Centurion's BEST Hotel? ANEW Hotel Pretoria Review!
Centurion's BEST Hotel? ANEW Hotel Pretoria Review!
Centurion's BEST Hotel? ANEW Hotel Pretoria Review - Real Talk (and a Bit of a Mess)
Alright, alright, buckle up buttercups. We're diving headfirst into the ANEW Hotel Pretoria. Is it Centurion's "BEST"? Well, let's just say my expectations were… high. After all, everyone raves about the location, the city view, the whole South African shabang. Here's my raw, unedited, and probably slightly chaotic take:
First Impressions (and the Great Accessibility Quest!)
Okay, let's start with something important: accessibility. This is HUGE for me. I need to know a place is actually thinking about everyone. And ANEW Hotel Pretoria? They make a decent effort. Wheelchair accessible is ticked off the list, which is a giant relief. The elevators are a godsend (thank goodness for the elevator… imagine lugging luggage up a flight!) and navigating the public areas seemed pretty manageable. They’ve got facilities for disabled guests, which is good. Now, I didn't get a full-blown inspection with measurement tape, but from my experience, navigating was relatively smooth.
Internet Access & Wi-Fi: The Digital Lifeline
Let's be real, in this day and age, internet access is as vital as oxygen. And ANEW? They get it. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Hallelujah! And it actually worked, mostly. I got a solid connection, enough to stream a (very) late-night movie and upload some killer selfies. They've got Internet and Internet [LAN] options too, if you are a business person and need to do some serious work. And the Wi-Fi in public areas was pretty reliable, so I could check emails while waiting for my cappuccino.
Rooms and Comfort - My Sanctuary… Or Not?
Okay, the room. My sanctuary. That’s what I wanted. And honestly? It was a mixed bag. Mine was a non-smoking room (thank heavens), spacious enough, and had a decent view. The air conditioning was a life-saver in the Pretoria heat. The blackout curtains are a real plus for a good night's sleep, but the alarm clock wasn't so great! The desk was functional, and the laptop workspace came in handy. My room had an additional toilet and I absolutely loved the bathtub! Free bottled water? Yes, please! The hair dryer worked, the mini bar was adequately stocked (and tempting!), and I really appreciated the bathrobes and slippers.
But… the soundproofing wasn’t perfect. There were some minor noises from the hallway. The carpeting felt a little dated. The bathroom phone? Honestly who uses that anymore? And the mirror needed a proper polish.
Cleanliness and Safety: The COVID-19 Dance…
I have to give ANEW props for their efforts during this whole COVID ordeal. They’ve gone the extra mile. The hand sanitizer dispensers were everywhere. Daily disinfection in common areas? Check. They had anti-viral cleaning products, and the staff seemed really dedicated to keeping things clean. The rooms sanitized between stays, and I felt like they understood how important it is. They even had a room sanitization opt-out available if someone didn’t want it. Plus, staff trained in safety protocol, sanitized kitchen and tableware items, individually-wrapped food options. And I spotted a first aid kit. They've got CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property to help everyone feel safer, It was good to see.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Food, Glorious Food (Questionable Execution)
Okay, let's talk food. They boast several restaurants. The breakfast [buffet] was… well, it was something. I'm not saying it was bad, but it wasn't exactly a culinary revelation. Western breakfast options were available. I'm a sucker for a buffet, but some items were cold or seemed like they'd been sitting there a while. I was hopeful, at least. There was a coffee shop with decent coffee, though. And the poolside bar was a nice touch for a sundowner.
The restaurants have a salad in restaurant, desserts in restaurant, soup in restaurant, coffee/tea in restaurant. I didn't give them a shot, though. A la carte in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Asian cuisine in restaurant and Vegetarian restaurant and Alternative meal arrangement? The thought went through my head, then I just had room service! Room service [24-hour] is amazing! They delivered a pizza at like 3 AM (don't judge!).
The real highlight? The happy hour at the bar. The cocktails were STRONG and the atmosphere was buzzing. They serve Bottle of water, and have a Snack bar, but I didn't get to enjoy myself as much as I would have liked.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Spa Day Dreams and Fitness Fanatics
This is where ANEW REALLY shines. They've got a whole array of ways to unwind. I indulged in a heavenly massage at the spa. Pure bliss! Plus, they've got a sauna, steamroom, swimming pool that has a Pool with view. Spa/sauna, Body scrub, Body wrap? Yes, yes, and YES! My skin felt amazing for days. Even if they weren't perfect, I did enjoy myself and I'm rating it accordingly.
For the more active, they have a Fitness center and a Gym/fitness, if you're that type of person. I, sadly, was not. I did not use the Foot bath either!
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
They had a decent selection of services. They have a decent concierge and offer a currency exchange, dry cleaning, ironing service, and laundry service. There’s a convenience store on-site if you need a quick snack or forgot your toothbrush. They have luggage storage and safe deposit boxes. Daily housekeeping kept the room tidy (thank goodness, because I tend to make a mess). The doorman was friendly. And they provide essential condiments.
And the bonus? They have a gift/souvenir shop, a Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station. There’s also a taxi service and you can request valet parking.
Getting Around: Easy Peasy
They offer an airport transfer, which is a lifesaver. They have bicycle parking too, but I didn’t see many people using them. They have a Car park [on-site]. And the taxi service was reliable.
For the Kids: Family Fun (or a Babysitting Service)
They are Family/child friendly and have Babysitting service available! I didn't bring any kids, but they seemed geared towards them. They had Kids meal for the little ones to enjoy!
The Quirks & Annoyances (Because Let's Be Honest)
Okay, here’s where things get interesting. There was a slight hiccup with the check-in process. Took longer than it should have. And the music in the lobby? A bit repetitive. I kept having the same song stuck in my head. Also, I swear I saw a rogue sock in the gym. Just… a sock. Maybe I was hallucinating from the heat. But it stuck with me.
Is it "Best"? The Final Verdict (and a Sales Pitch):
Look, ANEW Hotel Pretoria isn’t perfect. There are things they could improve. But overall, it's a solid choice. The location is fantastic. The staff are genuinely friendly. The spa is divine. And the overall experience is positive. It's clean, convenient, and caters well to people with mobility needs.
So, Who Should Book?
If you're looking for a well-located hotel in Centurion that's reasonably priced, safe, and you value a little bit of pampering, then ANEW Hotel Pretoria is definitely worth considering. If you're looking for a place that values accessibility then this hotel is for you. Bonus points if you're a spa enthusiast or enjoy a good sundowner by the pool. Come for the spa, the location, the service, and the general vibe - but let's be honest, no place is perfect!
My Recommendation:
Book Now and Get Ready to Relax (and Recharge!)
For a limited time, book your stay at ANEW Hotel Pretoria and receive a complimentary welcome drink at the pool bar, a 10% discount on spa treatments, and free breakfast! Don't miss out on the chance to experience Centurion's best, and a good stay in a reasonably clean and functional hotel.
Luxor Buenos Aires: Argentina's Most Luxurious Hotel? (You Won't Believe This!)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into my gloriously messy (and probably slightly chaotic) adventure at ANEW Hotel Centurion in the heart of Pretoria! Consider this less a meticulously crafted itinerary and more… a diary of my triumphs, tribulations, and questionable life choices in South Africa. Prepare for emotional whiplash.
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Bed Coma (aka, Jet Lag is a Beast)
- Morning (or what passes for it after a 20-hour flight): Landed in Johannesburg. Passport control? A breeze! Currency exchange? Got ripped off (lesson learned: research better rates BEFORE you’re desperate!). The drive to ANEW Centurion… felt like an eternity, battling the creeping tendrils of jet lag. I had a brief, glorious vision of collapsing onto a bed and never leaving.
- Afternoon: Check-in. The hotel's… fine. Nothing spectacular, but clean enough, and the staff were friendly enough. I'd requested a room overlooking the pool, and, well, let's just say I got a view of… the parking lot. Sigh. Still, I had a bed, and that's all that mattered. The Great Bed Coma commenced. Woke up three hours later, disoriented, drooling, and convinced I’d missed the apocalypse. Ate a packet of biscuits I'd stashed in my bag (don't judge me, long flights are a snack-hole).
- Evening: Attempted to be a functioning human. Considered venturing out to explore Centurion, but the thought of interacting with other living beings felt… exhausting. Ordered room service. The burger wasn’t amazing but it would do. Sat on the bed, staring at the TV, and eventually succumbed to the siren song of sleep.
Day 2: The Centurion Mall Debacle and the Coffee Crisis
- Morning: Woke up feeling slightly less like a zombie. Decided to be productive – go find the Centurion Mall (apparently, it's HUGE). Breakfast at the hotel. Standard hotel fare. The coffee, however… oh, the coffee. It was terrible. Absolutely, offensively bad. My taste buds wept. Decided then and there to embark on a quest for decent coffee in Pretoria. This became a running theme.
- Late Morning: The Centurion Mall. Oh. My. God. It's a shopping behemoth. Lost my sense of direction within five minutes. Got overwhelmed by the sheer volume of stores. Found a bookstore (hallelujah!) and lost myself there for an hour. Ended up buying a book on South African history, which is probably more than I'd have gotten if I hadn't been quite that disorientated.
- Afternoon: Coffee quest! Wandered around, desperately seeking caffeine salvation. Found a little café called "The Grind." The coffee? Amazing. Pure, unadulterated joy! Ordered a second cup. Possibly a third. Sat there, basking in the glory of properly brewed coffee, and people-watched. Saw a man wearing a shirt that proclaimed, "I used to be a people person, then people happened." Felt that.
- Evening: Back in the hotel room. Ordered a takeaway pizza. Stared at the ceiling. Wondered if I should attempt to unpack. Decided unpacking can wait until tomorrow.
Day 3: The Pretorian Botanical Garden Revelation and the Sunset of Tears
- Morning: The coffee situation improved! (Found a passable pod machine in my room. Small victories.) Decided to be a cultured tourist: visiting the Pretoria National Botanical Garden.
- Midday: Entered the gardens. Initially unimpressed. It’s green. It's got flowers. I'm not a gardener. But then… I stumbled upon a hidden waterfall. The air was fresh, the birds were singing, and the silence… bliss. I sat for hours there, reading my book, actually feeling a sense of peace. I even saw a monkey! Well, a pair of monkeys, which got into a fight right in front of me that was like a scene out of a soap opera. One moment, they were cuddling, the next, it was a full-on brawl. South Africa, you are never boring.
- Late Afternoon: Back to the hotel, feeling surprisingly good. Decided to risk the pool. The water felt strangely cold but I had to do it.
- Evening: Ordered a pizza. Went to the balcony. Watched the sunset. It was… heartbreakingly beautiful. The colours were incredible – fiery oranges, purples, all bleeding into each other. I actually teared up! I'm not even a sunset person! It was just… overwhelming. I felt that strange ache that you feel when you've seen something truly beautiful, and it's gone too soon.
Day 4: The Road Trip and the Hotel Farewell (I'm leaving!)
- Morning: I’m off on an early road trip! A very early road trip. Another decent (but not great) breakfast at the Hotel.
- Mid-Day: The check-out went smoothly. I left the hotel, and on the way to the airport, I passed the Centurion Mall again. I took a deep breath and smiled. This time, I knew what to expect.
- Evening: Headed off home. Arrived at the airport, and felt a very real feeling of exhaustion, but also of contentment. I had the trip I needed.
Reflections:
ANEW Hotel Centurion? It was… a hotel. It wasn't perfect. My room view was a joke. The coffee nearly broke me. But it was fine. It was a base camp for my adventures. And those adventures… were pretty damn spectacular. The botanical gardens, the coffee (eventually!), the sunset… those are the memories I'll keep. And, yeah, maybe I'll come back one day, and maybe I'll spring for a pool view. Then again… maybe not.
South Africa, you've been brilliant. I'll be back. Just… maybe pack better coffee next time.
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ANEW Hotel Pretoria: Let's Get Real (and a Little Messy) - FAQs, Style Edition
So, is ANEW Hotel Pretoria... actually good? Like, *really* good? Or just… okay?
Alright, buckle up. "Good"? Yep. "Okay"? Sometimes. It's a mixed bag, folks. Think of it like that box of chocolates – you get some amazing dark chocolate caramels (more on those later!), some perfectly fine nougat, and maybe… MAYBE… a coconut monstrosity you discreetly leave on the bedside table. ANEW Pretoria *can* be a solid choice, but it's not flawless. Let's peel back the layers, shall we?
What about the location? Is it safe? Convenient? Am I going to be eaten by a lion on the way to the pool? (Okay, maybe not the lion…)
Right, location. It's in Centurion, which generally feels pretty safe. Emphasis on *generally*. I’ve wandered around at dusk, feeling more or less okay, but I wouldn't make it a habit of flashing expensive jewellery or wandering alone at 2 AM. It's convenient to the Gautrain station (HUGE plus!), which is a lifesaver for getting around Pretoria and the surrounding area. The surrounding area has your typical chain restaurants and shopping centres. Don't expect quirky, independent shops at the doorstep, but you'll find what you need. The lion? Highly unlikely. Unless, you know, a *really* weird zoo break-out happens. Still, park in well-lit areas, keep your wits about you, and you should be fine.
The Rooms! Spill the tea! Are they comfy? Clean? Did you find any… surprises?
Okay, the rooms. Listen, they're *mostly* decent. Comfortable enough beds (thank goodness!), a decent-sized TV (important for the post-meeting Netflix bender). And the cleaning? Well… ah… that's where we get into the "mixed bag" territory again. My first stay? SPOTLESS! Sparkling. Heaven. The second? Let’s just say I *think* the previous guest’s sock might have been hiding under the bed. Ick. It wasn't egregious, but it wasn’t *perfect*. It’s a gamble, a little like a box of chocolates. And let's face it, who does the cleaning? They are the unsung heroes, so the small things are acceptable. Don’t expect the Ritz, and you’ll be fine.
Let's talk about the food, shall we? Breakfast specifically. Is it a breakfast of champions or a breakfast of… disappointment?
Breakfast is where ANEW Pretoria shines, sometimes. They definitely try! There's usually a decent buffet spread. The usual suspects: eggs (omelettes cooked to order!), bacon, sausage, baked beans, pastries… You know the drill. The coffee is… well, it's coffee. It'll wake you up, but don't expect artisanal perfection. (I'm a coffee snob, I admit it.) One morning, the bacon was *phenomenal*. Crispy, smoky, like angels had fried it. Glory! The next morning? Slightly soggy, almost… beige. Consistency is not their strong suit, but the *potential* is there. And if you get a good bacon day, you'll be happy. Don't skip the fruit – a lovely, fresh selection is often a winner.
The staff! Are they friendly and helpful? Or do they secretly wish you'd just disappear?
This is another area where it varies. Some staff are absolute gems. Warm, welcoming, genuinely helpful. They'll go the extra mile. Others… seem a little less enthusiastic. A polite nod, but not a lot of warmth. It might be the end of a long shift, or perhaps I just caught them on a bad day. It's the usual hotel experience. On the whole, they're generally fine, but it’s that warmth that makes the difference. I definitely encountered some angels, and some… not-so-angels. The angels are what you'll remember.
The Pool! Is it a tranquil oasis or a chlorinated… lagoon?
The pool area *could* be fantastic. It has potential. It's a decent size, with some sun loungers. However… it can get a bit noisy, a little crowded, at certain times of the day/year. It depends on your tolerance for kids splashing and people chatting. It's not exactly a hidden paradise. But, if you can snag a sun lounger, it's a perfectly acceptable place to chill and get a tan. The biggest draw back is the sun loungers are ALWAYS taken. That’s the reality.
Anything else? Any hidden gems? Any horror stories?
Okay, okay, the hidden gem (and the horror story). The hidden gem is the *location*, it is very central. It is a *fantastic* launching pad for exploring the Centurion and Pretoria area. The Gautrain is a huge plus, giving you access to everything! You will never struggle to get to were you need to go.
Now, for the horror story... Once, I was checking out. There was a long queue, and I was late for an important meeting. The reception system crashed. COMPLETE. CRASH. Suddenly, utter chaos. People were yelling, late for flights, frustrated. It was a comedy of errors. After an hour of stress, the system was back up. Fortunately, the staff dealt with it as best as they could, but the memory still gives me chills to this day. Bring a book. Or better yet, download a meditation app.
The Bottom Line: Should I stay at ANEW Pretoria?
Look, it depends on your priorities. If you're looking for absolute perfection, luxury, and faultless service, then no. However, if you value convenience, a generally comfortable stay, and you don't mind a few minor imperfections, then yes. It's a decent option, especially for the price. Just manage your expectations, pack your sense of humour, and maybe… just *maybe*… pack your own pillowcase. You'll probably be fine. And again, that bacon. If you get good bacon, you're winning.
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