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What makes it stand out is not only its excellent service, amenities, and a location that's as convenient as it gets, but also that it's one of the largest-sized hotels in the city. We took our roaming office to the Hilton Sandton (May 2023), where the JYIP team spent the day using a workspace to see what the hotel has to offer, particularly for the business traveller.
On the outside, the Hilton Sandton's building is unassuming and seems a lot smaller than it actually is. However, behind the entrance's revolving doors, we were welcomed by the helpful and friendly staff in the lobby, and our first impression was one of old-world sophistication – and, surprisingly, plenty of space.
The large lobby is a gathering point, and it's easy to find a private space for a meeting if you want a less formal arrangement. Up the grand staircase (or, in our case, the lift) is where you'll find conference facilities, which were filled with bankers when we visited. The hotel's event space comprises 920 square metres and includes everything from a massive ballroom that can accommodate up to 1 000 people, to meeting rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows. It's no wonder that the Hilton Sandton is a popular venue for events of all sizes, complete with catering packages, plenty of parking space, boardrooms and ballrooms.
Up the staircase you'll also find a business centre. We set up shop in one of the smaller meeting rooms that included a tea station, plug points on the table and a projection screen. Attentive hotel staff ensured that our day got off to a proper start, and we enjoyed Eggs Benedict (with vegetarian and lactose-free variations), colourful breakfast bowls and top-notch pastries.
Off the lobby is the Faces Lounge & Bar, where you can enjoy a casual but stylish atmopshere. It's a space where informal, one-on-one morning meetings are held over good coffee, and where you can kick back with after-dinner drinks while meeting up with friends and colleagues. If you're looking to stay active during your stay, the 24-hour hotel gym is larger than most hotel gyms in Sandton and well-equipped with the likes of treadmills and ellipticals, as well as a sauna and lockers. There's also a floodlit tennis court and an outdoor pool.
The Hilton Sandton's aesthetic is on the more traditional side and it's a celebration of luxury in hospitality. The hotel has 329 rooms, most of which have been renovated. The rooms feature block-out curtains and thick soundproofing to ensure a peaceful night's sleep, even in the heart of Sandton. The rooms are much larger than what most hotels have to offer these days, and there is never a compromise on modern conveniences. A standard guest room includes a separate shower and large bath, as well as a flexible workspace. Even their comfort amentities don't skimp on size: you'll find full-sized Crabtree & Evelyn hair- and body care in the bathroom. And if you're in need of a midnight snack, 24-hour room service is available.
For lunch, we headed to the Tradewinds restaurant, a sizable dining room with light-wash woods and mosaic decor that creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Vibrant geometric carpeting adds a modern touch to the space where they serve breakfast, lunch and dinner.
We enjoyed a beautifully plated starter, followed by generous servings of salmon, rich oxtail and a spicy vegetarian Thai green curry. It was clear that the chef excels at presenting hearty and wholesome, family-style meals. For something sweet, we finished off with slices of vegan coconut pannacotta with pineapple.
If you want to leave with a souvenir of your stay, head down to the gift shop in the lobby area where you can find a variety of proudly South African trinkets including dolls, t-shirts and bags.
The Hilton Sandton is a trusted hotel name that doesn't veer from ensuring business travellers are well taken care of. Traditionalists will enjoy their stay for its old-world grandeur and roomy interiors, and those who want to experience being slap-bang in the centre of 'Africa's richest mile' won't be disappointed that Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton City Mall, and Sandton Gautrain Station are just two kilometres away. The sweeping views of Sandton and greater Joburg, coupled with the hotel's characteristic spaciousness, doesn't hurt, either.
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