Two nights in this efficient hotel. Breakfast was only meal here and that was good with plenty of choice and well cooked.Staff very good, particularly the maintenance guy who had to saw through the padlocks of our cases as some idiot thought he had lost the keys. These were found moments later in the "safe place" the idiot had put them and then had another "senior moment" about. Oh well, another dining out story.
The room was not very good,adequate and tired, at the back of the hotel with a dreary outlook.The rooms with balcony overlooking the really lovely garden in the courtyard would be the best option.Public areas are comfortable and the TV showing West Ham United, playing live on one night was great! Especially as we won.
Not having been to South Africa until this trip, keen to see how shaping up, post apartheid and pleased that this area of Jo'berg was extremely multicultural as far as people milling around, shopping and eating was concerned. They seemed to be either as tourists or locals and office workers.
Walking at night to the local eateries in Nelson Mandela square was not something to "worry" about. The hotel is adjacent to a mall with a good italian restaurant if you did not wish to venture far.
Not an area for the adventurous-a B&B in Soweto would be more like it- but for my wife and on our first trip here,it was worth visiting.

Very nice hotel. Has a great natural feel. Some rooms can be a little far off from the main lobby, but for those who prefer low slung accommodations as opposed to high-rises, this is the place. The Bull Run steakhouse has great food. Location wise this is close to the business district. All in all a very good experience.

The Balalaika Hotel has always represented great value for money. The hotel is perhaps the most reasonably priced within the exclusive Sandton area. It is located next to a shopping mall but the stores are gradually closing in advance of a major renovation in 2012. The rooms are always clean, the airconditioner works a treat and the beds are comfortable. The hotel is located next to the Bull Run Restaurant and Tivoli Italian at Village Walk complex. The Sandtom Mall is about a 5 minute walk away. Note: I have heard unconfirmed rumours the hotel will close due to a major expansion in the area and will eventually re-open after refurbishment.

a really good choice hotel, with a very clean spacious room, friendly check-in, and close to Sandton City shopping. one slight disadvantage is the parking - it is in a nearby carpark of a village shopping complex. plenty of restaurants in close proximity, and a 2 night stay here for a family wedding was so well worth it. a very good value hotel.