Near river, but also near highway. Mixed feelings.
The room was always freezing cold. I was bumped from one room to another after being told the better of the two rooms I stayed in would be available for the duration of my stay. The stay was nice enough, and even went out of their way to assist me. However, this may have been because the accommodations themselves were very much less than desirable. The TV didn't work. The shower regularly ran out of hot water. On one occasion, I was showing when suddenly it went from comfortably warm/hot to freezing cold. So many things went wrong that I didn't even bother to report the matter to management. Oh, did I mention that Internet access was spotty? Regrettably, I wouldn't send my worst enemy to this place. It's my understanding that new management may take over soon. If true, improvements might be in the offing. But, in the meantime, rent at your own risk. It doesn't enjoy the former glory it apparently once had.
Pros: Leaving.
Cons: Everything.
Location: This part of Johannesburg (Ranburg, Olivedale) is fairly uncongested. While a few stores are nearby, you'd have to have private transportation.