jongar
Mar 19, 01, 1:28 am
In an earlier post I said that all Marriot/Starwood members must be stark raving mad. Having had a good exIn an earlier post I said that all Marriot/Starwood members must be stark raving mad. Having had a good experience at a Marriot recently, I will revise that however there are few hotels in the world that can match the quality of service, than that of the Hilton Sandton in Johansberg.
I flew in from LHR, on a Virgin A340, the last of my company to experience Upper Class (end of year – tighten purse strings). It appears that a week of quality service was only just about to begin. The hotel is situated at the top of Rivonia Rd, the main thoroughfare from Sandton City to the M9. The street at this end I must point out never gets busy. My pink gin has just arrived with a choice of Soda or Tonic water. Its only a 3 minute drive to Sandton City, the location of The Butchers Shop. A must do restaurant in this area, just make sure you book well in advance (subnote – I have made a reservation for March when I hope to come back. The first thing that you see upon entering the hotel complex is the doorman. A tall black man, with a natural elegance, you cannot help but call him sir, dressed in full tails, with a top hat whose band has been tailored to look like snake skin. The porter Peter, took my bags and I checked in.
As I always make or amend my bookings through the resline in Glasgow, they always add VIP – MUST UPGRADE GLSREV to my bookings. This has worked every where except Tel Aviv – I don’t think they are completely plugged into the Hilton system. Upon greeting he took my name from my card and proceeded to start the check in. Then he stopped. Then he ran into the back. Then he came back with tears in his eyes. He pushed a key or two and then returned to the back office – the manager came out ----
“I am so sorry sir, I have nothing on the Executive floor, but please, please accept a suite, please sir”. The pain in the managers voice was unusual to say the least. I thought about it for all of 2 seconds – exec or suite – hmmmmmmmm – Peter to the fourth floor suite we go.
My first impression was how small it was for a suite with a lounge of only 20 meters x 10 meters. Rephrase its HUGE. The bedroom was slightly larger with a really firm bed – the most important part of the operation. The bathroom – non remarkable – with the exception of the shower. I think they divert all the water pressure to Jo’berg when I take a shower – something in Jo’berg you do 4 times a day.
Now I never take advantage of porters – I am to young to need some one to carry my bags. However the Limo ride that virgin provide, had gone to my head. So there was a problem when the the desk had been able to change any money for me. I assured Peter I would take care of him later. After a shower I settled in.
Now I am not about to bore you to death with the minute of my stay, I’ll just give you an overview of the hotel.
More will follow when I have time
I flew in from LHR, on a Virgin A340, the last of my company to experience Upper Class (end of year – tighten purse strings). It appears that a week of quality service was only just about to begin. The hotel is situated at the top of Rivonia Rd, the main thoroughfare from Sandton City to the M9. The street at this end I must point out never gets busy. My pink gin has just arrived with a choice of Soda or Tonic water. Its only a 3 minute drive to Sandton City, the location of The Butchers Shop. A must do restaurant in this area, just make sure you book well in advance (subnote – I have made a reservation for March when I hope to come back. The first thing that you see upon entering the hotel complex is the doorman. A tall black man, with a natural elegance, you cannot help but call him sir, dressed in full tails, with a top hat whose band has been tailored to look like snake skin. The porter Peter, took my bags and I checked in.
As I always make or amend my bookings through the resline in Glasgow, they always add VIP – MUST UPGRADE GLSREV to my bookings. This has worked every where except Tel Aviv – I don’t think they are completely plugged into the Hilton system. Upon greeting he took my name from my card and proceeded to start the check in. Then he stopped. Then he ran into the back. Then he came back with tears in his eyes. He pushed a key or two and then returned to the back office – the manager came out ----
“I am so sorry sir, I have nothing on the Executive floor, but please, please accept a suite, please sir”. The pain in the managers voice was unusual to say the least. I thought about it for all of 2 seconds – exec or suite – hmmmmmmmm – Peter to the fourth floor suite we go.
My first impression was how small it was for a suite with a lounge of only 20 meters x 10 meters. Rephrase its HUGE. The bedroom was slightly larger with a really firm bed – the most important part of the operation. The bathroom – non remarkable – with the exception of the shower. I think they divert all the water pressure to Jo’berg when I take a shower – something in Jo’berg you do 4 times a day.
Now I never take advantage of porters – I am to young to need some one to carry my bags. However the Limo ride that virgin provide, had gone to my head. So there was a problem when the the desk had been able to change any money for me. I assured Peter I would take care of him later. After a shower I settled in.
Now I am not about to bore you to death with the minute of my stay, I’ll just give you an overview of the hotel.
More will follow when I have time