Situated on Maude Street, also known as the Wall Street of Africa, the Protea Hotel Balalaika is right in the heart of the city. It is ideally located just three minutes away from the Sandton Gautrain Station which connects guests to OR Tambo International Airport in just 15 minutes. The Balalaika is also just 300m from Sandton City Shopping Centre, the Sandton Convention Centre and Nelson Mandela Square, all of which can be accessed by the hotel’s free shuttle service.
Despite it being located in the midst of Johannesburg’s business mecca, the Balalaika offers a serene and relaxing environment for those searching for a sanctuary, with two crystal clear pools, beautiful rose bush-filled gardens, and an abundance of bird life.
The Balalaika Hotel has been fulfilling Joburgers’ needs for an amazing 66 years. The hotel was established in 1948 as a tea garden in a quaint country house, and in 1949 it was officially established as a hotel. As part of the history of Johannesburg, it seems that almost everyone has their own story about the Balalaika. As a result, the hotel is a sort of heritage site filled with memories, a rich cultural history, and an impressive legacy.
There is even a mini museum inside its corridors, bursting with reminders of the influential people who have visited the hotel, including Steve Zachary (who recorded his album inside the hotel), Sir Richard Branson (who dropped by and signed a bottle of wine as a memento of his visit), and Gerard le Grand, who founded the Balalaika.
Now progressing towards the future, the hotel is constantly evolving. An ongoing refurbishment programme has enabled The Balalaika to offer the most modern facilities, such as free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, a business centre, and state of the art conferencing facilities (which can hold a maximum of 300 people).
The Bull Run Restaurant (in existence for 14 years), offers first-class service and food. The restaurant ages its own meat and there is even a master in-house butcher to provide only the freshest of meat. The restaurant also blends its own red and white wines, which is just another personal touch that gives the Balalaika that extra sparkle.
Contact details
Tel: +27(0)11 322 5000
Email: reservations@balalaika.co.za
