Protea Hotel Balalaika Sandton, Johannesburg

We just returned from Joburg after a 3 night stay at Protea Balailaka, Sandton as part of a 20 day trip to various places in S.Africa This was the worst hotel experience of the trip. Would not recommend this hotel as the staff is very rude, unfriendly and racist too (especially front office staff) The hotel taxi service is poor and we almost got cheated twice. The hotel is old, furnishings and look is worn out and except for being just opposite the stock exchange and close to mandela square, there is nothing great about this hotel. The rooms are of small size and poorly lighted and not well furnished. We had a family suite, where the kids room had no heater despite tall claims on the website. We were asked to make do with extra blankets instead..The room door did not even full open and infact hits the bed straight on opening.. Breakfast spread was poor and most of the items were very repititive. Besides if you are veg. , then you had it.. Room service is over priced (for eg.. - 32 ZAR for a bottle of water whereas in the local supermaket downstairs it is available for ZAR) The main hotel wing has no power backup, so incase of power failure (which happened on our last night there), one has to make do, without light or hot water. All in all, a very avoidable place.