The Garden Court is the lower-end brand in the Tsogo Sun family of hotels, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a decent place to stay. It retains the Tsogo standards of customer service and comfort, but with fewer bells and whistles and a lower price tag.

The rooms are the first indicator of this. They are markedly smaller than most hotels I’ve stayed in recently, but are still reasonably comfortable – this is no pod hotel nor hostel. One person can fit comfortably in a standard room, but two might be pushing it a bit — unless you really like closeness. Along those lines, the rooms are decidedly un-romantic, so this is not really the place to come for a couple’s getaway. There’s no mini-bar, DVD player or espresso machine, though there is a kettle, tea and coffee. The bathrooms are also on the small side and lack a tub, but seem to be recently renovated and sport 60s design and colors.

Downstairs is a small fitness area, a rather impressive row of computer workstations, the breakfast/dining area, and a lovely outdoor pool.  The décor throughout echoes the 60s theme of the bathrooms, with neon colors and modular furniture strewn about liberally.

Riff’s restaurant, which is connected to the hotel, is a nice place to have dinner, a drink, or watch sports on TV. The “riffs” music theme percolates throughout, with framed gold records on the walls, chandeliers with crystals that look like piano keys, and a great soundtrack playing at all times.

Of course the Garden Court’s location can’t be beat: the shops of Mandela Square and Sandton City are literally across the street, the convention center is next door, and there are at least a dozen excellent restaurants within walking distance. For business travelers, it’s located at the nexus of all the big finance, legal, mining and media companies that call Sandton home.