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Liz at Lancaster Guesthouse: Traveler Reviews

4.0 of 5
79 Lancaster Avenue | Craighall Park, Johannesburg 2196, South Africa
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Liz at Lancaster Guesthouse
Ranked #1 of 188 Johannesburg B&B and Inns
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120 reviews from our community

Traveler rating
    114
    4
    2
    0
    0
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Families
22
 
Couples
44
 
Solo
18
 
Business
26
 
Rating summary
  • Sleep Quality
    5 of 5 stars
  • Location
    4.5 of 5 stars
  • Rooms
    5 of 5 stars
  • Service
    5 of 5 stars
  • Value
    5 of 5 stars
  • Cleanliness
    5 of 5 stars
Date Rating
Lausanne, Switzerland
2 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
“Absolutely fabulous in every way”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed December 9, 2012

There aren't enough superlatives to describe how LIz and her team made our stay in Johannesburg so perfect. You CAN believe everything that all the other reviews say! It was great to be in such a quiet, peaceful and private location yet with many great restaurants and shops so close. If we ever had a query about what to do, where to find something, there was always someone to answer, even quite late into the evening. This really was service par excellence and a home from home. I can't understand why anyone would choose to stay in a hotel, when you can have Liz at Lancaster. Thanks a million to Liz, Zac, Catherine, Thandi, Elaine and Rosie. We will be back!

  • Stayed November 2012, traveled with family
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask Lindsay M about Liz at Lancaster Guesthouse
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Liz D, Owner at Liz at Lancaster Guesthouse, responded to this review
December 16, 2012
Thank you so much Lindsay for your positive feedback and glowing review. We're delighted that you found Liz at Lancaster so convenient and that service levels were up to scratch. It is really helpful to myself as owner/manager and to the staff, to know that our being on call makes such a positive difference for guests. We look forward to welcoming you back and hope it won't be too long before you are back. By the way you were our 100th reviewer. So thank you for helping us reach that milestone. :)
All the best from us all at Liz at Lancaster.
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Contributor
18 reviews 18 reviews
5 hotel reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
“Fantastic, authentique South African hospitality”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed December 1, 2012 via mobile

Having had connections with Johannesburg all my life, most notably in the Parkhurst/Craighall Park area, I was delighted to have chosen Liz at Lancaster's for a recent stay of two wonderful weeks with my sister who I had not seen for a year. All the staff at the guest house are warm and welcoming, yet unobtrousive, the garden and pool relaxing, the rooms (Ochre room) tastefully decorated with private courtyard, and well equipped, and the early morning birdsong so peaceful, that this was a perfect choice from which to explore old stamping grounds. A home away from home.
The "book" on what to do, where to eat, shop, which museums to visit, and how to get places, was very useful and written in such a personal way that we found all the information we needed.
Self catering facilities were good for preparing light meals (not that we had much time for much of that) and generously stocked with the basics of oil, vinegar, salt, pepper etc making it easier to contemplate self catering. We were even admonished by Catherine for having washed our own plates on the first day - complete and friendly service at all levels!
We were even given "braai" (barbecue) facilities in our courtyard so that we could prepare "boerewors" for old time's sake.
Laundry facilities are quick and reasonably priced. Solar heating, garbage recycling, salt treated pool, natural ventilation in the rooms and many indigenous plants in the garden, all help reduce the carbon footprint of a typical tourist stay.
Now I just have to plan the next trip as early as possible to make sure that there will be space for me at the inn next time around! Liz, Zac, Thandi, Catherine, Rosie and Elaine - Thank you!

Stayed November 2012
Was this review helpful? Yes
Ask Carey D about Liz at Lancaster Guesthouse
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Liz D, Owner at Liz at Lancaster Guesthouse, responded to this review
December 2, 2012
Carey thank you so much for your extensive feedback on your stay here at Liz at Lancaster. You have written such extensive comments which pick up on so much of what we try and do to ensure we live up to our slogan of being 'quiet, convenient, and connected'. And hopefully we could add 'consistent and comfortable' to that as well ! Like many guests you comment on the helpfulness and friendliness of the staff - they are always delighted to get this positive feedback about their service levels. As far as eco-friendliness goes, we try to be as green as possible with a continual eye to reducing our carbon footprint. We also use energy -saving light-bulbs throughout, water-saving shower nozzles, natural fibres for all linen and fabrics, as much as possible use bio-degradable cleaning products, make our own compost , use renewable energy in our winter log fires, etc.
We so enjoyed having you both to stay and are delighted that you had such a happy time here reconnecting with your sister, with your old friends and with your old stamping ground ! We look forward to seeing you when you return for another visit. We will ensure that we have room at the inn for you ! All the best from us all at Liz at Lancaster and thanks for coming to stay
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cape town
Senior Contributor
26 reviews 26 reviews
7 hotel reviews
Reviews in 12 cities Reviews in 12 cities
8 helpful votes 8 helpful votes
“Catering for every need”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed November 23, 2012

We spent five days here in November and were more than impressed. We had read the rave reviews and were expecting something special. Well we got it. From the very well equipped room, with loads of advice on visitor attractions, restaurants etc, to the hearty breakfasts and friendly staff, it was a great visit. We used Zac the "chaffeur" to get us to and from meetings in Sandton City and saved oursleves the aggravation of peak hour traffic. Will highly recommend this place.

Stayed November 2012, traveled with family
Was this review helpful? Yes
Ask gramench about Liz at Lancaster Guesthouse
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Liz D, Owner at Liz at Lancaster Guesthouse, responded to this review
November 27, 2012
Dear Gramench,
Thank you so much for your review of your stay here at Liz at Lancaster. We are always worried when potential guests say 'We've read your excellent reviews' as it puts such pressure to live up to expectations. So we are delighted that you weren't disappointed. We try to make sure that we provide good value and comfortable accommodation at competitive rates with all the extra conveniences that make a stay easy and hassle free. Of course one of these conveniences is having Zac as an on-site driver. So we're pleased that this added value to your trip. We thoroughly enjoyed having you to stay and hope to see you back to stay with your family. Thanks once again from all at Liz at Lancaster - Liz, Catherine, Zac, Thandie and now Elaine who has joined the team.
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Harare, Zimbabwe
Senior Reviewer
6 reviews 6 reviews
3 hotel reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“Simply beautiful!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed November 9, 2012

This is a woman who has thought of everything down to the last detail and it really makes you feel welcome and comfortable. The rooms were immaculate and the price is very reasonable. Liz has even made a lovely book explaining different things to do in JHB, which was perfect for people like us who haven't a clue. We chose Liz purely by coincidence as it was close to Sandton City but we were not disappointed at all. The breakfast is delicious and they serve REAL coffee :-)
I can highly recommend this B&B.

  • Stayed October 2012, traveled with family
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes
Ask Kirkenstien about Liz at Lancaster Guesthouse
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
LizatLancaster, Owner at Liz at Lancaster Guesthouse, responded to this review
November 11, 2012
Thank you for coming to stay and for writing of your experience here at Liz at Lancaster. Also delighted that you found us conveniently located for Sandton City. Craighall Park is such a central suburb in Joburg that it is only 10 minutes from the 2 main business and leisure hubs of both Sandton and Rosebank. I'm also pleased that you found our information booklet so useful. There is so much to see and do in Joburg that it really does help if you have an insider's view of what to do and see in terms of tourist attractions, restaurants, shopping, etc as well as practical info to orientate you to a new city. Having lived in Joburg all my life and being involved in researching aspects of Joburg's heritage, I love 'spreading the word' about what Jozi has to offer. And as for REAL coffee at breakfast - good ground coffee is one of life's essential luxuries ! And we stock all the room kitchenettes with it as well. So thanks again for your feedback. All the best from the team at Liz at Lancaster : Liz, Catherine, Elaine, Zac and Thandie
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Khartoum
Contributor
12 reviews 12 reviews
5 hotel reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
“Safe haven”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed November 9, 2012

As highly spontaneous trip planners we were fortunate to get in on a last minute cancellation into this wonderful and conveniently located GH. Every imaginable need is considered in the tastefully decorated and well equipped unit, from map books, written directions to the airport, recommendations for where to get a hair cut and the well stocked kitchen and bar.... the list goes on endlessly...

  • Stayed November 2012, traveled with friends
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes
See 3 more reviews by whoelseKhartoum for Johannesburg
Ask whoelseKhartoum about Liz at Lancaster Guesthouse
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
LizatLancaster, Owner at Liz at Lancaster Guesthouse, responded to this review
November 10, 2012
Thank you so much for taking the time to write of your experiences here at Liz at Lancaster. We were delighted that we had 'room at the inn' with a last minute cancellation. We really enjoyed meeting you and hearing about your work in Karthoum. The hospitality industry has many wonderful advantages but meeting so many interesting people from all over the world is one that we particularly value. Good that you found all the 'concierge' information we provide so useful. Thanks for coming to stay and we hope that if ever you are down in this part of the world again, you'll come back and stay at Liz at Lancaster. All the best from the Liz at Lancaster team - Liz, Catherine, Zac and Thandie
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Liz at Lancaster Guesthouse
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Additional Information about Liz at Lancaster Guesthouse

Address: 79 Lancaster Avenue | Craighall Park, Johannesburg 2196, South Africa
Phone Number:
Region: South Africa > Gauteng > Greater Johannesburg > Johannesburg
Amenities:
Free Breakfast Free Parking Kitchenette Pets Allowed Shuttle Bus service Suites Swimming Pool Wheelchair access
Hotel Style:
Ranked #1 of 188 B&Bs / Inns in Johannesburg
Price Range: $$
Hotel Class:4 star (4*)
Official Description (provided by the hotel):
One of the first guesthouses to open in the Rosebank Region some 19 years ago, Liz at Lancaster has built a strong reputation based on excellent personal service, great comfort, convenient location, seclusion and privacy. Given recognition for this in 2011 with an AA Accommodation Award for ‘People who go the extra mile’, an AA Accommodation in 2012 for 'Traveller's best value', Liz at Lancaster was also voted a finalist three years in a row in the AA 2010, 2011 & 2012 Accommodation Awards. We are included in Greenwood Guides Handpicked Accommodation. But perhaps most telling of all are our guest comments: ‘We loved the peace and privacy – we didn’t even know there were other guests here.’ ‘Craighall Park is such a central location – under 10 minutes from Rosebank and Melrose Arch and less than 15 minutes to Sandton Central. Even Parktown and Joburg Central are easily accessible – it took us 12 minutes to Wits.’ ‘Superb service and such comfortable spacious rooms’. ‘The on-site transport was a real added bonus.’ ‘Your Joburg information booklet in our room was amazingly helpful and useful.’ It is a mere 12 minute ride from O.R Tambio International Airport to the Rosebank Gautrain Station which is only 3.5 km from Liz at Lancaster. You can either pick up your rental car when you arrive at the station, or phone us for a transfer – a real added convenience. With 7 very private individual units all with separate entrances and kitchenettes offering self-catering options, Liz at Lancaster is ideal for long stays whether for business travelers or for those relocating. Rates drop for weekly and monthly stays. There are 2 standard spacious double rooms (25 & 30 m²), 3 studio flatlets (55 m²), and 2 one-bedroom cottages (80 m²) each with separate living/dining room and open plan kitchen. All lead onto their own enclosed courtyards where you can enjoy your privacy on a warm Highveld summer evening while sipping at a sundowner from your mini-bar. During our chilly Jozi winter months you will be warmly snug with under-carpet heating and electric blankets. All units have shower and bath, ample well-lit work areas/dining tables, separate sitting area, broadband WiFi connection, flat screen TVs and DSTV with own decoders (25 channels), overhead fans, convenient luxuries like hairdryers, toweling gowns, radio clock alarms, luxurious cotton percale linen, a house branded range of natural toiletries and on-the-house E-spring filtered water. Delicious breakfasts are served to order on the breakfast patio which opens out onto the garden in summer and is warmed by a roaring log fire in winter. There is ample secure off-street undercover parking. We offer a same day laundry service and on-site transport at very reasonable rates. All credit cards including Diners and American Express are accepted. Liz and two staff live on site and are always at the other end of the internal intercoms. As Liz taught Art History and Heritage at Wits University for 25 years, she keeps abreast with cultural events and has quite an extensive library. A further bonus of staying at Liz at Lancaster is the convenience of the neighbourhood shops at the end of the block: a 7-7 grocery store, a chemist, restaurant, etc. ... more   less 
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