviews
4 hotel reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed April 23, 2013

I wanted to give 5 stars, but the pigeons in the breakfast area was disgusting! We caught them on top of the tables on several occasions. One morning I walked in and saw them on top of the buffet table. They were coming in from the two side doors. Once they flew over our heads. If it wasn't for this,... More

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Balalaika_Management, General Manager at Protea Hotel Balalaika Sandton, responded to this review
April 29, 2013

Dear ‘theresa h’. Thank you for taking the time to express your comments on ‘tripadvisor’. Yes, pigeons can be a nuisance and we are once again consulting an ornithological expert to help us deal with these birds-and we shall continue pointing out to GUESTS, that the pigeons & indeed any birds are NOT to be fed. We are glad that... More

Leeds, United Kingdom
Top Contributor
62 reviews 62 reviews
57 hotel reviews
Reviews in 55 cities Reviews in 55 cities
115 helpful votes 115 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed April 18, 2013

We stayed at this hotel for 1 night after flying in from Namibia. We took the Gautrain from the OR Tambo Airport directly to Sandton (ZAR 252 for 2 persons) and the hotel sent a van to pick us up just outside the Sandton station - very convenient and easy. The train ride took about 15 minutes and from the... More

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Balalaika_Management, General Manager at Protea Hotel Balalaika Sandton, responded to this review
April 20, 2013

Dear ‘Hannisze Y’. Thank you for taking the time to write such in depth feedback on ‘tripadvisor’. This is greatly appreciated and we are thrilled that you enjoyed your stay with us so much. Please accept our apologies regarding the mis-understanding occurring with the breakfast. Thankfully it was sorted out. We look forward in welcoming you back again soon. Kind... More

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Hotel Summarization (Beta)

What travelers say

  • Very good(15)
  • Nelson Mandela Square(10)
  • Shopping mall(9)
  • Bull Run restaurant(5)
  • Friendly and helpful(3)
  • Short walk(3)
  • Swimming pool(3)
  • Very nice(3)
  • Great breakfast(3)
  • Comfortable bed(3)

Additional Information about Protea Hotel Balalaika Sandton

Address: 20 Maude Street | Sandown, Sandton 2196, South Africa
Region: South Africa > Gauteng > Greater Johannesburg > Sandton
Amenities:
Bar/Lounge Business Center Fitness Center Free High-Speed Internet Restaurant Room Service Shuttle Bus service Suites Swimming Pool Wheelchair access
Hotel Style:
#4 Best Value Hotels in Sandton
#8 Luxury Hotels in Sandton
#10 Business Hotels in Sandton
Price Range: $$
Hotel Class:4 star (4*)
Official Description (provided by the hotel):
The Protea Hotel Balalaika Sandton is a tranquil oasis of country estate in the heart of the business and entertainment hub of Sandton, just outside Johannesburg, South Africa and approximately 30 minutes from O.R. Tambo International Airport. The Protea Hotel Balalaika is the perfect stopover for those doing business in the surrounding area, or as a central hub for the discerning tourist. The hotel comprises of two sections – the Balalaika and the Crown Court – and all rooms are air-conditioned and tastefully furnished in a classic, comfortable style with their own en-suite bathroom, with many of the Crown Court suites offering the additional luxury of a private spa bath. Both buildings of Protea Hotel Balalaika are set in their own lush, landscaped garden, each boasting a sparkling swimming pool, where GUESTs can relax, unwind and momentarily experience the timelessness and calm of a bygone era. At the Protea Hotel Balalaika, efficient, discreet and attentive service is a priority and our well-trained STAFF is always on hand to ensure that all of your needs are amply met. Guests are able to safely and easily use the link from the hotel lobby to the festive Village Walk Shopping Centre, which houses 15 restaurants, 70 shops selling a variety of wares, a main grocery store (Pick ‘n Pay), hair and beauty salons and the well-known African Craft market, where one will find African artifacts, curios and artworks from all over the continent. ... more   less 
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Also Known As:
Protea Hotel Johannesburg
Balalaika Hotel
Protea Hotel Balalaika
Sandton Hotel Balalaika
Protea Hotel Balalaika Sandton Greater Johannesburg

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Protea Hotel Balalaika Sandton
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