Glendower View Guest House

Glendower View Guest House Overview

I’ll be honest – when I first pulled up to Glendower View Guest House on Edward Drive, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. The Dowerglen area isn’t exactly where most tourists end up, but that’s actually part of what makes this place so refreshing. It sits in this quiet residential pocket of Johannesburg where you get a real sense of how locals live, away from the usual hustle of Sandton or the tourist trail around Constitution Hill.

What struck me immediately was how genuinely welcoming the whole setup feels – this four-star guest house has that perfect balance where it’s polished enough that you feel looked after, but not so formal that you’re afraid to put your feet up. The rooms are spacious (and I mean actually spacious, not hotel-brochure spacious), with these lovely big windows that let in proper South African light. You know what really got me? The little details – like how they actually have decent coffee in the rooms, not those sad instant packets you usually get. The beds are properly comfortable too, which honestly makes such a difference when you’re dealing with jet lag or long days exploring the city.

The location is smarter than it first appears. Sure, you’re not walking to major attractions, but Edward Drive puts you in this sweet spot where you can easily reach both the OR Tambo corridor and central Joburg without getting stuck in the worst traffic. I found myself appreciating the quiet evenings – you can actually hear birds instead of constant traffic, which is pretty rare for Johannesburg. The owners clearly know their business; they’ve got that local knowledge thing down where they’ll point you toward the good breakfast spots nearby (there’s this little place about ten minutes away that does incredible boerewors rolls) and can give you realistic advice about getting around the city. Parking is secure and right there, which anyone who’s spent time in Joburg will tell you is worth its weight in gold. I mean, there’s nothing worse than worrying about your car when you’re supposed to be relaxing. The guest house has this lived-in authenticity that you don’t get at the big chain hotels – it feels like staying with knowledgeable friends rather than just booking a room. If you’re looking for something genuine in Johannesburg, somewhere that gives you space to breathe while still being well-connected to everything you want to see, this place really delivers on that promise.

Activities in Johannesburg provide tourists with authentic local experiences, allowing them to explore traditional markets and experience daily life in charming neighborhoods like Melville and Greenside.

Glendower View Guest House Accommodations

Reviews of Glendower View Guest House

• Lovely stay, very recomendable! – Herman from Spain – September 20, 2025 (10/10)

  We had a lovely stay, everything was well organized.

• Pleased stay 😀 – Andrea from Germany – September 5, 2025 (9/10)

  Extreme good communication
  
  What could be improved: Nothing

• Cute place, relaxing stay – Irvine from Canada – September 5, 2025 (9/10)

  Always a nice place to stay. Generally feels safe, can come and go whenever, staff is polite. Clean, nice rooms.
  
  What could be improved: My only complaint is the bathroom had a large window and the blinds did not seem to be fully opaque.

• Business or leasure this is the place to stay – Reinhardt from South Africa – July 22, 2025 (10/10)

  Liked the location and the excellent breakfast. Really a home away from home
  
  What could be improved: nothing

• It was nice – Debashish from India – June 13, 2025 (8/10)

  The driveway and main building
  
  What could be improved: The rooms are all tucked away here and there in the main building and annexe, no real views of garden or Golf Course

• Enjoyed every moment! – Jaco from South Africa – June 6, 2025 (9/10)

  The staff, especially the manager (Lisa), was absolutely phenomenal, world-class! The room was clean and well-organised!

• Quiet, safe, accommodating – Irvine from Canada – May 28, 2025 (9/10)

  Really nice place, very clean, very quiet. Felt very safe! Breakfast was good and quick. Location was near the office I needed to visit, staff way very friendly
  
  What could be improved: I didn't know how to get back into the guest house when returning late at night (around 10pm), but I am not from South Africa so the concept of the gates is foreign to me so maybe I should have figured it out

• Super clean facilities, with a helpful and friendly team to assist whenever needed. – Barbara-anne from Australia – May 5, 2025 (10/10)

  Breakfast was delicious, and the team were very helpful and friendly. The bunnies provided a lot of fun entertainment! 🙂
  
  What could be improved: It was all fantastic!

• Exceptional – Fahd from France – May 2, 2025 (10/10)

  Great place and great people working there! i recommend 100%

• Lovely and comfortable guesthouse – Cheryl from South Africa – March 11, 2025 (8/10)

  The breakfast could have been a little better. Not much variety and bland. Perhaps fresh muffins or croissants could be served with a continental option.
  
  What could be improved: The property needs a little work. Small things need attention like window frames. However overall a lovely stay.

Surroundings

Facilities