JOHANNESBURG
How to get there
AIR FRANCE is the only airline to operate direct flights to and from Johannesburg. While the usual frequency is 11 weekly flights, for the World Cup the airline is increasing this to 24. The A380 has been in service between Paris and Johannesburg since 17 February.
Tel: 3654 - Internet: www.airfrance.com
Hotels
HYATT REGENCY JOHANNESBURG. For the World Cup, the Hyatt is treating itself to a bit of a makeover, including the renovation of the lounge and spa. Ideally located in the Rosebank business district, the 244-room hotel is part of a vast shopping centre.
191 Oxford Road, Rosebank
Phone: +27 11 280 12 34 - Fax: +27 11 280 12 38
E-mail: johannesburg.regency@hyatt.com
Internet: www.johannesburg.regency.hyatt.com
INTERCONTINENTAL JOHANNESBURG SANDTON TOWERS. The imposing lobby could certainly do with a bit of a makeover, but the hotel has the advantage of being right at the heart of the action, adjacent to the convention centre in this thriving business district.
Corner Maude Street & Fifth Street
Phone: +27 11 780 55 55 - Fax: +27 11 780 56 23
Internet: www.ichotelsgroup.com
MELROSE ARCH HOTEL. Very recently opened, this hotel in the Melrose Arch business district is trendy and young. The quality service and free Internet are an undeniable plus.
1 Melrose Square, Melrose Arch
Phone: +27 11 214 66 66 - Fax: +27 11 214 66 00
E-mail: info@melrosearchhotel.com
Internet: www.africanpridehotels.com
SOWETO HOTEL. Opened in 2007, this 48-room four-star hotel is located in the heart of the famous township. The setting is atypical but also "business-like", as the Walter Sizulu Convention puts it.
Centre, on the other side of the square.
Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication, Kliptown, Soweto
Phone: +27 11 527 73 00 - Fax: +27 11 527 73 30
E-mail: reservations@sowetohotel.co.za
Internet: www.sowetohotel.co.za
Restaurants
NDAU LOUNGE. The chef may be Swiss, but he has managed to replant his mountain roots in the gold-bearing hills of Gauteng. This is how he artfully prepares carpaccios of ostrich or springbok, South Africa's emblematic animal. When the weather is fine, the garden, which resembles a mini palm grove, is extremely pleasant. The plans for the terrace include a barbecue, for a totally Out of Africa atmosphere.
Hyatt Regency, 191 Oxford Road, Rosebank
Phone: +27 11 280 12 34 - Fax: +27 11 280 12 38
Internet: www.johannesburg.regency.hyatt.com
Convention centre
Sandton Convention Centre > Located close to the Sandton Stock Exchange, in Johannesburg's new business district, this first-class convention centre, with 22,000 m2, hosted the Earth Summit in 2002.
Maude Street Sandown 2196
Phone: +27 11 779 00 00 - Fax: +27 11 779 00 01
E-mail: info@saconvention.co.za
Internet: www.saconvention.co.za
DURBAN
How to get there
From JOHANNESBURG
SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS offers 16 daily flights between Johannesburg and Durban.
Tel: +27 11 978 53 13 - Internet: www.flysaa.com
COMAIR operates 11 daily code-share flights with British Airways. Internet: www.comair.com
Hotels
HILTON DURBAN. This 327-room hotel, which celebrates its tenth anniversary this year, has one major advantage: it is located directly opposite the vast Convention Centre. There is free Wi-Fi, a large business centre and an executive floor. The Hilton Durban is one of the rare city-centre hotels to have managed, by pampering its clientele, to counteract the exodus of business travellers to the Umhlanga beaches.
12-14 Walnut Road - Tel: +27 31 336 81 00
Fax: +27 31 336 82 00 - E-mail: durhitw@hilton.com
Internet: www.hilton.com
BERVERLY HILLS HOTEL. Literally sitting on Umhlanga beach, this Southern Sun hotel combines work and relaxation, with just 89 rooms but two well-equipped conference rooms. Its restaurant, the Sugar Club, makes it easy to relax in front of the ocean after a day's work.
Lighthouse Road, Umhlanga Rocks
Phone: +27 31 561 22 11 - Fax: +27 31 561 37 11
E-mail: beverlyhills@southernsun.com
Internet: www.southernsun.com
ROYAL PALM GETAWAY. This 94-room apartment-style four-star hotel, located in a business park and integrated into a shopping centre, will meet the needs of medium and long-stay business travellers.
08 Palm Boulevard, New Town Centre, Umhlanga Ridge
Phone: +27 31 581 80 00 - Fax: +27 31 581 80 02
E-mail: info@royal-palm.co.za
Internet: www.royal-palm.co.za
Restaurants
THE GRILL ROOM. Along with the Ocean Terrace and the Palm Court, this is one of the three restaurants in the Oyster Box hotel. A legend, this Oyster Box, a small beach cottage dating back to 1869, has become Durban's most famous establishment, facing the ocean and the Umhlanga Rocks lighthouse. It still has an air of the 1930s about it. But above all, it serves some of the best fish and seafood in town, and its cellar is home to some of South Africa's finest vintages. All the more remarkable given Durban's shortage of elegant restaurants.
Oyster Box Hotel, 2 Lighthouse Road, Umhlanga Rocks
Phone: +27 31 514 50 00
E-mail: info@oysterbox.co.za
Internet: www.oysterboxhotel.com
ASCOT DINING ROOM. As is often the case in Durban, you'll want to plan your business dinners in one of the city's many boutique hotels. The Ascot Dining Room is the restaurant of Audacia Manor, a delightful 1928 residence set in the hills overlooking the ocean. The hotel is now part of Protea's prestigious African Pride range, so booking in advance is recommended.
11 Sir Arthur Road, Morningside
Phone: +27 31 303 95 20 - Fax: +27 31 303 27 63
E-mail : reservations@audaciahotel.com - Internet :
www.africanpridehotels.com/the-audacia-manor.html
Convention centre
International Convention Centre Durban
45 Bram Fischer Road - Tel: +27 31 360 10 00
Fax: +27 31 360 10 05 - E-mail: mktg@icc.co.za
Internet: www.icc.co.za
LE CAP
How to get there
From JOHANNESBURG
SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS offers 19 daily flights to Cape Town from Johannesburg.
Tel: +27 11 978 53 13 - Internet: www.flysaa.com
COMAIR operates 11 flights a day in code-share with British Airways. Internet: www.comair.com
From DURBAN
SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS offers 5 daily flights to Cape Town.
COMAIR operates 3 code-share flights a day with British Airways. Internet: www.comair.com
Hotels
THE WESTIN GRAND CAPE TOWN ARABELLA QUAYS Opened in 2003, at the same time as the Cape Town Convention Centre into which it is integrated, the Westin is the city's business hotel, with its 483 rooms, lounge bar and three restaurants, including the Westin Executive Club Restaurant on the 19th floor. Dazzling views over the entire city.
Convention Square, Lower Long Street
Tel. +27 21 412 99 99 - Fax: +27 21 412 90 03
E-mail: reservations@westincapetown.co.za
Internet: www.starwoodhotels.com
CRYSTAL TOWERS HOTEL. This five-star hotel in the Protea Group's African Pride range has just opened its doors.
in the Century City hub, a multifunctional district halfway between Cape Town city centre and the airport. This ultra-contemporary hotel has been designed specifically for business guests, as evidenced by the 9 high-tech meeting rooms.
Century City - Tel: +27 21 525 38 88
Fax: +27 21 525 38 89
E-mail: reservations@crystaltowershotel.com
Internet: www.africanpridehotels.com
Restaurants
NOBU. Chef Nobuyuki Matsuhisa's creativity has succeeded in harmonising the delicious simplicity of traditional Japanese cuisine with South African ingredients: fish and seafood from the Indian and Atlantic oceans blended with local spices. Known for its culinary innovations as much as for its famous partnership with Robert De Niro, Nobu set up in Cape Town last year, in a sublime décor with a New York feel, featuring wide banquettes, an open kitchen and magnificent transparent origami chandeliers.
One & Only, Dock Road, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
Tel.: +27 21 431 51 11
Internet: www.oneandonlyresorts.com
MAZE. The famous Gordon Ramsay has also taken up residence at One & Only, where he will be serving up a wide range of dishes.
South African flavours with game and produce from the surrounding farms.
One & Only, Dock Road, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
Phone: +27 21 431 52 22
Internet: www.oneandonlyresorts.com
BOMBAY BRASSERIE. South Africa is home to the largest Indian population outside India, so a business dinner at the Taj offers the opportunity for both a traditional and creative culinary experience.
It takes place in an opulent setting, in front of an open kitchen.
Taj Cape Town, Wale Street - Tel: +27 21 819 20 00
Internet: www.tajcapetown.co.za
THE DEVON VALLEY. This little corner of paradise on the wine route is the ideal place for a relaxed business lunch. The beautiful terrace of this charming hotel overlooks the slopes planted with vines. Tastings of the region's wines are available.
Devon Valley Road, Devon Valley, Stellenbosch
Tel.: +27 21 865 20 12
Internet: www.devonvalleyhotel.com
Convention centre
Cape Town International Convention Centre
Convention Square, 1 Lower Long Street
Phone: +27 21 410 50 00 - Fax: +27 21 410 50 01
E-mail: info@cticc.co.za - Internet: www.cticc.co.za
