Hotel review: Premier Hotel O.R. Tambo in Johannesburg - Safe, comfortable and friendly

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One of the closest hotels to South Africa's main airport, the Premier Hotel O.R. Tambo in Johannesburg is also among its most popular for spending a night before or after a flight, and stop-offs between flights to elsewhere in Africa. Security is paramount here, with a warning on the in-room brochure never to answer the door without verifying who's there and calling the front desk if you're unsure. That's a little unnerving but maybe better safe than unsettled, although a lift security system which allows guests to only access their own floor might be a better option.

THE LOOK

Bright and airy, it's smart-contemporary meets quirky with local abstract artwork on the walls, interesting designer furniture and plenty of plants and flowers in the lobbies. The corridors are long, then twist and turn in different directions which can be confusing. There's a beautiful blue outdoor infinity pool, with a bar, chairs and tables next to it, as well as the bar indoors with sport playing on the screens and lots of seating that can be arranged to accommodate big groups. The fourth-floor gym is spacious with lots of equipment, dumbbells and machines, and has tall windows so you can watch the changing city over the rooftops as you work out. There's also a panic button there – comforting or disturbing?

SERVICE

Service here is very friendly and staff are keen to chat, from the receptionist to the concierge, from the restaurant staff to the cleaners, which is unusual for an airport hotel. They all want to know where you're from and how you've enjoyed South Africa, which makes it a warm experience.

THE ROOM

The room is over-sized and extremely comfortable, with a big desk for working, a flat-screen TV for time out with a good selection of channels, including SABC, CNN and Al Jazeera, lots of stations showing football, light entertainment, movies and kids' shows. The bed is comfortable with crisp sheets and a selection of pillows. There are big windows to one side of the room, and the top window opens to let in fresh air, and the bathroom has both a bath and a freestanding shower, although shelves for the soap and shampoo are inexplicably high. Bottles of water are supplied and a kettle, tea and coffee.