Hotels With Swimming Pools in Gauteng, South Africa

The hotel room was small but very clean and neat. The furniture is old. However, it's very close and walking distance to the airport. It's very convenient when you need to catch a flight early the next day.

What you see is what you get and then some. The staff are so polite and keen to assist; the rooms are spacious and very clean; and the breakfast has quite some variety. The location is very central within the Sandton area which makes moving around pretty easy especially since they provide shuttle services to and from the Sandton city mall.

Excellent location – literally minutes away from the OR Tambo airport. There is a shuttle but it is difficult to locate it. Maybe some signage would help? Once we located it we were however in the hotel in about 5 minutes. The shuttle is quite efficient. The rooms are good sized but the bathrooms are small in comparison. The room was cleaned regularly. The coffee / tea amenities were good. The room I stayed in was however dated, needs updating of the rooms. The heater in my room did not work. I just hope it works during winter. On meals, Breakfast had a good spread on the buffet, very nice. It is the best meal of the day. Lunch and Dinner was also quite good though not as good in variety unless you use the ala carte menu. I did not use the restaurants much outside the meal times or the bar so I am not able to rate these for now. The 3 stars are largely due to the staff. Staff are generally slow, have a poor attitude and look like they have been forced to work. This was especially at the reception and in the dining. You really need friendlier staff at the reception! A good number of times staff paid more attention to speaking with their colleagues than serving guests. I would be in the middle of something with a staff member but another staff member comes to them speaking in their language and you have to wait. It happened to me too often for comfort. Never seen this anywhere else I’ve travelled. A few times they were also speaking across the room. We however met some lovely staff – a gentleman called Trust and a mature lady who was doing our eggs at breakfast, I forgot her name. Do not expect too much but it is an excellent location if having an early flight.

Overall had a nice and pleasant stay. Was only there for one night. Check in staff was pleasant but not very warm and welcoming as i have experienced at other hotels. Rooms were well sized, bathroom was clean. Overall the shower was disappointing as it wasn't a tradional shower head, it was a handheld shower which was positioned from higher up. And no slippers were available in room.. however it was still a pleasant and good stay considering the fair price.

I stayed I the holiday inn Johannesburg for about 5 weeks for business, the rooms were comfortable and quiet considering the amount of air traffic overhead , the rooms were clean and well kept , the staff were great , and breakfast was varied and good selection , the hotel is kept secure by the gate staff . Special thanks to the bar staff who tried their best to keep the bar stocked for 8 people sitting drinking by the pool most days ( Linda and William can’t remember the other names ) but they all done a great job Would certainly return again on next visit well done guys and girls

The hotel is great for a one night stopover on arrival in JNB or departing from JNB. Free shuttlebus to the hotel / airport every 30 minutes. 10 minute journey. We arrived early and room wasn’t ready. So, having checked in, staff looked after the luggage and we went for a drink and sat in the garden for 45 minutes. Staff came to tell us room was ready and took us and the luggage to the room. Standard room is not huge but adequate for a one night stop. Room has the usual expected facilities; tea / coffee and tv. Not a lot of storage space but ok for a short stay. Window opens if you want fresh air instead of aircon. Décor around the hotel is very interesting, unusual and a little quirky. Definitely worth having a look around! Restaurant is open all day with a good choice on the menu at very reasonable prices. Meal in the evening was very good. Two fantastic guys work on the bar, Irvin and Oscar, are very friendly and helpful and regularly check that everything is ok and if you need more drinks. No need to walk from the garden to the bar. There is an outdoor pool and a gym in the basement. Good range of food for the buffet breakfast. Check out was quick and efficient but as a Marriott Bonvoy member, it was express service for me. Would certainly use this property again if I needed an airport stopover. NOTE! Do not confuse this hotel with the Protea Transit Hotel which is in the airport complex.

Good experience. The facilities were top-notch with everything I needed to make my stay comfortable and enjoyable. The staffs were friendly and helpful to make sure I had everything I needed. The breakfast was good with many of selection for choice. The hotel's location was also excellent, with easy access to the centre of Johannesburg. Overall, I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great place to stay with excellent facilities and a convenient location.

OK, so let's start with the 'not-so-nice stuff'. Look, it is what it is. It's a 3-star (at best), hotel that was converted from apartments into a 'suite' experience hotel. It's cheap as chips, so with that in mind you're obviously not going to expect anything flash. The towels, while clean, could certainly do with being replaced. Overall, a fresh coat of paint would not hurt and the kettle was abysmal - we actually ordered our own kettle from 60/60 - the one in the room had not been descaled in...well, ever. It's very basic accommodation, the telephone in the room didn't work and the extractor above the stove was diabolical. Now, for the good stuff. The staff are AMAZING. So friendly and super helpful, check-in was breezy and even though we arrived a full 2 hours early, we hardly had to wait for our room to be ready. Aside from what I already mentioned, the room itself was SPOTLESS and that made up for the 'niggly' bits. The location is great, just a few minutes from the airport and close to the areas we had business in. Honestly, for what one pays for this place, there are no complaints. You can order from 60/60/ Uber Eats/Mr Delivery and there is a restaurant on site - although we didn't order from them, we left early and came back fairly late so it was just simpler to order in - and they delivered to the room. So all in, if you're not in Jozi for a holiday, then this place is kind of ideal. Internet was fast enough and complimentary and as we literally only used it as a base for our dealings in the big city, it was more than adequate.

I had an exceptional stay at the Radisson Blu hotel. The staff provided outstanding service, from the friendly and efficient front desk staff to the knowledgeable and attentive team members who went above and beyond to meet my needs. Their personalized care made me feel valued and well taken care of throughout my stay. I highly recommend the Radisson Blu hotel for its exceptional staff and memorable hospitality.

Bed is super comfortable. They provide two type of pillow - soft and firm pillow which is good so you don’t have to deal with neck pain. They have smart TV so you can watch Youtube or Netflix. Room is spacious and clean. You can see Johannesburg city from your room without any other building blocking. The mall is connected with the hotel and the area is still safe for me as solo female traveller to walk around. There is also MCD, KFC and Starbucks nearby if you didn’t want to opt for the breakfast.

What you see is what you get and then some. The staff are so polite and keen to assist; the rooms are spacious and very clean; and the breakfast has quite some variety. The location is very central within the Sandton area which makes moving around pretty easy especially since they provide shuttle services to and from the Sandton city mall.

Overall had a nice and pleasant stay. Was only there for one night. Check in staff was pleasant but not very warm and welcoming as i have experienced at other hotels. Rooms were well sized, bathroom was clean. Overall the shower was disappointing as it wasn't a tradional shower head, it was a handheld shower which was positioned from higher up. And no slippers were available in room.. however it was still a pleasant and good stay considering the fair price.

Good experience. The facilities were top-notch with everything I needed to make my stay comfortable and enjoyable. The staffs were friendly and helpful to make sure I had everything I needed. The breakfast was good with many of selection for choice. The hotel's location was also excellent, with easy access to the centre of Johannesburg. Overall, I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great place to stay with excellent facilities and a convenient location.

I had an exceptional stay at the Radisson Blu hotel. The staff provided outstanding service, from the friendly and efficient front desk staff to the knowledgeable and attentive team members who went above and beyond to meet my needs. Their personalized care made me feel valued and well taken care of throughout my stay. I highly recommend the Radisson Blu hotel for its exceptional staff and memorable hospitality.

Bed is super comfortable. They provide two type of pillow - soft and firm pillow which is good so you don’t have to deal with neck pain. They have smart TV so you can watch Youtube or Netflix. Room is spacious and clean. You can see Johannesburg city from your room without any other building blocking. The mall is connected with the hotel and the area is still safe for me as solo female traveller to walk around. There is also MCD, KFC and Starbucks nearby if you didn’t want to opt for the breakfast.

Normal we stay at woodmead but this time we selected this place. This is a beautiful building with a big location. Roomare spacious and very clean way better than express. The best part is they have bathtub. Beds were good and room had amazijg view. The location is very near to CBD . This is a big campus. It's properly gated with security guard. Overall it was very good location. It has a good ball room, lounge, a pub and nice resturant. We liked the lounge area where there is a big piano. The food was good and brekfast was also amazing. Staff was very courteous and very helpfull. Overall we loved our stay here. Highly recommended.

I recently had the pleasure of staying at this beautiful hotel and I must say, it exceeded all my expectations. From the moment I arrived, I was impressed by its excellent location, top-notch service, and overall hospitality. The hotel's location was simply outstanding. It was conveniently situated, allowing easy access to nearby attractions and amenities. Whether it was exploring the city or embarking on a safari adventure, the hotel's central location made it a perfect base for my travels. The service provided by the hotel staff was truly exceptional. From the warm welcome at check-in to the attentive assistance throughout my stay, I felt genuinely cared for. The staff went above and beyond to ensure that all my needs were met, including a special favor of allowing me to leave my suitcase while I was away on the safari. Their flexibility and accommodating nature were greatly appreciated. The hotel itself was a sight to behold. It exuded elegance and charm, with its beautifully designed interiors and well-maintained facilities. The attention to detail was evident in every aspect, from the tastefully decorated rooms to the inviting common areas. It was a pleasure to return to such a comfortable and inviting space after a long day of exploring. Overall Rating: ★★★★★

I am a fairly frequent business traveller and stay in many hotels- most I don’t review as they just don’t stand out! This one however, I had to review!! I arrived a little earlier than check in and was greeted by Itumelemg on reception who was very helpful! My room was on the 18th floor and really lovely and well appointed! I was even treated to an AMAZING biltong platter - thank you!! 😊 Room amenities were great (nespresso coffee and Charlotte Rhys products!) I then had a few meetings close to the hotel (within 5km) and was offered a complimentary transfer and pick up by their drivers. Siphwe really looked after me and was a great ambassador for the hotel. The hotel itself is very well managed but what sets them above their comp set is the team who represent the hotel! Well done to everyone for exceptional service! A fantastic visit- I’ll certainly be back!

The hotel environment is beautiful. I had dinner at the hotel restaurant once before, and I wanted to experience it once. The location of the restaurant is great, the view is expansive, the autumn scenery is beautiful, and the meal is also very good. The room is spacious and comfortable. The room I booked has two balconies with beautiful views on both sides. The attitude of the service staff is very good, and the service is very considerate and meticulous. Very recommended to stay.

Friends booked five rooms together, but one trash can was not emptied. The exterior windows of the two stores were being repaired from 2 to 5 p.m., and workers kept kicking and kicking the windows, making clinking sounds. I complained to the front desk manager, but there was no formal reply. In fact, repairs to individual rooms can be completely avoided. After traveling continuously for several days, it is impossible to take a high-quality nap.

The hotel room was small but very clean and neat. The furniture is old. However, it's very close and walking distance to the airport. It's very convenient when you need to catch a flight early the next day.

Excellent location – literally minutes away from the OR Tambo airport. There is a shuttle but it is difficult to locate it. Maybe some signage would help? Once we located it we were however in the hotel in about 5 minutes. The shuttle is quite efficient. The rooms are good sized but the bathrooms are small in comparison. The room was cleaned regularly. The coffee / tea amenities were good. The room I stayed in was however dated, needs updating of the rooms. The heater in my room did not work. I just hope it works during winter. On meals, Breakfast had a good spread on the buffet, very nice. It is the best meal of the day. Lunch and Dinner was also quite good though not as good in variety unless you use the ala carte menu. I did not use the restaurants much outside the meal times or the bar so I am not able to rate these for now. The 3 stars are largely due to the staff. Staff are generally slow, have a poor attitude and look like they have been forced to work. This was especially at the reception and in the dining. You really need friendlier staff at the reception! A good number of times staff paid more attention to speaking with their colleagues than serving guests. I would be in the middle of something with a staff member but another staff member comes to them speaking in their language and you have to wait. It happened to me too often for comfort. Never seen this anywhere else I’ve travelled. A few times they were also speaking across the room. We however met some lovely staff – a gentleman called Trust and a mature lady who was doing our eggs at breakfast, I forgot her name. Do not expect too much but it is an excellent location if having an early flight.

The hotel is great for a one night stopover on arrival in JNB or departing from JNB. Free shuttlebus to the hotel / airport every 30 minutes. 10 minute journey. We arrived early and room wasn’t ready. So, having checked in, staff looked after the luggage and we went for a drink and sat in the garden for 45 minutes. Staff came to tell us room was ready and took us and the luggage to the room. Standard room is not huge but adequate for a one night stop. Room has the usual expected facilities; tea / coffee and tv. Not a lot of storage space but ok for a short stay. Window opens if you want fresh air instead of aircon. Décor around the hotel is very interesting, unusual and a little quirky. Definitely worth having a look around! Restaurant is open all day with a good choice on the menu at very reasonable prices. Meal in the evening was very good. Two fantastic guys work on the bar, Irvin and Oscar, are very friendly and helpful and regularly check that everything is ok and if you need more drinks. No need to walk from the garden to the bar. There is an outdoor pool and a gym in the basement. Good range of food for the buffet breakfast. Check out was quick and efficient but as a Marriott Bonvoy member, it was express service for me. Would certainly use this property again if I needed an airport stopover. NOTE! Do not confuse this hotel with the Protea Transit Hotel which is in the airport complex.

OK, so let's start with the 'not-so-nice stuff'. Look, it is what it is. It's a 3-star (at best), hotel that was converted from apartments into a 'suite' experience hotel. It's cheap as chips, so with that in mind you're obviously not going to expect anything flash. The towels, while clean, could certainly do with being replaced. Overall, a fresh coat of paint would not hurt and the kettle was abysmal - we actually ordered our own kettle from 60/60 - the one in the room had not been descaled in...well, ever. It's very basic accommodation, the telephone in the room didn't work and the extractor above the stove was diabolical. Now, for the good stuff. The staff are AMAZING. So friendly and super helpful, check-in was breezy and even though we arrived a full 2 hours early, we hardly had to wait for our room to be ready. Aside from what I already mentioned, the room itself was SPOTLESS and that made up for the 'niggly' bits. The location is great, just a few minutes from the airport and close to the areas we had business in. Honestly, for what one pays for this place, there are no complaints. You can order from 60/60/ Uber Eats/Mr Delivery and there is a restaurant on site - although we didn't order from them, we left early and came back fairly late so it was just simpler to order in - and they delivered to the room. So all in, if you're not in Jozi for a holiday, then this place is kind of ideal. Internet was fast enough and complimentary and as we literally only used it as a base for our dealings in the big city, it was more than adequate.

I am a youth leader taking a group to Port Elizabeth. Because of the way our flights worked out we had to spend the night in Johannesburg. I emailed 4 different hotels and Premiere Hotel was the only one to get back to me in a timely fashion. They were extremely helpful and responsive. Mercy was great to work with. They also arraigned transportation for all 34 of us from the airport to the hotel and once at the hotel we all ate in their restaurant and the food was wonderful. Pete, the restaurant manager, was extremely helpful. Overall Premiere hotel took what was the most stressful part of our trip and executed it wonderfully. The rooms were spacious and well appointed. The overall amenities of the hotel were absolutely wonderful. The management of this hotel should be proud. 10/10 I cannot recommend them enough.

I thought the place was nice, but to be honest the blankets on the bed and in the cupboard annoyed me with static electricity. The shower water came out way too fast. But everything else was great and the people are very nice.

Save your money. Seriously. I travel a lot and I can say that this is by far the worst experience I’ve ever had at a hotel. The hotel is nice. But it’s the staff that really had me wanting to pack my bags, and I was only to be there for one night. I don’t know if everything is a joke to the entire staff or what, but from the moment I got there I felt as if I wasn’t being taken seriously. I had an extremely long day traveling and was exhausted, and my bags were supposed to be delivered to my room shortly after check in. 20 minutes later I still did not have my bags and was getting hungrier by the minute. I went down to the lobby to see about some food and was met by my bags still in the lobby which had been brought back down. If I waited for so long how does that make sense? Am I supposed to stay hostage in my room until they decide to get to me? Strike one. Once that was finally sorted out, I went for dinner at the restaurant downstairs. I was there with three other people who promptly decided they wanted to go to the buffet, I asked for a menu and then asked if one of the items on the menu could be modified to which the server told me she would check. In the meantime, however I ordered two drinks to which members of my table also order drinks as well. They got up to go to the buffet. The server brought their drinks out while they were up at the buffet, while I was left waiting for 15+ minutes for the server to come back to inform me if I could order the item I wanted or not, which she never did. Someone in my party who noticed how growingly irritated I was getting had to go up and personally place my order with the chef. The server saw this and quickly ran to get the drinks that I had been waiting so long already for. After the meal, while settling the bill, the woman who was there literally cut me off in the middle of speaking to speak to a man who had walked up and just interrupted our conversation. Rude on both parts. Afterwards I walked up to my room and there was a random ironing board and iron propped up against my door? This place is really strange. And then, on top of all of that to make matters worse, I get to my room to take a shower and it doesn’t even drain. I had to get out of the shower and call the front desk. When I called the front desk they basically laughed off the fact that I requested a female employee to come due to the fact that I was in my towel and was uncomfortable with a man coming up to my room at such a late hour (if you have daughters or women you are traveling with keep this in mind). It took over 20 minutes for this problem to get fixed, which it wasn’t truly fixed because he just removed the drain cover and said to shower not take a bath. Oh and he used a PLUNGER in the bathtub and would’ve left it completely unsanitary for me to use if no one spoke up about how disgusting that was. Thank god I called my mother to the room to be here with me while he was here because she’s the one who saw it and pointed it out.

Stayed one night at the end of a long day on the road and thought this was the perfect antidote before flying home. The location of the hotel is quite wonderful, just over the road from the terminal and just exudes calm - much appreciated after some chaotic days. The warm and friendly welcome from Kea checking me in really set the scene for a marvellous stay. My room was wonderfully luxurious and gave me ample opportunity to recover from my travels. The swimming pool on the 8th floor is surprisingly compact, with the lifts opening directly onto the poolside, but it is perfectly fine for a morning dip. It also offers a splendid view out over the terminal and the runways beyond. The pool was not in the best condition (e.g. one of the steps on the ladder into the pool was broken) but I assume this will be addressed by the 3 week long closure and refurbishment of the 8th floor (5 July-23 July 2023). The food on offer at the hotel is quite superb. The dishes I tried from the evening dining menu, room service menu and breakfast menu were all quite superb. The French toast served up for breakfast was particularly delicious. Overall, I thought this hotel was excellent and I would happily stay here again on my next visit to South Africa.

This hotel is located just outside O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. While you will need a taxi, rental car, or shuttle to reach the hotel, the journey is well worth it. There are no nearby dining facilities within walking distance, but the hotel boasts an on-site Irish pub that serves excellent food. The rooms are clean and comfortable, and the breakfast is outstanding. The hotel is fully gated with security measures in place, providing peace of mind during your stay in Johannesburg.

I chose this place because I liked the free pick-up and free breakfast. However, in fact, the last pick-up was at 11 o'clock in the evening. I arrived at the airport at 11 o'clock. I said that the pick-up at night would be charged. I am willing to pay, but I can't come to the arrival floor to pick me up. I can be at the bus station. It is well known. South Africa is naturally in a mess, and the probability of being robbed on the road at night is very high! Finally, I paid for a taxi to their hotel and found that the door was closed! The location of the hotel is very biased, there is no street light at night, the black light is blind, the driver is black, everyone is in the position to think about it, feel panic? I know that the front desk will get off work at 11 o'clock in the evening, but I have already emailed that I will land at 11 o'clock and arrive at 12 o'clock. They know it, but they still don't leave anyone. After waiting for a long time, the driver came back and opened the door. At the beginning, the driver refused to give me the door key and asked me to add 200 rand for the night stay. I don't know the cost. I didn't inform when I placed the order on Trip.com. On the second day, I took the shuttle bus to the airport and there was no time to eat breakfast. An unpleasant stay!

What you see is what you get and then some. The staff are so polite and keen to assist; the rooms are spacious and very clean; and the breakfast has quite some variety. The location is very central within the Sandton area which makes moving around pretty easy especially since they provide shuttle services to and from the Sandton city mall.

Good experience. The facilities were top-notch with everything I needed to make my stay comfortable and enjoyable. The staffs were friendly and helpful to make sure I had everything I needed. The breakfast was good with many of selection for choice. The hotel's location was also excellent, with easy access to the centre of Johannesburg. Overall, I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great place to stay with excellent facilities and a convenient location.

I had an exceptional stay at the Radisson Blu hotel. The staff provided outstanding service, from the friendly and efficient front desk staff to the knowledgeable and attentive team members who went above and beyond to meet my needs. Their personalized care made me feel valued and well taken care of throughout my stay. I highly recommend the Radisson Blu hotel for its exceptional staff and memorable hospitality.

I recently had the pleasure of staying at this beautiful hotel and I must say, it exceeded all my expectations. From the moment I arrived, I was impressed by its excellent location, top-notch service, and overall hospitality. The hotel's location was simply outstanding. It was conveniently situated, allowing easy access to nearby attractions and amenities. Whether it was exploring the city or embarking on a safari adventure, the hotel's central location made it a perfect base for my travels. The service provided by the hotel staff was truly exceptional. From the warm welcome at check-in to the attentive assistance throughout my stay, I felt genuinely cared for. The staff went above and beyond to ensure that all my needs were met, including a special favor of allowing me to leave my suitcase while I was away on the safari. Their flexibility and accommodating nature were greatly appreciated. The hotel itself was a sight to behold. It exuded elegance and charm, with its beautifully designed interiors and well-maintained facilities. The attention to detail was evident in every aspect, from the tastefully decorated rooms to the inviting common areas. It was a pleasure to return to such a comfortable and inviting space after a long day of exploring. Overall Rating: ★★★★★

I am a fairly frequent business traveller and stay in many hotels- most I don’t review as they just don’t stand out! This one however, I had to review!! I arrived a little earlier than check in and was greeted by Itumelemg on reception who was very helpful! My room was on the 18th floor and really lovely and well appointed! I was even treated to an AMAZING biltong platter - thank you!! 😊 Room amenities were great (nespresso coffee and Charlotte Rhys products!) I then had a few meetings close to the hotel (within 5km) and was offered a complimentary transfer and pick up by their drivers. Siphwe really looked after me and was a great ambassador for the hotel. The hotel itself is very well managed but what sets them above their comp set is the team who represent the hotel! Well done to everyone for exceptional service! A fantastic visit- I’ll certainly be back!

Friends booked five rooms together, but one trash can was not emptied. The exterior windows of the two stores were being repaired from 2 to 5 p.m., and workers kept kicking and kicking the windows, making clinking sounds. I complained to the front desk manager, but there was no formal reply. In fact, repairs to individual rooms can be completely avoided. After traveling continuously for several days, it is impossible to take a high-quality nap.

The Sandton Garden Court is a gracious hotel located next to Mandela Square. An outstanding buffet breakfast is provided daily. The staff at the front desk helpfully arranged a private tour of Johannesburg for us (cost about 2000 Rand or $100 for two of us) and it was fabulous. When my partner fell ill with a viral infection, the hotel's on-call doctor came to our room, diagnosed the problem and provided medications for symptom relief. We are very grateful and impressed with this hotel.

Always a pleasure staying here Great hotel with excellent customer service Perfect to catch a Gautrain that’s a stone throw away Great buffet breakfasts and space for meeting Love the gym Two steps to Sandton City shopping centre. Rooms are great Single or couple travelers - greatly recommend for them Cheers to all the stuff working there Retuning always

The environment is very good, the decoration is actually okay, but after all, it can still be seen after a long time, and the health status is okay, that is, a pillow on the sofa is broken, and the pillows in the room for the 21st night after tax increase have to be used well Right. The service was very good. No matter whether the deposit was discussed during the check-in of the previous generation or later led to the room, it was very gentle and polite. Many people praised the delicious breakfast.

If there were another Hilton’s in Johannesburg, that is where I’d be staying. But there is no other option for a loyal Hilton guy like me, so I spent 10 nights at the Hilton Sandton. I will readily admit that from day-to-day, the staff and the facilities were absolutely wonderful. Staff were friendly and accommodating, the Executive Lounge was very well serviced, the restaurant was excellent, the hotel grounds superb, the Business Centre efficient. I had pre-arranged airport pickup and daily business rides through the hotel and our driver MORGAN proved himself many times over to be reliable and flexible thoughout my stay. However, both the checkin and checkout process with the Front Desk were distasteful, disturbed my entire stay, and made me wish I was somewhere else. I had reserved and prepaid for a King room; as a long time Diamond member, I naturally expected some sort of upgrade, especially since I was staying for 10 nights. After 18 hours of flights, and a further 24 hours of layover, all I wanted to do was sleep. I had checked in online and knew my room assignment. At the Front Desk, I handed over my American Express Hilton card, and passports for my wife and I to HOWARD (“an experienced Front Office team member” according to hotel General Manager JOHN MCAREE). At first, HOWARD could not find my reservation and, next, once found thought it had been cancelled and, next, thought the reservation was in my wife’s name (it was not), and finally when he found the reservation, took a copy of my wife’s passport (but not my own for some unknown reason). I then had the temerity to ask if there any possibility of an upgrade. “Oh no no no” said Howard. “Why not” I asked. “Because you checked in online. Once the room is assigned, there is no changing it” said HOWARD. I knew from experience this was rubbish and not in compliance with Hilton policy or procedures. Indeed, when I checkedin online, the Hilton website said that an upgrade would be made available if possible. So I gently persisted in my questioning, and Howard gently insisted that no upgrade was possible since I had checked in online. I believe it was only when I asked for the business card of the General Manager that HOWARD checked with a colleague and, indeed, an upgrade was magically offered. It was the lowest level of upgrade possible, but something is better than nothing. I thanked him for the upgrade, and again asked for the GM’s business card. They had none. Indeed, they wrote down his name for me (three times with three different spellings) but did not know his phone # or email address. (I later googled him and got both). Perhaps due to this little interaction, HOWARD forgot to tell me about the Business Centre, the gift shop, the free shuttle to the local mall, hotel restaurant hours, the WIFI code, the hotel spa, or any of the other hotel services. He did mention the Executive Lounge several times in a tone approaching reverence. Never in my 20 years of experience with Hilton