Bucket Travel: Hotel Sky

Kinda ironic to be talking travel during a time where we cannot travel but here I am, talking about a new hotel group that's about to open it's doors in two of SA's biggest cities. Yes, timing off this isn't the greatest but it could also be to its advantage seeing that many will be itching to get out an about as soon as we can do so and with this new group offering something new an exciting to prospective guests, it just adds that extra intrigue to the would be traveler. Hotel Sky is set to open two new hotel's in South Africa towards the end of the year, one nestled in the heart of SA's financial capital Sandton and the other in Cape Town, opposite the CTICC. 

What makes Hotel Sky different from the rest? Well to start off, their goal is to offer an incredible hotel/ entertainment experience but at an affordable price, with rooms from just R695 per night upon opening! Yes, that is right from just R695, with Hotel Sky Sandton set to open in October this year, you can choose from a Standard Room, Junior Executive Room or an Executive Room with some of the room features being free high-speed uncapped WiFi, Air-conditioning, 43' Live Stream Smart TV, Work Station, Laptop Safe, Hair dryer, Automatic Blackout Blinds as well as a tea and coffee station. 

With COVID set to be here for the foreseeable future, there's still a need to try and get back to some normality in our lives, Hotel Sky have upped the game in booking and checking in by offering app-based booking and check-in, with room access via your phone. With the self service check-in kiosk all this can be done be done digitally via your smart phone! Whats even better, with your mobile key room access you can control the smart TV. Got a lot of luggage? No problem as Hotel Sky have AI powered robots to assist you with it and cart it to your room! 

Apart from accommodation, Hotel Sky offers conference and meeting rooms, with the Sandton Hotel having a 190 seat Auditorium and the Cape Town  Hotel having a luxurious Sky Bar on the 29th floor. Both hotels have world class restaurants, bars, fully equipped gyms, heated swimming pool, indulgent spa's, same-day onsite laundry, as well as back-up generators so you're safe from Eskom should the power go out. 

Hotel Sky Sandton, which is located at 150 West Street boasts 453 rooms, several conference venues and a selection of world-class restaurants and bars and is set to open its doors in October 2020. Hotel Sky Cape Town, located in the City Bowl offering views of the foreshore and Waterfront will offer 540 beautifully designed rooms and suits. Hotel Sky Cape Town will be the ideal destination for both local and international business and leisure travelers, as well as day guests seeking a delicious meal or sun-downer with a view on the bar located on the 29th floor. 

Hotel Sky will have an added sense of safety in place with all the latest regulations regarding the Covid-19 virus, with them taking every precaution to safeguard the health and safety of the guests with stringent hygiene policies. 

For more information or to book your stay, visit www.hotelsky.co.za for more.

The Holiday Express - August Trips

When last have you been on a train ride? Or like me,  who has never been on one before! Well there is a certain stigma to using local public transport and I don't blame many for not using it due to security factor but with recent upgrades done to most train stations and the introduction of the new KZN Business express carriages, this might change the view of most people if introduced to it and one of those ways is the Holiday Express which has two destinations on specific weekends of the month, which gives commuters an out-of-the-ordinary experience to explore the countryside.

KwaZulu Natal is really a unique province, with the warmest beaches in South Africa and some of the most majestic mountain ranges just about an hours drive from the City, with our warm tropical weather, this makes it an ideal tourist spot for many. But how many locals take the time to appreciate what this province has to offer? Not many, I can tell you that for myself, as laid back as our culture may be, we often find the stress of daily routines eating away our time that we don't have enough of it to explore the wonders that are waiting to be seen. With this in mind, what better way to sit back and relax while aboard the Holiday Express with your family and getting to enjoy the views while on your journey?

Premier Lounge at Durban Station

The Holiday Express departs conveniently from the security of the Premier Lounge, Durban Station (Jelf Taylor Street) with its own private platform. Convenient, boom-protected parking is available directly outside the Lounge. Travelling time is approximately one hour to Shongweni and 90 minutes to Scottburgh, with a selection of refreshments available on board. Next weekend, the 26th and 27th of August see's this months trips depart with many more planned for the coming months and a special Christmas Ever outing planned for Umhlali following the successful trip enjoyed by so many in 2015.  In October, November and December, the Holiday Express will be available for corporate groups on any Thursday by arrangement, or on other days by special arrangement and trips can be arranged to Scottburgh, Nottingham Road, Salt Rock and Ballito.  

The Holiday Express can also be booked for parties, corporate or year end events. Bookings of up to 350 people can be accommodated, or individual carriages for 18 people can be reserved as part of other scheduled trips, and a tailor-made package can be developed to suit your budget and requirements.

I will be riding along on the Holiday Express next Saturday the 26th to the Shongweni Farmers market, so be sure to follow my journey on Snapchat and Instagram Stories, I cannot wait to share the fun with you. For more information on the Holiday Express, visit their website at www.theholidayexpress.co.za or to book, email info@theholidayexpress.co.za