Sandton’s latest hotel development, Empire Executive Apartments and Hotels (EAH), the first hotel to be built in Sandton in four years, will open on 1 May, making this the sixth property in the area.
Prices vary, and according to the price list on the website, a standard room costs R1 180 per night if one books for between one and seven nights and R920 per night if staying for 28 days or more while a four bedroom apartment for between one and seven days costs R4 490 and R3 500 for 28 days or more per unit, per night on a room only basis.
The property is located at 177 Empire Place and is aimed at filling the gap in the market for ‘luxury accommodation at affordable prices’ geared towards the business traveller.
Others include 20 West Executive Apartments and Hotel, Esprit Executive Apartments, Hydro Executive Apartments, Moloko Executive Hotel and Villa Executive Apartments.
Sandton is currently experiencing dramatic growth in commercial space with the likes of Discovery, Sasol, Webber Wentzel, E&Y all either in newly-opened offices or with new premises currently under construction, says Ryan Wintle of Construct Capital, finance and development specialists for EAH.
The increased commercial development in the area is bringing more business travellers into the node who require affordable accommodation solutions, says Marc Wachsberger, managing director of EAH who points out that this is the market they are capitalising on.
“This demand will most likely be further exacerbated by the increased travelling times into the node which will bring business travellers that would otherwise stay outside the Sandton CBD and commute into the node daily, to stay within the Sandton CBD,” he says.
Wachsberger says executive apartments are proving to be an affordable alternative for business travellers both locally and internationally, and companies have increasingly turned to this option – often preferred for convenience, privacy and comfort – over footing pricey hotel bills.
According to STR Global data, EAH hotels rank highest in occupancy levels in Sandton, achieving an average occupancy rate of 83 percent month-on-month thus solidifying the success of the apartment hotel model, explains Wachsberger.
“Our models meet corporate budgets, we save on the frills and provide luxury living at affordable rates and as a result people are staying longer.
The future growth of this market therefore looks set to last for some time to come," he says.
Executive rooms include one bedroom with an en suite bathroom with a bath and shower, a mini-bar and Juliet balcony; one bedroom suites offer well-appointed bedrooms, coupled with an en suite bathroom with a bath and shower, a fully-equipped kitchen, dining area, lounge and balcony.
Wachsberger explains that the Empire Executive Apartments and Hotel will be operational from 1 May 2014 targeting business travellers and corporates with short, medium and long term apartment rental option offers as well as nightly.
He says they kept the building structural costs minimal so that these are not passed on to the customers, pointing out that for example, when one builds more than five storeys, the cost per room goes up by over 30 percent due to the structural cost of having to move from a “rib and block” structure to building with columns.
"We were therefore able to keep costs of build down and pass on benefit of lower cost to clients through lower rates," he says.
Talking about the location, he says they acquired land from Investec Property as it was a remaining piece from their development of the US Consulate and 1 Sandton Drive, and construction began in January 2013.
Empire Executive Apartments and Hotel offers spacious accommodation a stone’s throw away from Sandton City.
The property offers 130 rooms - 41 standard rooms measuring 30 square metres, 41 executive rooms (36 square metres), 38 times one bedroom suites (86 square metres), 38 times three bedroom apartments - a combination of the standard room, executive and one bedroom suite, one bachelor apartment (45 square metres), 3 times two bedroom penthouses (230 square metres), 3 times three bedroom penthouses (260 square metres) and 3 times four bedroom penthouses (300 square metres).
Prices vary, and according to the price list on the website, a standard room costs R1 180 per night if one books for between one and seven nights and R920 per night if staying for 28 days or more, while a four bedroom apartment for between one and seven days costs R4 490 and R3 500 for 28 days or more per unit, per night on a room only basis.
Included in the rates is limited complementary laundry and ironing services, complementary WiFi internet access of 400MB per day, cleaning services, free secure parking, complementary scheduled shuttle service to Sandton Gautrain Station and Nelson Mandela Square, satellite television, swimming pool and 24-hour security to international standards.
Standard rooms consist of one bedroom with an en suite bathroom with a shower, a mini bar and Juliet balcony.
Executive rooms include one bedroom with an en suite bathroom with a bath and shower, a mini-bar and Juliet balcony, one bedroom suites offer well-appointed bedrooms, coupled with an en suite bathroom with a bath and shower, a fully-equipped kitchen, dining area, lounge and balcony.
The two and three bedroom apartments all include an open-plan kitchen, luxurious lounge and private balcony.
The two, three and four bedroom penthouses provide the pinnacle of accommodation options, providing guests with copious space, lavish furnishings and multiple conveniences.
All rooms have corporate workstations with international plug points.
The property also offers decadent delights at the onsite Veranda Restaurant, which specialises in gourmet cuisine with an African twist that infuses local ingredients – an ideal hotspot for a business meeting or dinner with friends.
Hotel services also include a daily cleaning service, in-room dining, 24-hour reception, doctor and dentist on call, daily newspapers on request, and luggage storage.
The hotel also has a spa and conference facilities. – Denise Mhlanga
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