I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at Agterplaas Guesthouse. Since I was travelling alone, I was looking for an accommodation that might allow me to meet people and have interesting conversations, and the guesthouse offered me exactly that experience! Melville is a very pretty and quiet part of Johannesburg. The neighbourhood felt safe to me, but I didn't walk around the area much since all the sites I wanted to visit were located in other parts of the city. However, like many places in Johannesburg, the guesthouse was highly gated and I was given multiple keys to navigate several doors and gates around the property. The rooms were quaint and beautiful. The hosts were always ready to attend to my requests (such as my needing an additional power adapter), and even graciously upgraded my room for free since they had a last-minute cancellation. I therefore got to enjoy a much larger room with a detached tub and large bay windows looking out into the balcony. The free breakfast included with my reservation was absolutely fantastic! I honestly don't think I've had a better hotel breakfast anywhere in the world. Rather than just the standard buffet fare one finds in most hotels, they have an à la carte menu and everything has a sumptuous local flavour. Their bobotie is to die for, and I made sure to take the recipe from them so I could try making it at home. They can also provide other meals upon request, but make sure to reserve them in advance. Finally, I would like to offer a special thanks to Agterplaas' owners and managers, Elroy and Annemie. They were both incredibly warm, friendly and inviting people who made me feel right at home. On one of my nights there, I had a long conversation with them and some other guests about South African history and culture, which was an especially enriching experience to me as a professional scholar. By the end of my stay, they felt like old family friends.

Some of the room fixtures are old and whimsical, but that's part of the charm of the place. In any case, everything was perfectly functional and I had no problems.

I don't think Agterplaas could be better from a quality for price perspective. Position-wise Melville is a walkable neighborhood in Johannesburg (many close by restaurants), which is very relaxing, considering the city. The most interesting attractions in town are a few minutes Uber from the place and the airport is still not a very long Uber ride. The house is very warm and welcoming as well as the owners. We reached the place at about 9am on Saturday morning and were planning to leave very early (5 am) on Sunday morning: they were kind enough to offer us the included (excellent) breakfast on Saturday morning! The room was simple but comfortable. The whole place is beautiful in a charming familiar way, with a very nice, peaceful garden. We were sorry we had to leave so quickly as this is the kind of home far from home where you can envisage yourself spending some nice relaxing days (e.g. I feel it would be a very good candidate for smart working people).

There is nothing to improve: of course this is not a luxury accomodation, you get a simple room with all the necessary amenities (comfortable bed, airy room, good shower) and no particular frills, but this is exactly what's needed on a short budget. Breakfast à la carte is exceptional for the price.

Nestled in the heart of Melville, the Agterplaas Guesthouse offers a charming and serene retreat from the hustle and bustle of Johannesburg. The guesthouse exudes a warm and welcoming atmosphere, blending traditional South African hospitality with modern comforts. The service at Agterplaas is exceptional, with the staff going above and beyond to make guests feel at home. The hosts are friendly, approachable, and always ready to assist with any requests. Their personalized approach and genuine care for guests’ comfort set Agterplaas apart. Breakfast at Agterplaas is a delightful affair, featuring a varied selection of fresh, locally sourced ingredients. We thoroughly enjoyed the full English breakfast and “lekkerbek” french toast with bacon and banana. Agterplaas Guesthouse is a hidden gem in Johannesburg, offering a blend of comfort, convenience, and exceptional service. Whether you're visiting for business or leisure, this guesthouse provides a peaceful retreat with a touch of South African charm. Highly recommended for anyone looking to experience genuine hospitality in a prime location.

Breakfast is very good. The staff is very friendly. SWe stayed regularly in Agterplaas in the past

The room we had had no view, the window was very smal. That was a pity and a bit dissappointing. We stayed only 3 nights and were out in town most of the day so this was not a big thing. Melville unfortunately has lost a lot of its original vibe and buzz, many shops and bars in 7th Street were closed and to let.

This place is a hidden gem. Everything is perfect. The beds are firm but cosy, the breakfast is excellent and filling in the well lit and spacious dining room. The breads and pastries are home made and there is always someone around to help or assist. Everyone is extremely friendly and helpful. The room has everything you need - hot shower, blow dryer, tv, strong wifi and is so quiet to sleep! Shops and restaurants are close by. Walking distance to parks and Uber into town or to the mall easy and well priced. As a first time traveller to Joburg I wondered about staying in the suburb instead of the city but this is the way to do it in South Africa. You can walk around this area and take day trips into town or to Soweto. It was an excellent first place to stay. You will not be disappointed I promise you.

Nothing- it was perfect- the pics don’t do it justice. This is excellent value for money.

The guesthouse staff answered all my questions quickly, they were all so professional and caring, special shout-out to Happiness and Badia! My room was across the road and was very quiet. There was a lovely garden, it was nice seeing and hearing all the birds singing. The air conditioning stopped working on a hot night, I believe due to load shedding - out of anyone's control. I'm just so glad the room's fan was still working, helped me stay cool! They have a safe, fridge, and TV in the room. The breakfast was the best I've had in a long time, at a hotel/B&B - quite a selection, delicious, and plentiful! They held my luggage in a safe location on my checkout day. I recommend staying here!

Nothing!

Absolutely amazing team and service, felt so much warmth and welcome from the moment I arrived. Breakfast was absolutely delicious - their vetkoek made me so nostalgic - haha my inner child thanks them! I was a bit late getting to the guesthouse to check in and they were extremely understanding and helpful - really put my mind at ease. Love the decor, adorned with so much artistic character and authenticity! Outdoor spaces were so refreshing! Would totally recommend!

We had the best time in Agterplaas guesthouse. The host did everything to make feel at home : they even upgraded our room for free once we arrived. Besides, they made sure we got everything we needed for our 10 months old baby. The room are very spacious and comfortable, located in a very safe aera in Johannesburg (we could easily go out, have drinks and lunch by foot). And the breakfast, which is included, is excellent. Fresh baked bread, fresh fruits, very good muffins… Thank you for everything !

Nothing

The look and feel of the place is amazing. The rustic ambience is unique and the owners are amazing. Elroy was very accommodating and tentative, excellent job. The breakfast was also very tasty and hefty. Our room was also huge!!! Thank you for the hospitality!

We did face some "technical difficulties" with our room. The A/C was not working which is not the best thing to happen during winter. The toilet flush is as antique as the hotel with all the problems that come with it.

Breakfast at De Agterplaas was great with a range of fruit, cereal, home-made bread and pastries and a nice choice of cooked breakfasts included in the room rate. The owners and staff were all very friendly and welcoming. Jannie, the owner, provided a great recommendation for a local guide. We didn't need it but late check out was offered. The B&B itself is situated on a nice residential street and has an annexe across the road which is where we stayed. The style is a little dated but very comfortable.

Melville has suffered from lower business post Covid so the local centre is not 'buzzy' but still has some nice cafés and shops.