The Icon has also just recently completed reconstruction of the reception and guest lounge zone. Conceptualised by Muirmont Design who were commissioned by Urban Hip Hotels – the area is an extension of The Icon’s definitive design style.

Says Valma Muirmont – owner of Muirmont – “the revitalised design embraces the hotel’s spirit and service ethic – which is always to go the extra mile.  I also wanted to create a look that was unusual; something unique to The Icon.  I believe the distinctive look and feel of the hotel’s interior does just that.  The design of the reception counter mirrors the shape of a ship – which adds the dimension of both the nautical and historical aspect to the hotel.

“What’s more, the materials used throughout are light and contemporary – reflecting the modern space that the hotel presents to its guests.”

“The clean uncluttered designer feel of the new reception zone reflects all the trigger elements that we have become known for at Urban Hip Hotels,” says Kobus Botha, MD of Urban Hip Hotels.

“The enlarged lounge space offers our guests a tranquil urban traffic node, space to relax and enjoy complimentary hot and cold beverages, informal meeting spaces, computer work stations and complimentary Wi-Fi  for those busy beavers that need to stay connected without having to leave the hotel,” continues Botha.

Botha says the group is delighted with the growth of business at The Icon despite tough economic conditions.  “We trust that both our existing and new clientele will enjoy the much improved interactive reception zone.”

WHAT’S IT LIKE?
Splice, located in Riviera, Johannesburg is the one of the three Johannesburg properties of the Urban Hip Hotel Management group. Guests are presented with hotel ‘rooms’ that are modern, fully-furnished, self-catering apartments conveniently located near Killarney and Rosebank. Refreshingly, Splice has an open, Mediterranean feel to the building. Guests can make their reservations from the central reservations telephone number, the Mobi-Site or the Urban Hip Hotels website, and the process itself is simple and straightforward.

WHERE IS IT?
Splice is located in Riviera, one of the leafy Northern suburbs of Johannesburg. It is conveniently located on Riviera road, and is close to the Riviera off ramp on the M1 highway.  Access to The Johannesburg CBD, Rosebank, Sandton and OR Tambo International Airport is a straight-forward affair. Shopping and entertainment are well-catered for in the surrounding area, with Killarney Mall located a few blocks away, and Rosebank Mall, the Zone@Rosebank and more within easy reach. An added bonus is the close proximity to the new Gautrain (rapid rail system) Rosebank Station that provides an easy link from Rosebank to Sandton, Pretoria and OR Tambo International Airport.

APARTMENT FACILITIES
Urban Hip Hotels manage 21 apartments within Splice, and offer guests a choice between luxury one, two and three bedroom units. All apartments are self-catering and are verywell equipped with plasma televisions, home-theatre systems, work areas with Wi-Fi Internet, designer furniture, a fully-equipped kitchen (complete with state-of-the-art kitchen equipment) and luxury bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms. We liked the bright, airy lounge and the attractive room furnishing. Room nights are sold per apartment, and not on a per person sharing basis, and this can significantly save on accommodation costs. Both short- and long-term guests are well catered for, with both daily and long stay-monthly rates available.

RESTAURANTS AND BARS
The apartment block has no less than two bars for guests and residents. The first is a coffee and juice bar located in the reception area that also serves a hot breakfast and hot day-time snacks; the second is a cocktail bar located next to the swimming pool on the North side of the building (the swimming pool itself is worth a mention, it is ultra-modern, and raised from the ground – the clear sides gave one the impression of swimming in a fish tank). With the plethora of shopping and entertainment facilities nearby, there is no shortage of top-notch grocery shops as well as dining options.

ADDITIONAL FACILITIES
There is a modern, well-equipped fitness centre located on the top floor of Splice. It features treadmills, rowing machines, stationary bicycles and free weights. There is also a beauty bar located near the swimming pool, for guests who need a little additional pampering.

MEETING AND BUSINESS FACILITIES
A small meeting rooms is available to guests.

VERDICT
A funky, modern building that is well-suited to business travelers who need to base themselves in Johannesburg for either a short or longer period of time, but who does not necessarily want to be cramped up in a small hotel room. The location is fantastic and the shopping and entertainment facilities in the area leave one spoilt for choice. The simple, painless on-line booking procedure is the cherry on an ultra-modern and chic cake.

CONTACT
Address: Corner of Corner of Riviera Road and Main Road, Killarney
Tel: +27(0)861 226 787 / +27 (0)11 646 7791
Web/Mobi-Site: www.urbanhiphotels.com

As reviewed in Business Traveller Africa Magazine

WHAT’S IT LIKE?
The Nicol is the flagship property of the Urban Hip Hotel management group, which is one of the first hotel groups to offer the concept of multi-use apartment hotels to South Africa. Guests are presented with hotel ‘rooms’ that are modern, fully-furnished, self-catering apartments. They provide ideal accommodation for the travelling professional who does not necessarily want to stay in a conventional hotel room, but rather somewhere that offers a stylish ‘home away from home, with high-end finishings and comfort. Online reservations are a breeze – a lot simpler than a conventional hotel – and there is the added bonus of a mobi site that busy travellers can access, to reserve rooms.

WHERE IS IT?
The Nicol is located in Bedfordview, in the east of Johannesburg. It’s in a convenient location to access the business hubs of Isando, Kempton Park, Sandton, the Johannesburg CBD and OR Tambo International Airport. Sandton and ORT are approximately 20 minutes drive away. The Nicol is visible from the N3 highway and is accessed via the Van Buuren off-ramp. The surrounding area is home to an impressive variety of up-market restaurants, bars, shops and entertainment.

APARTMENT FACILITIES
The Nicol has 59 apartments and they are a mix of studio, one, two and three-bedroom penthouse loft apartments. As they are self-catering, apartment sizes are generous, with the added bonus that room nights are sold by apartment and not by per person sharing. All the apartments are very well equipped with a fully-fitted kitchen (with the exception of the studio apartments, which have a coffee station and mini-bar instead), a separate work area with workstation and Wi-Fi Internet access, and a designer lounge (with plasma TV and satellite channels) and bedroom, with en-suite bathroom. A clean modern design and apartment-style layout ensured that we felt as much at home as possible. Kitchen equipment was state-of-the-art and of high quality, including a large double-door fridge/freezer combination, stove, dining room table and brand-name appliances. The bathroom had a large, generous bath, as well as his and hers wash basins. Secure undercover parking provided peace of mind, with regards our vehicle.

RESTAURANTS AND BARS
The hotel does have a coffee and snack bar leading from the reception area, which serves hot breakfasts, coffee and light snacks. Otherwise, the majority of the dining options are to be found in the surrounding areas. They include Tashas (boutique café), Pigalle (fine dining), Medium Rare (steak/chicken) and Primi Piatti (Italian). Further to that, Rhapsody’s and News café are popular bar options that also serve good food. If you choose to go the self-catering route, there is a Super Spar supermarket across the road and a Woolworths within walking distance.

ADDITIONAL FACILITIES
For those who need to work up a sweat, there is a modern fitness centre at The Nicol, equipped with treadmills, rowing machines, stationary bicycles and free weights. There is also a heated outdoor swimming pool near the reception area.

MEETING AND BUSINESS FACILITIES
There is a 140-seater auditorium, which is best suited to larger conferences and functions, and two smaller boardrooms, with Wi-Fi Internet access available in all public areas. The two boardrooms are ideal for smaller conferences or meetings, and all the venues are well equipped with the requisite audio-visual equipment.

VERDICT
A refreshing alternative to a conventional hotel, and one that is ideal for business travellers who have to base themselves in Johannesburg over a long period of time. The booking procedure is simple and the accommodation stylish, modern, comfortable and convenient.

CONTACT
Address: Corner of Nicol Road and Skeen  Boulevard, Bedfordview
Tel: +27 11 455 0549/2641
Web: www.urbanhiphotels.com 

As reviewed in Business Traveller Africa Magazine

Celebrating the opening of the brand new and enlarged reception for Urban Hip Hotels at The Icon in Cape Town, Silver Synergy was commissioned to launch a search for a world-class South African artist to launch an art exhibition at the hotel.

Contemporary abstract artist Tay Dall accepted the invitation, and now has a new home for some of her exquisite and varied pieces from a collection that has been exhibited to great acclaim all over the world.

“Art is an extension of my life.  It is a tangible reference to my place in time.  My art is my life story as I have interpreted it” – Tay Dall

According to Dall, her creative travels began at the tender age of eight.  Since then, her creative output has evolved from the crayon scribbles in the pages of a drawing book, to what she says is her real inspiration – the empty walls of public spaces.

“When Urban Hip Hotels’ MD Kobus Botha, and Silver Synergy approached me to create an installation for the foyer of the hotel, I was totally over the moon.  What better challenge than to be given carte blanche to use the work I am so passionate about to converse with the beauty of the hotel’s interior.

“My approach was to divide the foyer into three areas, and to place different genres of my work within these.  My aim is simply to provide each visitor to the hotel with a journey of varietal expression, much like a modern art museum.”

Indeed, the works of Dall bring with them a desire to immerse oneself in their beauty, and begin a conversation on each piece.  Each composition brings with it an energy, and texture, enhancing The Icon’s uniquely conceived space.

Supporting the arts – www.urbanhiphotels.com and www.silversynergy.com

View some of Tay Dall’s art below:

The 33^rd Annual Loerie Awards hits the Mother City next week, once again paying homage to the best of brand communication in Africa and the Middle East.

The Awards include television, radio and print, communication design (including brand identity, architecture & interior design, package & publication design, motion graphic design), direct marketing, PR Communication, non-broadcast video, live events, sponsorship, digital communication and integrated campaigns.

And our Urban Hip team has firmly embraced the spirit of creativity and energy of the week ahead. We’re giving a weekend a away for two at our away a prize of two nights away for two at our ICON hotel.  Check out www.loerieawards.co.za for more details.

Madame Zingara’s South Africa’s favourite travelling theatre and restaurant is back in the Big City from 1 September to 31 December 2011 at Century City.  So why not take a step into the world of actors masked by a layer of pancake, of jugglers and contortionists, and daring acrobats, all the while enjoying a mouthwatering dinner of grand proportions, and escape the humdrum of everyday life.

Watch the Cirque as you lose yourself in the glitter and sparkle, the glitz and the glamour of this inimitable experience. And, when you’ve sated your appetite, and laughed till you dropped, somersault off to the sumptuous Icon Hotel, where you can relive the magic of the evening in the comfort of your own room. Our beds will envelop you in their lavish comfort, and send you off to sleep in the wink of an eye.

www.madamezingara.com

Founded eight years ago, Cape Town Fashion Week has grown to become the highlight of South Africa’s – and Africa’s – fashion calendar.  Fashion Week kicks off on 9 July and 12 to 16 July, with fashionistas guaranteed to flock to the Mother City to experience the majestic beauty of Table Mountain, and the extravagant flourishes on the catwalk.

This year, South African Tourism and Cape Town Tourism have strongly acknowledged the importance of the tourism business in assisting the growth and development of the fashion industry in SA. Fashion Tourism will be one of the key features of Fashion Week 2011.

And Cape Town’s ICON Hotel, clearly echoes the ethos and spirit of Fashion Tourism.  What better way to indulge your senses than to continue to immerse yourself in the beauty of the week than by making the ICON part of your vacation plans? The short-term furnished apartments feature cutting-edge interior design, and all the amenities of the modern home.  The hotel also offers ease of access to the city’s hot spots, and of course to the runways!

Combine the height of the mountain with the endless horizon of ocean and Cape Town makes for one fun holiday. What better time to take a break than during the Easter/ April holidays? From the 22 April to the 2 May 2011, you have the chance to relax, swim, hike, shop, eat, spend time with family and friends and do just about anything you desire, in the Mother City.

The Icon Hotel in Cape Town is situated within walking distance of the V&A Waterfront. This means that shopping, eating out, admiring the playful seals and watching ships dock can all be experienced just a few minutes away from the hotel.

The luxury, self catering hotel accommodation is ideal for families with children or for a group of friends. With everything and more that a family could possibly need whilst visiting one of the most beautiful cities in South Africa, Icon represents modern, sophisticated elegance and ensures that guests feel as “at home” as possible in various different ways:

Air conditioned lounges

Plasma TV

DVD Player

Selected DSTV channels

Dining room

Fully equipped kitchen

Bedrooms with en- suite bathrooms

Laundry service

Apartment serviced daily

Visit www.urbanhiphotels.com

Being a self catering hotel, families with young children are able to keep their routines when it comes to meal times. Families and friends are able to relax in their condo apartment and enjoy food together as you would at home. The privacy and state- of- the- art experience makes Icon homely and comfortable.

Families or friends looking for hotel accommodation in Cape Town this April will be happy to know that The Icon is surrounded by some of the very best delis, coffee shops and restaurants in Cape Town. One of these include Bizerca which was voted one of South Africa’s top 10 restaurants in 2008.

Hotel accommodation at Icon offers guests various options. Stay a minimum of 5 nights to qualify for the following rates: Designer studios (R903 per night, sleeps 1-2 people), 1 bedroom apartments (R1120 per night, sleeps 1-2 people) and 2 bedroom apartments (R1345 per night, sleeps 1-4 people).

With luxury, stylish décor and views that are sure to hypnotise, The Icon is the perfect hotel accommodation for anyone looking for an Easter holiday in Cape Town.

To book Easter hotel accommodation in Cape Town, contact Icon on 021 421 4434

Click here to make an online enquiry

Business trips are often a very uneasy time for many business men and women. Time away from home and family is never easy regardless of where in the world one travels to.

Urban Hip Hotels, the new Urban Condo Hotel introduced into South Africa strives to ensure that each guest whether visiting for business purposes or with the family, are all completely satisfied with the services offered to them.

Visit www.urbanhiphotels.com

Whether it’s Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban or Port Elizabeth, the services at Urban Hip Hotels are designed to make each guest feel as though they are as much at home as possible.

Situated in the business districts of South Africa, each hotel boasts not only modern, stylish design, but the very best of services too.

Urban Hip Hotels understands that business travelers have busy schedules to follow and that spending unnecessary time in an airport is a serious nuisance not to mention time consuming. As part of the services available to guests at Urban Hip Hotels, a transport system has been put into place to not only help guests get from the airport to the hotel but to also offer the relief of having to organize transport once landed.

Guests are also more than welcome to make use of the transport services once they wish to depart any one of these 5- star stay hotels in South Africa. Transport from the hotel to the airport can be arranged at the front desk of the hotel. Please note that at least one day’s notice needs to be given when arranging transport either from or to the airport.

Urban Hip Hotels has combined fresh style with contemporary touches and introduced stylish, condo styled living into South Africa. Fit for any business traveler or family looking for a long term stay, these designer apartments provide comfort, style and of course luxury.

For more information on Urban Hip Hotels around South Africa or to enquire about transport services from or to the airport, please call:

Johannesburg

Nicol: 011 455 0549 or 011 455 2641

Splice: 011 646 7791

Ashanti: 011 492 0120/1

Cape Town

Icon: 021 421 4434

Port Elizabeth

Kings: 041 368 9626

Durban

The Pearls: 0861 226 787

Being a popular new urban, condo styled hotel for many business travelers around South Africa, we think that it is important to assist where ever necessary in providing not only comfort but convenience too.

One of the most important things for a busy business traveler, needing to get to their destination quickly and hassle free is finding cheap flights. Urban Hip Hotels has decided to assist with this by providing some great tips for booking flights around South Africa.

Find cheap flights for your business travels around South Africa

• Book outbound and return flight separately- unless the airline offers a great return deal
• Subscribe to a mailing list to find great specials
• Look for month low rates
• Book in advance

Cheap flights are not hard to come by. Many business travelers who are familiar with flying from city to city know how to find cheap flights but not everyone does. Many airlines in South Africa sell their cheapest tickets first, so booking early will definitely save the business traveler money. Cheap flights however are more common at specific times of the day, week month or year.

• Domestic flights are generally cheaper on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays
• Avoid Fridays, day before public holidays, start and end of school holidays
• Avoid flying before local events e.g. Flying to Cape Town before the Argus
• August is generally a cheap month
• Book at an inconvenient time e.g. early morning or late at night

Looking for cheap flights around South Africa is not difficult with the number of cheaper airlines that are available to us. Having a look at these cheaper airlines will certainly allow the business traveler the chance to save money on his travels around South Africa. On top of that, following the above tips will certainly ensure that cheap flights around South Africa help the business traveler keep costs minimal.

For information on stylish hotel accommodation for business travelers, contact Urban Hip Hotels.

Johannesburg

Nicol: 011 455 0549/ 011 455 2641

Splice: 011 646 7791

Ashanti: 011 492 0120/ 1

Cape Town

Icon: 021 421 4434

Port Elizabeth

Kings: 041 368 9626

Durban

The Pearls: 0861 226 787

Visit www.urbanhiphotels.com