adminfgx, Author at City Lodge Hotel Group - Blog

WHICH TRAVEL BAG IS THE ONE FOR YOU? (PART 1)

May 6, 2015 No Comments

THE SHORT TRIP Not every trip is the same, and not every traveller can live out of a clutch purse (though if you can, we think that’s pretty amazing). So we’ve broken down the main travel bag types and their perfect uses to help you pick the right one to support you in your next trip – no matter how long or short it is, or your reason for travel. Learn more about this Targus bag THE LAPTOP BAG Whether you actually need to take a laptop with you or not, you might consider bringing one of these useful guys along on your trip. If you’re flying, they count as a separate piece of luggage to your main carry-on bag, and so can be a great way of bringing extra supplies along. Find this G Couture Studded Tote Bag on Takealot FOR THE LADIES: TOTE BAG Travel smart…

HONEYMOON ACTIVITIES FOR ANY BUDGET

April 29, 2015 No Comments

Once you finally make it out of your hotel room, we have some GREAT honeymoon activities for any budget, different times of the year, and all levels of adventure seeking. FIRST: EXPLORE FOR FREE Spent more than you anticipated on the wedding? Pockets feeling a little bit empty, but still want to have an amazing time trying new things and racking up the experiences? Then we have some interesting options for you: Go to an Open-Mic Night at a local pub. Take some board games with you and bend the rules a bit for some great nights in. Go Stargazing. All you need is a clear night, a blanket and maybe some wine. Rent bikes and explore your holiday destination. If you are honeymooning at a coastal town, cycle your way to the beach. Play! Explore the area and if you come across any playgrounds, let go and enjoy playing…

WHAT ARE YOUR TRAVEL TIPS?

April 15, 2015 No Comments

We know that every one of our guests is a traveller in their own right – from the seasoned business traveller, to the occasional holiday-maker, to the first time stayer. Between all of you, there’s a wealth of knowledge swirling round this amazing community. So we want to get that knowledge spreading! DO YOU KNOW THE BEST PLACES TO EAT IN JOHANNESBURG? HOW ABOUT YOUR BEST TIPS FOR PACKING LIGHT? KNOW THE BEST FLIGHTS TO GET TO YOUR DESTINATION QUICKLY AND PAINLESSLY? WHAT TOILETRIES DO YOU TAKE WITH YOU, AND WHICH DO YOU GIVE A MISS? Give us all your best #TravelTips on Twitter, Facebook, or comment here with them and we will feature them in an upcoming blog post! You will be credited for your wisdom, and your fellow travellers will thank you for your great advice – all in a day’s work for…

TOP 5 PRODUCTIVITY HACKS

April 8, 2015 No Comments

Most of our guests stay with us while on business trips, and we know how difficult it can be to stay productive when traveling (or just simply during a month filled with public holidays like April). So it’s to this end that we want to impart some great productivity advice to not only help you through April, but that can be used throughout the year. 1. WORK SMART, NOT HARD You’ve probably heard this one before, but if you have, it’s because it’s so true. The best form of productivity is working in such a way that you have a lot more time to enjoy yourself. This doesn’t mean that you should hurry through your work, but it means that when you set about a task, think it through a little first, and decide on the best way to approach it. Once you’ve done that, you’ll probably find that the…

THE ULTIMATE FAMILY HOLIDAY SURVIVAL GUIDE

April 1, 2015 No Comments

In theory, school holidays are the perfect time to take that amazing family trip somewhere – to enrich your children’s knowledge of the world, different cultures and ignite their wanderlust, while at the same time getting in some magical family bonding time. But that’s in theory, right? In reality things tend to go a little differently most of the time. If you have young children, then they get tired and bored from being stuck in a car or plane for hours, and teenagers want more privacy and space than the confines of transportation allow. Well we’re done with that reality! Your family trips should be the stuff that makes (good) memories – and we’re here to help. You don’t get to be a successful hotel group without knowing what makes travellers happy, so we’re going to share some great hints to make that trip amazing. PREPARATION IS KEY You’ve organised…

HOW TO MAKE OUR HOTEL LIKE YOUR HOME

March 24, 2015 No Comments

Is frequent business travel starting to take its toll, and you feel like you spend more time in strange hotel rooms (scratch that, we’re not strange, just friendly) than in your own bed? We’ve got some great tips to ensure that your stay with us is not only comfortable, but also delightfully familiar. CONNECT WITH YOUR SENSES Memories tend to be connected to certain scents. If you always light a particular scented candle at home, then bring a small travel version with you to light when you’re in the room (please remember to blow out that bad boy when you leave!). Alternatively, you can bring little sachets of your normal fabric softener, or something similar, just to scent your room so that when you come back from a hard day of meetings, you can relax in familiar surroundings. Another sense that you can use to your advantage is hearing. If…

THE LOWDOWN ON SOUTH AFRICA’S NEW AIRLINE LUGGAGE REGULATIONS

March 4, 2015 No Comments

The new luggage regulations came into effect on 2nd February 2015. Do you know how they will affect your travel? ACSA are cracking down on size, weight and amount of hand luggage each passenger is allowed to take with them during air travel. We know that this will effect most of our frequent travellers, so we’ve drawn up a quick and simple list of what the new regulations are (as well as a note on which airlines plan to be more lenient on you – very important information!). ECONOMY CLASS TRAVELLERS YOU WILL BE ALLOWED: One piece of hand luggage, as well as a “slimline” laptop bag (the word “slimline” is important here…no trying to pass your oversized beach bag as a laptop bag) Up to 7kg per bag Your bag’s dimensions must not exceed: 56CM + 36CM + 23CM = OVERALL DIMENSION OF 115CM (INCLUDING HANDLES AND WHEELS) …

WHERE TO EAT WHEN TRAVELING SOUTH AFRICA (PART 2)

February 23, 2015 No Comments

Last week we brought you the best places to eat near our inland hotels, so it’s only fair that this week we highlight the delicious delicacies offered around our coastal hotels. Let us know in the comments if you’ve tried any of these great places, as well as about any other you recommend! KIMBERLEY: Lunch – Looking for a simple and delicious lunch to break up your day? Go to Burgundys Restaurant. Image via facebook.com/TheDogsBollocksAtYardCT Dinner – Williston Mall is an experience and a half – plan your day around spending some extra time here. CAPE TOWN: Lunch – The Dog’s Bollocks is an experience never to be forgotten – give it a try! Dinner – Rick’s Café Americain has a great atmosphere, and even better food. PORT ELIZABETH: Lunch – Need that sugar kick in the middle of your day to keep you going? Go to Bocadillos Bakery & Café. Dinner – If craft beer is your weakness, you need to try out Bridge…

WHERE TO EAT WHEN TRAVELING SOUTH AFRICA

February 18, 2015 No Comments

Whether staying at one of our hotels for business, or for leisure, we’ve all got to eat right? And a big problem when traveling is trying to find great local places to eat, without first happening upon some duds. So we’ve come to the rescue and given you some delicious options – no matter which of our South African hotels you will be staying in. We’ve divided our suggestions up into lunch and dinner, because we can’t ignore the delicious breakfast options offered at our hotels. Start your foodie day off right at the hotel, and then venture forth to explore the culinary offerings around you! POLOKWANE: Lunch – Pot n’ Plow, Magoesbaskloof is a great option for family friendly dining, as well as entertaining evenings filled with live music while you enjoy wholesome food. Dinner – Cappello’s has something for everyone, from sushi, to cocktails, to delicious burgers. MBOMBELA: Lunch – Koek ‘n Pan…

CITY ESCAPES: SYLLABLE IN THE CITY EXPLORES MONTECASINO

January 28, 2015 No Comments

Syllable in the City blogger, Martha van Zyl took us up on a City Escape in her hometown of Johannesburg, and more specifically Montecasino, recently – and oh the adventure she had! ON STAYING AT CITY LODGE HOTEL FOURWAYS “Our room was on the third floor, and when we stepped out on the balcony we could not only see Montecasino, the highway and Pineslopes, but also the crystal clear pool. It looked so inviting!” And when it was time for a quick power nap after a deliciously filling meal at the Hard Rock Café, Martha was delighted by what awaited her: “[H]ow tempting does this bed look (especially when all you want to do is nap!)?” TIME FOR ADVENTURE The next day Martha and her best friend ventured forth to explore what Montecasino had to offer. “[O]ff we went to Montecasino, which offers so much more than slots and tables. There is…