crystalsong

Good morning, everyone:

Our travel agent has recommended we stay at the Metcourt Laurel Hotel for an overnight in JNB. I am wondering if anyone has stayed there before, because we would love to know a bit more about it.

We'll be flying into JNB, staying one night, before heading on to Richard's Bay.

Thanks.

Thandi

I live in Johannesburg and have never heard of this hotel. What is the address or what neighbourhood/area is it situated in? What time is your flight to Richards Bay & what day as traffic is an issue. If it's a early morning flight have you considered staying at an airport hotel especially if you are arriving late & leaving early. How much time do you have in Johannesburg?

ArthurSA

I'd also not heard of it and it isn't listed in the current tel. directory. So I Googled and I see that it is what used to be called the Senator Hotel. That is part of the Emperors Palace Casino and Convention Centre. This used to be called Caesars, but everything had to be re-branded for legal reasons when there was a change of ownership.

I see that it is classified as a 3* and S.A. 3* hotels are of good mid-range quality. I haven't been to Emperors Palace , but it has probably been recommended because it is close to the airport. I assume that there is a shuttle, but I haven't checked. Of course being close to the airport means that it's not close to anything else. But as you're only overnighting that's not necessarily a problem, and I think you'll also have a choice of restaurants there.

PredatorBiologist

this is the old Ceasars complex -- and most people still know it by that brand.

I stayed at the D'Oreale Grande which is a 5 star part of the same complex and ownership group and I was shown a room at the Laurel. It was spacious and looks like a comfortable 3 star accomodation. They do run a free shuttle to and from the airport. It is only a 5-10 minute drive which is very convenient and I think the shuttle picks up every 20 minutes or so. The hotel attaches to the casino complex but you don't notice the casino area unless you walk over to it. There are many restaurants and shops, even a little indoor roller coaster in the casino area. There are also outdoor swimming pools and a very nice looking spa. I think its a good choice for convenience to the airport and a good place to shake the international jet lag.

ArthurSA

www.metcourt.com/emperorspalace/default.asp

Isn't Google wonderful?!

ArthurSA

My apologies, I posted my last post partly in jest, without re-reading your OP. But I've realised that it you probably did do a web search or already had information about the hotel, but are now looking for first-hand impressions. Which you got from PredatorBiologist.

Thandi

Agree with everyone. It's close to the airport and if you have an early morning flight you don't want to be in rush hour traffic. For an overnight, it's fine.

crystalsong

Good morning, everyone:

Thank you so much for the information, and for taking the time to answer my question. I think that this is where we will stay for our brief overnight before heading on. It sounds absolutely fine, and close to the airport, which is a bonus in my book!