Originally Posted by
cheltzel
+1
With the OPs family probably being of some size, getting everyone to/from the hotel is challenge enough. We've been connecting at JNB about 2 years out of three for a while. We have never put anything of value in our checked luggage. And we have never had anything taken. So, I would second the idea of using a bag wrap service, check nothing of value and check the bags through to MPM if at all possible.
On a side note, I would recommend the City Lodge Hotel at OR Tambo. It is relatively budget friendly and has both dinner and breakfast buffets. The breakfast buffet starts at some insanely early time (like 04:00 or 04:30). You can walk between the hotel and the terminal. Although it is a bit of a hike (somewhere around 200m). This is a fairly basic but clean hotel. The rooms are an the small side bit they have some interconnecting rooms available if this would help. Make sure to bring your own toiletries (shampoo, body wash, etc.) as you get two small bars. And if you prefer/require a wash cloth for bathing, bring one or two.
There are other budget friendly option nearby but I believe this is the only in in walking distance from the terminals.
Sound advice. I don't bother with the bag wrap but do lock mine securely and have nothing more interesting that laundry and dive gear in it. Never had an issue. The City Lodge is a very solid recommendation, The InterCon is very nice but stupidly expensive whereas the City Lodge always has rooms at a decent price and being able to walk is a big bonus. I find airport hotel shuttles deeply tedious and often unreliable!