Background
The City Lodge Hotel Group consists of 1-star Road Lodges, 2-star Town Lodges, 3-star City Lodges and 4-star Courtyard Hotels. The group has 52 properties across South Africa and earlier this year made its first foray into the rest of Africa, with the announcement that it would be putting a Town Lodge up in Gaborone. That property is due to open in January. City Lodge also acquired a 50% stake in Fairview Hotel Limited, which owns and operates the Fairview Hotel and the adjacent Country Lodge in Nairobi.
Where is it?
The hotel is situated in the upmarket suburb of Menlo Park, just a couple of minutes’ drive from the local shopping centre and 600m from the N1 highway, which is accessed via the Atterbury off-ramp. The Pretoria CBD is 10 minutes away, as is the trendy Hatfield area, which has plenty of restaurants and entertainment. Loftus Versveld stadium is a short drive away.
What is it like?
It’s obviously only 2-star, so I wasn’t expecting luxury. But, the hotel was clean and functional and exactly suited to my requirements. It has a great location and the service was good, whilst the complimentary drink on arrival was much appreciated.
Rooms
The Town Lodge Menlo Park has a total of 106 air-conditioned rooms, with one in 50 rooms designed to meet the special needs of the physically disabled. My room had a double bed and an en suite bathroom with a shower, but no bath. Otherwise, standard facilities, such as tea and coffee-making facilities, a work desk and a 10-inch colour TV (not flat-screen). The TV offered the following channels – SABC 1, 2 and 3, eTV, MNet and MNet Movies, SuperSport 1, 2 and 3, Sky News and CNBC. What was useful was the 15 minutes complimentary Wi-Fi, although I could have done with longer, before the cost kicked in. Wi-Fi is only available in the rooms. I thought the cupboard space was adequate and could have covered a longer stay. However, if you do require a safe to store valuables in, a guest safe is available at reception at a nominal charge. Same-day laundry and dry cleaning is available, excluding weekends and holidays. Interleading family rooms are also available.
Restaurants and Bar
The dining room is open for breakfast between 06h30 and 09h00 on weekdays, and 07h00 and 10h00 on weekends and public holidays. You can choose between a Full English and Continental Breakfast – I had the former and it was delicious. There is a Dros restaurant situated on the property, which is open from 08h00 to 22h00 daily. You could also take a short drive to Menlo Park shopping centre for a wide range of restaurants. A sundowner bar is located adjacent to the reception area, with an option to sit outside, and is open daily from 16h00 to 23h00.
Meeting Facilities
There is no formal meeting room on the property, although there is a large lounge area that can be used as a meeting space. Fax and photocopy services are available. There is also an option to use the City Lodge Lynwood hotel, which has three boardrooms, or the City Lodge Hatfield, which has two boardrooms.
Leisure Facilities
The hotel has a well-maintained pool with deckchairs surrounding – a nice, relaxing space where you can also enjoy a drink.
Verdict
An excellent location, particularly if you’re doing business in the Pretoria area. It’s clean and convenient and a more than suitable choice for a business traveller who needs an affordable, short and fuss-free stay.
CONTACT
Address: Cnr Atterbury & Klarinet Roads, Menlo Park, +27 12 348 2711, citylodge.co.za
Siphilile Shelembe