Category: Hotel Reviews

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Hotel Review – Holiday Inn Rosebank, Johannesburg, South Africa

Upon arrival in Johannesburg from Adelaide via Doha, I checked into the Holiday Inn Rosebank in the suburbs of the city.

I had stayed at this property numerous times in the past, so I knew what to expect.

The property is reached from the airport by the comfortable and efficient Gautrain in about 35 minutes.

The train runs directly from the airport terminal and stops directly opposite the hotel. At 250 ZAR ($14 or £10) for a one-way ticket, it is quicker, easier and probably safer than doing the journey by road. Most transport apps will tell you to change trains at Marlboro, but I know from experience that the transfer is smoother at Sandton.

I reached the hotel around midday and had no problem checking in early. I was assigned room 702, coincidentally the room I had occupied on two previous stays.

This is a corner room with an unusual layout, but one which worked well for me.

The room was well equipped with a queen-size bed, shower, bathtub, mini-fridge, tea and coffee, wardrobe space and safe.

As I had already been to Johannesburg several times and seen essentially everything that the city offers, I decided to spend a relaxing few days at the hotel and the attached shopping centre.

The hotel offers an on-site restaurant, with a variety of dishes available for both lunch and dinner.

The restaurant also offers a full breakfast buffet, complete with an egg station and freshly made omelettes.

As well as the hotel restaurant, the attached shopping centre also offers a steakhouse and several fast food options.

The hotel also comes equipped with a small outdoor swimming pool, which was very pleasant in the warm February temperatures.

I stayed on a Dinner, Bed and Breakfast rate of 1,920 ZAR ($106 or £79) per night, which I considered superb value for money.

With the easy and economical transfer on the Gautrain, I can recommend this property, not only for a city stay, but also for an airport layover.

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Hotel Review – Ramada Encore, Doha, Qatar

Following a superb flight on Qatar Airways, I had a 22-hour layover in Doha. My base for this layover would be the Ramada Encore by Wyndham.

I chose this hotel based on a balance of price and convenience, as well as the availability of a smoking room.

As my layover was from around 4am to shortly after 2am, I had to book two nights at a total cost of 390 QAR ($107 or £79).

My room was in the ‘Deluxe Queen’ category and was well appointed with a queen sized bed, work desk, tea and coffee making facilities, mini fridge and safe.

The bathroom consisted only of a lavatory and shower, but was spotlessly clean and perfectly adequate.

There was also hairdryer provided, but anyone who knows the author will know that this was unnecessary.

I arrived around 5am, but as I had slept well on the flight, I spent a couple of hours catching up on some writing, before buying myself a second breakfast from the buffet.

The buffet was well varied, including chicken sausages, beef bacon, roast potatoes, scrambled eggs, pancakes, cold cuts and cheeses. The price of 60 QAR ($16 or £12) was very fair.

The hotel is also equipped with an indoor swimming pool, which I enjoyed after a walk around the city.

Picture courtesy of Expedia.

The hotel is well situated, around a ten minute taxi ride from the airport and a short walk from the Souq Waqif.

It proved to be a good choice as a base for my layover and for a few hours of sleep before my 2am connection to Johannesburg.

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Hotel Review – Tune Hotel KLIA, Kuala Lumpur

Before my flight to Australia, I spent one night at the Tune Hotel KLIA, a very short distance from the Low Cost Carrier Terminal.

I booked the hotel in order to obviate the need for a very early start from my city hotel.

The hotel was very easy to find and included free parking for my rental car. This, along with the convenient location for the airport, was a deciding factor in my final choice.

I booked a single room, which was tiny but included a single bed, an en-suite shower and toilet, and a small breakfast table which doubled as a desk.

My room opened out onto an open air walkway, from where I was able to watch the planes coming in to land. It was also a convenient place for a crafty cigarette.

There is a small cafeteria style restaurant at the front of the hotel, offering oriental dishes, most of which are priced around $4 or £3.

Breakfast the following morning was picked up from reception and consisted of chicken sausages, potatoes, turkey cold cuts, scrambled egg, baked beans and bread.

A shuttle bus to the airport terminal is offered, but I didn’t use this as I still had my rental car.

Overall, I was very pleased with my stay at the Tune Hotel.

It is a very basic hotel, aimed at travellers spending a short overnight layover, who just want a basic meal and a few hours of sleep. It served this purpose very well.

The room was spotlessly clean and very quiet, and the hotel had everything I needed for a one-night stay.

For the price of $22 or £17, including breakfast and WiFi, this is superb value. I would not hesitate to book this hotel again for a flight layover.

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Hotel Review – DoubleTree by Hilton, Kuala Lumpur

After my relaxing few days in the Cameron Highlands, I still had a few days before my onward flight to Australia.

Feeling more energised after the break, I decided to spend these days back in Malaysia’s vibrant capital of Kuala Lumpur.

As this would be a five-night stay, I opted to use my Hilton Gold benefit of the fifth night free on award stays.

Although I was staying alone, I booked a Standard Twin, as this was the only smoking room available at the time of booking.

The room was comfortable and well appointed, with two decent sized beds, a couch, a desk and wardrobe space, along with a safe.

The bathroom was a good size and well furnished, with bathrobes and slippers provided.

The room was also equipped with a small refrigerator, with mineral water and a fruit platter provided.

Yes, that is an ashtray on the table. This hotel is now one of the few properties affiliated with the major chains, which still offer customers this freedom of choice.

By virtue of my Hilton Gold status, I was offered the standard amenity of a full breakfast each morning. In addition to this, I was offered an upgrade to an Executive room, which came with access to the executive lounge.

However, since all the executive category rooms were non-smoking, an agreement was reached, whereby I would stay in the lower room category, but retain the executive lounge access.

A high quality and well varied buffet breakfast, comprising both oriental and western dishes, was served in the hotel’s main restaurant.

In the afternoons and evening, snacks and drinks were also offered in the executive lounge, which offered a balcony with a city view.

An evening cocktail hour (in fact, two hours) was also offered in the executive lounge.

The property also has a swimming pool, which is very inviting in Malaysia’s warm, tropical climate.

I was not able to photograph the pool myself, due to its constant use. The following picture is courtesy of the hotel website.

My five-night stay came at a total cost of 80,000 Hilton points, to which I ascribe a value of around $400 or £320. Considering the amenities and benefits I received, I thought this was outstanding value.

This is a very comfortable property, I had a very enjoyable experience. I would be more than happy to return if I found myself in the Kuala Lumpur area for a few days again.

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Hotel Review – Sealion Firefly Concept Hotel, Kuala Selangor

In order to visit the charming Fireflies Park in Kuala Selangor, I stayed one night at the Sealion Fireflies Concept Hotel.

The Fireflies Park is accessible from Kuala Lumpur, but having a rental car meant that it was more convenient to stay overnight in the area.

Being ready for a fairly late night and planning an early departure in the morning, I didn’t need much in the way of hotel facilities. With this in mind, I decided to book a simple hotel.

I chose the Sealion for the convenience of the balcony attached to the Family Terrace rooms.

The room I was allocated was simple, but had everything I needed for the short overnight stay.

The balcony allowed some fresh air into the room, as well as an opportunity for a late night beer and cigarette in the warm, tropical air.

The star effect lighting on the ceiling was a nice little touch.

The hotel also offers a small outdoor pool, which I unfortunately didn’t have the time to try out.

In conclusion, this was a very good option for the overnight stay.

The room was spotlessly clean and secure. The bed was comfortable and the shower was hot. The hotel even offered free parking. For the price of $51 (£41), I had no complaints.

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Hotel Review – Holiday Inn Express, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Malaysia

After an evening arrival in Kuala Lumpur, I picked up my rental car and headed for the Holiday Inn Express in the centre of the city for a four-night stay.

This would allow me to spend New Year’s Eve in Kuala Lumpur, which I will address in a separate review.

The late night drive from the airport was very easy and I was quickly settled in my room.

My room was small, but functionally furnished with a double bed, mini-fridge, safe, tea and coffee making facilities, shower room and international and USB power sockets.

The room rate included a buffet breakfast, which greatly surpassed the range and quality found at Holiday Inn Express properties in Europe and North America.

The selection offered westernised options, including scrambled eggs and chicken sausages, as well as oriental fare, such as spiced noodles.

The hotel also offered a cafeteria style restaurant, serving the customary staples for lunch and dinner.

The only complaint I had about this particular property was that no provision is made for smokers, and for this reason I would not choose to return. However I realise that this is simply a personal preference, which will not be an issue for the majority of readers.

If you are looking for a well located and utilitarian hotel at a reasonable and affordable rate, this is a solid option.

 

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Hotel Review – Citymax Hotel, Aswan, Egypt

Having decided to leave my Nile cruise on Day 4, I checked into the Citymax Hotel in Aswan for one night, before returning to Luxor by train.

The hotel is conveniently located on the Kornish Al Nile, which is the main riverside promenade. I chose the hotel principally for its proximity to the main railway station, around a five-minute walk away.

I booked a junior suite, mainly because it offered a balcony and was the only smoking room available. The suite was clean, sufficiently spacious for one person and comfortably furnished.

The attached balcony was sheltered, private and offered a rather engaging view of the Nile.

The hotel has a rooftop pool, which I didn’t try in the cooler winter temperatures.

The property also offers a very basic restaurant with takeaway style food, which was at least served hot. For the convenience of not having to venture back out and run the gauntlet of the persistent and ubiquitous street vendors, I was content with it.

At $141 or £112, this room was expensive by local standards. For one night, however, I considered it well worth the outlay for the convenience, comfort and ease of access.

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Hotel Review – Pyramisa Hotel, Luxor, Egypt

After a few days in the UK and an uneventful EasyJet flight, it was time to begin my long-awaited Nile Cruise.

I chose the reasonably centrally located Pyramisa Hotel as a base, both before and after the cruise.

On my first stay, I received a Nile View King room, which was comfortably furnished and reasonably spacious.

The air conditioning controls were rather rudimentary, but it worked perfectly.

On arrival, I found that a snack and, thoughtfully, an ashtray had been left in my room.

The river-facing balcony was a very agreeable place to enjoy the warm evening air.

The hotel is equipped with two swimming pools, but sadly I found the off-season temperatures were not quite high enough for me to venture into the water.

The poolside bar, on the other hand was much more my style.

Having checked out the buffet and decided that discretion was the greater part of valour, I contented myself with a visit to the on-site pizzeria and an Egyptian beer.

I was pleased enough with the Pyramisa Hotel to return after my Nile cruise for a second stay, for which I received a Nile View Twin room with terrace.

Overall, the Pyramisa provided good value for $73 (£56) per night and I considered it to be a decent choice for a short stay.

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Hotel review – Relais Hotel & Spa (now Clarion) Paris CDG

After my two comfortable flights with Eurowings and Lufthansa I had a two night layover in Paris before continuing to the UK and Egypt.

I chose the Relais Hotel & Spa near CDG airport (now reflagged as the Clarion Paris CDG), as I didn’t feel like dragging my luggage into the city.

I had stayed at this property some years before, when it was flagged as a Crowne Plaza, so I knew roughly what to expect.

The property, along with several others on the Allée du Verger, is an easy 10-minute shuttle ride from the airport.

I had booked a Studio Double, which was comfortable and well equipped with a small kitchenette, a refrigerator and a safe.

The bathroom was a good size, with a bathtub, a walk-in shower and separate lavatory.

The room was also equipped with a balcony, which although not exactly aesthetically pleasing, was very welcome for a committed smoker like myself, even in a cold and crisp Paris December.

The first of a couple of annoyances came when I found the promised pool and spa closed.

Having promised myself a relaxing swim, I decided to head out to the municipal pool in the nearby village of Roissy-en-France. This proved to be a somewhat surreal experience, as I had forgotten the unique rules at municipal swimming pools in France. My swimming shorts were immediately frowned upon and I was wordlessly issued a bright red swimming cap and Speedos, both of which were rather ill fitting.

I will spare readers any pictures of this particular spectacle, but suffice to say I have now made a mental note to check for any pool closures at hotels, particularly in France.

Since I was in the village and having been well fed on the flights, I decided to skip the hotel restaurant and pick up some snacks to eat in my room, before an excellent night’s sleep.

Breakfast was a very relaxed and civilised affair and I stayed in the restaurant for around two hours, enjoying the full hot and cold buffet and some excellent coffee.

The hotel is located conveniently enough that I could head into the city by train for the intervening day. I have been to Paris a number of times, so I just took a short stroll along the Seine to reacquaint myself with some of the iconic landmarks.

The next annoyance came that night. Having settled down early before a morning flight to the UK, I was abruptly awoken at 1:30am by a fire alarm. After around half an hour of being kept standing in the car park, I must admit that this produced some rather ripe French from the author, suggesting that I would not be best pleased if there was no fire.

Despite the annoyances, I can say that this is in fact a good hotel. The rooms are very comfortable, the breakfast was excellent, the pool and spa are now refurbished and fully open, and I am sure that the fire alarm was an isolated event. Along with the balcony and the convenient location, it ticks all my boxes.

I look forward to returning to this property to experience it under it’s new Clarion banner.

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Hotel review – Four Points by Sheraton, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

In between my flights from Paris via Montreal and to the USA I spent a total of four nights at the Four Points by Sheraton, near to Punta Cana Airport.

Although the hotel is rather overpriced by local standards, with rates often hovering around the $200/£160 mark, I chose it for the convenience of its location near the airport. I was also able to mitigate the expense by using the last of my Marriott points for two of the nights.

The hotel is reached in around 10 minutes by a free shuttle, which can be ordered via a free telephone located just after customs clearance.

The rooms are functional, comfortable and reasonably well appointed.

The hotel also offers a buffet breakfast at a cost of $23 (£18) per person.

The hotel also has a small swimming pool, which in Punta Cana’s tropical climate is rather inviting.

Whilst this was a perfectly comfortable hotel to while away a couple of layovers, one thing did leave a rather sour taste. On checking in for my third stay, I noticed a mysterious $40 additional charge on my folio, which was not brought to my attention.

Upon enquiry, this was vaguely and variously described as a resort fee and later as a tourist tax.

After a discussion with a member of management, this amount was offered to me as a restaurant and bar credit and covered a steak sandwich and a few beers on the pool terrace.

In conclusion, this hotel is a reasonable option for a short layover, if convenience for the airport is a major factor. However, be sure to check your bill and obtain a satisfactory explanation for any additional charges.

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