Johannesburg Hotel

[Mountaineer]

I hear the Zafron House and African Sky House are great, but I need to conserve some money if I’m going to make it to SA during the next year or two. I see many beautiful hotels listed by Marriott. Has anyone used these hotels? If so, did you use the hotel transfer, have rifles along, and would you do it that way again? Thanks!

 

[Deleted member 40394]

Those hotels are the spots for saving money I would think. I am staying at the intercontinental and it is way more expensive compared to the others. I like knowing when I get there I can walk to it and walk back for my 6:00 flight the next morning and it’s peace of mind to me.

 

[375Fox]

Afton and Africa Sky are both $150 a night? Marriott is maybe $100 a night? For an extra $50 you know it’s hunter friendly and also if any issue with guns or luggage they will get it taken care of for you. I’d consider the extra $50(?) cheap insurance to make sure your trip goes smooth and wouldn’t think looking elsewhere.

 

[Hunt anything]

I stayed in the City Lodge and I think it was connected to the Johannesburg airport. It was really nice and had a good restaurant back in 2014.

 

[Hunt anything]

I believe my arrangements were made by Air2000, don’t know if they are still in business but I think I recall they had services offered at either SCI or the DSC auctions.

 

[wesheltonj]

Both City Lodge and Intercontinental are at the Airport. Intercontinental is right outside the international terminal. City Lodge is over the Parking Garage connected to the terminal. City Lodge will be cheaper then Intercontinental. Lots of hunters stay at City Lodge. I have stayed at Africa Sky and Intercontinental. If I was going back to Jo'Burg, it would be Intercontinental or City Lodge. No reason to stay off the Airport. Protea has a hotel off property, I dont know anything about it. They Also have the Transit Hotel, but you have to be in Transit to use it.

 

[Rob404]

I stayed at Afton House it was worth every dime I spent

 

[Fred Gunner]

I stayed at Afton House it was worth every dime I spent

I agree the experience you land and you're already on Safari.

 

[Hunt anything]

Having stayed at City Lodge and Afton in the past I would probably lean towards Afton for the experience, you can sit around a fire and talk to other hunters look at taxidermy eat a good steak and just relax and not in a hotel room. I just got a note from Richard at Afton the other day and they are gearing up for a very busy season. I missed them in 2021 due to Covid as we went straight to the camp and tried to minimize contact with other peopl.

 

[Edster]

Before our 2020 trip was cancelled, we had been booked for the overnight at Africa Sky. I’m a Marriott Concierge Lifetime Platinum member. I was going to use points for overnight stay. That thought was short lived. Marriott is not gun friendly. I had asked my concierge and she looked into it at great length and could not get me in with guns.

 

[Mountaineer]

Thanks for all the replies, but isn’t the Aston house $150 each? When there will be 4 of us that’s $600 compared to $100 at a hotel.

 

[375Fox]

Thanks for all the replies, but isn’t the Aston house $150 each? When there will be 4 of us that’s $600 compared to $100 at a hotel.

Looks like about $55/person if you book this room at Afton. Afton and Africa Sky basically are hotels. They have twin rooms and options like everyone else.

 

[Hunt anything]

Did Marriott ask if you were traveling with guns or wouldn’t let you use points because of African Sky catering to Safari goers?

 

[Edster]

Did Marriott ask if you were traveling with guns or wouldn’t let you use points because of African Sky catering to Safari goers?

I had asked about guns. Did not want to get there and be surprised. My concierge, had found at first it was company policy and went further and contacted SA and asked them as well.

 

[WAB]

On my first trip I stayed at City Lodge. The next trip my wife and I stayed at Africa Sky. We have never stayed anywhere else since. They treat us like family.

 

[Happy Myles]

I have stayed at so many places over the decades i cannot recall them. Recent years I stick with African Sky. They make it all easy .

 

[Hogpatrol]

Been staying at Citilodge. Walk to it and relatively safe if dealing with the Gracy Travel crew. Stayed off airport the first trip and not real keen staying behind a ten foot wall with high voltage wire on top. It's not real cool when the power goes out like it did in Blomfontein one overnight stay. Took my gun out of the case and loaded it that night. YMMV.

Edit: IIRC, one of the usual off airport venues had a break-in a few years back.

 

[CoElkHunter]

Been staying at Citilodge. Walk to it and relatively safe if dealing with the Gracy Travel crew. Stayed off airport the first trip and not real keen staying behind a ten foot wall with high voltage wire on top. It's not real cool when the power goes out like it did in Blomfontein one overnight stay. Took my gun out of the case and loaded it that night. YMMV.

Edit: IIRC, one of the usual off airport venues had a break-in a few years back.

Wow! "ten foot wall with high voltage wire on top"? Sounds like a scene from Jurassic Park? LOL

 

[Hogpatrol]

Wow! "ten foot wall with high voltage wire on top"? Sounds like a scene from Jurassic Park? LOL

IIRC, 24,000 volts. OT, stayed in a similar lodge in Richards Bay and a vehicle inside the compound was broken into and the radio stolen. We guessed the perps threw up a ladder on a limb of a tree that overhung the wires and somehow came down the main trunk inside the walls. Was there for three nights, slept lightly.
My PHs told me if at all possible, never leave the airport at Joburg. YMMV.

 

[375Fox]

On my first trip I stayed at City Lodge. The next trip my wife and I stayed at Africa Sky. We have never stayed anywhere else since. They treat us like family.

I think your point is really worth noting. City Lodge is a nice hotel, but impersonal like most hotels. If you have issues with gun, luggage, anything at airport and didn’t use Gracy travel, I think you are on your own. The hotel isn’t going to help. If you stay at Africa Sky, I know Gilbert will do everything he can to help you. I’ve stayed city lodge, Afton, and Africa Sky but was most impressed by Africa Sky.