Johannesburg Marriott Hotel Melrose Arch

Proximity to the place of official business

I stayed here and for the most part my experience was great. Clean rooms, good food and efficient staff. The ladies in the travel desk helped arrange our tour to Soweto and airport pickups with ease. Junior in the club was attentive , friendly and very welcoming! Unfortunately , I had an odd interaction with a staff member. My first morning I went down to breakfast alone to meet up with the rest of my family and gave the woman at the host desk my room number. another female staff member whom I had never interacted with approached the desk and asked me if I had a tattoo on my back. I was extremely confused and she continued to ask me If I had any tattoos... Even just 1. She was adamant in knowing. She spoke to her coworker in their local language and the coworker did seem annoyed that she was asking me this. When I joined my family I told them about it and even said it felt like it was co- word for something. If you’re not aware, there is an epidemic of human trafficking around the country and that solo young women without tattoos are prime targets since they are less likely to be identified and specifically sought after. Apparently high end places are not immune to this. I am a woman in my twenties who initially appeared to be traveling alone and was randomly questioned if I had any tattoos. I’m not accusing anyone of anything but I think it’s cause for concern and very unsettling. Please vet employees throughly and ensure that guests are safe. Sometimes things are hidden in plain site. It’s a shame because besides that it’s a great hotel but unfortunately I probably won’t return.

From the moment Mduduzi (who tour guided us both way and was amazing) picked us up from the airport to the moment he dropped us back off, our stay at Melrose Arch was absolutely INCREDIBLE. I travel A LOT all over the world in all types of accommodations from hostels to luxury hotels and I have never in my life had the level of customer service and genuine fun as I had from this staff. We made some of the fastest friends who made us feel like family for every second of our stay. Jean, Nakendi, Sweetness, Duma, and Lethabo were the absolute highlights of our stay. My face still hurts from smiling and laughing with them! I am truly going to miss every one of them! We usually wander out and about a lot more but aside from our tour with Happy who was also incredible, we didn’t want to leave the hotel because we were having so much fun with them. Every single one of the staff members were so helpful and kind and JOYFUL…I will have to come back to just hang out with my friends more :). In addition to the staff the hotel its self is gorgeous and the rooms are insanely comfortable. If I had enough money or points to move in, I would haha. Also, the food in the lounge was UNBELIEVABLY good!! We literally did not buy food or eat anywhere else for our entire stay, I could not get over it being complimentary for the gourmet quality it is! The customer appreciation wine tasting was also SO much fun! Please give all of them a big Christmas bonus and giant raises because they deserve the entire world! Thank you for everything and I can’t wait to come back!