Chain Hotels in Johannesburg

[Flashback]

Last time I was in JNB I stayed at the Intercontinental Sandton, but that's been rebranded and is no longer part of IHG.

I've got a meeting coming up so am back in town and have booked the Hilton Sandton, but just noted this at the bottom of the booking e-mail.

What's going on with chain hotels in South Africa? I know the Hilton Cape Town disappeared a few years back too, not long after I stayed there.

Do they wait till I stay there, then decide they should shutdown? Am I the grim reaper?

 

[jase05]

I've got a meeting coming up so am back in town and have booked the Hilton Sandton, but just noted this at the bottom of the booking e-mail.

Yeah, I looked at a couple of places for later this year as there is a chance we might head over to South Africa. Accor properties are mostly Mercures that don’t look great and the Mantis looks ok but a bit out of town.
I did look at the Hilton Sandton but it’s leaving the Hilton group on July 1st

 

[Flashback]

Something happened to most post - seems to have posted as I was pasting in, the full message on the booking e-mail is:
Please note that as of midnight July 01, 2024, the hotel will cease to operate as a Hilton hotel. As a result, stays booked past this date will not accrue Honors points. Please contact [email protected] for questions about future bookings.

 

[justinbrett]

That’s a shame, I stand at Hilton Sandton last year and thought it was pretty good.

 

[SYD]

Yes, I stayed at the Hilton a few years ago but it’s slightly out of the way. That aside, the app is showing “Coming soon” for a future date - maybe it’s being renovated?

My last trip I stayed at the IC JNB (obviously convenient for a transit) and then a Hyatt at Rosebank (also on the Gautrain line and probably better for restaurants etc).

 

[Flashback]

Yes, I stayed at the Hilton a few years ago but it’s slightly out of the way. That aside, the app is showing “Coming soon” for a future date - maybe it’s being renovated?

My last trip I stayed at the IC JNB (obviously convenient for a transit) and then a Hyatt at Rosebank (also on the Gautrain line and probably better for restaurants etc).

All the Sandton hotels are about similar distance from the Gautrain so much of a muchness. Agree Rosebank is better for food options, though.

 

[drron]

We stayed at the Sheraton Pretoria but it was in 2013 but just before Freedom Day and the last Freedom day that Nelson Mandela was alive.
It is opposite the Union buildings ( Parliament house,). I walked around the area with no problems and wandered across to the Union for the dress rehearsal of the Freedom day Celebrations. Had a nice lounge. Another benefit then was every guest got a Gary Player golf shirt.

 

[bPeteb]

We've booked a couple of Radissons on our August trip. Hopefully they stay as Radissons.

Radisson Blu Mosi-Oa-Tunya in Livingstone for two nights at the start of the trip and Radisson Blu Gautrain, Sandton for our last night.

 

[justinbrett]

Yes, I stayed at the Hilton a few years ago but it’s slightly out of the way.

IMO “Out of the way” when it comes to JNB is a good thing.

 

[craven morehead]

Are you aligned with Marriott Bonvoy at all?

Protea Hotel O.R. Tambo Airport - With Pool & Free Airport Shuttle

Discover convenience & comfort at Protea Hotel O.R. Tambo Airport, your ideal choice for a hotel near Johannesburg Airport. Enjoy a seamless stay with modern amenities.

www.marriott.com

I've stayed at this place a few times and it's not far from the airport. I really like its Av/Industrial style theme.

 

[SYD]

IMO “Out of the way” when it comes to JNB is a good thing.

Yes! But in this instance, meaning it was a shuttle bus (or day time stroll) to/from the Sandton Gautrain station. The IC and a couple of other places (from memory) were very close to the station and Nelson Mandela Square.

As an aside, I was bemused to see TripAdvisors #1 attraction being to Gautrain TO the airport…

 

[Flashback]

Are you aligned with Marriott Bonvoy at all?

Protea Hotel O.R. Tambo Airport - With Pool & Free Airport Shuttle

Discover convenience & comfort at Protea Hotel O.R. Tambo Airport, your ideal choice for a hotel near Johannesburg Airport. Enjoy a seamless stay with modern amenities.

www.marriott.com

I've stayed at this place a few times and it's not far from the airport. I really like its Av/Industrial style theme.

I have Marriott Bonvoy Gold i.e., worth nothing! I don't really do chain hotel stays these days, although I've got HH Diamond so figure I may as well get some use out of it this year before it falls off into the distance........... anyway, we'll see what ends up happening in terms of where the rest of the events are going to be happening, may end up in Pretoria potentially too.

 

[RooFlyer]

Is Sandton still considered 'safe' (as in walking around). I had heard that it no longer was.