mojorisin'

Cabs are not really an option in JNB. There are very few "western style" cabs in JNB. Most taxis in JNB are mini buses -- stay away from them. Stick with hotel shuttle service.

SmilingBoy

Agree with the conclusion, but there are normal, metered cabs for sure at the airport. I never took them in JNB (always had a driver arranged by the client), but used them a number of times in CPT. However, they are not cheaper than a pre-arranged driver.

SmilingBoy.

mee

The westcliff is one of the premier hotels in the city, and also world renowned. I have stayed there once, and seriously reccomend it! Make sure to have the buffet breakfast too - the dining rooms have the most spectacular views over the city, and the food is really good.

As for cabs, I think $80 is a lot to get from the airport to the westcliff, and there are "normal" cabs in JNB - do NOT take minibuses! The cabs in JNB tend to operate more like UK "minicabs" -- ie. call and reserve one.

2 companies to suggest (don't have phone numbers to hand, but try www.yellowpages.co.za) would be Rose Taxi or Maxi Taxi

hope this helps
-- Mike

ecaarch

Is this the former Holiday Inn Garden Court? If so, I stayed there for a similar one night layover in Dec 2005. I booked it two weeks earlier when it was the Holiday Inn GC but was surprised when I arrived to find it had changed. The front desk told me no Priority Club Points, no upgrades, etc. When I got home, I contacted I-C and they credited my account for the points as if it had still been a Holiday Inn GC. These things happen and it wasn't the end of the world.

However, what did s**k was arriving at the hotel to find no open restaurant . Although the hotel is close to JNB, it really isn't "close" to anything. There was nothing within walking distance (I had taken the hotel shuttle - which there is a charge for BTW) so I was limited to the immediate area. The immediate area consisted of a closed petrol station and the hotel. That's it. No dinner for me that night.