Awful stay at Southern Sun Sandton

Date of Stay: February 4, 2026
Location: Southern Sun Sandton, Katherine Street, Sandton, Johannesburg I recently stayed at the Southern Sun Sandton for one night, and unfortunately, it was one of the most disappointing hotel experiences I’ve had in years. As a brand under the Southern Sun umbrella, I expected a certain level of professionalism and efficiency, but what I encountered was chaos, poor maintenance, and subpar service that left me questioning how this property maintains its reputation. Starting with the room: I was assigned a ground-floor apartment, which already felt less than ideal for privacy. The air conditioning remote was completely non-functional, and the room was freezing cold; we’re talking uncomfortably icy. After multiple unsuccessful attempts to get it working, I had to resort to physically climbing up and unplugging the unit from the ceiling just to make the space bearable. This shouldn’t be a guest’s responsibility in a supposedly upscale hotel. Privacy was another major issue. When I tried to open the window for some fresh air, I was startled to find a maintenance worker standing directly outside, staring right at me. It was unsettling and made me feel unsafe and exposed. For a hotel in a busy area like Sandton, better protocols for staff positioning and guest privacy are essential. The in-room amenities were equally outdated. The TV channels felt like a throwback to 1996, limited selection, poor quality, and nothing modern or engaging. In 2026, with streaming services everywhere, this is inexcusable for a business-oriented hotel. But the real low point was the dining and room service. At the restaurant, it took nearly two hours to receive a simple slice of cake. When the bill arrived, we were overcharged significantly, prices were doubled, and we were billed for items we never ordered or received. Resolving this took additional time and frustration. Room service was no better: It took over two hours to deliver a salad to my colleague’s room and more than an hour to bring a single drink to mine. The delays were inexplicable, especially since the hotel didn’t seem overwhelmingly busy. Overall, the level of disorganisation and inefficiency was baffling. Southern Sun, as an established brand, should be aware of these standards, this isn’t a budget motel. I hope management takes note and addresses these issues, as the location in Sandton is prime, but the execution falls far short. I won’t be returning and can’t recommend it in its current state. One star – and that’s generous.