This request is specifically directed at South African Hunting Outfitters, but naturally the input from actual clients will be appreciated.

Please say, and motivate why, which guest house near OR Tambo you whould use: Two client arrive at unstated time on 11 May at OR Tambo. They do not have any firearms at all. They fly to Bloemfontein to arrive there at 09:05 on Saturday 12th May 2012.

To meet them, transport them to guest house, provide a good meal, overnight and deliver them in good time to OR Tambo for the early flight to Bloemfontien, which of the many good guest houses do you reccommend?

Thanks for your input.

I stayed at AfricaSky two weeks ago.

http://www.africasky.co.za/

Meet at airport was flawless, transport to house was in a newer van. Very clean, no odors or stains in it.

Very nice staff, very nice room best described as a deluxe hotel/bungalow.

Supper was a very fine filet with a nice bar selection.

Breakfast was an equally excellent made to order eggs/bacon/etc.

At breakfast, I spoke with the owner, and she said they are actively trying to get into the hunting market.

I would stay there again in a heartbeat.

Birchwood hotel,
close to airport good food close within walking distance (spur ) right at the gate. three cafe's in the compound. clean comfortable rooms at a good price. airport shuttles every hour on the 1/2

I stayed at the City Lodge at the O R Tambo Terminal last October. It is not as homey as the Afton House or African Sky, but it is very close. The food was good, the room was nice, and it seemed safe.

Spent 2 nights at the African Skye last Sept.
Very nice.

Four replies. Two African Sky recommendations.

What about the Afton Guest House supporters?

This is asked not for me, but for the best advice for my clients.

I've always enjoyed staying at Afton House, and have always been treated very well over the years by Louie, Annelise and their staff. There are many others here on AR who have expressed this same sentiment over the years.

Hi, Andrew--

I stayed at African Sky last August. It was very nice. Meet and greet at the airport and drop-off the next morning went very smoothly, food and drink excellent. Very comfortable and clean room. And very quiet grounds, which is particularly important for someone who has just spent 20+ hours travelling and changing eight or more time zones. Next time I fly through RSA I will stay there.

We and another couple stayed at Afton in 2009 based on AR recommendations. Not sure I would stay there again. In all fairness it was during the time Louis was in the final stages of his cancer battle so they may have had more pressing things on their plates and rightfully so.

Here are the details of the good and not so good.

1. Shuttle to/from the A/P was timely but FULL van each way. - OK.

2. They actually subbed us out to another B&B a few blocks away from their main location. this B&B didn't offer dinner and Afton sent a van back a few hours later to pick us up and take us back to their main location for dinner. Asked about going into town instead and told couldn't do it. - NOT GOOD.

3. Once back at main location we were funneled through a hallway to a guy hawking jewelry and kind of had to stand there while he gave his sales pitch - like having to sit through a condo timeshare pitch. - NOT GOOD.

4. Dinner (average) was a cooked to order medium size beef steak served family buffet style for $25USD per. Could have gotten better for less in the US. No option offered of any game meat instead. If we couldn't go someplace else it would have been nice to at least have game meat as an option. Dinner was not served until the last guest arrived 9-10pm. By the time we all got bussed back to our respective B&B's we didn't get in bed until nearly 12pm and had early, 7am pickups back to the A/P. So, out of a 14hr layover we got a mediocre meal, 6hrs of sleep and a shower. - NOT GOOD.

That was the first and last time we have overnighted in JNB. Now every year we just avoid JNB completely and route through Europe direct to Windhoek.

Again, in all fairness this was 3-years ago during a very stressful time in their lives and could have been just an anomaly. They have had a very loyal following here in the past and I do hope things have improved for them from the experience we had.

I've used Tehilla Guest House twice and have them booked again for July.

Andrew,

I'm recommending the City Lodge these days because it is so convenient. No shuttles back and forth or waiting for others equals more rest for the next day.

Mark

I stayed at both Afton and AfricaSky. Hands down I would stay at AfricaSky. My group is staying there again in the middle of May. Very nice people, great food and rooms. I hesitate to recomend them for fear the next time I want to stay there, they will be full.

City Lodge AT the airport is WAY TOO EASY.

If you need a place to sleep and eat and like the idea of not having to leave the airport, take a shuttle, etc. it's the ticket.

I'll be there again in late May.

Africa Sky. Beautiful grounds, wonderful people, nice clean rooms and great food. Love the atmosphere.

A friend who has made this trip many times, recommends staying at the Emperors Palace Resort and Casino which is approx 10 minutes from the airport. Several excellent restaurants and bars and shopping for the wife. Sounds good to me!

Hey Andrew-

Have done both Afton House and Africa Sky. Will do Africa sky again this August. Much nicer facility and better choice in food. I believe Africa Sky would be a much better recommendation for clients.

City Lodge is the way to go...no shuttle, walk to the hotel, nice rooms and decent restaurant. Done it twice and will be doing it again in June.

Karl

Another vote for the Afica Sky.
Good food,clean room,nice people,clean quick shuttle.
What else could you ask for.

After a long flight you can't beat the City Lodge for convenience and comfort, IMHO.

I've only stayed at Afton and Africa Sky. Stayed at Africa Sky for the first time last June. After staying there, I likely won't be going back to Afton unless the Africa Sky is booked full. I like the location better, the shuttle van was new and clean, the staff is much friendlier, the food is much better (outstanding!), they treat hunters very well, and the rooms are large and much more deluxe. For me it's a no-brainer. I'd like to try the City Lodge for convenience, but I think the price might scare me away.

I stayed at City Lodge on one trip. It was nice as well.

I stayed at Afton one time, and decided not to return. To each his own, but the place seemed sort of like a way house rather than a B&B or hotel.

Not very organized, kids running around, 4-5 hunters in the lounge. I did not find the staff helpful or friendly. Sorry, but it felt like I was staying at a distant relative's home, who were indifferent about my being there.

I arrived a bit hungry, kids were eating in the kitchen, but there was nothing for guests to eat. There was a steak dinner scheduled with a pretty hefty price, and no other options. I asked for a taxi, they said it wasn't safe to leave at night. Asked again, they said they had a recommended taxi, who they called and I used.

Upon my return, the taxi driver said the fare was $200.00! The discussion went inside, where I learned the same driver provided all day shopping tours for $140. The lady proprietor said she had nothing to do with fares and washed her hands of it. $200 for two hours???

The weasel driver said it was dark outside (!) and dangerous, and he got me to the place and back safely, therefore it was $200. I ended up paying him $140 to get rid of him.
No breakfast available for my early departure the next morning.


I did very much like the airport driver, the greeting service, and the return to airport service the next day for traveling.

That said I would not return, and in future would prefer another venue.

I have stayed at Africa Sky and at Afton. The next time I need to overnight I will choose Africa Sky again. Their service was across the board better than Afton. Food and rooms were better, transportation, meet/greet and location were better. And they also cater to hunters. For any hunters traveling with their wives, Africa Sky will be the preferred choice.

quote:

Originally posted by lee440:
A friend who has made this trip many times, recommends staying at the Emperors Palace Resort and Casino which is approx 10 minutes from the airport. Several excellent restaurants and bars and shopping for the wife. Sounds good to me!

This is my favorite

quote:

Here are the details of the good and not so good.

1. Shuttle to/from the A/P was timely but FULL van each way. - OK.

2. They actually subbed us out to another B&B a few blocks away from their main location. this B&B didn't offer dinner and Afton sent a van back a few hours later to pick us up and take us back to their main location for dinner. Asked about going into town instead and told couldn't do it. - NOT GOOD.

3. Once back at main location we were funneled through a hallway to a guy hawking jewelry and kind of had to stand there while he gave his sales pitch - like having to sit through a condo timeshare pitch. - NOT GOOD.

4. Dinner (average) was a cooked to order medium size beef steak served family buffet style for $25USD per. Could have gotten better for less in the US. No option offered of any game meat instead. If we couldn't go someplace else it would have been nice to at least have game meat as an option. Dinner was not served until the last guest arrived 9-10pm. By the time we all got bussed back to our respective B&B's we didn't get in bed until nearly 12pm and had early, 7am pickups back to the A/P. So, out of a 14hr layover we got a mediocre meal, 6hrs of sleep and a shower. - NOT GOOD.

This mirrors my last stay at Afton, in 2009. 2011 we stayed at African Sky........much better! We will be using them again in 2013.

.

That was our 2009 trip experience also. The best part was enjoying Jim and Shelley's company there. We too are going with Africa Sky next month.

Africa Sky hands down.

Can anyone give us an idea of how much it costs to spend a night at the City Lodge? Sounds like a very convenient place to stay.

City Lodge 1 night, 2 guest, $145.00 U.S.D.
Found that on Orbitz.

Thanks bwana.

quote:

They actually subbed us out to another B&B a few blocks away from their main location. this B&B didn't offer dinner and Afton sent a van back a few hours later to pick us up and take us back to their main location for dinner. Asked about going into town instead and told couldn't do it. - NOT GOOD.

3. Once back at main location we were funneled through a hallway to a guy hawking jewelry and kind of had to stand there while he gave his sales pitch - like having to sit through a condo timeshare pitch. - NOT GOOD.

4. Dinner (average) was a cooked to order medium size beef steak served family buffet style for $25USD per. Could have gotten better for less in the US. No option offered of any game meat instead. If we couldn't go someplace else it would have been nice to at least have game meat as an option.

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Yup, during one of my stays I was 'double booked' and shipped out to another B&B. Same as the above comment, poor water pressure and no hot water in the pipes!

The 'chef' for the steak dinner is Annalise's son inlaw. He has a good thing going for sure! I was chatting to him after a pick up at the airport and his comment / slip to me was "business was not that good with the BBQ latley but he had a big party coming in tonight and he would get them"!

I have mentioned the jewelery man in another post, not sure what the arrangement with Afton is, but they would be better off without him and his side show.

I have no problem with the rooms, clean and tidy.

My absolute favorite thing at Afton would be the contagious, infectious excitement that is the common dinominator amongst all the guests as they get ready to plunge into their next adventure!!!

Cheers Stu