Has anyone ever stayed @ the Southern Sun hotel near the Joberg airport?

Also I understand there is a hotel that's "in" the airport, City something I believe, anyone have data about that, good, bad etc?

City Lodge.

Good and very convenient which is important to me.

Some people like a couple of the B&B's in the area but I like clearing my firearms and walking across the street and checking in to my hotel, getting a good meal and a beer and getting some rest.

City Lodge has good wifi, nice rooms and a great breakfast to get the next day of travel started off right.

I've stayed there six or seven times and fits my needs fine.

If you are just overnighting in Johannesburg and flying the next day, City Lodge is the way to go. Simply walk from the International terminal to the hotel. Food is good and location is impossible to beat.

Otherwise, you have to wait for a transfer to offsite hotels and that can take anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour or more. Then there is the hassle of getting back to the airport on time the next day.

What is done with your guns if you stay at City Lodge?

They can lock them up there. Are you using anyone to assist with clearing your firearms with SAP?

The City Lodge is great.Very nice,inexpensive and right at the hotel.Be careful if booking through expedia as there are two City lodge locations with one requiring a short drive/taxi to get to.When I arrived at the airport City lodge after a long flight and a 16 hour layover at Dulles,I found out that they had me down for the other City Lodge.Not having the slightest clue as to what happened I just paid for a room and stayed there.I still don't know how the issue occurred as I wanted to book at the airport location and no other.

quote:

Originally posted by Opus1:
They can lock them up there. Are you using anyone to assist with clearing your firearms with SAP?

Yes Air2000

quote:

Originally posted by sheephunterab:
What is done with your guns if you stay at City Lodge?

You take your rifle with you to your room(permit in hand).I used air 2000 also.They have someone to meet you as soon as you walk off the plane with a card with your name on it.You follow the fellow to collect your luggage and into the firearms clearance/police office which is right next to baggage claim.The whole process took 5 minutes and then we got on the elevator then walked out the airport crossed a street and walked into the City lodge hotel-with baggage and rifle.In the morning the fellow picks you up and brings you to your airline check-in counter.I would rather fly direct to my destination but this overnight stop was pleasant and just as good.

Thanks...we've used Air200 several times and their service is great....we've just never stayed overnight in Jo'berg so wasn't certain what the hotel procedure was.

When I mentioned crossing a street I meant the asphalt where the taxis wait for arrivals.

I stayed at City Lodge, but had Gracy Travel meet me at the baggage claim. They took care of the rifles and took me to the Lodge..Next morning they were at the Lodge took care of the luggage and rifles, excorted me to the airline counter and made sure that everything was in order..Very easy

Gracy does a great Job

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I have always stayed at the City Lodge that is attached to the airport as well. Very convenient, clean, and excellent breakfast to start the day. Steve Turner's folks at TWG can also accommodate the meet and greet which is worth every penny they ask for. All the SAPS folks know these folks and it just prevents one more potential hiccup. If I was traveling with someone else I might consider an off site place just for the experience. Traveling alone=no reason to IMHO.

We stayed at the Southern Sun back in 09. It is basically across the street from the entrance but you take a shuttle "around the horn" to get there and back. We kept our firearms in the room. both the room and dining room was very nice and everything went on one bill. Did not have to pay seperately for our meals. Being next to the airport it is quite noisy.
In April of this year we stayed at the Afton House. We were greeted at the "rotunda" where "Mr. X" (that was his name) called the shuttle and when we stepped out of the door the shuttle was pulling up. Afton is about a 10 minute ride (if I remember correctly) from the airport. Still some airport noise. We had the steak dinner there, breakfast in the morning and then taken back to the airport. Mr. X was there again and he took us right to the ticket counter to make sure we got our boarding passes.
I was happy with the service at both places, but would have to choose Afton over Southern Sun for a couple of reasons.
1. Afton Guest House is family owned. Southern Sun is a chain.
2. More personalized service at Afton (meet you and drop off at the ticket counter).

+1 on City Lodge. The plus for me is it is 'on the campus' of the airport, one less worry regarding another leg of travel, even if it's local.

On my layover to Zambia last year, I stayed at city lodge as well.

Clean, quiet room with no hassles.

I took my rifles with me in to the room with no issues.

Big +1 for City Lodge, but I'll take Africa Sky any day of the week. They are roughly the same cost, but at Africa Sky you get a fantastic filet mignon dinner, free beers, great breakfast, and it's only a 10 minute drive from Tambo. Their meet and greet is superb.

The Intercontinental is right there at the airport and quite good.

But Africa Sky is my choice all the way too.

The trick is to stay at City Lodge but walk down to dinner at the Intercontinental. Excellent food and service plus it is so-o-o-o cheap with the exchange rate.

Mark

How do you contact air200? I couldn't find a website.

Air 2000 and City Lodge
They make it very hassle free

On my two other safaris (back in 2002 & 2003), I didn't have any problems clearing my firearm in Jo'burg. I just took it to the firearms check area, waited until my turn and then went in and showed them the firearm and the paperwork (Completed SAPS form and US Customs Certificate of Orign).

When departing on my last safari, they didn't even want to look at the firearm, just the paperwork (although they did hit me up for "beer money" - I gave them 7 Rand I think).

Are things more difficult now?

BH63

What does Air2000 charge? Can't find it on their website.

Vince,

Air 2000 is the only gun permit/meet/greet that I know of still requiring you to send the original SAPS forms via Fedex, DHL or similar costing you an extra $100 and if you make an error in filling it out you have send it again or at least the page with the error. They provide an excellent service and I've used them myself but the shipping of the SAPS form seems silly and cumbersome when everyone else is doing it electronically without any issues.

Mark