SOUTH AFRICA QUESTION
Mar 12, 2002, 2:44 pm
#1
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Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: USA
Posts: 1,307
SOUTH AFRICA QUESTION
Ok, carefully
, I am going to try another thread. Had my head knocked off the last time I tried this. Flying in May to South Africa on an AA First award-Cathay Pacific. Very excited. I have the hotels in HK, thanks, though I wouldn't mind hearing advice on the HK hotels. Love the CLK Airport Regal.
I need help with the following hotels, if you can assist? Will post on 3 boards.
I am looking for any advice, please, on the following:
Jo'burg Airport Sun Intercontinental
(overnight before heading home)Is there a pedestrian bridge linking the hotel with the terminal? How is security? Just a little bit of crime over there,
Jo'burg Airport Holiday Inn
Same question as to ped. bridge, vs. a shuttle
Sandton Hilton(looked small when I was there, is it nice?) I believe it is near the Sandton Shopping Centre-can you walk safely? or take a taxi?
Randburg Hyatt(might do both of these)
I hear very nice, !?
(Did the Crowne Plaza-Sandton, nice, but don't care for Bass miles)
Durban Hilton
(location!?)
Cape Town Radisson
(can one walk to the Wharf/shopping area, and safely at that?
)Is there a new Sheraton in Cape Town?
Any good hotels in Whindoek, Namibia???
Thank you so much. Very appreciated and will be happy to pay back in kind with advice, as I am able to do. Take care/ciao.
------------------
Michael
AA PLT,1 MLN Miles+
Hilton Gold
Sheraton Gold
Marriot Silver
Mar 12, 2002, 3:21 pm
#2
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Worldtraveler36:
Jo'burg Airport Sun Intercontinental
(overnight before heading home)Is there a pedestrian bridge linking the hotel with the terminal? How is security? Just a little bit of crime over there,
Sandton Hilton(looked small when I was there, is it nice?) I believe it is near the Sandton Shopping Centre-can you walk safely? or take a taxi?
</font>
Jo'burg Airport Sun Intercontinental
(overnight before heading home)Is there a pedestrian bridge linking the hotel with the terminal? How is security? Just a little bit of crime over there,
Sandton Hilton(looked small when I was there, is it nice?) I believe it is near the Sandton Shopping Centre-can you walk safely? or take a taxi?
</font>
In Sandton you might choose one of the Intercontis there as well-- connected to the large mall. That area looked very, very safe and I was there very late in the evening.
Take a taxi ride through the "bad" areas-- I found it very interesting and didn't feel the least bit uncomfortable.
Mar 12, 2002, 3:24 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: USA
Posts: 1,307
Thank you kind sir
. You are a good support, thanks. I will take that into account. I was a little nervous in Jo'burg, crime wise, didn't feel safe at night, better in Cape Town.
Mar 12, 2002, 4:41 pm
#4
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Seattle
Posts: 933
Be sure to try the Pizza in the JNB airport. I haven't been in a long time but it was great!
Mar 12, 2002, 7:14 pm
#5
Join Date: Nov 2000
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Worldtraveler36:
Flying in May to South Africa on an AA First award-Cathay Pacific. Very excited. I have the hotels in HK, thanks, though I wouldn't mind hearing advice on the HK hotels. Love the CLK Airport Regal.
>> If you have time (all 25 minutes that it takes!), head in to the city and try the Island Shangri-La. Outstanding.
Jo'burg Airport Sun Intercontinental
(overnight before heading home)Is there a pedestrian bridge linking the hotel with the terminal? How is security? Just a little bit of crime over there,
>> Not sure about a bridge. I was fortunate enough to be met by a colleague, but don't have any concerns about the security at the hotel. It's discreet and thorough.
Sandton Hilton(looked small when I was there, is it nice?) I believe it is near the Sandton Shopping Centre-can you walk safely? or take a taxi?
>> Echoing what JonNYC said, check out the Interconti in Sandton. It's an excellent hotel and if you can spring for it, get a club room in the Towers part of the hotel. DO NOT walk anywhere around Sandton - not even to cross one street. I've stayed there four times (and will be there again this weekend) and without fail, every local insists on their visitors taking cabs or getting rides. The Mall under the hotel is safe and the security presence is very noticable. That said, on my first visit there, I had the misfortune to witness a argument followed by a stabbing in the food court. Just keep your head down and you'll be fine.
Any good hotels in Whindoek, Namibia???
>> Without question, the Windhoek Country Club is the place to stay. It's about a 15 minute taxi ride from downtown Windhoek.
[/b]</font>
Flying in May to South Africa on an AA First award-Cathay Pacific. Very excited. I have the hotels in HK, thanks, though I wouldn't mind hearing advice on the HK hotels. Love the CLK Airport Regal.
>> If you have time (all 25 minutes that it takes!), head in to the city and try the Island Shangri-La. Outstanding.
Jo'burg Airport Sun Intercontinental
(overnight before heading home)Is there a pedestrian bridge linking the hotel with the terminal? How is security? Just a little bit of crime over there,
>> Not sure about a bridge. I was fortunate enough to be met by a colleague, but don't have any concerns about the security at the hotel. It's discreet and thorough.
Sandton Hilton(looked small when I was there, is it nice?) I believe it is near the Sandton Shopping Centre-can you walk safely? or take a taxi?
>> Echoing what JonNYC said, check out the Interconti in Sandton. It's an excellent hotel and if you can spring for it, get a club room in the Towers part of the hotel. DO NOT walk anywhere around Sandton - not even to cross one street. I've stayed there four times (and will be there again this weekend) and without fail, every local insists on their visitors taking cabs or getting rides. The Mall under the hotel is safe and the security presence is very noticable. That said, on my first visit there, I had the misfortune to witness a argument followed by a stabbing in the food court. Just keep your head down and you'll be fine.
Any good hotels in Whindoek, Namibia???
>> Without question, the Windhoek Country Club is the place to stay. It's about a 15 minute taxi ride from downtown Windhoek.
[/b]</font>
[This message has been edited by OWdevotee (edited 03-12-2002).]
Mar 12, 2002, 7:38 pm
#6
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The Intercontinental Hotel at the Johannesburg airport is a nearly new redo of an office building. Our room was lovely, everything brand new in May, 2001. The porters at the hotel can carry your bags into the airport which is about 100 yards away.
Be sure to tip, for heaven's sake. Those men work only for tips.
When you leave the airport, if you need a porter, make sure you use one in the official jumpsuit, with the number and license on the suit.
The Rand is so weak, why not stay also at the Intercontinential at Sandton? Extremely nice. The crime risk is very real. Don't mess around!!! The shopping center is excellent and has everything including many restaurants that we really enjoyed.
In Cape Town with money the way it is, forget the affinity programs at stay at the world's best hotel, the Cape Grace. Completely wonderful. In the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront area which has extremely high security.
Remember to tip whenever you can! The Rand is worth about 8 cents US now, so don't be a cheapie.
Shopping at the airport is surprisingly good. We made a big last minute shopping haul.
The crime risk is extremely real. Don't let a taxi driver take you off the beaten path. Car jackings are common as corn.
Be sure to tip, for heaven's sake. Those men work only for tips.
When you leave the airport, if you need a porter, make sure you use one in the official jumpsuit, with the number and license on the suit.
The Rand is so weak, why not stay also at the Intercontinential at Sandton? Extremely nice. The crime risk is very real. Don't mess around!!! The shopping center is excellent and has everything including many restaurants that we really enjoyed.
In Cape Town with money the way it is, forget the affinity programs at stay at the world's best hotel, the Cape Grace. Completely wonderful. In the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront area which has extremely high security.
Remember to tip whenever you can! The Rand is worth about 8 cents US now, so don't be a cheapie.
Shopping at the airport is surprisingly good. We made a big last minute shopping haul.
The crime risk is extremely real. Don't let a taxi driver take you off the beaten path. Car jackings are common as corn.
Mar 12, 2002, 8:27 pm
#7
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Now I feel retrospectively foolhardy. I specifically had a cab driver take me through the worst parts of town and didn't even think twice about it-- what a show! We even went through a gigantic shanty-town that went on for miles-- in the middle of the night-- and I didn't feel unsafe, although it was very, very grim.
I guess jet-lag induced ignorance is bliss!
I guess jet-lag induced ignorance is bliss!
Mar 12, 2002, 8:40 pm
#8
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JonNYC, now is not the time to feel bad--just don't do it again! Likely your driver was a very worried man.
I have both relatives and friends in South Africa; so I am well aware of what is going on. They guard me well every minute I am not in my hotel or attached shopping center.
The prices! Did I shop!
My room at the Intercontinental at Sandton can only be described as palacial. The service incredible. The food wonderful. I tipped my maid every day as I knew she had to buy food for her family on the way home.
The bathrooms in the hotels are over the moon! Security in the best hotels is extremely good. This is no place to go down market. Well, you can get the best for the equivilant of $125-150 US per night. I have never seen such completely furnished hotel rooms. the mini bars (cheap by our standards) are amazing as is the complete set of wine and liquor glasses.
The bathtubs are so huge, I felt very small. Separate showers of course. Room service meals--fantastic!
I gave a last minute dinner party for 15 at the Intercontinental at the Johannesburg airport. They gave us an entire room off the health club. Food service etc. just grand! They sent up 'our' own bar waiter and we kept him busy.
I pray for the future of South Africa and hope to return there, often and in better times.
I have both relatives and friends in South Africa; so I am well aware of what is going on. They guard me well every minute I am not in my hotel or attached shopping center.
The prices! Did I shop!
My room at the Intercontinental at Sandton can only be described as palacial. The service incredible. The food wonderful. I tipped my maid every day as I knew she had to buy food for her family on the way home.
The bathrooms in the hotels are over the moon! Security in the best hotels is extremely good. This is no place to go down market. Well, you can get the best for the equivilant of $125-150 US per night. I have never seen such completely furnished hotel rooms. the mini bars (cheap by our standards) are amazing as is the complete set of wine and liquor glasses.
The bathtubs are so huge, I felt very small. Separate showers of course. Room service meals--fantastic!
I gave a last minute dinner party for 15 at the Intercontinental at the Johannesburg airport. They gave us an entire room off the health club. Food service etc. just grand! They sent up 'our' own bar waiter and we kept him busy.
I pray for the future of South Africa and hope to return there, often and in better times.
Mar 12, 2002, 8:43 pm
#9
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P.S. When the new terminal at Johannesburg airport is complete, there will be a physical connection to the Intercontinental Hotel. I'm not sure of the date that will or may already have happened.
That hotel is the only one I have experienced where you can use your in room tv and telephone to do your duty free shopping! You can soak in the tub and shop at the same time.
That hotel is the only one I have experienced where you can use your in room tv and telephone to do your duty free shopping! You can soak in the tub and shop at the same time.
Mar 12, 2002, 8:44 pm
#10
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Sandton Hilton
It is small, but very nice and well priced. In my experience, it is safe to walk between it and the large Sandton City centre about a quarter mile away. You will pass the new Stock Exchange building and there is enough pederstrian traffic to be comfortable on foot as long as you don't have lots of bags, cameras dangling and the like. It is a very short walk from the Crowne Plaza, and I have stayed at both, and had no issues walking during the day and early evening in the immediate area.
I find one of the best hawker stands for carved goods and other crafts can be found in the parking lot of the Sandtown Walk, a smaller shopping mall across the from Hilton. There are a number of good eating and drinking spots along this strip too, on the way to Sandton City.
Durban Hilton
Just off the city centre, across from the cricket pitch and next to the convention centre. May be isolated if you don't like walking -- yes, even in SAfrica -- but most museums and other sites can be walked, or are a very short taxi ride away. Otherwise, you have the more dangerous strip of beach hotels, most of which are Holiday Inns.
Cape Town Radisson
Not sure where this one is. The V&A Waterfront is a bit of a walk from the city centre, Long Street area, although there is a walking path it twists around the inner harbour. There is a shuttle from the railway station, or your hotel is likely to offer such a service. I've stayed at the Sun I-C on the mall, as well as the new Holiday Inn Waterfront and Collunen (?) next to it. I-C is most central for city centre walks through the Company Garden to museums and galleries, night life on Long Street.
Is there a new Sheraton in Cape Town? There are no Starwood properties in the city, or I believe in the whole country. [I think the Arabella chain which operates Sheratons in Germany, have a resort about 100km outside Cape Town, on the southern coast road heading east.
Question really is what you budget is. While the Rand in quite weak, some of the properties referred to by others are still in the US$300+ price range. The ones I refer to are all under US$100 per night, high quality and great value.
You should try and book one of the half-day township tours when in Jbg. The concierge from the Hilton can arrange it for you, or there is a Government Tourist Office on the upper level of the Sandton Walk mall. [Be sure to have lots of little wrapped candies for the children. Coins are not encouraged.]
More dangerous to get to is the new Museum Afrika, in downtown Jbg. You can take a cab from your hotel, and have it collect you when you've spent a few hours there -- maybe from across the way at the Castle Brewery where you can take a tour and sample a few glasses of their brews to cool you off from the day's heat. The cab ride will be a safe way of seeing inner Jbg.
You might also consider an overnight in Pretoria, a safer and more laid back city worthy of a visit and walkabout.
You will find the major hotels in the country are all owned by the same company: SUN Group. They are almost all affiliated with BASS|Six Continents Hotels and thus qualify for Priority Club credit.
Enjoy your trip. I've been there three times in the past three years, and only wish it were safer so it could be enjoyed by more people from our parts of the world.
It is small, but very nice and well priced. In my experience, it is safe to walk between it and the large Sandton City centre about a quarter mile away. You will pass the new Stock Exchange building and there is enough pederstrian traffic to be comfortable on foot as long as you don't have lots of bags, cameras dangling and the like. It is a very short walk from the Crowne Plaza, and I have stayed at both, and had no issues walking during the day and early evening in the immediate area.
I find one of the best hawker stands for carved goods and other crafts can be found in the parking lot of the Sandtown Walk, a smaller shopping mall across the from Hilton. There are a number of good eating and drinking spots along this strip too, on the way to Sandton City.
Durban Hilton
Just off the city centre, across from the cricket pitch and next to the convention centre. May be isolated if you don't like walking -- yes, even in SAfrica -- but most museums and other sites can be walked, or are a very short taxi ride away. Otherwise, you have the more dangerous strip of beach hotels, most of which are Holiday Inns.
Cape Town Radisson
Not sure where this one is. The V&A Waterfront is a bit of a walk from the city centre, Long Street area, although there is a walking path it twists around the inner harbour. There is a shuttle from the railway station, or your hotel is likely to offer such a service. I've stayed at the Sun I-C on the mall, as well as the new Holiday Inn Waterfront and Collunen (?) next to it. I-C is most central for city centre walks through the Company Garden to museums and galleries, night life on Long Street.
Is there a new Sheraton in Cape Town? There are no Starwood properties in the city, or I believe in the whole country. [I think the Arabella chain which operates Sheratons in Germany, have a resort about 100km outside Cape Town, on the southern coast road heading east.
Question really is what you budget is. While the Rand in quite weak, some of the properties referred to by others are still in the US$300+ price range. The ones I refer to are all under US$100 per night, high quality and great value.
You should try and book one of the half-day township tours when in Jbg. The concierge from the Hilton can arrange it for you, or there is a Government Tourist Office on the upper level of the Sandton Walk mall. [Be sure to have lots of little wrapped candies for the children. Coins are not encouraged.]
More dangerous to get to is the new Museum Afrika, in downtown Jbg. You can take a cab from your hotel, and have it collect you when you've spent a few hours there -- maybe from across the way at the Castle Brewery where you can take a tour and sample a few glasses of their brews to cool you off from the day's heat. The cab ride will be a safe way of seeing inner Jbg.
You might also consider an overnight in Pretoria, a safer and more laid back city worthy of a visit and walkabout.
You will find the major hotels in the country are all owned by the same company: SUN Group. They are almost all affiliated with BASS|Six Continents Hotels and thus qualify for Priority Club credit.
Enjoy your trip. I've been there three times in the past three years, and only wish it were safer so it could be enjoyed by more people from our parts of the world.
Mar 13, 2002, 12:33 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: USA
Posts: 1,307
AH, WOW!!!!!!!
Ask and ye shall receive. Dang! did I receive. This information provided, all of it, is GOLDEN. Thank you all so much. I think this info alone pays off for being on Flyertalk.
Duty Free shopping from the bathtub?!
Mikey likes. The Hilton in Auckland had an incredibly sized bathroom, so, they've got competition. Oh, I am so excited. Thanks guys. I owe you all one (literally)
I know, be careful with crime. We went for a walk in Cape Town, but as it was getting darker, started to get nervous. I don't think I would walk anywhere in Jo'burg, even other South Africans shun Jo'burg.
Anyway, I am gonna print all this and save, read, enjoy, etc... They were doing construction on the new airport when we were last there, have checked the website, and the shopping is supposed to be fantastic!
Here is a good question, if anyone can answer? With the changes to the new airport, when you arrive internationally, which will be at 6 or 7 am, can you transfer up to the shopping area-Duty Free, then return to the arrivals area for passport control and customs? It didn't look like I could before, but maybe it has changed. That would be very helpful! What I do in most of Europe.
Also, I am taking your advice, to the detriment of my sacred Hilton points
and double dipping AA miles, I think I will go with the I/C's, for sure at the airport, and in Sandton. To connect to the mall is a major +, especially in Africa where crime, unfortunately, is so terrible.
Glad I did this post. Was gonna go book Hilton online and get my 1K online bonus, hey, it helps. Thank you!
------------------
Michael
AA PLT,1 MLN Miles+
Hilton Gold
Sheraton Gold
Marriot Silver
Ask and ye shall receive. Dang! did I receive. This information provided, all of it, is GOLDEN. Thank you all so much. I think this info alone pays off for being on Flyertalk.
Duty Free shopping from the bathtub?!
Mikey likes. The Hilton in Auckland had an incredibly sized bathroom, so, they've got competition. Oh, I am so excited. Thanks guys. I owe you all one (literally)
I know, be careful with crime. We went for a walk in Cape Town, but as it was getting darker, started to get nervous. I don't think I would walk anywhere in Jo'burg, even other South Africans shun Jo'burg.
Anyway, I am gonna print all this and save, read, enjoy, etc... They were doing construction on the new airport when we were last there, have checked the website, and the shopping is supposed to be fantastic!
Here is a good question, if anyone can answer? With the changes to the new airport, when you arrive internationally, which will be at 6 or 7 am, can you transfer up to the shopping area-Duty Free, then return to the arrivals area for passport control and customs? It didn't look like I could before, but maybe it has changed. That would be very helpful! What I do in most of Europe.
Also, I am taking your advice, to the detriment of my sacred Hilton points
and double dipping AA miles, I think I will go with the I/C's, for sure at the airport, and in Sandton. To connect to the mall is a major +, especially in Africa where crime, unfortunately, is so terrible. Glad I did this post. Was gonna go book Hilton online and get my 1K online bonus, hey, it helps. Thank you!
------------------
Michael
AA PLT,1 MLN Miles+
Hilton Gold
Sheraton Gold
Marriot Silver
Mar 13, 2002, 12:45 am
#12
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Irvine, CA, AA Lifetime PLT, 7MM
Posts: 225
Be careful: take a cab rather than walk.
I am originally from JNB, now living in CA, and still have family there. I will be visiting them in May, and, like the last several times I have been there, I always am cautious wherever I go.
If you have a day or 2 to spare, try make it to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe: it is one of the 7 natural wonders of the world. 1 mile across, and around 100 yards deep.
The game viewing is superb in the area as well.
Avoid flying Air Zimbabwe, if you can: rather fly SAA.
Another great outing is Sun City: this is a casino resort built in the middle of nowhere.
Amazing buildings, great nature reserve, excellent golf, if you want.
The rand is really weak, and the food and wine in SA are great. Steaks are superb: so is the seafood in CPT.
This may be old info, but it applied when I was there last in July '99:
If you are going to shop, pick up the guide for Duty Free at the airport when you arrive, and follow it to the minute detail: the sales tax is around 14%, which you can get back when you leave the country. Only applies to merchandise which you take out with you, not food or lodging. Lots of fine print to get the tax back, but it may be worthwhile.
I heard check-in at JNB when you leave requires 4 hours before departure: my parents went through that in October, and said it really was very slow, but they were very thorough.
When will you be there? We will be visiting from around May 20 - 26.
Enjoy the trip.
I am originally from JNB, now living in CA, and still have family there. I will be visiting them in May, and, like the last several times I have been there, I always am cautious wherever I go.
If you have a day or 2 to spare, try make it to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe: it is one of the 7 natural wonders of the world. 1 mile across, and around 100 yards deep.
The game viewing is superb in the area as well.
Avoid flying Air Zimbabwe, if you can: rather fly SAA.
Another great outing is Sun City: this is a casino resort built in the middle of nowhere.
Amazing buildings, great nature reserve, excellent golf, if you want.
The rand is really weak, and the food and wine in SA are great. Steaks are superb: so is the seafood in CPT.
This may be old info, but it applied when I was there last in July '99:
If you are going to shop, pick up the guide for Duty Free at the airport when you arrive, and follow it to the minute detail: the sales tax is around 14%, which you can get back when you leave the country. Only applies to merchandise which you take out with you, not food or lodging. Lots of fine print to get the tax back, but it may be worthwhile.
I heard check-in at JNB when you leave requires 4 hours before departure: my parents went through that in October, and said it really was very slow, but they were very thorough.
When will you be there? We will be visiting from around May 20 - 26.
Enjoy the trip.
Mar 13, 2002, 12:56 am
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: USA
Posts: 1,307
Greetings Irvine! My cousin went to UCI.
Nice place
.I don't have the exact dates in front of me, but very late May, probably right after you
, into June. As for Jo'burg and CPT are concerned, have a native (female ) friend in both. The one in Jo'burg is a pilot and long been looking forward to our coming. She is gonna take us out to Livonia to see some DC-6's and what not. She might even take us up on something cool, I am game.
Howcome no Air Zimbabwe? Please. I have no intention of going anywhere near ZIM with the current crisis, why Namibia works better, have always been curious about Namib, for some reason. Our news doesn't even mention ZIM, have to get it from the BBC (World) news broadcast relay, or I would be totally clueles, and the place is a mess, with no reporters allowed in. Incredible!
What about Air Namibia? Will probably do BA/Comair all the way since they are Oneworld, lounges, and AA miles and all.
Thank you again so much for the helpful info. Michael
Mar 13, 2002, 5:41 am
#14
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Boston AA PLT, 1MM
Posts: 259
To this day, I think the rooms at the Sandton Intercontinental are one of the best hotels I have stayed at (rivaled by perhaps the Park Hyatt in San Fran) - the room is very large, and the bathroom is phenomenal - the shower alone is worth the trip! Plus, there is quite a bit of shopping/restaurants within walking distance (try the Butcher Shop for a great steak and bottle of red wine at bargain prices thanks to the weak Rand)
hope this helps
hope this helps
Mar 13, 2002, 7:39 am
#15
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Manasquan, NJ
Posts: 1,413
Wow, you folks are truly helpful! Maybe you can give me a little advice: We will have about 10 hrs stopover in JNB (daytime), and its just me (Mom) and my 12 and 14 y/o daughters. How do you suggest we kill time? Since we are coming off two red-eyes, just stopping over before a third, sleeping is the last thing I think we want to do. Getting a room for resting, TV?, luggage storage, etc, is most likely, but I am sure after all those hours on a plane we will want to walk around some.. Any ideas???