Oliver Tambo - Johannesburg

[Gerardf]

Hi All,

We're travelling Etihad in October. The flight arrives late PM so we're thinking of staying overnight at (maybe) the Protea within the airport. We need to travel onto Durban next day.

Not having ventured to this part of the world, I'm keen to get various tips and views on our upcoming jaunt.

Thanks

 

[AisleSeat]

Quite the climate change between the two cities. A nice time to be going to Durban, just before the high heat of summer.

At that time of year Joburg still has quite low humidity so watch out for static shocks, especially in the airport. My dad always told me to carry a coin in my pocket to discharge before touching metal when we travelled through there.

 

[Daver6]

Don't stay at the Protea hotel in the international terminal. It is over priced and pretty average. There are a bunch of hotels right outside the airport.

 

[love_the_life]

Although expensive we always stay at the Intercontinental at the airport, just across the road from arrivals and we know it will be fine. One night of a high cost is worth it if it makes things easy IMO.
Just make sure you do not accept 'help' from any of the airport porters (easy to spot as they wear vests) as you will need to pay them for the 'assistance'. You can easily carry you own luggage across the road.

 

[JohnM]

I find the City Lodge, which is an all under cover 5 minute walk past the costly IC, rental car desks and carpark entries (so essentially follow the concourse to the back of the multi-storey carpark, without going out to the street) a good option. Cost is reasonable, amenities good and breakfast (included each time I've stayed there) very good.

Edit: It was never in the past bookable through consolidators. Book direct.

 

[Daver6]

And I've stayed at the Southern Sun OR Tambo. Walkable or use the free shuttle. Rooms were big, if a little dated with a decent enough bar/restaurant.

I'd maybe try @JohnM's suggestion next time though. At least I'll have someone to blame if I'm not happy

 

[JohnM]

Where's the dislike button for serial pests?

 

[Jmrocky]

Stayed at a couple of hotels at the Emperors Palace before, free shuttle and a range of dining and entertainment options (casino, cinema, restaurants etc.)

Emperors Palace Hotel | Emperors Palace Casino

 

[Mr_Gimlet]

Unless I have a very early flight, I always just take the Gautrain to either Sandton (for the Radisson Blu) or Rosebank (for Holiday Inn). It's fast, reliable and relatively inexpensive and gives lots of options for a really good evening meal. I find as soon as you introduce shuttles to outside hotels, it becomes very time consuming.

If I stay at the airport, I stay at the Intercontinental, it is usually full of wealthy retirees leaving at 7am for the Kruger.

 

[Quickstatus]

Stayed at a couple of hotels at the Emperors Palace before, free shuttle and a range of dining and entertainment options (casino, cinema, restaurants etc.)

Emperors Palace Hotel | Emperors Palace Casino

Any good though?
The prices seem reasonable
Will just be one night for a bunch of Uni students in November

 

[Quickstatus]

Unless I have a very early flight, I always just take the Gautrain to either Sandton (for the Radisson Blu) or Rosebank (for Holiday Inn). It's fast, reliable and relatively inexpensive and gives lots of options for a really good evening meal. I find as soon as you introduce shuttles to outside hotels, it becomes very time consuming.

If I stay at the airport, I stay at the Intercontinental, it is usually full of wealthy retirees leaving at 7am for the Kruger.

So you must be a wealthy retiree heading to the Kruger?

 

[Mr_Gimlet]

Any good though?
The prices seem reasonable
Will just be one night for a bunch of Uni students in November

Yes, it will be well suited. Also easier to manage your group as it's essentially isolated - you will stay in the hotel. It's pretty big with a cinema and loads of eating options.

So you must be a wealthy retiree heading to the Kruger?

Aspiring.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Ok....how could any AFF Member resist this place?

The Aviator Hotel OR Tambo | Award Winning 3 Star Airport Hotel

We stayed there and were very happy with the hotel and the price.

It has a free shuttle to from the airport.

 

[Jmrocky]

Any good though?
The prices seem reasonable
Will just be one night for a bunch of Uni students in November

Yep, one of the better stopover hotel destinations. The accommodation was nice, large choice of restaurants and entertainment if you had jetlag ( which you often do coming directly from Aus.).