What’s It Like?
This property offers simple comfort without the frills, serving its purpose without too much pressure on your wallet. Check-in was effortless and the stay was pleasant enough, with only one negative – the restaurant staff were not very hospitable or efficient.
Where Is It?
In Sandton, a few hundred metres from the M1 highway and approximately 15 minutes walk from Sandton City shopping centre, Nelson Mandela Square and Sandton Convention Centre. The hotel is approximately 30 minutes drive from OR Tambo International Airport, but of more convenience is the five-minute drive to the Gautrain station, where trains to the airport take approximately 15 minutes.
Room Facilities
The hotel comprises 159 spacious, air-conditioned rooms with double or twin beds and sleeper couches (comfortable for a child). For every 50 rooms, there is one room designed to meet the special needs of the physically disabled. Each room has a flat-screen TV with selected satellite TV and radio channels, tea and coffee-making facilities, an electronic safe large enough to accommodate a laptop, and a large work station desk with extra lighting and plug points. I loved the finishes of the full bathroom. Though it was a little cozy, it is well-designed and modern with an interesting idea – a remote-operated sliding door next to the bath, which serves as a privacy partition to the bedroom when closed, and creates the illusion of space when opened. The hotel also offers a same-day laundry and dry cleaning service and Wi-Fi is available in every room.
Restaurant & Bar
The hotel has a bar and restaurant called White Boy Shebeen. Though I stayed there on a Saturday night, the restaurant was closed, but food could be ordered from room service until 22h00. The menu was interesting to read and reasonably priced when one takes the location into consideration, but the service was very slow. A Full English or Continental breakfast is available between 07h00-10h00, but again I experienced poor service, with the wrong omelette served to me and cold coffee poured. It was a pity to have to start a morning and end a stay on a sour note.
Meeting & Business Facilities
The hotel offers a boardroom that can seat up to 12 delegates. The room is a simple one, but boasts all the equipment needed to facilitate a successful conference, including flat-screen TV, Wi-Fi access, telephonic-communication devices and an overhead projector. Sandwiches or a light lunch and tea/coffee can also be arranged at the front desk, and is prepared by the onsite coffee shop. Delegates are provided with notepads, pens, water and mints throughout the meeting. There is also free and secure parking on the premises for guests and visitors.
Leisure & Fitness
There is a modest fitness centre for those who choose not to let travelling get in the way of their fitness regime. Three machines and a couple of weights will do the trick in providing a full-body workout. A nice feature of the hotel is the swimming pool area, which leads on from the restaurant – beautiful, clean and leafy, with deck chairs for some fun and relaxation in the sun or an early morning swim.
Verdict
The hotel does not come with unnecessary frills, but it does offer modern and tasteful accommodation to meet a business or leisure traveller’s needs comfortably and within an affordable spending bracket.
Contact
Address: Corner of Katherine Street & Grayston Drive, Sandown
Tel: +27 11 444 5300, citylodge.co.za
Melissa Douman