Cheap sleep at Cape Town Airport
Written: May 02 '09 (Updated May 02 '09)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Very convenient location.
Cons: No tea and coffee making facilities
The Bottom Line: Fine for budget minded travellers but if you like a few luxuries, head elsewhere.
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| hollynz's Full Review: Road Lodge Airport, Cape Town |
Our Requirements
We were wanting a budget hotel for our last night in Cape Town as close to the airport as possible. We had a morning flight and didn't fancy the stress of driving to the airport during the peak morning traffic jams.
Location
The hotel is located a mere hop skip and jump from the Cape Town International Airport which makes it extremely handy for an overnight stay when travelling. It is easy to find with good road signage and very visable when driving into the airport complex and is right next door to a BP station if you need to top up the gas before returning the rental car.
Booking
I booked online at www.citylodge.co.za/rl12.htm and it was a very user friendly website. You can choose to make a reservation only or to pay with a credit card. By taking the reservation only option the room is not secured and if you haven't arrived by 6pm, the room may be onsold if you haven't arrived. We paid by credit card and had no problems whatsosver.
Facilities
A light breakfast is available daily
24 hour vending machines stocked with snacks and beverages
Ample and secure parking
24 hour reception service
Pay phone available
Wireless internet access in all commercial areas
Check-in
We arrived at the hotel and drove through the automatic security gates and parked the car in the outside parking area, unloaded our bags and headed into the hotel. I don't think they had any undercover parking from what I saw. Check-in was handled promptly and my on-line booking was all in order. The receptionist asked if we would be wanting breakfast in the morning but we passed on that one as we had an early flight and thought we grab something to eat at the airport.
We were given our electronic room key and we were just about to gather our bags when a porter appeared and offered to take our bags. As it turned out I was quite glad to have the porter as there was no elevator and our room was up a flight of stairs.
I just wish we had tipped him more for his efforts and I do apologise if he is reading this ... note to self ... carry more cash when travelling in countries where tipping is expected.
The room
The room was absolutely tiny, the double bed and bedside tables took up most of the room provided and a small table was squished into a corner holding the TV and allowing just enough room to sit at the laptop if needed. By the time we had put the bags on the floor there was no room left, it was a matter of stepping over and around things.
The furnishings were a bit dated but this was an economy room after all so we weren't overly surprised.
One thing that I did miss, shock horror, was not being able to make a cup of tea. It was the first thing I noticed as my routine is to have a cup of tea or coffee as soon as we settle in to so I was not a happy bunny.
The bathroom was so tiny that there was just enough room to comfortably get in and out of the shower, water pressure was good and there was ample hot water. The decor was very ho hum and a makeover wouldn't go amiss but it was acceptable for a budget hotel
We were quite hungry and flicked through all the menus in the room, they had a huge assortment all offering delivery but as I was sooo thirsty and had noticed the nearby BP station had a Wild Bean Cafe attatched, we thought we would wander over and grab a cup of tea and see what was on offer. We had to be buzzed out of the main doors and the gates by reception and she informed us that when we wanted to get back in, there was a button at the security gate to push to open the gates. I must say it makes you feel a bit vulnerable when you are surrounded by so much security but we felt quite safe walking around.
It was a short stroll to the BP and we picked up some yummy hot food snacks and some hot tea (lovely) and some nibbles and drinks to take back to our room just incase we needed a midnight snack.
The wireless internet on offer is not free and you have to sign up to a provider and buy some time. We just signed up for an hour and loaded some photos onto Facebook for the folks at home and checked our mail.
We slept really well, the double bed was comfortable, the soundproofing excellent and the blackout curtains worked a treat.
Overall
This hotel served the purpose which was a cheap sleep handy to the airport. Definately just a place to lay your head for one night only. At 405 Rand a night ( about usd $45 ) for a double room you can't go wrong here.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
hollynz
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 in Hotels & Travel |
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Member: Christine
Location: New Zealand
Reviews written: 144
Trusted by: 191 members
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~ In memory of Barbara ~
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