barryozed

I am flying into Johannesburg on August 29th around 5 o'clock and flying out on Safari at noon on the 30th to Sabi Sands/Timbervarti for 12 days. Looking for an overnight hotel....any recommendations? Thanks in advance.



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ca_vol

OR Southern Sun Tambo is a short, free shuttle ride away. There are two wings. One is nice and one is not. Reserve a room in the "new" wing. They have buffets for meals (or you can order off the menu), a gym and a business center for computers.

There is an Airport Sun International Hotel at the airport terminal that is much, much more expensive. The one I am talking about is NOT that one.

aowens

here is a thread discussing it and if you search jnb airport hotels this is discussed lots. hope this helps.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=4

atravelynn

OR Southern Sun Tambo is where I'll return.

I must have been lucky to always stay in the nice part.

Wine/cheese/olive bar every evening. Huge complimentary breakfast. Small fenced area to walk around and stretch your legs outside.

ca_vol

Yeah, the other side is nasty. Here is my trip report. Read the first part of part I to see what our first room was like until they gave us the "upgrade"...fishy...

http://tinyurl.com/68f8xr

travelct

I just e-mailed the hotel yesterday about transportation when I arrive, and they told me that the shuttle was R32 one way and run by a private company. Is there another shuttle? Also, thanks for recommending the new wing. I have now requested that.

ca_vol

I thought the shuttle was free but maybe our agent (go2africa.com) included it into the price? I could have sworn our itinerary said it was complimentary though.

ca_vol

travelct-Make sure they aren't charging you extra for the new wing. We were told it was an "upgrade" that the manager was doing as a courtesy for us.

CarlaM

This is what the S/S Tambo website says:

"Transport Services

Transport available to/from:

O R Tambo International Airport
Located 500 metres from the hotel, shuttle service available - no charge. Taxi service available at nominal charge."

They also mention they refurbishing at the moment:

"We are delighted to inform you that we are revamping the remainder of our 135 bedrooms and the conference centre. This exciting refurbishment has commenced and will continue until August 2008. These alterations have been carefully planned and every effort will be made to minimise disruption, including construction noise."

ca_vol

Interesting that they are trying to charge you for the shuttle...

numbat83

I've been considering this hotel too.
On the website, it doesn't mention complimentary breakfast either.. wondering if there is someone who has stayed there recently to tell us about shuttle, breakfast and wings? Thanks!

ca_vol

I think our breakfast was also paid for in advance by go2africa. I don't think it was actually free. But...I could be wrong.

matnikstym

Was there last September and the shuttle was free. Left too early for the complimentary breakfast but did have the free wine and cheese, and paid for the buffet.

rickmck

Perhaps another choice: I stayed at the Metcourt Laurel in the Emperor's Palace Casino/Convention Center for an overnight between flights. Less than 10 minutes via free shuttle from O.R. Tambo, and less than USD 150 for the night. Very nice breakfast buffet + cooked to order. I plan to stay there again.

PredatorBiologist

Rick beat me to it but I think the Emperors Complex is an excellent choice also. I have stayed at all 3 hotels there. The D'Oreale Grande is the 5 star and it is very nice but unless you need 5 star opulence I think the other 2 hotels are just the ticket for a nice convenient stay while protecting your budget. The Metcourt Laurel and the Mondior Concorde are both very comfortable and nice hotels. The Metcourt rooms are huge and a good deal in the $150 range. The Mondior rooms are small and feel like an Urban botique hotel and in April I stayed there for only $104. All are a free shuttle ride that is less than 10 minutes although it comes every 20 minutes so depending when you hit the airport it can be a small wait. I like that the hotels are attached to the casino complex because there are a number of restuarants to choose from and you do a fair bit of walking which is good after the long flying.

Georgie2007

Dh and I spent a total of 4 nights at the Metcourt in 2007 and found it to be a great hotel. The first was arrival night, the 2nd and 3rd were after the safari portion and before going to Mozambique. The last night was the night before we left Africa.
Due to having two types of holiday in one, safari and diving, we left luggage at the hotel for 2 weeks came back swapped it over and left the filthy safari clothes there for another 10 days whilst we went to Quilalea. It was great being able to walk around after a long flight

Treepol

Hi barryozed,

interesting comments about the OR S/S. I went to book 5 nights here with my local agent based on the positive reports on this forum and was very surprised to be quoted $299 AUD which is a sharp increase (almost double I think) from the rate in the 2007 brochure. I'm wondering if there has been a price increase to take effect due to the refurbishment?

Needless to say, I booked the Metcourt Laurel for $141 AUD. You could also try the Airport Grand Hotel which is a Legacy property. It is further out from the airport than Metcourt Laurel but is in the same price range and includes free shuttle and breakfast.

Cheers,

Pol.

Doogle

I think that they have the wrong hotel this is how it works:

Souther Sun O.R. Tambo International Airport - shuttle transfers are indeed free of charge.

HOWEVER

Garden Court O.R. Tambo International airport charge for trasnfers.

make sure you are at the correct hotel!

travelct

Thank you doogle. I am at the Garden Court and that is why there is a charge. I appreciate you clarifying this for me. I will make sure i don't take the free shuttle to the wrong hotel!