Review of Hotels in South Africa

Taj Cape Town (5*)

Taj Cape Town is part of the world-wide Taj luxury chain. Hosted in a former South Africa Reserve Bank building circa 1920's it preserves some original interior and exterior décor elements which makes its design unique and elegant. Situated in the historic center of the city, it provides magnificent views on the Table Mountain and faces the St. George's Cathedral boasting the largest vitrages in the southern hemisphere and the Botanical Gardens worth a stroll around to sample some South African flora and fauna; it is also a short car-ride (a free transfer from the hotel) from the Waterfront shopping center – a very popular location that hosts endless stores and gives you an opportunity to relax after the stress of shopping in one of the delicious and cozy restaurants facing the harbor.

Showers are tremendous; products used are Molton Brown.

Breakfast buffet is diverse, delicious and nutritious; the ambiance of the Mint restaurant hosting it (open also for lunch and dinner) is lovely. The hotel also has a fine Indian restaurant Bombay Brasserie.

Naturally, the hotel offers all the 5-star amenities:

• Jiva spa (exclusive to the Taj hotels)
  
• Pillow menu
  
• Business center
  
• Conference facilities
  
• Fitness center
  
• TV's
  
• 8-km free transfer from / to hotel
  
• Etc.

The only real admonition is the absence of free wi-fi: well, they offer 30-minute free connection, and after that you have to pay 60 rands (about $10) for an hour or 250 rands (about $35) for a 24-hour access. It seems pretty ridiculous to me, that in our cyber day and age a 5-star hotel wouldn't offer free internet connection.

MSP (Maria’s Subjective Points): 4 out of 5
TripAdvisor review.

Arabella Hotel and Spa (5*)

Located near Hermanus, the whale watching town, Arabella Hotel and Spa is always full during the South African spring season (September – November). A huge and picturesque golf field makes it another local and touristic attraction. And the last but definitely not the least is a famous Arabella spa that utilizes local St. Barth products and boasts an impressive menu of various body treatments as well as the standard set of saunas, heated and unheated pools, steam rooms, etc.

The hotel’s quiet isolation from the civilization and gorgeous surrounding scenery makes it a popular location for corporate team building events, various conferences and wedding ceremonies. It is conveniently equipped to host small and cozy events, as well as big parties up to 350 people.

Views are spectacular, and breakfast is delicious. Several restaurants and lounges – both upscale and casual – offer a wide variety of food, from light snacks and sushi to South African dishes.

There is some room for improving the beds and showers though: the former are uncomfortably hard (although I do like firm mattresses) and the latter are not positioned ergonomically enough in relation to the rest of the bathroom which makes you fuss a bit in preparation for your shower.

Other than that all the 5-star hotel amenities are present, including free wi-fi throughout all the facilities.

MSP: 4.5 out of 5
TripAdvisor review

One and Only Hotel and Resort (5*)

The name says it all. In my opinion, it is the best hotel in Cape Town. From the smell of the lobby to tremendous views to most comfortable beds and pillows to 24-hour on-call butler service to stylish and classy interior this hotel IS truly one and only of its kind (well, it’s actually a chain of resorts, but definitely a unique one).

The location is perfect – right on the Waterfront, which makes it very convenient to take a pleasant stroll or do some shopping or have delicious meal at one of the many restaurants around the marina at any time of the day without fussing about cabs. It is positioned as an urban resort and it truly is one – an oasis in the midst of hustle and bustle of the city. It is fully equipped for various conferences, corporate events and wedding ceremonies. Another convenience is the Kids Room offering different fun activities for children ages 4 to 12 for free; there’s a similar service offered for teenagers as well.

Facing both the harbor and the Table Mountain, the hotel boasts most spectacular views. Breakfast spread is delicious and abundant. The Vista restaurant and lounge attracts not only the guests of the hotel but also locals with its famous signature cocktails, high tea hour and a classy ambiance. Another attraction for the locals is Nobu sushi restaurant. And of course, the famous Reuben’s, a restaurant with a most impressive wine cellar – out of 6,000 kinds of wine 400 can be ordered by the glass.

Showers are awesome, the products used are Charlotte Rhys. The hotel has a nice spa and a beautiful open pool. Wi-fi is free throughout all the facilities.

MSP: 5 out of 5
TripAdvisor review

Victoria Falls Safari Lodge (4*) - Zimbabwe

The best feature of the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge is its premises. Located near Victoria Falls and Zambezi National Park, this hotel offers its guests uninterrupted views of spectacular pink African sunsets and year round game at its on-site waterhole (warthogs, baboons and monkeys are permanent residents here, and elephants, buffaloes, antelopes and other wild animals come in herds to drink, usually late at night, but sometimes during the day as well). You can enjoy your morning coffee looking out of the window at several beautiful elephants quenching their own thirst at this heart-shaped (coincidence?) reservoir.

There is another beautiful hotel in the area - Victoria Falls Hotel - which offers you views on the waterfalls themselves. However, in my opinion, it is more interesting to stay at the Safari Lodge because you can (a) enjoy the silence of the nature vs the thunder of the falls (of course, tastes differ, so make your pick according to yours) and (b) watch the real day-to-day life of animals while comfortably seated on your balcony (and sometimes sharing the balcony with some representatives:)).

Bungalow accommodations are modest but very clean and comfortable, with an obligatory mosquito-netted bed. The views are our of this world, and the experiences of wild life you will get during your stay here are unparalleled. Showers are nothing spectacular, but again, clean and nice. Products used are of the Luipardal line (attentively, even sunblock and after-sun creams are offered, but I suggest to bring your own as the smell of those is unparalleled as well).

Breakfast table is modest but tasty, featuring a lot of fruits, along with local warthogs, marinated crocodile, ostrich meat, etc. Beware that if you want to order something a la carte, you have to put a real effort into it, as the service here is beyond "unobtrusive" (in a good, slow, proud African way though, so don't get frustrated please). The best way to get your omelet is to ask as many waiters as you possibly can, then one of them (or maybe it's the collective thought that works in this case) will make it happen.

Wi-fi is present in the main area and in some bungalows that are located close to the reception. They are working on spreading the connection all over the premises. It is $5 for "unlimited" access during your stay up to 80MG (unlimited in this case refers to however many days you are staying).

MSP: 5 out of 5

TripAdvisor reviews

DaVinci Hotel (5*)

Located adjacent to the prime location of Nelson Mandela Square in Johannesburg (Jo-burg as the locals call it), DaVinci hotel is the latest luxury development of the Legacy Group. The first several floors of the building are occupied by a huge retail center (mall) with lots of boutique shops, restaurants, whiskey and cigar bars. This is one of the safe areas of Jo-burg and it attracts a lot of traffic during the day. Surprisingly though, all the shops are closed at 6PM.

The interior decor of the public areas as well as all the rooms is the stunning black and white (symbolizing South Africa maybe?). The management puts a lot of emphasis on displaying original art throughout the premises. If you have some free time while staying here, it's worth walking up and down the floors and admire the "gallery". Every part of the decor - from wall paper to paintings - are made in South Africa by South African artists.

The hotel has a spa and a outdoor pool. You don't see anybody in the pool though as the temperature is very low - about 15C (they are planning to hook up the pool to the roof solar batteries in the near future though, so there's hope).

The staff is very helpful, attentive, and efficient.

It is the greenest hotel in South Africa, hence the floor-to-ceiling windows and key-card triggered lights.

The rooms are magnificent: the earnest black and white and huge windows opening up Jo-burg for your leisurely observation somehow create the effect of staying on some spaceship, naturally, far in the future. Unfortunately though, there are several quite inconvenient oddities about those "back to the future" spaces:

• You will have no luck trying to find a hair-dryer in the bathroom near the mirror. It is placed... in one of the business desk drawers (and it is connected to it by a permanent cord, so you cannot take it with you to the bathroom even if you eventually find it).
• There is only one plug in the standard room. So if you have a laptop, a cell-phone, and a camera (or even two when you travel as a couple), you have to make them take turns charging. Of course, you can ask for a multiple-plug device at the reception, but wouldn't it be more logical to just offer several plugs in the room to begin with?
• There is no internet center in the hotel. Wi-fi is free throughout the premises, but if you don't have your laptop with you, good luck checking your email here. You can do it nearby in another hotel (situated downstairs in the trade center), but they charge 60 ZAR for every 30 minutes (anything less than 30 minutes though is free).

Showers are very difficult to regulate to the desired temperature. I personally did not succeed: it was either too hot or too cold. And the pressure is surprisingly weak.

Beds and pillows are most comfortable. I am not sure what their secret is, but you wake up all refreshed, happy, and what's more important, without any sudden back or neck pains.

Breakfast is a pleasure both for your eye and your taste-buds.

All in all the DaVinci hotel is a great place to stay in on your trip to Johannesburg.

MSP: 4.5 out of 5

TripAdvisor reviews

A Word of Warning about All Hotels in South Africa

• All hotel staff is very polite and wearing a pretty uniform and a great smile, but they all are a bit spaced out (and this is not just my New Yorker’s opinionJ) which naturally slows down the service. Try to avoid asking for several things at the same time: multitasking is not their forte.
• Definitely make use of the safe offered and never leave your purse unattended (outside or inside the room).