Background
Impressive! This is what came to mind upon entering Emperors Palace Hotel Casino Convention resort. Everything you need is under one gigantic roof, including a choice of four hotels, a variety of restaurants, meeting facilities, and entertainment options from theatre productions to movies. This glamorous neighbour, just a stone’s throw from or Tambo International Airport, makes travel in and out of Johannesburg an absolute pleasure.
What’s it Like?
Emperors Palace is fondly referred to as the Palace of dreams…a description suitably apt when visiting this romanesque empire. Here you can work and play hard because everything you need is at your disposal. It’s a place to mix business and pleasure, where games never end, opulence abounds and culture is shared. It’s an experience filled with extravagance and delivered with every modern-day necessity, and more.
Where is it?
Emperors Palace is five minutes from or Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. This makes it the perfect place, if not for the duration of your stay in Jozi, then certainly for your first night in and last night out of the city. (The complimentary shuttle service to and from the airport is fantastic.) It’s also nice to know that the Gautrain Rhodesfield station is not too far away for those who need to venture into Sandton and surrounding areas for a little sight-seeing or a business meeting.
Room Facilities
There are four hotels to choose from at Emperors Palace, so you’re sure to find something suitable. There’s the luxurious five-star Peermont d’oreale Grande, the Afro-chic four-star Peermont Mondior hotel, the ultramodern three-star Peermont Metcourt Suites and the contemporary three-star Peermont Metcourt hotel. Each hotel is unique in its theme and style but all offer amenities modern-day travellers expect including facilities for die-hard business folk like laptop safes, work stations and internet access. And the open-plan bathrooms and painted wall-murals of the Metcourt hotel are something quite special to behold.
Restaurants & Bars
Here, you could travel to a new taste destination for breakfast, lunch and supper and then still have international epicurean delights left to discover. Each hotel has its own buffet breakfast with a spread large enough to leave you fuelled for the day. And when it’s time to refuel or to host a business meeting, the choices include Platia (Greek), Braza (Portuguese), Taste of Mumbai (Indian), Col’cacchio (Italian) as well as Tribes, Ocean Basket, Gold Rush Spur and a host of fast-food outlets. A little night-cap is often appreciated, and if you’re in the mood for company one of the casino bars is a good idea, or for something a little more intimate, the Silver Moon bar at the four-star Peermont Mondior hotel comes highly recommended.
Business Facilities
The resort offers business centres at most of its hotels with computers, faxes and printers. There is plug-in and Wi-Fi Internet access depending on which hotel you’re staying in (a stay at the five-star Peermont d’oreale Grande includes free Internet). There are even flight-time displays and multi-lingual hosts. But you needn’t cough up the big bucks for five-star treatment, because each hotel offers topnotch facilities for business travellers.
Verdict
Emperors Palace is certainly high on my list of places to stay when in Johannesburg. You cannot go wrong with its convenient location next to the airport with free shuttle service. If you’re looking for more than just a city hotel experience – then Emperors Palace should be first on your list too.
Contact
Peermont Reservations
Tel: +27 (0) 11 557 0557, peermont.com
Emperors Palace Hotel Casino
Convention Resort
Tel +27 (0) 11 928 1000, emperorspalace.com
Catherine Nicci