Reception
Check availability

Reviews of Bannister Hotel

2.5 out of 5
Bannister Hotel
9 De Beer Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, Gauteng

Reviews

7.2

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 10 out of 38 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 13 out of 38 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 8 out of 38 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 3 out of 38 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 4 out of 38 reviews" "

7.0/10

Cleanliness

8.4/10

Staff & service

7.4/10

Amenities

6.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

5.0/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

8/10 Good

Michael

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The Bannister Hotel is very conveniently situated for access to Witwatersrand University, where I was doing some research in archives. On arrival, my first impression was discouraging because of people hanging around outside, but the room was good and comfortable and I settled in well. Overall I enjoyed my stay. The "Bannister Breakfast" is very adequate and nicely cooked and served. I had my evening meals in. The bar/restaurant can be quite noisy, but I adjusted to that. The food was good and service quite quick. The staff were very friendly and helpful. The hotel is situated in the city centre and there is always some anxiety about security and safety. I was not happy that a fire escape door near my room was kept open because it provided access to three outside rooms. I shut it from my mind, but very early one morning (3.30am) I woke to hear someone on the metal steps, and that unsettled me. That was the only negative during my stay.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Helarie Rose

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The staff at this hotel are wonderfully friendly, always happy to help. During my stay there, I did not even realize that there electricity blackout in Johannesburg everyday. The restaurant bar downstairs has a good range of food at a reasonable price with very friendly crews. It gets busy and noisy there during the weekend with a DJ playing good music. That gives a good and convenient option to chill without going to places that may not be safe. However, if loud music is not your thing, just ask during check-in for quiet rooms. The receptionist did get me one of those quiet rooms. I will totally go back there any time I visit Johannesburg and has business to do in Braamfontein.
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2024
Response from Monde on 15 Feb 2024
Hi Helarie. Thanks so much for the great review, its really appreciated

8/10 Good

Jabu

Stayed 1 night in Nov 2023

2/10 Terrible

Kelebogile

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
I wouldn't recommend it to anyone
There is a lot of noise, the parking was terrible after parking our car we had to walk in a dark alley and the security who opened the gate for us was very annoyed when we asked questions. Our room had a terrible smell and opening the windows didn't help.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023

6/10 Okay

Mapitso

Business traveller
Disliked: Room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023
Response from Monde Manci on 12 Sept 2023
Good day Thank you very much for your review ,we hope to be of service to you again in the near future.

10/10 Excellent

shaiq

Stayed 1 night in May 2023
Response from Monde Manci on 19 July 2023
Good day ShauqThank you very much for taking time sending us a review,It means a lot to us.We hope to be of service to you in the near future.

10/10 Excellent

Nomfaneleko

Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023
Response from Monde on 29 Mar 2023
Good day NomfaneloThank you very much for staying with us ,It is a plessure to hear that you enjoyed your stay with us.We hope to be of service to you in the the near future.

2/10 Terrible

sandra

Travelled with family
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Bad review not recommended
Had to look for other accomadations. Not a 8.0 hotel. In the slums. Man hanging out on stairs. Desk agent never addressed me. Area made me feel unsafe
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022

8/10 Good

Waddilove

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022
Response from Monde Manci on 29 June 2022
Good day Waalove. Thank you very much for review,We hope to be of service to you again in the near future.

10/10 Excellent

Aftab

Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2021

10/10 Excellent

Malesela

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2020

6/10 Okay

STUART

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
WELL LOCTED HOTEL IN DESPERATE NEED OF ATTENTION
The Bannister Hotel is in probably the best location in this part of the city when it comes to eateries, markets and entertainment, it is a very basic 3 star but more 2-star standard and not very well maintained and run. It is grubby in places and just not hygienic or clean and had some strange smells and air-con in rooms that is too warm and air-con in public areas that is freezing. Service is decent if slow. Bed comfort below average and awful very soft p[illows and a shower with plastic shower curtain.It is very noisy at night, but I can accept that and you must be prepared for it,so getting peaceful sleep if you a light sleeper may be an issue.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2020
Response from Andrew on 2 Sept 2020
Hi Stuart I am shocked by your review. When you spoke to Thando at the front desk you said you were happy with your stay! As we are in lockdown we are running with extremely limited staff so I apologise if service was a bit slow. All staff working at the hotel either stay at the hotel or walk to work. Our staff are not allowed to catch public transport during the Lockdown. We have avoided any breakout of COVID amongst staff by following strict measures. Your room would have been deep cleaned before you checked in. We normally supply 4 pillows offering variety but due to safety concerns we have limited the pillows to 2. Sorry you didn't like a soft pillow - most people prefer it. We dont use air con but perhaps the heater in your room was too hot and you should have been turned down. The public areas are freezing as we are trying to ensure fresh air enters the hotel to avoid the possibility of virus infection. Thankfully warmer days will soon be here. We normally close the windows to prevent noise pollution when the restaurant plays music on Friday and Saturday but to limit the spread of COVID we ensure windows are kept open to allow air movement. Music was switched off at 9:30pm.

6/10 Okay

Rene

Business traveller
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2020

8/10 Good

Busisiwe

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2020
Response from Monde Manci on 4 Mar 2020
Hi Busisiwe Thank you for taking time and give us your feedback. We glad to hear that you had a good time with us we look forward to be of service to you again in the near future.

6/10 Okay

Cheryllyn

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
A Little Disappointed
There is lots of room for improvement. There were cockroaches in the room. Kettle was missing. during checkin we were told that breakfast was not included and yet the booking online included breakfast.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2019
Response from Monde on 3 Feb 2020
Good day Cherylln Thank you for staying with us and for taking the time to write this review

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
A good nigjt at Bannister
The receptuin staff was very friendly and the dormitory clean.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2019
Response from Monde on 3 Feb 2020
Good day Thank you for staying with us and for taking the time to write this review

10/10 Excellent

Siphiwe

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2019
Response from Monde Manci on 29 July 2019
Hi Siphiwe Thank you for choosing the Bannister Hotel.

6/10 Okay

Kmm

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Nice place, good restaurant. As others have commented, the place is a bit loud but fine with earplugs (could be really bad on a Friday or Saturday night though..). Poor rating because what’s up with the shower? We had a twin bed room—two people who don’t even share a bed. The wall between the shower and the bed room is not a ‘wall’ but frosted glass. We could watch each other shower. Awkward.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2019
Response from Monde Manci on 18 July 2019
Good day Kmm Thank you for staying with us and doe taking the time to write this review.

8/10 Good

Brad

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2019
Response from Monde Manci on 26 June 2019
Goodday Brad Thank you for staying with us and for taking the time to rate us. We hope to see you next time you are in the area

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Staff & service, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2018

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Travelled with partner
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness
First the good: staff were incredibly friendly as a helpful, the hotel restaurant and bar served good food, and the location is hard to beat in Braamfontein (other than noise from the bars downstairs and next door). I was in a king superior room. The room was much more rundown than pictures online would lead to believe. And the room was not clean--dirty floors, hairs on the sheets, stains on the walls and ceilings. They provided a base for an electric tea kettle, but no tea kettle. And the room had no air conditioning, only a fan, but there was only one electrical outlet so you can't plug in the fan and the desk lamp (or any other appliance or device) at the same time.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2018
Response from Monde Manci on 12 Dec 2018
Good day Anonymous Thank you for staying with us and for taking the time to write this review. Sorry to hear that the room was not up to standard and the coffee station was not set up. Next time, please come down to reception to voice your concerns so that we can assist!

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
It was too noisy at night, can hear the people chatting at the bar below
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2018
Response from Monde Manci on 12 Dec 2018
Hi Anonymous Thank you for staying with us and for taking the time to write this review. We do offer ear plugs upon request.

10/10 Excellent

Sokhula

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2018

10/10 Excellent

OBAFEMI T

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2018

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great fun location. Nice vibes
Nice hotel in a very vibey area. No complaints at all!
Stayed 1 night in May 2018
Response from Monde Manci on 30 May 2018
Hi. Thank you very much for your review, we hope to be of service to you in the near future.

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

2/10 Terrible

Dave , san Francisco, Ca

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Do not sell this hotel!
Room had no air conditioning or Tv. Room was not ready. It had no towels or even toilet paper. Yes, no toilet paper. You had to keep the window open due to no air.. downstairs was a loud club. Awful place stay. Do not use this hotel.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2018

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
City hotel
We just stayed at this hotel for one night. Our room was tiny and right on the street. For one night this was fine.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2017
Response from Monde Manci on 10 Jan 2018
Hi, Thank you very much for taking your time and send your review. We hope to see you on your next visit.

4/10 Poor

arildo, Maputo

Liked: Staff & service
Good location, noisy, poor wifi
I mean it is a relatively cheap hotel in a good location downtown close to Wits. Very noisy on Fri and Sat until 3 AM, so bring ear plugs. The WiFi was not working in my room, so one had to go the reception or bar for internet. For me, that’s the main thing that pulls down the score.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2017
Response from Alice on 28 Nov 2017
Thank you for your feedback. We have been really constrained by the local infrastructure, but have just improved our capacity to a dedicated 20meg line. We hope you return, Arildo, the wi-fi is very much imroved.

6/10 Okay

Martine, Bouc bel air France

Travelled with family
Hôtel avec un bar donc très bruyant jusqu’à une heure avancée de la nuit , chambre simple lits confortables
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2019
Response from Monde Manci on 13 May 2019
Thank you for staying with us and for taking the time to write this review

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Travelled with partner
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Das Zimmer war in einem sehr dreckigen Zustand. Das Frühstück war ausbaufähig.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2019
Response from Monde Manci on 22 Mar 2019
Hi Anonymous We would have liked to have your details as well as the room number so that we could attend to it. Unfortunately, we cant address the issue as we dont have your details.

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service, amenities
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2019

8/10 Good

Eberhard

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Good hotel with a good restaurant
Good hotel with a good restaurant; very friendly staff; they offer also a private laundry service if you ask; you can walk to the constitution hill where the tours of City Sightseeing are starting
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2018

8/10 Good

Franciele

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
No início tive problemas com barulho e calor absurdo no quarto porém ao reclamar me trocaram de quarto e me ofereceram um ventilador! O atendimento é fantásticos, todos os funcionários são muito educados e solícitos! O restaurante do hotel tem preços e comidas boas!
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2018

10/10 Excellent

Jari, Helsinki

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Keskusta
lähellä mm rautatieasemaa ja marketteja ja muita kauppoja
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2017

8/10 Good

Louis

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Virkelig nogen søde, rar og enormt venlige mennesker. men deres rengøring kunne være meget bedre. Vi havde desværre lidt problemer med kakerlakker de sidste 2 dage. Men udovere det var det et virkeligt godt ophold. deres restaurant er virkelig god!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2017
Thank you for staying with us and for taking the time to write your review. Thank you for letting us know about the cockroach issue; we will look into that problem. We assure you that it will be sorted on your next visit.

8/10 Good

Guilherme peixoto

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
O local tem um bar, e a noite é complicado para dormir
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2017
Good day Thank you for staying with us and for taking the time to write this review. We do supply airplugs upon request as it does get noisy over weekends.

8/10 Good

Leonardo D

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Hotel simples e barato.
O hotel faz parte de um bar que tinha festa a noite inteira. Ficamos em um quarto longe e ainda assim se escutava a festa. As toalhas estavam rasgadas. O valor equivale ao serviço prestado.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2017
Obrigado pela revisão. Você não deveria ter recebido uma tobera rasgada e removemos algumas das toalhas mais antigas - obrigado por nos informar. Nós somos barulhentos nas noites de sexta-feira e sábado - todo o vizinho é.