The Protea Gold Reef City was the only dark spot on an otherwise wonderful South African vacation. First off, the staff insisted it was on the N3 highway each of the 5 times we called, even though I kept saying "are you sure it's not the M3?". As a result, we crisscrossed Joburg 3 times (= 3 hours) for nothing. Once we got to the hotel, they were so disorganized that the bellhop who drives you into the theme park (where the hotel is located) passed us by 3 times... To make up for these hassles, the GM "upgraded" us to their "best suite," but apparently Protea views "best" as equalling "best place to bring a hooker". The room had no windows, but the privacy is probably valuable in a room that has a dance floor (with adjustable disco lights), stripper pole and adjacent giant spa tub. However, since we had booked this hotel in order to visit the adjacent Apartheid Museum rather than to dance the night away with hookers, it was really sorta wasted on us... I can see why Protea is selling this freakshow of a property (we found out it was changing hands when they explained why the restaurant was out of everything except beer and steak). Awful place, truly.
- Protea Hotel Johannesburg
