Pension Idube Budget B&B

Pension Idube is a charming early 1900s home in the leafy suburb of Auckland Park, Johannesburg. We are situated only four blocks from Melville's trendy 7th Avenue with its cosmopolitan restaurants, bars, coffee shops, antique stores and craft shops.

The Pension was one of the first backpacker hostels in Johannesburg and has been around for over 14 years. Our fantastic guest reviews attest to legendary service at very affordable rates.

We are currently undergoing a massive renovation. The 'grande dame' of backpacking is on her way to becoming hip-hop-and-happening, ready to welcome new and returning guests. All of our sun-filled rooms are being revamped, offering both the business and leisure traveller comfortable and clean accommodation.

We are in the ideal position for academic visitors to the University of Johannesburg and Wits. We are a five-minute drive from the SABC, Johannesburg CBD and Braamfontein. The shopping meccas, Sandton and Rosebank, are an easy 15-minute drive away and Soweto is about 20 minutes away.

Our backpacker friends have said that the Pension is a great base from which to explore vibey Johannesburg and its surrounds. We can arrange tours, transfers and restaurant bookings; let us know what you need and we will do our best to please.

You may ask what is our name all about, a 'pension' is a French word for a small hotel offering personalized service with a breakfast to weary travellers; 'idube' is the Zulu word for zebra.

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Reviews

  • "Comfortable and pleasant"

    23 December 2013

    "Comfortable and pleasant. Plumbing needed attention - toilet ran and shower pipes leaked. But this was a minor."

  • "Melville, the place to be in Johannesburg"

    06 September 2013

    "Myself and 3 friends stayed at Idube for 2 nights in mid August. We were given a friendly welcome on our arrival, (friendly service throughout the weekend), and taken to our well appointed room. It had everything that one needed, though the bathroom could do with a shelf so that you can pack out your bits and pieces. Rather than take the risk of drinking and driving, we took the under 10 minute walk to Melville's fantastic bars and restaurants. In the mornings a quality varied breakfast is offered. Now that I have discovered Pension Idube, it will be my stay of choice in Johannesburg. Judging by the large number of overseas tourists sitting around the breakfast table each morning, Idube already has a good name for itself Internationally. I have no hesitation in recommending the place to anyone."

  • "Wonderful stay at Pension Idube"

    25 January 2013

    "I highly recommend the Pension Idube. The breakfast is very good. My room (number 5) was lovely, quiet and very clean. For dinner you can go walking to nice restaurants. Melville is very safe, it is green and nice. I advise you to do the tour to the township of Alexandra that Aubrey advises. It is the best "organised tour" I did in South Africa after 3 weeks in the country. Aubrey was very helpful, follow his advises, you won't be disappointed !"

  • "Friendly, cosy and well located"

    07 January 2013

    "Nice place to stay at Melville. The owner Aubrey is very friendly and will make everything to make your stay awesome! The place consist in a well decorated house with a communal kitchen, a dinning room, a tv room and a small number of bedrooms, some with ensuited baths (our case). Wireless Internet was working fine and they provided adaptors for eletronics. Breakfast was at the dinning room and has only the basic (bread, tea, coffe, juice, a toaster, and many different jams). The room was spacious and had a fan. In front of the house, but still inside the property gate, there is space for parking car, but we havent asked about it. The location is 3-4 blocks from the pub/restaurant street at Melville and we walked during day and night without any trouble. Would stay there again!"

  • "Fantastic experience!"

    04 January 2013

    "Pension Idube was our first stop in SA and we found it a fantastic experience. Manager Aubrey is so accommodating and helpful, the rooms are clean and comfortable, the breakfast provided is delicious and the backpackers itself is ideally located walking distance to restaurants/bars and a shopping mall. Highly recommended!"

  • "Disappointment"

    01 October 2012

    "We had great time at this place three years ago before it was taken over by the new owner and so we decided to come back again this year for one night. Unfortunately, we didn't find the warm welcoming from the new owners, the rooms have been refurbished but the breakfast was not great and complete as before. Howver, location is quiet and great for a short stay over."

  • "Great value for money"

    20 September 2012

    "I enjoyed staying at this homely place and would recommend it to anyone. It doesn't feel that you are away from home. Aubrey was a great host - thanks again."

  • "Pension Idube: one of the best places we've stayed"

    27 August 2012

    "We had a really easy, lovely stay at Pension Idube. The location is great, the staff was about as helpful and friendly as we could have hoped and it was always a pleasure to return back to our clean, comfortable and well appointed room. We consider ourselves really lucky to have found this place and can't recommend it enough."

  • "Great value!"

    21 August 2012

    "Excellent value for money! Situated in a brilliant position, within walking distance of the lovely town of Melville with its quirky shops and good restaurants, and easy access to central Jo'burg. Room was clean and comfortable, with an adequate breakfast. Good facilities for guests to make their own food if desired. It was ideal for our one night but would also recommend for those looking for a longer stay - great value!"

  • "Love it!"

    07 August 2012

    "We, a Swiss-German couple, were at Pension Idube for two nights. It is a lovely place to stay! And Aubrey is the best host you can imagine! The interior is incredible and you can feel and see the passion he has put into the guesthouse. We really felt at home. The guesthouse is also very close to Melleville's bar and restaurant area. We even walked outside after dinner. Very safe place to stay. I can definitely recommend this guesthouse!"

  • "Thank you"

    27 February 2012

    "For my first visit to ZA it couldn't have been more pleasant. Thank you Aubrey for being so helpful, responsive, friendly and welcoming. I enjoyed the experience and will stay again if I'm in the area. All the best."

  • "Cool and perfect"

    30 December 2011

    "Idube is very well situated. Melville is a quiet and peaceful place. The house is so spacious and my children and I enjoyed it. Aubrey is so attentive and gives good advice."

  • "Excellent choice!"

    05 December 2011

    "Last week we stayed at the Idube B&B and it was great! The location (Melville) is very nice. Our room was spotless clean. Both the bed and the shower were excellent! What really makes this an excellent choice for a stay in Johannesburg, is the friendly staff and very helpfull host! He really made our stay, helped us with taxis, tours, and advice on things to do and how to get there. If you're looking for a good place to stay in Melville, we would definitely recommend Pension Idube!"

  • "Excellent service"

    14 November 2011

    "I loved it, what a weekend! I wish it could have gone on forever. The place is beautiful, rooms neat and clean - extremely friendly staff. I got the relaxation I was looking for. Will definitely go back. Thank you for giving me the opportunity for also getting to meet other very friendly guests. I had a wonderful weekend."

  • "Nice place"

    16 April 2010

    "Idube is a very nice place to stay a couple of days in Joburg, at least during autumn (maybe the lack of AA in summer could be a problem). There is a good relation price-quality."

  • "Well situated"

    01 February 2009

    "Pension Idube B&B is well situated for our business (1,3km). B&B needs maintenance - it was raining and the roof is leaking.- Drawers in kitchen - Main oven broken - Floor in Room 1 is fallen in/getting lower at one side Bread & Cerial breakfast can be upgraded with a Yogurt. Cerial holders gave the impression that cereals are old."

  • "Enjoyable"

    21 October 2008

    "We highly enjoyed our stay and would not hesitate in recommending Idube. Trish was an excellent host."

  • "Friendly/Helpful"

    20 September 2007

    "We liked the relaxed, informal atmosphere here and the owners friendly and informed advice. Very happy to recommend."

  • "Great Place"

    05 February 2007

    "We had a great time at Idube. We were well looked after and the rooms and facilities were great. It felt like a real family place. I would recommend this place to anyone. Close to shops, safe area and comfortable relaxing atmosphere."

  • "Home from Home"

    05 January 2007

    "My husband and I booked 7 nights at pension Idube when we came from the UK to visit family and friends in the local area.Trish is an excellent host and put us at our ease, showed us around gave us the keys and we thoroughly enjoyed our time there -it wasnt long enough. The breakfast was quite adequate everything kept nice and clean and comfortable.Thanks also to Nytombi (hope I spelt her name right) for her help in making Pension Idube a very pleasant place to stay, also David the gardener and the other lady who helps around the house,(sorry I didnt catch her name). the swimming pool is another added bonus for those hot days.The cost of staying there was very good not at all expensive and we felt we got real value for money, we will be back hopefully for longer next time. Thanks Trish and we love the fireplace. Susan and William"

  • "Worth it"

    09 September 2006

    "Will recommend to all my colleagues having to take the APEC exams as it is close to the venue and friendly"

  • "Relaxed weekend"

    03 July 2006

    "I am very happy to report that i had a very relaxed weekend at very nice place. Thanks to Trish and her fellow assistant. I wish you well and prosperity towards your endovours and may god grant you success in your business."

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