Bright hues warm hearts at this haven
MY WIFE and I took a Short Left to the northern suburbs last Friday for a sleepover at the Sandton Garden Court hotel.
The one thing that played out in our minds was the Garden Court’s renowned classic breakfast – we wouldn’t have missed it for anything.
But there was something that would blow our minds away soon on our arrival – the Garden Court has undergone a serious facelift.
A touch of brighter colours with modern interior décor of paintings adorning the walls, beds that are higher off the ground without compromising comfort, has moved the Garden Court closer to a cosy boutique hotel standard.
The establishment no longer just represents a place to lay your head, dine and quickly walk away afterwards.
While a bright colour adds a bit of life to dilute the normally boring surroundings that often comes with hotel environments, there is much more if one includes the fact that, besides its amenities, the hotel is just a walk away from the Nelson Mandela Square, the Sandton Mall and the Gautrain station.
For us it was a good break away from the kids.
The hotel has a lot to offer holiday makers, the green landscape hugging the swimming pool is the best place to wind down.
While there are tempting choices of restaurants beyond the premises, the hotel boasts Riffs Bar & Grill that offers grill house favourites such as burgers, steak and ribs.
The Garden Court classic breakfast is still the best and it did not disappoint.
From choices of various cereals, omelettes, to fried eggs, with fresh fruit and juices to wash down, we couldn’t have asked for a perfect filling station to start the day.
While these and the midas touch in the interior was the highlight of our stay, there are small matters that can be improved.
The dimensions of the shower have been tightened and made even more unfriendly by a nonadjustable shower head.
The carpet on the corridors leading to the rooms can be upgraded to accommodate those who battle sinuses.
But all these are minor things that can’t take away the fact that, as much as checkout time came just too early for us, we not only had a good time but we also enjoyed a good support from the courteous staff all round.
From our man, (unfortunately he didn’t have his name badge clearly visible) who ushered us in through the underground parking through to Bra Moss the receptionist, we knew we were headed for a memorable stay.
It really felt like the grand entrance offered to us was rehearsed.
Unfortunately for us, a one night stay meant back to reality too soon, but hopefully, we’ll take the kids with next time, for a proper break with the whole family.
“The classic breakfast is still the best