Soweto Boutique Hotel

Soweto Boutique Hotel offers four elegant and well-appointed en suite bedrooms designed for the discerning business, leisure or romantic guest. Options include two luxury rooms, one deluxe room and a luxury suite. Hand-picked local artwork, crisp cotton bedding, functional essentials and modern conveniences make for a comfortable and hassle-free stay. Although each room sleeps a maximum of 2 guests, an extra bed or a baby cot can be arranged upon request. Continental breakfast is included. Soweto Boutique Hotel lies at the heart of the historic and lively streets of Orlando West, Soweto. This comfortable and stylish villa boasts great urban views over Soweto and its landmark old cooling towers. It is located within walking distance of the famous Vilakazi Street (once home to both Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu), the Hector Pietersen Memorial, trendy restaurants, and close to other major attractions such as Orlando and FNB stadiums, the Apartheid Museum and Gold Reef City. True to local culture and history but with a vibrant contemporary spirit, Soweto Boutique Hotel is an intimate and quaint venue that offers all the cosy modern essentials you need for a seamless stay. Whether travelling for business, leisure, or a romantic getaway, Soweto Boutique Hotel is a secure and upmarket destination of choice, without losing its affordable edge and local homely feel. Our friendly staff can help with recommending activities and visits. Enjoy the best location in the historical heart of Soweto and experience major tourist attractions, restaurants and sports venues at a stone’s throw. Soweto Boutique Hotel enjoys a very accessible, yet quiet and safe location.

Area Info

Soweto, located southwest of Johannesburg, was established during apartheid as a segregated township for Black South Africans. Its name is an acronym for "South Western Townships." With a population exceeding two million, Soweto is the largest Black urban settlement in Africa. Soweto is also a good base to explore the rest of the popular sites in the greater Johannesburg area.

Soweto played a crucial role in the anti-apartheid struggle, notably the 1976 Soweto Uprising. Today, it's a mix of affluent areas and impoverished settlements. Visitors can explore historical landmarks like Nelson Mandela's former home, the Hector Pieterson Memorial, and Kliptown's Freedom Square.

For those interested in traditional African healing practices, Credo Mutwa's village in Central Western Jabavu offers a fascinating look into the work of the renowned healer and fortune teller, who has predicted key political events, including the assassination of Chris Hani in 1993. Mutwa advocates for the preservation and appreciation of indigenous knowledge and cultural practices.

Regina Mundi, a church along Old Potchefstroom Road, is another important landmark. It became a sanctuary for anti-apartheid organisations and symbolises the resistance spirit of Soweto. In Kliptown, you can visit Freedom Square, where the Freedom Charter was adopted in 1955 as the foundational document for the Congress Alliance, outlining a vision for a non-racial, democratic South Africa.

Culturally, Soweto is a vibrant hub, boasting a unique urban identity and the "Tsotsitaal" language. However, it also faces significant socio-economic challenges, including informal settlements with limited resources and the remnants of apartheid-era hostels and "matchbox houses." Despite these challenges, Soweto maintains a strong sense of community and remains an important part of South Africa's history and present.