Protea Hotel O.R. Tambo Airport

The hotel offers a highly convenient stopover experience, primarily due to its proximity to the airport and efficient shuttle service, making it a signature feature for guests. Its unique aviation-themed decor throughout the property, from the lobby to the rooms, creates a memorable and engaging atmosphere. Guests consistently highlight the friendly and helpful staff and the overall cleanliness of the accommodations, ensuring a comfortable stay. This hotel is ideally suited for transit travelers and business travelers needing a comfortable and accessible place to rest between flights, as well as families looking for a convenient base for their journeys. To ensure a smooth experience, guests are advised to utilize the complimentary airport shuttle, which runs frequently, and to be aware of the distinctive room layouts, particularly regarding the shower areas, which are a recurring topic in reviews.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel provides several amenities designed for guest convenience and relaxation. The fitness center is described as well-equipped, with some noting it is small but modern and suitable for a good workout. The outdoor pool area is generally considered attractive and a pleasant space, though some guests found it to be noisy due to its proximity to the airport and highway. A few visitors also mentioned that the pool sometimes needed better cleaning or had accessibility issues for entry and exit, particularly for those with mobility challenges. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property, though some guests reported inconsistent or poor internet connection in their rooms, especially on higher floors. The hotel's lifts were occasionally described as outdated, slow, or noisy. The unique industrial-styled decor and pervasive aviation theme are consistently praised for creating a cool, modern, and vibrant atmosphere in public spaces.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests generally find the rooms to be clean and comfortable, with many praising the comfortable beds and high-quality linens that ensure a restful night's sleep. However, a significant number of reviews highlight the unusual open-concept shower design, often separated from the main room only by a curtain or lacking a proper door, which many guests found to compromise privacy and be impractical due to water splashing or a lack of hooks for towels. Some also reported slippery shower floors or issues with drainage. While the hotel is close to the airport, rooms are generally well soundproofed against plane noise. However, some guests noted noise from corridors or the nearby highway. Room size varies, with some described as spacious and others as small or compact. Issues like cold water or low water pressure were occasionally reported, as were non-functioning TV channels or a lack of Netflix.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel's dining options receive considerable positive feedback, particularly the breakfast buffet, which is consistently described as great, excellent, and abundant, offering a wide selection of delicious food. Guests appreciate the attentive servers and often compliment the chefs for the quality. The restaurant generally offers good food, with some dishes like the burger, lamb shank, and oxtail casserole receiving high praise for being tasty and well-prepared. However, service at the restaurant and bar can sometimes be slow, especially during peak hours, and some guests found the dinner menu to be ordinary or the prices high for what was offered. The bar area is noted for its vibrant atmosphere and good selection of drinks, though some mentioned it closes early. Room service is available and generally prompt, with food quality being good.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's location is highly praised for its proximity to the airport, typically a short 5 to 10-minute drive away. A major convenience is the complimentary airport shuttle service, which runs frequently (every 30 minutes) and is described as reliable, prompt, and efficient, making transfers seamless for guests. While the hotel is very close to the airport, it is not within walking distance, and guests often rely on the shuttle or ride-sharing services like Uber to get around, as there is nothing around the hotel within walking distance. The hotel offers secure parking for those with vehicles. Despite its closeness to the airport and a busy road, rooms are generally well-insulated against plane noise, though some guests noted the presence of highway noise in certain areas or rooms.

Staff & Service
The hotel staff consistently receives high praise for their friendliness, helpfulness, and professionalism. Many guests highlight their welcoming attitude and willingness to go above and beyond to assist with requests, from providing helpful tips to offering baggage assistance. The check-in process is generally described as quick and efficient, contributing to a smooth arrival experience. Guests appreciate the attentive service provided by staff across all departments, including reception, restaurant, and shuttle drivers. However, some isolated incidents of slow service at the bar or restaurant were reported. A few guests also noted an instance where a "Do Not Disturb" sign was ignored, leading to an unexpected knock on the door. Overall, the staff's commitment to providing excellent service is a recurring theme.

Additional Information
The hotel has been undergoing renovations, particularly in the lobby and dining areas, which guests describe as stunning and modernized, significantly enhancing the aesthetic appeal. However, some visitors noted that the ongoing work could lead to noise or a building site appearance in certain areas, though many found the updated spaces to be a significant improvement. Guests occasionally reported issues with TV channels not working properly or a lack of access to streaming services like Netflix. Some reviews mentioned water issues in rooms, such as cold water, low pressure, or blocked drains, impacting the shower experience. The hotel maintains high security measures, providing a sense of safety for guests. A few rooms are noted for having small windows set high on the wall, which can limit natural light and views. The lifts were sometimes described as outdated or slow.