Hotel check: D’oreale Grande

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Background

Peermont Hotels Casinos & Resorts has 14 properties across South Africa and Botswana. Emperors Palace in Johannesburg  is the flagship property and home to three properties, in the form of the 3-star Metcourt Hotel and Metcourt Suites, the 4-star Mondior, and the 5-star D’oreale Grande.

Where is it?

It’s a five-minute drive from O.R. Tambo International Airport, in the suburb of Kempton Park. The drive to Sandton is approximately 30 minutes, whilst the Johannesburg CBD is probably half that – both, of course, depending on traffic.

What’s it Like?

Opulent, luxurious, glitzy and well-located, if you need to be close to O.R. Tambo International Airport. But it is attached to a casino, and if that’s not your thing, it may affect your stay.

Room Facilities

The hotel has 196 rooms – 140 Classic Rooms, 29 Deluxe Rooms, 11 Superior Suites, 10 Executive Suites, two Premier Suites, two Presidential Suites and two rooms tailored to those guests requiring special assistance. We were upgraded to an Executive Suite, which consisted of two rooms – a lounge area and a bedroom with bathroom en suite. Both rooms were rather cosy – the lounge area consisting of two-piece lounge suite, TV and cabinet, sideboard (with complimentary champagne and cheese board) and its own bathroom. The bedroom was not as big as you would normally get in a 5-star hotel, but it was more than adequate, with king size bed (very comfortable), work desk, TV and cabinet, hanging cupboard, and safe. I was impressed with the luxurious bathroom – the two main features being the deep bath and the separate power shower. My only criticism of the room was the poor reception I received on my TV, which even the hotel staff couldn’t remedy. Otherwise, more than comfortable.

Restaurants and Bars 

Aurelia’s, which is adjacent to reception, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and the breakfast spread was pretty comprehensive, with an impressive array of cold and hot dishes. I had an excellent Springbok Carpaccio there one evening, whilst we also dined at the Queen of the Nile, which is a buffet restaurant situated adjacent to the casino, a five-minute walk from the hotel. Also within that precinct are a host of fast-food outlets, restaurants and bars, including the likes of Spur, Steers, Nandos, Ocean Basket, Newscafe and Hooters. Back at the hotel, Neptune’s Pool Bar is available for a quieter drink.

Meeting and Business Facilities

The hotel has a business centre with all the basics, whilst Emperors Palace itself is made for big events, accommodating between eight and 3,000 people, with a host of conference, exhibition, banquet and show options, including the Theatre of Marcellus and the various wings of the Convention Centre. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available in all public areas, with the first 15MB free, per day, whilst there is also a hotel shuttle to the airport.

Leisure Facilities

The hotel has a decent-length pool, a 24-hour gym and the rather inviting Octavia’s Sensorium Day Spa, where I can recommend you go for the hot stone massage. Within the Emperors Palace precinct are movie theatres, the Theatre of Marcellus and the Odeon Showbar, where we took in a cabaret show. But, on any given day, Emperors plays host to comedy shows, music concerts and boxing events. Entertainment is what they do!

Verdict

The hotel itself is incredibly luxurious and comfortable, with all you’d expect from a 5-star property. It’s also well-located, if you need to do business or conference close to the airport. It is, though, very much focused on entertainment, and if you don’t fancy a casino on your doorstep, it may not be for you.

Contact

Address: 64 Jones Rd, Kempton Park, +27 11 928 1000, emperorspalace.co.za

Dylan Rogers