July 2007
The Westcliff Johannesburg, South Africa
Arrival/Check-In: We were met at the airport by a driver from The Westcliff — just one of the many services that the hotel arranges. After a drive through dense traffic, we arrived at the gates of the hotel, where we were greeted and ushered through to the main registration area, a spacious colonial building complete with zebra-skin couches and sumptuous dark wood tables. Despite being busy, the staff greeted us warmly, offered us a refreshing drink and presented us with our key yes, a real key; on a leather tab, not a piece of plastic). From there, we were driven up to our room in a cart. The Westcliff, as its name implies, sits on a cliff and the ascent can be pretty steep. (18/20)
Sofitel Amsterdam Airport
Arrival/Check-In: It’s the plight of the North American traveler flying to Europe — you arrive at dawn and there’s no available room at the inn. Thus after touching down at 7:30 a.m. and taking the hotel’s complimentary shuttle from Schiphol, I was informed that my room would not be ready for a few hours. The friendly clerk gave me a coupon for a free drink at the bar — café au lait for me — and checked my bag behind the front desk. My room was ready by 11:20 a.m. (17/20)