I will be overnighting in Johannesburgh for the first time and I am searching for a hotel room to book.Safety is my biggest concern-I simply do not trust that place.I am looking at two hotels,one the Premiere-about 1km distance from the airport and the other the Intercontinental 100m from the airport but at 200$ more.I will be travelling with my rifle.

Afton guest house is where I stay. Pick up and drop off at the airport is included...plus good food and most of the other guests will be hunters

You are leaving in two weeks and don't have a reservation? Good Luck.

I would try Africa Sky. They have excellent and safe facilities and will help you with your gun permits, customs etc. if you hurry.

You do know you need a permit if you stay over and take possession of your rifle?

I have booked with Premiere but I have the option to cancel for free.I am using Hunting Support air2000 for the permit.

I wrote afton guest house and meant Africa Sky...Im too young to go senile.

If you want convenient and easy, then City Lodge is the best. It's connected to the airport via walkway and a short walk from the International wing. They handle guns etc. and the food and bar is pretty good.

Intercontinental is also nice but for the price difference I have always resorted to the City Lodge. There isn't much difference between the two other than cost.

Getting transfers to other off site locations can be taxing as they can take up to an hour for your carriage to arrive. If you have several days in Joburg then the guest houses are the way to go.

I thought there was only one hotel at the airport-the Intercontinental.Is there another one called the City Lodge? If so which to choose?

Will also cast my vote to Africa Sky. They are a mere 10km from the airport, will collect you, and also assist with Firearm Import Application, if needed. Have only heard good feedback on them.

quote:

Originally posted by shootaway:
I thought there was only one hotel at the airport-the Intercontinental.Is there another one called the City Lodge? If so which to choose?

It is City Lodge and not City Hotel - sorry. And it is connected to the airport via walk way. Simple to get there are you will have had a shower and your second Scotch before you make it to any other place other than the Intercontinental.

Africa Sky is terrific. I have also stayed at the Intercontintsl and at City Lodge. City Lodge is fine but limited options for food. you and your rifle will be safe at any of the three. Cheers

If you are not interested in leaving the airport, then City Lodge is great. I've stayed at the Intercontinental as well, but like City Lodge better. City Lodge has a very nice dinner and breakfast buffet. The Intercontinental's food is good too. If you want to get out of the airport then Africa Sky, Afton House, etc.

It will be a long flight with a huge layover so when I get to Johann I will be exausted and it will be evening.I will need to be at the airport in the morning so I would like to get to sleep as quick as possible and wake up and go to the airport no delays.
I see city lodge has a very good rate.

Shootaway

City Lodge is always my recommendation and I'm staying there myself later this month. Why leave the airport if you connecting to another flight the next AM?

Mark

Another vote for City Lodge. We found it safe and comfortable. We actually walked back to the airport and ate there. It was cheap and adequate.

I just booked a room at City Lodge.Thanks to all.

When you get through customs and have your bags, walk straight out and take the nearest elevator across the terminal to the second floor. You will see the signs for City Lodge and it looks like you are headed out to the parking garage on the walkway. Just keep going as the walkway bends to the right and at the end you will see elevators on your right - seems forever. Go up two floors and you are at reception.

Thanks Opus1.

Stayed at CIty Lodge and Intercontinental.
City lodge is good value , Inter is a better hotel and closer/ easier to check into because it's on ground level. Food is much better in the inter. Hotel as well.
The lift going upto the City lodge from the parking level is a bit of a pain with guncases and luggage .

They will both do just fine for an overnighter.

Cheers

Nick

Book into the city lodge. Great value for money and convenient.

+1 for City Lodge. Stayed there twice and will do so again next June. If you are concerned at all about the gun clearing procedure Travel With Guns and Gracy both have people on the ground that will do a meet and greet. On both of my trips since I was traveling alone (and on the first one, it was obviously my first trip) I had them meet me literally coming off the plane, they walked with me to claim my checked bag, walked me through SAPS customs (they all know each other, walked me to the check in desk at City Lodge and made sure I got checked in OK. Next morning they met me at the check out desk, walked me through SAPS again (because they knew each other this last trip the SAPS folks didn't even make me take the rifles out of the TuffPak)and made sure I got checked in to my SAA Harare flight with no hassles. Worth every penny they charged, IMHO.

I vote for City Lodge, as well,we've stayed there every trip since they opened and if you are using Air 2000 for "meet and gun permit service", Alpero or Steven (both work for Air 2000) will walk you to the City Lodge and if you ask, will meet you in the lobby the next morning and walk you to the airport and around all of the lines to get on your next flight. I always tip them pretty well for this and it is worth every penny as well.

I just stayed at City Lodge a couple of weeks ago. Have a porter help you with your luggage to and from the hotel as it is a bit of a hike.

For convenience, you can't beat it.

The wife and I stayed at AfricaSky when ovenighting in Joburg in August this year. Can't say enough good things about them. Will definitely be staying there in the future.

George: Karl's advice is spot on.

I like the Intercontinental.

But I liked Africa Sky even better. We just recently stayed there twice on our last trip. It is Africa Sky all the way for me.

I've stayed at both City Lodge and Africa Sky. The only way I choose CL again first is if convenience is most important. Africa Sky's service, food, setting, free beers around the 'fire.....can't be beat. The filet is fantastic.