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)
Guest Quarters: The porter carried our bags up the steps as we lingered inhaling the intoxicatingly sweet smell of jasmine blooming everywhere around us. Our suite opened onto a private balcony that faced the Johannesburg Zoo. Purple jacaranda was in bloom and the city spread out below us in a blaze of color. Spacious, gracious and perfectly appointed are perhaps the best words to describe the rooms. I especially loved the separate dressing areas for him and her, complete with our own sinks. Nobody really likes to share if they don’t have to … and we even had an extra bathroom off the living room! Perfect when you’re hosting an in-suite meeting and don’t want colleagues and clients taking note of your living habits. (15/15)
Services/Amenities: The Westcliff exemplifies South African hospitality. For business travelers there is a business wing with 30 fully equipped guestrooms. All have broadband connections (for a daily fee) and there is wireless access in all three of the hotel’s restaurants and on the poolside terrace. Private meeting facilities are available in the conference center, boardroom or any one of four private function rooms. Take a plunge in the infinity pool on the Pool Terrace while looking out over the Johannesburg Zoo — an experience that has become known as the Safari Swim. There is also a well-equipped gym with a personal trainer available and a floodlit tennis court with a resident coach. (44/45)
The Experience: The concierge here is exceptional. We had a chat about what our interests were when we arrived and later that day, he called with a list of suggestions for our stay. Everything was timed and arranged perfectly. (20/20)
Total Score: 97/100
THE WESTCLIFF
67 Jan Smuts Ave.
Johannesburg, South Africa
tel 27 11 481 6000
http://www.westcliff.co.za
Read This Next
Continental Airlines Business Class
2007
Jan 2, 2013
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Jul 26, 2024Accor Unveils Its First Handwritten Collection Brand in the United States
San Francisco, a city renowned for its commercial hubs and cultural sites, will become the first destination in the United States for one of Accor's newest brands, Handwritten Collection. The city’s Hotel Stratford San Francisco, Handwritten Collection is a European-style boutique property located near Union Square on the famous Powell Street cable car line. The area will now have the Handwritten Collection name behind it. The property becomes Accor's third hotel in San Francisco, joining the Fairmont properties atop Nob Hill and at Ghirardelli Square.
Sponsored Content
L’Ermitage: Your Beverly Hills Self-Care Haven
Nestled amidst the palm-lined boulevards of Beverly Hills, L'Ermitage exudes refined elegance and unparalleled service. This haven, a Forbes Five-Star, AAA Five-Diamond and, most recently, Two Key MICHELIN Guide recipient, continues to captivate discerning travelers and Angelenos with its unwavering dedication to personalized hospitality and self-care.
Global City Guidebook 2024
Jul 26, 2024Bask in Nature’s Tranquility at The Spa at Four Seasons Tamarindo
When the two of us entered The Spa at Four Seasons Tamarindo, past the backlit boutique items and local artisan-painted wood carvings, the place wrapped us in a feeling of tranquility. Its stone walls, earth tones, woven wall hangings and furniture made of natural materials reminded us we are part of nature’s spectrum, the abundant windows showing native plants and trees outside.
Daily
Jul 26, 20244 Boutique Hotels with Exclusive Wedding Buyout Offerings
Couples looking for an over-the-top wedding, consider one of these properties around the world, offering total property buyouts to say your “I do’s.”
Sponsored Content
Share Miles with Family and Friends with United Airlines
As you look ahead to winter travel, United Airlines and its MileagePlus loyalty program introduced MileagePlus miles pooling, which allows members to contribute and combine miles into a joint account. Groups of up to five members can now share and redeem miles in one linked account. As the first and only major U.S. airline to offer this feature, United also allows any MileagePlus member, whether relatives or close friends, to be in a pool with other members.
Airlines
Jul 26, 2024BermudAir Maximizes Choices for Travelers with New Options
BermudAir announced an expanded fare structure, allowing customers to choose from five fare types across economy and business class, up from the previous three options. Travelers can now select fares based on their preferences for lounge access, checked baggage, change fees, refunds and priority boarding.
Share Miles with Family and Friends with United Airlines
Sponsored Content
Discover Hvar, Croatia’s, Best-Kept Secrets
Daily
Jul 25, 2024Global City Guidebook 2024
Jul 24, 2024Global City Guidebook: Shanghai
The third-largest city in the world, Shanghai has transformed into one of the world’s most important centers for business, finance, science, culture and transportation. In fact, Shanghai is home to the first free trade zone in Mainland China. The city sits on the southern estuary of the Yangtze River, and the Huangpu River flows right through the 26-million-strong city. Art Deco- and Shikumen-style buildings, museums, skyscrapers, gardens, temples and food markets fill the lively, Eastern Chinese city.
Sponsored Content
Hotel Indigo: The World’s Neighborhood Hotel
Part of the IHG Luxury & Lifestyle portfolio, Hotel Indigo is the world’s neighborhood hotel that celebrates how guests can discover, or rediscover, some of the most inspiring and culturally rich neighborhoods around the world. When staying at a Hotel Indigo hotel, it's not just about visiting a place — it's about being fully immersed in the neighborhood and wanting to take a little bit of it home. When traveling for business, Hotel Indigo offers a unique experience tailored to each location, making it the perfect choice to stay while traveling for work. With IHG Business Edge, travel managers have exclusive access to enticing perks, comprehensive travel metrics and carefully curated educational resources. It also includes a guaranteed discount on both business and personal travel for managers and employees, alongside an automatic upgrade to IHG One Rewards Silver Elite status after the initial IHG Business Edge stay.
Daily
Jul 24, 2024SB Winemaker’s House & Spa Suites Introduces Custom Wine Itineraries
SB Winemaker’s House & Spa Suites offers guests personalized journeys to Mendoza’s finest wineries from Susana Balbo’s family. Immerse yourself in bespoke wine itineraries recommended by Balbo, Argentina’s first female winemaker; her son and third-generation winemaker, José Lovaglio Balbo; and her daughter, hotelier and wine tourism marketer, Ana Lovaglio Balbo.
ShareThis