Located next door a shopping mall in Africa’s richest square mile, this Sandton hotel under the Southern Sun umbrella is a place where you’d expect to be impressed.

I wasn’t disappointed.

The Southern Sun Hyde Park Sandton is a 132-room business hotel in a business district. It doesn’t necessarily promote great views, although I found the view of Johannesburg from the infinty-pool deck and Luce restaurant quite nice.

What I liked most about this hotel was the distraction-free decor that was comfortable and promoted a great environment for working at the desk in my room. There was an iPod dock and DVD player.

Not every hotel needs to be quirky. Sometimes, not being quirky can differentiate a hotel. This hotel doesn’t even try, although I loved the unusual-shaped mirrors in my bathroom. That’s about as quirky as this hotel got though.

I also like the ruched quality of the bedspread fabric. The bed itself was sink-into comfortable, and I had an excellent night’s sleep. The hotel claims to have some kind of market on sleep design, whatever that means. All I cared about is that I got a great night’s sleep.

I loved the bathroom in general. It was luxurious but not frilly.

Wining and dining options at this hotel include Luce Restaurant, the Island Bar, Whisky & Cigar Bar and Daruma Sushi & Tempura Bar. Right next door is Hyde Park Corner, a shopping mall with more wining and dining.

I felt very welcome when I checked in to my room and found a snack of biltong, nuts and raisins. It was greatly appreciated. The hotel scored extra points for service when staff knocked on my door offering turn-down service — a first for me.

“What’s turn-down service?” I asked the woman at my door.

“I turn down the sheets and give you chocolates,” she said.

“Chocolates for me?” I asked. “Does everybody get them?”

“No,” she said, “Just these rooms,” and she pointed to a list of about 20 room numbers.

My best advice for you at this and any hotel you ever go to is, ask for turn-down service. It’ll make you feel special.