It’s a new year and the perfect time to expand into our stunning neighbouring countries. That’s right, we, the City Lodge Hotel Group are bringing our own brand of cool and comfort to the rest of the African continent. As you already know, we’ve recently opened a new hotel in Nairobi. The City Lodge Hotel at Two Rivers Mall is one of our beautiful hotels first to open its doors in 2018. Each of our hotels are themed to the region they’re in and the local culture that surrounds them. Which is why it’s safe to say that each one of our new hotels is unique in both their décor, environment and ambience. Our new hotels will be fully equipped with boardrooms and meeting rooms, so you can conduct your business meetings on the premises, without having to find a business centre. You’ll have the convenience of tasty food and delicious refreshments…
‘I want to travel’ is one of the most popular answers given when people are asked what they want to do in the new year. With all the amazing imagery and beautiful photography out there of places both near and far, it’s no wonder people have a burning desire to travel. Older generations saw travelling as something reserved for businessmen and women, or for the wealthy. Thankfully, this isn’t the case anymore and just about anyone can save up and go on an adventure. So, if you don’t already want to travel, here are 3 fantastic reasons why you should be making travel plans: 1) TURN THE WORLD INTO A CLASSROOM Not all things worth learning are taught in a classroom or the boardroom, that’s why some view life as a continuous lesson. Travel can be looked at in the same way. When travelling you open yourself up to experiencing diverse…
Blogs and newsrooms are buzzing with information about the Cape water crisis and water sustainability in South Africa. If you aren’t clued up on what’s happening, we suggest you read ‘The Cape Water Crisis – FAQs and honest answers’ by the Daily Maverick. A positive takeaway from this pressing water scarcity situation is that we can all make a difference by changing our habits and consciously taking steps to save as much water as possible. We, the City Lodge Hotel Group, have changed the way we do things to try conserve one of Earth’s most precious resources. Here’s what we’ve implemented: In-house laundry services: Our in-house laundry service takes care of guest linen and in some cases, guest clothing. With the assistance and cooperation of our guests, we have managed to streamline our housekeeping processes to wash less linen. Additionally, by working closely with our chemical suppliers, we have introduced new technologies that…
Have you always wanted to explore a city like a local, but have been too anxious about your new and unfamiliar surroundings? Don’t worry, you’re not the only one. Both holiday makers and those on business often long to explore cities and local attractions, but are held back by their fear of the unfamiliar and the ‘what ifs’. To be honest, we really can’t fault those who are concerned about safety, because it’s a natural human instinct. So, we’ve come up with ways to help you feel and be safer when you explore new and exciting cities, markets, monuments and other local attractions. Here are our four tips to help you become an expert city explorer: 1) Tip 1: Cash is king! This is a great habit for frequent travellers and, ultimately, a safer way to travel. Instead of carrying a wallet or purse with all your cards, passport and…
“FAMILIES, CAN’T LIVE WITH ’EM, CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT ’EM…” — TATE HALLAWAY We all have them, you know, those strange relatives you maybe see once every few years. Most people think that opting to stay with these relatives is a more cost effective option than booking a stay at a Johannesburg hotel. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Here’s how booking yourself into one of our Johannesburg hotels could save you from your relatives and save you from parting ways with your hard-earned money: 1) FAMILY, BUT NOT FRIENDLY Just because you share blood doesn’t always mean your relatives are going to be accepting of you, or even very friendly. We’ve all experienced the awkwardness that comes hand in hand with staying with relatives. Your aunt may love you, but your cousin could be still be holding a grudge because you ate his biscuit when you were five. Booking a stay at a City…
Everyone is different and we all like different things. Some people love coffee, while others love tea. There are also two types of people when it comes to holidays – either you’re a seashore lover or you’re crazy about our country’s beautiful mountains. Here’s our argument for both amazing holiday destinations, tell us which one you prefer: SAND & SEA: BEACH HOLIDAYS Beach Holidays are always a firm favourite for families. The wonderful thing about a coastal holiday is that everyone can enjoy the simple things, like feeling beach sand in between your toes, or a fresh sea breeze on your face. What’s great about a beach holiday is that your experiences can vary depending on which beach you go to and what activities you’d like to take part in. If you’re looking for an adventure holiday, then a beach with a good surf or diving spot is a must. However,…
We all know the Mother City has a lot to offer, which is why it can be so hard to choose where to go and where to eat. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Whether you consider yourself a Foodie, or just someone who enjoys new experiences, we suggest you keep reading, you might find something you like. Here are our top 4 recommendations for South African Points of Interest for Foodies: Cape Town Edition. FLAVOUR EXPLORATION: MEDITERRANEAN TAPAS Give the heavy meal a skip and embrace the variety of flavours tapas-style dining offers. At Chalk & Cork, you can choose from several platters, boards and snack bars to share. This award-winning restaurant also has an impressive breakfast menu that caters for both the health-conscious and those looking for a flavourful breakfast. Chalk & Cork’s atmosphere is lively with a contemporary, yet family-friendly feel. Not to mention their excellent service and well…
When visiting South Africa, big tourist attractions naturally draw people to them. In fact, the mention of South Africa tends to bring to mind activities like going on game drives – and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. However, there are several other amazing attractions that local and foreign visitors forget about. These attractions aren’t forgotten about because they are any less spectacular or interesting. They’ve just been forgotten about because our wonderful wildlife tends to steal the show. Here are some amazing and worthwhile tourist attractions that deserve the spotlight: A TOURIST ATTRACTION THAT TAKES YOU UNDERGROUND: The Cango Caves are a natural wonder that lies only 29km from the town of Oudtshoorn, Western Cape. What makes these caves so spectacular is the variety of limestone formations. These formations divide the caves up into caverns and form art-like structures. Did you know there are rocks that look like they’re dripping from the ceiling? These are one…
It’s mid-year, which means it’s the perfect time to book a weekend getaway and get some R&R (rest and recuperation). We’ve all felt it, that mid-year slump. That exhausted ‘I don’t want to get out of bed today’ feeling. If you haven’t, you’re one of the lucky ones. If you have, that’s your brain and your body telling you, you need a holiday. Here are our recommendations for a mid-year, weekend getaway: JOHANNESBURG JOL: If you’re a city slicker or looking for a big city experience, then Johannesburg is the place to be! If you love shopping, going to the theatre, screaming your head off on a roller-coaster or trying your luck at a casino, then book a weekend stay at our conveniently located City Lodge Hotel at O.R. Tambo International Airport Johannesburg is filled with amazing restaurants and cocktail bars. Not to mention the glamorous nightlife scene. For some, R&R means sitting…
We often end up creating more work and stress for ourselves when trying to plan budget getaways. Planning a worthwhile holiday on a shoestring budget can prove very difficult, but, it’s not something you should be getting yourself worked up about. The whole point of a holiday or getaway is to relax and de-stress. Getting upset about budgets and planning only makes it harder for you to relax. Here are a few tips to help make your budget getaway easier and less stressful. BUDGET GETAWAYS RULE 1: CHOOSE COMFORT AND QUALITY NOT ‘PLACES TO BE’ Nowadays, holidays and where you choose to stay have become a status symbol. People often choose to stay in fancy hotels or boutique B&B’s to prove they’ve ‘made it’. Some people even pick places based on their ‘Instagram worthiness’. Our suggestion, don’t make your holiday about anyone else. Your time away, whether it’s with loved ones…