1- internet is a complete crap shoot
2- I some how forgot my password/username to my blog/website and cannot seem to get any help from the support center, hence this new blog! Finally....
OK, so let's talk about Johannesburg. I will have to say that the majority of EVERYONE I know has got it all wrong! I'm not saying JOBURG is the safest place in the world, but if you just use your head and think like a savvy traveller, you will have a very interesting and enjoyable experience!
Johannesburg is a big, sprawling city, yes. Actually the 2nd biggest city in Africa, after Cairo- but full of trees from all over the world, many parks, some even with beautiful lagoons in them, and when you look out from a hilltop the first thing you notice is all the green!
Johannesburg is also NOT a walking city, which is a very strange concept coming from New York City. You can't just walk down the street, you have to drive! I was lucky to be asked on a FAM trip by the tourist board of South Africa, so most of my transfers and accommodations were already arranged and paid for, so I did not have to worry about how to get from point A to point B. But, if I was traveling on my own, it would still be very easy for me to get around, as all hotels have transportation desks, I can rent a car with GPS or can be pre-arranged upon arrival ( www.Jetawayguru.com can help).
If I had to choose where to stay on my next trip to JOBURG, for budget, style and convenience, I would definitely choose Hotel Fire & Ice (around $130-$200 per night ), located in Melrose Arch. If I wanted complete luxury and class, that would be The Saxon, but that's a whole other blog post, so keep posted!
Here are a few reasons why I love Hotel Fire & Ice. With the whole not walking around thing I mentioned earlier, there is one exception. JOBURG has massive outdoor malls! City blocks in fact, 2 or 3 stories high, and within these monster malls you can walk around, shop till you drop and restaurant hop your heart out!
Fire and Ice is the"trendy" hotel, kinda looks like the Cosmopolitan in Vegas, but a much smaller scale. The theme and decor for this hotel is old glamorous hollywood! We were even greeted by none other then African Marilyn Monroe, of course! Fire and Ice is also known for their milkshake bar. They have an extensive boozy and non-boozy, menu with flavors from your standard strawberry to the unique, winner of the best milkshake in South Africa, pumpkin marshmallow.
While staying at Hotel Fire & Ice, you have to dress to impress, so do not show up in your safari wear, MOM! But don't worry if you forgot your heels or skinny jeans, because you can find the biggest local and international brands at Melrose Arch. Once you picked out the perfect outfit, walk over to African Pride, Fire and Ice's sister hotel, for an unforgettable dinner IN the pool, yes, you sit in the the pool!
The Dine in water restaurant, only open in the summer months and is situated along side an avenue of over sized trees in buckets to give you an "Alice in Wonderland" ambiance. I dined on Bengali Duck Foie Gras and Shank of Springbok, a type of antelope, both cooked to perfection and plated like any 5 star establishment!
So now we know where to relax and feast - next post - what are the sights of Johannesburg. What to do durning the day! And yes, involves riding a bike! And also find out what me, Oprah, Mandela and Will Smith all have in common....
Keep posted and if you want any more information on JOBURG travel or want help booking, email JetawayGuru@gmail.com.
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