There are two Radisson hotels in Sandton – one across the road from the Gautrain station and one another 600m along Rivona Road. Stay at the Gautrain one – it’s worth the extra few rand / dollars / pounds. That makes it a hop, skip and a jump from the station and from Sandton City mall / Nelson Mandela Square.
With just a backpack, I chose to walk the 600m. Joburg heat is not as punishing as, say, South Florida’s humidity. The only problem is that this part of town is a building site, so there’s dust in your face as you walk along. No big deal.
In the pic above, you can just make out the circular indoor running track that scoops out from the base of the hotel.
All rooms open into a central atrium (pretty… but you can hear anything going on in the lobby bar).
There was no room ready on my arrival (I was super early) but within an hour one was ready. I had chosen a standard double using reward points from Club Carlson. It was perfectly big, plenty of room for studying at the desk and the bed is comfortable. I had asked for hypoallergenic pillows, but got goose down. I still slept for 10 hours my first night!
The workspace is just perfect.
The TV channels are in a mix of languages and CNN and Sky News should suffice for American/Irish/British visitors. There’s also four or five movie channels.
There is an in-room safe in the wardrobe on the right and a drinks prep area.
Pretty standard – but nicer than usual mugs! Also housekeeping come in every day to replenish the (free) water bottles.
The bathroom is in a pretty standard porcelain colour, but it works and it was clean and fresh.
The products are of reasonable quality – can’t complain!
However, it’s the view that’s simply the best! From the 22nd floor, there’s a beautiful view across Johannesburg!
Overall verdict: 7 out of 10
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