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Reviews of The Houghton Hotel, Spa, Wellness & Golf

5 out of 5
The Houghton Hotel, Spa, Wellness & Golf
Lloys Ellis Ave, Johannesburg, Gauteng

Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 108 out of 142 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 22 out of 142 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 6 out of 142 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 4 out of 142 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 2 out of 142 reviews" "

9.6/10

Cleanliness

9.4/10

Staff & service

9.6/10

Amenities

9.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.4/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Charles K.O

Travelled with partner
This is one of the best hotels in Africa if not the world.. the front desk ppl were soo friendly.. the reservations people were quick To solve any issues and even compensate when they didn’t have to. So many dinning options.. the spa is amazing, pool area peaceful and serene.. . thanks to Expedia and Houghton I got every penny of my monies worth.. I will definitely stay there again.. love love love it..
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ivan

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The room was huge. I didn’t expect the penthouse to be so big. It looked like an apartment. I just loved it!
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024
Response from The Houghton Hotel on 25 Jan 2024
Dear Ivan, Thank you for choosing The Houghton Hotel to spend your stay while in Johannesburg. We are thrilled you enjoyed the accommodation our beautiful penthouses have to offer and look forward to welcoming you back soon. Yours sincerely, Jaco and The Management Team

6/10 Okay

Jephunneh, Long Beach CA

Travelled with partner
Upon our second day at the Houghton Hotel, we realized that we had never stayed at a 5-star hotel that broadcasts its 5-star rating so blatantly and often. It seemed more to affirm a vision and goal rather than just being one, as most 5-star hotels are. If only an “A” for effort is what makes a 5-star hotel, but alas it is not. Effective efficient execution is what makes the difference and the Houghton remains a work in progress in that regard starting with the front desk and guest services. They seemed confused and lost as shown by their need to confer via committee to resolve issues. However, there were notable bright spots. The hotel and grounds are beautiful (less the secondary unsanitary pool) and the VIP Coordinator & shuttle service sets the standard for what the rest of the hotel service needs to achieve regarding customer service. Another bright spot was the Nova Bistro, especially the breakfast staff. Kudos to the Porters as well. Although 2 pools were in excellent condition, the secondary pool was in very poor condition and the hotel just kept dumping chemicals daily when the pool obviously needed to be drained and cleaned. Not only would this not occur at an average 5-star hotel, a fine dining, reservations only, restaurant would not allow for reservation booking outside of the operating hours; not to mention putting the onus the hotel guests to know operating hours.
Stayed 9 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Barbara

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It’s beautiful and the staff is very friendly.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Brian

Travelled with partner, Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very nice big rooms that are very comfortable.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Naledi

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Excellent service
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023
Response from Robyn on 7 Nov 2023
Dear Naledi, Thank you for awarding us your top score. We are delighted you experienced our 5 Star service and look forward to welcoming you back soon. Yours sincerely,Jaco and The Management Team

10/10 Excellent

Adam Gregory, Manhattan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Honestly, one of the best hotels in Johannesburg. Gorgeous location. The rooms and facilities world class!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023
Response from Houghton on 24 Oct 2023
Dear Adam,There is nothing we like more than when our Guests award us their top score. Thank you for highlighting both the beauty of our property and the great service you received from our Team Members. Yours sincerely, Jaco and The Management Team

8/10 Good

Shanell

Travelled with family, Business traveller
Liked: Amenities
The property was really nice the only horrible thing about the property is that the lights kept a going out our entire stay. Literally like 10 times a day although not long but the fact that it kept doing it at peak momenets in the trip like at dinner and breakfast and plenty times when we were in the room
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023
Response from HH on 22 Sept 2023
Dear Shanell, We appreciate your feedback. South Africa is subject to an electricity shortage which results in daily scheduled load shedding. Unfortunately we also experience unscheduled load shedding which was the case when you visited the hotel. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.Yours sincerely,Jaco and The Management Team

10/10 Excellent

Michael

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
Response from The Houghton Hotel on 20 Sept 2023
Dear Michael, There is nothing we like more than when our Guests award us their top score. We are thrilled you enjoyed your stay and look forward to welcoming you back soon. Yours sincerely, Jaco and The Management Team.

10/10 Excellent

Jamil

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great place to stay
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Houghton Hotel Amazing, A Must Stay!
My family’s stay at Houghton Hotel was absolutely amazing. We will definitely stay here again during our next visit to Jo’burg. Our room was immaculate, the service and hospitality were exceptional. The staff were so kind, so helpful and so very thoughtful. They attended to our every need and always made sure we were comfortable and happy. We are a family of 4 (husband, wife and 2 young children) and we are well traveled. It can be difficult to find a place that all 4 of us enjoy, but this was definitely one of them! We very much consider this one of the top hotels we’ve ever been too!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023
Response from HH on 11 July 2023
Thank you for you glowing report. We are pleased you found both our service and hospitality exceptional. We are proud to announce that The Houghton Hotel has been awarded South Africa's leading hotel in 2023.We look forward to welcoming you back to our hotel soon. Yours sincerely,Jaco and The Management Team.

10/10 Excellent

Katharine

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The Houghton is a safe, extremely comfortable place. The staff were amazing and the food was excellent. It was a wonderful stay and a great place to be after 36 hours of travel.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023
Response from Lauri on 6 July 2023
Dear KatharineThank you for awarding us your top score. We are delighted you found The Hotel to be both safe and comfortable and that you had a memorable dining experience. We look forward to welcoming you back soon. Yours sincerely, Jaco and The Management Team.

8/10 Good

Amish, Lusaka

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Charmaine

Travelled with partner
Spent my honeymoon at the Houghton Hotel and from being greeted with a rose and complimentary glass of wine, we knew it would be a pleasant experience. From the front desk staff to the restaurant we were well taken good care of! Our room was beautiful and spacious. Delicious food and most friendly staff, we loved Sisa! Will absolutely come again and recommend!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

DESIGN

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
LT SHOES
I loved my stay at The Houghton mixing work with leisure, playing 2 rounds of golf on there wonderful golf course and enjoying the friendly service from all the staff at Houghton
Stayed 5 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kristine, Atlanta

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful rooms with great restaurant options.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

8/10 Good

Jenika

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Friendly staff, onsite restaurant, no kids indoor pool, unfortunately late checkout not offered
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

sally

Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The service was amazing, very good customer service, room very spacious overall will stay anytime i come to Johannesburg and will always recommend.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Erica

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Philip

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
I haven’t been to all parts of South Africa but, I think this is the most beautiful hotel in this country. Everything was perfect. Oh, and I got upgraded from executive suite to the Penthouse. Everything about this hotel is wonderful. The staff, the breakfast, the drinks. Everything was amazing. This would be my hotel anytime I am in Johannesburg. I hope there are more branches in every city.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Bernie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023

6/10 Okay

Sandeep

Business traveller
Disliked: Room comfort
Okkaish hotel
I did not feel like a five star hotel, lacking informations. Restaurant staff was not professional.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023

4/10 Poor

brett

Travelled with family
Liked: Property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Staff & service
HOTEL IS A JOKE....PATHETIC
The hotel was a joke. My wife got stick in the lift for 5 minutes because in load shedding the generator doesn't work for at least 5 minutes!!! My wife was screaming for help because with no power no lights and lift....and guess what the alarm in the lift didnt work either. We will never stay there agin!!!
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Irene

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tshepho

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Modern, exquisite, magnificent

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

MOHAMED

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

syyeda

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The Staff goes above and beyond to be helpful! This is our 2nd weeklong visit to the Houghton, and we intend to keep coming back. The amenities are wonderful, very well maintained.

10/10 Excellent

Antoine

6/10 Okay

Elizabeth

Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Cleanliness
I really loved the look and feel of the hotel however there were two things that put me off in the room. One was - there was a cracked wall in top ceiling of bathroom which looked spa- like. This shld not have been missed as when you looked up you could see it. Then was the stain by the toilet that looked like smeared poop 💩 that wasn’t properly cleaned off. Other than these two items it was a pleasant stay.

10/10 Excellent

Charmaine

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This is a beautiful hotel. Love the service and the rooms were amazing.

10/10 Excellent

Wiseman

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2022

2/10 Terrible

Muhammad Hassen Raza

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2022

8/10 Good

Samuel

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
A Big Treat
An outstanding hotel. That has everything you need to never leave.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Paul, Poway

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The Houghten Hotel is incredible and if at any time we need to travel to Johannesburg again we will stay here. We stayed one night in a unit that was spread among the top two floors that was immaculate.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sherry

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful room, very clean. Super friendly and accommodating staff great room service!
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Gactjens

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Best hotel in Johannesburg area (Houghton)
This hotel was exquisite. We stayed in the inspiration penthouse overlooking the city. The first floor comes with a full kitchen, laundry room, living room, dining room, and two luxuriously adorned bedrooms. The top floor has a panoramic view of the city with glass from top to bottom with an huge flat screen TV ideal for movie nights. In addition, the top floor has an huge balcony with lounge chairs, a private swimming pool, and hot tub. There is a restaurant right at the hotel. I had breakfast there one morning and the food was fantastic. Next time I travel to Johannesburg, this hotel is where I will stay. Don’t forget to bring your golf gear with you if you play golf because there is a golf course on the property. Overall, this hotel gets a 10 out of 10.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2022

8/10 Good

Warren

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful Clean Rooms. Wonderful staff. Steam and Sauna area needs to be upgraded and kept up. Convenient Location, Lounge and Dining areas make it easy for business associates and friends to visit. We would stay here again.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2022
Response from Jaco Minnaar on 19 Aug 2022
Dear Warren, Thank you for sharing your experience upon your recent stay with us. We loved reading all your positive points and thank you for your fair comments. We look forward to welcoming you back very soon. Kind Regards, Jaco & The Houghton Team

10/10 Excellent

Tamara

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Houghton is very deserving of its 5 star rating!
The Houghton is beautiful, clean, safe and comfortable. The staff is amazing and accommodating. The spa is fabulous! We did several spa treatments, used the sauna & steam rooms and swam in the heated pool. Also, the fit bar gym was the absolute best hotel gym my daughter has ever used. The food at the restaurants were delicious. We ate at Nova Bistro and Sejour. We chose the Houghton for a 2 night stay after a wedding in Vic Falls & safari in Hawange, Zimbabwe. It was absolutely perfect and I highly recommend!!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Nnamdi

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Natasha

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I had such a lovely stay. This is a gorgeous property with very friendly and professional staff. The nova bistro downstairs had so many great options and overall enjoyed my week here. It did truly feel like home away from home. Definitely recommend staying here while in JHB.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022

8/10 Good

Lloyd

Stayed 4 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Hoyt, Chevy Chase

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful hotel, and the food is phenomenal. Hands-down best breakfast we've had anywhere.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2022
Response from Jaco & The Houghton Team on 19 May 2022
Dear Hoyt. Hands down your review is one of our favorites. We appreciate your positive review regarding your stay at our property. Trust, we will see you again soon. Kind Regards, Jaco & The Houghton Team

4/10 Poor

Jacobus

Stayed 1 night in May 2022
Response from Jaco & The Houghton team on 11 June 2022
Dear Jacobus, Thank you for sharing your feedback with us. Please do reach out to us personally to discuss your stay further. Kind Regards, Jaco & The Houghton Team

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2022
Response from Jaco & The Houghton team on 11 June 2022
Dear Florence, Thank you for taking the time to review your most recent stay with us. See you soon, Kind Regards, Jaco & The Houghton team

10/10 Excellent

Donald

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2022
Response from Jaco & The Houghton team on 11 June 2022
Dear Donald, Thank you for the perfect score. We hope to see you again soon. Kind Regards, Jaco & The Houghton team

10/10 Excellent

Yosef

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Loved the hospitality
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Tomikca

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The Houghton is a beautiful property. It’s filled with lovely artwork, that’s inclusive of Mandela. Guests are welcomed with roses and a bottle of champagne. The rooms are stunning as well. I could write a whole page of things that I loved about this property, but in short, it was the esthetics, the food, and the customer service. When I return to Johannesburg, this will be my go-to hotel.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Lucy

Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2022
Response from Jaco & The Houghton Team on 16 Apr 2022
Dear Michael, It was a pleasure to host you on this stay. Looking forward to next time. Kind Regards,

8/10 Good

nala

Stayed 1 night in Apr 2022
Response from Jaco & The Houghton Team on 16 Apr 2022
Dear Nala, Thank you for visiting The Houghton Hotel Spa Wellness and Golf Resort. We are delighted that you enjoyed your experience with us. We will see you again soon. Kind Regards,