Ideally located in the beautiful old suburb of Saxonwold, Cotswold Gardens boasts both proximity to Joburg's busiest hubs (central Rosebank with its Gautrain station and City Sightseeing bus stop is just 1.5km away) and its most serene green spaces (the Joburg Zoo and historic Zoo Lake park are just around the corner).

There's a choice of four spacious guest rooms and two fully equipped self-catering cottages set in and around an elegant 1940s home. All rooms come with courtesy tea and coffee trays complete with homemade biscuits and rusks, DSTV and speedy WiFi and many still retain their original period features including pressed steel ceilings.

The full English or Continental breakfast is a treat, complemented by delicious croissants, homemade muffins and the freshest fruit salad and served in a beautiful light-filled breakfast room overlooking the guesthouse's expansive gardens. The gardens are definitely one of the most winning features with a multitude of flowers and shrubs that attract all kinds of birdlife and particularly beautiful in spring when the purple jacaranda trees are in bloom.

Impressive original artworks abound. The owners and hosts Mike and Janine Hobbs like to joke “sometimes we wonder if we are a guest house with an art gallery or an art gallery with a guest house.” In addition to the fine art inside the house, the gardens serve as an outdoor gallery for the Hobbs’ extensive collection of bronze sculptures - look out for the gang of delicate flamingos standing sentry over the large guesthouse swimming pool.

Opened in 2001 when the owners decided to turn their family home into a guesthouse, Cotswold Gardens is rated at number 6 in Tripadvisor's top 10 guesthouses in Joburg (out of a total 299 listed on the site!), consistently praised for its impeccable service, the owners' attention to detail, the excellent breakfasts and peaceful and laid back atmosphere.

As one recent guest that we spotted had written in the guest book (none other than the much admired actress, poet and activist Gcina Mhlope); "felt so welcome from the moment I walked in. Art, warm hearts and world class hospitality is what I’ll tell everyone I talk to about this place. Great! Ngiyabonga! Thank you!".

Long stay rates are available and Cotswold Gardens can arrange transfers and tours.

Cotswold Gardens is a member of the Johannesburg Guesthouses network, which offers an excellent range of more than 20 owner-run guesthouses all based in and around the beautiful northern suburbs of Rosebank and The Parks. See the booking website johannesburg-guesthouses.co.za for the full range of options.