Roadside lodges, hotels and motels come in handy when one is fatigued on the road .
They are easy, convenient, affordable and usually quite basic - just a bed, bathroom and a TV set. Most people who use these lodges don't need much. It's usually to get a bit of sleep before hitting the road again.
Who really cares about the detailed stitching on the curtains or how many channels the TV has?
But there are some 4-and 5-star types of these lodgings.
This begs the questions, are they necessary, and would you sleep at a 4-star roadside lodge for a hefty fee?
Well, that is exactly what we did, when Sowetan took a drive to eMalahleni to stay at The Ridge hotel.
It is a 4-star hotel, but the main catalyst for being there was to see how different it is from similar establishments. Surprisingly, everything was pretty basic.
Most of these types of hotels have small rooms. Swinging from a chandelier would be out of the question - lest you fly out the window.
The sheets at The Ridge were crisp and white but the two single beds, combined to make a double, talked more about convenience than style.
The bathroom was agreeable, with state-of-the-art shower equipment and taps. The only thing missing was a bathrobe.
However, the view from the window onto a pond of exotic fish was gorgeous, and the staff ensured that everything was impeccable.
They would fix the cushions on the glamorous couches in the patio area immediately after we got up, giving one the impression they were running a tight ship.
The restaurant is within walking distance of the hotel room and was a nice addition and the prices were reasonable, unlike many shops and restaurants in other 4- or 5-star hotels.
The bowling alley also provided great entertainment and, for those with a fetish for gambling, there is also a casino within the hotel.
The exclusive suite, located on the third floor, and which goes for R3750 a night, wasn't really much different .
It looked like a regular hotel room. It had couches and a fully stocked bar fridge. But that was about it. At The Ridge a standard room is R1555.
Overall, the experience was lovely. Is it somewhere we'd urge our friends to drive to and enjoy? I don't know. But I think that's where most hotels missed the mark.
It's not really about the decor or how luxurious it is or the price range. It is really about the experience.
Little gestures go a long way into making any hotel unforgettable, like a welcome note on your bed, a bathrobe, an iron, a blow dryer, or a welcome drink - just to make the visitor feel like they are the most valued guest.
lKarabo Disetle and Antonio Muchave were hosted by The Ridge.
For more stories like this one, be sure to buy the Sowetan newspaper from Mondays to Fridays
When convenience meets luxuary - who cares about the intricate stitching on the curtains
Roadside lodges, hotels and motels come in handy when one is fatigued on the road .
They are easy, convenient, affordable and usually quite basic - just a bed, bathroom and a TV set. Most people who use these lodges don't need much. It's usually to get a bit of sleep before hitting the road again.
Who really cares about the detailed stitching on the curtains or how many channels the TV has?
But there are some 4-and 5-star types of these lodgings.
This begs the questions, are they necessary, and would you sleep at a 4-star roadside lodge for a hefty fee?
Well, that is exactly what we did, when Sowetan took a drive to eMalahleni to stay at The Ridge hotel.
It is a 4-star hotel, but the main catalyst for being there was to see how different it is from similar establishments. Surprisingly, everything was pretty basic.
Most of these types of hotels have small rooms. Swinging from a chandelier would be out of the question - lest you fly out the window.
The sheets at The Ridge were crisp and white but the two single beds, combined to make a double, talked more about convenience than style.
The bathroom was agreeable, with state-of-the-art shower equipment and taps. The only thing missing was a bathrobe.
However, the view from the window onto a pond of exotic fish was gorgeous, and the staff ensured that everything was impeccable.
They would fix the cushions on the glamorous couches in the patio area immediately after we got up, giving one the impression they were running a tight ship.
The restaurant is within walking distance of the hotel room and was a nice addition and the prices were reasonable, unlike many shops and restaurants in other 4- or 5-star hotels.
The bowling alley also provided great entertainment and, for those with a fetish for gambling, there is also a casino within the hotel.
The exclusive suite, located on the third floor, and which goes for R3750 a night, wasn't really much different .
It looked like a regular hotel room. It had couches and a fully stocked bar fridge. But that was about it. At The Ridge a standard room is R1555.
Overall, the experience was lovely. Is it somewhere we'd urge our friends to drive to and enjoy? I don't know. But I think that's where most hotels missed the mark.
It's not really about the decor or how luxurious it is or the price range. It is really about the experience.
Little gestures go a long way into making any hotel unforgettable, like a welcome note on your bed, a bathrobe, an iron, a blow dryer, or a welcome drink - just to make the visitor feel like they are the most valued guest.
lKarabo Disetle and Antonio Muchave were hosted by The Ridge.
For more stories like this one, be sure to buy the Sowetan newspaper from Mondays to Fridays
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