As one of South Africa’s most vibrant and high-energy commercial centres, Sandton Central has become an investment hotspot, and the new financial centre of South Africa as well as one of Africa’s premier business destinations. A proud fixture in the evocative skyline of this ever-growing city is the Hilton Sandton. The hotel was opened in 1997 to pomp and pageantry by His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, heralding the arrival of Hilton Hotels & Resorts to the nascent commercial district of Sandton. This opening reflected the hopes and aspirations of a nation that was enjoying its newfound international limelight. As business people came in, they found lasting connections at the Hilton Sandton and have since remained appreciative of Hilton Worldwide’s’ legacy of innovation.
Flexible meeting venue
Not only is there a dedicated team of skilled professionals that keep an eye on meetings, there is also a dedicated meetings level. All nine meeting rooms and the flexible ballroom are located on the M-floor. The internationally eclectic Tradewinds Restaurant is also located on the same floor in order to seamlessly complement the food and beverage requirements of any meeting. The hotel prides itself as one of the biggest meeting venue providers in Sandton – and is indeed the hotel with the biggest and most flexible meeting venues in the area. There is a fully functional and centrally located business centre, which provides auxiliary business services. Nothing is missed – the team takes care of all the details so that guests can look their best on the road.
The hotel is also thoughtfully located near key business establishments; such as major banking institutions, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) and the Sandton Convention Centre are all within easy reach, some within walking distances and all within five minutes’ drive by car. Travel connections to the hotel are superb and the modern Guatrain station is less than three minutes’ drive away – as are Nelson Mandela Square and Sandton City – the key shopping and dining locations. The hotel provides complimentary shuttle service to these places, whilst the Gautrain provides direct connections to OR Tambo International Airport and taxis are available in the hotel.
Guest rooms for work and relaxation
Accommodation units are designed for comfort and convenience, providing a place to unwind, or catch up on work. Guests can stay connected with high-speed internet which is available in all rooms and public areas. With nearly eight options of rooms and suites, and the legendary Hilton Executive Floor, the business traveller is never short of options.
Upgrade options include the elegant Hilton Deluxe Suite or luxurious Terrace Suite with separate living, dining and work areas. The private balcony for the Terrace Suites is the perfect place to sip on a cocktail and appreciate the Sandton skyline.
Guests staying on the Executive Floor have access to private check-in and to the serene and exclusive Executive Lounge, which offers breakfast, drinks, canapés and newspapers as some of the benefits for Executive Floor guests. It is the perfect place to reflect undisturbed or connect with colleagues and touch base on the day’s work. Additionally, the Hilton “Serenity” bed is standard in all rooms.
A culinary journey
The multi-section Tradewinds Restaurant is the hub of the culinary journey from breakfast to dinner. Sumptuous breakfasts include a wide selection of traditional items and healthy food and the chefs at the interactive cooking station strike a lively conversation while they cook waffle and eggs to order or leave guests in their spaces if they so wish. The chefs are back at their station for lunch – together with the well-drilled service team they create healthy lunches that makes guests look and feel their best.
Come dinnertime, the options of a-la-carte and buffet leave freedom to explore. The Lotus Sushi and Teppanyaki Bar located inside the Tradewinds Restaraunt offer interactive Far-Eastern culinary experiences with the highly-skilled sushi and teppanyaki chefs. The chefs not only provide alternative dining experience, but also offer sushi lessons every Friday to individuals and small groups. The Sushi School is very much a “hands on” affair with participants being taught the intricate art of creating sushi and the not-so-intricate art of eating it!
It is fitting to have a relaxation “headquarters” after the day’s job. The Faces Bar located on the lobby level of the hotel seems to be that place at the Hilton Sandton. Relaxed patrons can be seen downing special mocktails, cocktails and beer – both local and international – in the informal setting of the bar. There is also a section for ardent sports lovers and news- hungry guests.
It’s not all business
In keeping with the spirit of innovation Hilton Sandton offers guests facilities for what is known in the hotel as “downtime”, which can be valuable in the in the middle of a business district. The Pool Gazebo Bar is Sandton’s best-kept secret and provides just that. Sandton Hilton is reputed to be the only hotel in Sandton with an outdoor swimming pool set in lush gardens with a tropical koi pond. Two floodlit tennis courts set off from the “serenity” zone complement this oasis in the commercial district of Sandton. Tennis rackets can also be borrowed at the Concierge Desk. The fitness centre is also located in this zone and opens 24- hours, offering guests flexibility of time for that needed workout.
The hotel’s Concierge team offer tour experiences to help guests with the chance to absorb the iconic sites, culture and vibrancy of Johannesburg, the City of Gold. Game viewing and game drives are an essential and not-to-be missed part of any itinerary.
Sustainable ethos
The Hilton Sandton is at the forefront of sustainability. A key effort was to drastically decrease its carbon footprint by replacing all fluorescent and CFL light bulbs with Philips LED globes, and by implementing Hilton Worldwide global LightStay sustainability tracking system, which reduces energy use and carbon input, as well as waste output and water use significantly. The effort reduced carbon emissions by 16 percent and reduced energy consumption by 80 percent.
Guests are encouraged to join the hotel’s sustainability effort. For its sustainability drive, the hotel received accolades from local authorities like Eskom, the electricity company and also won Hilton Worldwide’s 2011 Sustainability Award.
Innovation, convenient location, facilities that aid business, and team members who are passionate and dedicated to shaping experiences in which every guest feels cared for, valued and respected make Hilton Sandton the first choice for the business traveller.
Further information: +27 11 322 1888; Info.Sandton@Hilton.com; www.sandton.hilton.com
