Review: African Pride Melrose Arch, Autograph Collection – Presidential Suite

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tl;dr—In Johannesburg, the African Pride Melrose Arch is a good choice for a comfortable hotel near plenty of shopping and dining options. Though there are a few quirks, the African Pride Melrose Arch is an excellent value for its price, and you’re in for a treat if you can snag the presidential suite.

After safari adventures at Kruger, courtesy of Leopard Sands, I returned to Johannesburg for my final night in South Africa before flying to London. Seeking an ‘easy’ spot where I could rest and lounge before the twelve-hour flight, I came across African Pride Melrose Arch, an Autograph Collection hotel. 

Booking the African Pride Melrose Arch

I booked a one-night stay at the African Pride Melrose Arch, Autograph Collection directly through Marriott’s website, booking the presidential suite. After a bit of shopping around for other hotel options in the city, I noticed the presidential suite was available for 7,918.40 ZAR ($434.16 at the time of this writing), which felt like a good deal, and a great way to cap off my African travels.

Getting In, Location, and Vibe

The hotel is located in the Melrose Arch neighborhood of Johannesburg, about a 25-minute ride from O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB). After hopping off our Airlink flight from Skukuza, we hopped in a car and headed to the hotel. According to the Melrose Arch neighborhood website, Melrose Arch is a “modern urban precinct, a pillar of African internationalism renowned for its world-class safety and security, boasting an eclectic café culture paired with a retail galleria showcasing over 100 local and international brands.” To me, it is a somewhat flashy commercial area with several malls, shops, eateries, apartments, condos, office buildings, and event spaces. Located in the heart of Melrose Square, the hotel’s upscale design fits right into the surrounding development. Also, the security piece is no joke. The entire district is patrolled by heavily armed security guards and it’s shouldn’t come as a surprise if your car is stopped and questioned on your way into the hotel.

The lobby is bright, inviting, and well-decorated. You’ll find fresh flowers on the front desk, an array of roses adorning the wall, and a large (fake) tree in front of one of the restaurants. Elsewhere in the lobby area, there are several art pieces, paintings, prints, and sculptures from local artists. The team’s uniforms are also vibrant, sharp, and unique, exemplifying how Autograph Collection member hotels can put their local flair and essence front and center. 

Check-in was painless. In addition to the breakfast, elites receive a free gift and I chose a complimentary bottle of wine. A few moments later we were on our way to the room.

The Room

The presidential suite was everything I hoped it would be. Here’s an accelerated walkthrough of the suite.

Off to the right is the first of three separate outdoor areas in the suite. This alcove features a two-seater lounger, perfect for relaxing in the sun. 

Back inside and across the living room is another door that opens to the second outdoor area, a large wraparound balcony/patio. There’s an outdoor dining table perfect for room service or takeout. Around the corner is a small lawn that is also accessible from the bedroom. 

The scenery is terrific—you have great views of the Melrose neighborhood, including the square beneath you. From here, you can enjoy some pretty picturesque sunsets.

Going back into the living room (from the door we entered), you’ll find a mini-office tucked away to your right, across the hall from a half-bath. 

Entering the bedroom, you’re greeted by a large king bed, a giant soaking tub, a spacious walk-in closet, and a full bath. 

The final outdoor area is accessible. A short stone path brings you to an outdoor rain shower.

Outstanding.

Ok, first quirk. What’s the difference between a presidential suite and a penthouse suite? Does anyone know? Is there one? I ask because this room managed to play both roles well. With so many areas to rest and recline, it felt very presidential, but don’t sleep; it ‘stayed ready so it never had to get ready’ for any guests who planned to ‘throw down.’ Case in point: if your crew rolls into town ready for the party of your life, you need only pull out a few drawers to reveal the room entertainment system that conveniently, in 2024, is powered by compact discs and DVDs. And when the party hits that Digital-Versatile-Disc-and-chill phase, there is something for everybody. Those artsy types can enjoy ‘Carol,’ the young at heart can pop in “The Lorax,” and those chasing the chuckles can press play on “Barbershop: The Next Cut.”

That Cedric the Entertainer is a plum fool, I tell ya.

Grounds and Amenities

The hotel has a pool and a yard in the center, both of which looked inviting. I didn’t hop in but stepped out to snap a few photos. 

Ok, second quirk: the gym. There is no fitness center on-site at the hotel, but guests have access to a fitness center, Moove Motion Fitness Club, a few blocks away, set back amidst a few stores. As a heads up, you’ll need to register upon arrival, which can take 10-15 minutes, so you’ll want to factor that into your schedule.

This gym is the lovechild of an L.A. Fitness Center and an Equinox, whose step-parents were a climbing gym. Any type of movement that qualifies for exercise is available to you here. Weight machines? Of course. Cardio machines? I lost count at 63. Crossfit? Yes. Pilates reformer? Don’t overstretch yourself, Hollywood. Climbing wall? Congrats, You’re ready for Kilimanjaro. I think they even had some of those big-ass round stones from the World’s Strongest Man competition. 

However, my (least) favorite part of this gym was how every five minutes, no matter where you were in the gym, the 1500 televisions would all play the same motivational videos, letting you know that you simply are not enough—not doing enough in this workout, not enough in this moment, not enough in life. Enjoy your smoothie on the way back to the hotel, kid.

Dining

There are three dining outlets at the hotel: Aduna Bistro, Sebule Grill & Cellar, and the Pool Bar. Aduna Bistro serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily—elites can choose the buffet as their welcome amenity—and offers contemporary cuisine. Sebule is a bit more high-end. It boasts traditional South African open-flame cooking and is open for lunch Wednesday through Sunday, dinner Tuesday through Sunday, and closed on Mondays. You can grab drinks and snacks from the Pool Bar during the open pool hours.

I didn’t eat at any restaurant but placed one room service order. The food was ok – a bit heavy handed on the portion sizes. 

For what it’s worth, both Aduna and Sebule are reasonably well-reviewed. There are also a whole host of dining options nearby that will ensure you don’t go unfed. We ordered some food from a Turkish restaurant across the square from the hotel, which was pretty tasty and likely enough for two meals.

Service

Service was solid overall, though maybe a bit slow. Our room service order took a while, and I requested a dental kit that never came. Ultimately, I rolled by the front desk to scoop one up. In my opinion, these are trivial matters that don’t color the larger experience, and I only raise them to be transparent. 

Conclusion

I only stayed one night at the African Pride Melrose Arch Hotel, so I didn’t get a chance to test this property with a more extended stay, but it’s solid. It is as advertised—a ‘premium’ offering with comfortable rooms, multiple dining options, and a handful of amenities. If you like to be in the mix, you’d likely enjoy yourself there. If nothing else, African Pride Melrose Arch is affordable, bookable on points, and does a good job of honoring elite benefits. In Johannesburg, there aren’t a ton of upmarket points hotels, so keep the African Pride Melrose Arch in mind for your next trip to South Africa’s largest city.