Sandton is where almost every visiting cricket fan bases themselves in Johannesburg, and for good reason — it's the safest, most walkable, and best-connected part of the city, with the Gautrain running straight through it and the Wanderers a short Uber ride away.
The Michelangelo Towers is the standout luxury option, an all-suite five-star property with direct access into Sandton City Mall and Nelson Mandela Square. Rooms come as full apartments with kitchens and separate living areas, which suits a longer stay covering multiple match days. There's a spa, indoor and outdoor pools, and an on-site restaurant, Parc Ferme, running breakfast through dinner. Being connected directly into the mall means you can walk to restaurants and shops without ever really stepping outside.
The Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel is the practical alternative, positioned right next to Sandton's Gautrain station. It leans business-hotel in character rather than resort-luxury, but the location is genuinely hard to beat if minimizing transit time to the airport, the CBD, or the Wanderers itself is your priority. It's a reliable, well-reviewed choice for a shorter, more matchday-focused stay.
Both hotels sit within Sandton's core, meaning you're a short walk or quick rideshare from Nelson Mandela Square's restaurants, the Sandton Gautrain station, and the wider retail district. Neither requires much thought about after-dark movement, since Sandton's central core is well-lit, busy, and one of the more consistently secure parts of Johannesburg.
Why it's special
The choice here isn't really about picking between two hugely different experiences, both hotels put you in the same safe, connected core of the city. It's more a question of how long you're staying and what kind of stay you want.
The Michelangelo Towers makes sense if you're in Johannesburg for several days and want the extra space an apartment-style suite gives you, plus the direct mall access if the weather turns. The Radisson Blu is the tighter, more efficient choice if you're focused on getting to the Wanderers and back with minimum friction. Neither is a wrong call.
Insider tips
- 1
The Michelangelo Towers' in-house restaurant, Parc Ferme, runs breakfast through dinner with al fresco seating — book ahead if you want a table on a match evening when the hotel is busier than usual.
