Pretoria's BEST Boutique Hotel: All Seasons Luxury Awaits!
Pretoria's BEST Boutique Hotel: All Seasons Luxury Awaits!
All Seasons Luxury Awaits: Pretoria's Best Boutique Hotel? (My Honest Take)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea on All Seasons Luxury Awaits in Pretoria. I've been meaning to write this review for ages, but life, you know? Anyway, I finally braved the Pretoria heat, booked a room, and now I'm ready to dissect this place like a frog in a high school bio class (except, less… well, you get it). This is NOT going to be one of those robotic, laundry-list reviews – think of it more like chatting with your slightly-caffeinated (and possibly wine-fueled) friend after a weekend getaway.
First Impressions & Accessibility: Not Always Smooth Sailing
The name, "All Seasons Luxury Awaits," is a bold claim. Let's see if it lives up to it, shall we? First off, the location is… well, it’s Pretoria. It's not exactly the vibrant heart of Johannesburg, but it's close enough to things and, crucially, accessible. Which, I'm happy to report, is a MAJOR win for All Seasons.
- Accessibility: They've definitely made an effort. Ramps? Check. Elevator? Check (essential, because this place has some vertical!) Information regarding the specifics, like the width of doorways, may be needed.
- Wheelchair Accessible: Generally, yes! This is huge. I saw a lot of thought went into making the common areas and some rooms accessible, though I can't speak to the specifics of every single room.
- Getting Around: The on-site parking is a lifesaver (and it IS free!), especially because Pretoria's driving can be… ahem… "adventurous." Valet parking? Yes, but honestly, I found it a bit… over the top? Like, are they trying to intimidate me into staying?
- Airport Transfer: Available, which is super handy. I almost took the taxi, but this ended up saving me a ton of time and stress.
The Room: Ah, the Sanctum Sanctorum… or Was It?
Okay, the room. This is where my love/hate relationship began.
- Available in All Rooms: Air conditioning (THANK YOU, sweet baby Jesus!), Alarm clock (meh), Bathrobes (luxury, but only if you're into it), Bathroom phone (okay, who even uses those anymore?), Bathtub (YES!), Blackout curtains (essential to sleep!), Carpeting (a bit generic), Closet (plenty of space!), Coffee/tea maker (a MUST), Complimentary tea (nice touch!), Daily housekeeping (excellent!), Desk (functional), Extra long bed (bliss!), Free bottled water (always a bonus!), Hair dryer (essential, my mane needs TLC), High floor (breathtaking views!), In-room safe box (peace of mind), Interconnecting room(s) available (good for families), Internet access – LAN & wireless (more on that in a bit), Ironing facilities (thank God!), Laptop workspace (I needed this!), Linens (fine), Mini bar (tempting… and overpriced), Mirror (plenty of them!), Non-smoking (thankfully!), On-demand movies (yawn), Private bathroom (duh), Reading light (useful), Refrigerator (very handy), Safety/security feature (always appreciated), Satellite/cable channels (fine for background noise), Scale (uh… no comment), Seating area (necessary for relaxation), Separate shower/bathtub (luxury!), Shower (strong pressure!), Slippers (nice touch!), Smoke detector (reassuring!), Socket near the bed (thank you!), Sofa (comfy!), Soundproofing (pretty decent!), Telephone (who's calling?), Toiletries (decent quality), Towels (fluffy!), Umbrella (seriously, is it going to rain or not?), Visual alarm (good for guests with impaired sight), Wake-up service (never used it), Wi-Fi [free] (more later on that), Window that opens (fresh air!).
So, on paper, perfect, right? Well… not quite.
- Internet Blues: The "free Wi-Fi in all rooms!" is a bit of a fib. It worked… sometimes. It felt as if I was using a dial-up connection in the 90s and the speeds are just plain terrible. I ended up tethering to my phone, which is NOT what I expect from a "luxury" hotel. Then I learned of the LAN option? Why use that? Why even have it?
- The Bed: The bed itself was fantastic, but the room's décor? A little… beige. It's like they hired a committee to decorate, and they all agreed on "safe and inoffensive." It's not bad, but it's not particularly… exciting or inspiring. Needs some oomph.
- The Bathroom: Ah, the bathtub! A glorious, deep soaking tub. But the water pressure was a bit… anaemic. Minor quibble, but it stopped me from truly indulging.
Spa & Relaxation: Close, But No Cigar
I'm a spa junkie, so naturally, I was MOST excited about this part.
- Things to do, ways to relax: Here's where All Seasons really shines!
- On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: I didn't find any restrictions for the on site spots I visited.
- Body scrub, Body wrap, Massage, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Pool with view & Swimming pool: A decent selection, mostly good, and very well-maintained.
- Fitness center, Gym/fitness: Yes, well-equipped, and even with some equipment for everyone.
- Foot bath: This was a nice extra.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: It looks beautiful with the view…
Okay. The spa! This area had potential, but didn’t quite live up to the hype.
- The Sauna & Steam Room: Both were great. Hot. Steamy. Perfect for melting away stress.
- The Pool with a View: Stunning. I could've spent hours lounging by the pool. The view is a real highlight.
- The Massage: I booked one. The therapist was lovely, but the massage itself was… mediocre. Underscoring the lack of quality here.
- Body scrub & Body wrap: I didn't test these though, perhaps I'm missing out.
Food & Drink: A Mixed Bag, to Say the Least
- Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Western breakfast, Asian breakfast: The buffet was extensive, but again… a bit bland. Nothing truly stood out. The fruit was fresh though!
- Room service [24-hour]: Very convenient, especially after a long day.
- Restaurants, A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant: The food and drink situation was a real mixed bag, and a bit frustrating.
- Bottle of water: Always a nice touch.
My big issue was the inconsistency. Some meals, like the Asian Cuisine, were fantastic. The pool bar food? Okay. The desserts? Forgettable. They need to up their game. The happy hour was a nice touch, though which I had to avail of.
Cleanliness & Safety: Feeling Safe, But Not Too Safe
- Cleanliness and safety, Anti-viral cleaning products, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment: They are definitely focused on hygiene.
- CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Proposal spot, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms: All good, all necessary.
- Safe dining setup: Well spaced out.
- Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms: Great for a good night's sleep.
- Safety/security feature: Always good.
I felt safe, which is the most important thing. The staff seemed well-trained on COVID protocols, which put my mind at ease.
Services & Conveniences: The Extras That Matter
- **Services and conveniences, Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your pristine, Instagram-filtered travel itinerary. This is the REAL dirt on what happens when a slightly frazzled, deeply coffee-dependent human tries to wrangle a trip to All Seasons Boutique Hotel in Pretoria. Prepare for chaos. Prepare for truth. And prepare for me, probably, running late.
Pretoria Pilgrimage: A Messy, Glorious Week at All Seasons
Day 1: Arrival & Initial Panic (aka "My Luggage Is Delayed!")
Morning (6:00 AM): Alarm screeching. (Is it EVER getting easier to wake up? Honestly, the existential dread of the alarm is a travel hazard in itself.) Scramble for the airport. Pretend I have my life together. Secretly, I'm fueled by the irrational fear of missing my flight.
Flight: All good except my in-flight entertainment kept glitching. What is it with tiny screens? On the plus side, the turbulence provided some quality screaming material, in a good way.
Arrival (10:00 AM): Johannesburg's OR Tambo Airport. Gorgeous, actually. Then the bombshell: My luggage? Delayed. Cue the existential dread, round two. Thankfully, I'd packed a small carry-on with essentials (read: emergency chocolate and a good book). Silver lining, I guess?
Transfer (11:00 AM): Uber to All Seasons. Driving is a bit hectic, but I love getting a peek at the city. The driver's radio played some great music, and I made it in one piece.
Check-in (12:00 PM): All Seasons! Gorgeous, honestly. The staff were lovely, patient, and unfazed by my slightly manic energy. The room…oh, the room. Absolutely beautiful. The kind of place that makes you go "Wow" and immediately want to mess it up with your scattered belongings. Which I did.
Lunch (1:00 PM): Small bit somewhere around the hotel, trying to stay away from a lot of people. I think I wanted to not be around anyone when missing my luggage and having travel dread.
Afternoon (2:00 PM - 6:00 PM): Exploring the hotel, getting comfortable in the room, and finding a place close to the hotel to eat dinner.
Day 2: History, Hamper, and Hair-Raising Driving (or "I May Have Gotten Lost… Repeatedly")
- Morning (8:00 AM): Finally got some good sleep. The bed at All Seasons is a cloud, I swear. Coffee, coffee, coffee. The lifeblood.
- Breakfast (9:00 AM): The hotel's breakfast was amazing. I did it more than once.
- 10:00 AM: Drive to Voortrekker Monument. Getting there, even with GPS and all the tech, led me through some… interesting… neighborhoods. Let's just say my driving skills needed some improvement. The monument itself? Powerful. Monumental. Made me think about the complex history of South Africa. (Then I got lost again on the way back. See above re: driving skills.)
- Afternoon (1:00 PM): Lost and a bit hungry. Did some takeout.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM): Went back to the hotel to explore. I wanted to explore so that's what I did, even if it was wandering around my room.
- Evening (6:00 PM): Dinner. I'm starving. Went to a nice restaurant.
Day 3: Art, Animals, and Absolute Bliss (aka "This is Why I Travel")
- Morning (8:00 AM): Slept in a little. Coffee.
- Breakfast (9:00 AM): Amazing breakfast.
- Morning (10:00 AM): The hotel's concierge helped me find a private art tour. I was hoping for some art, but I did expect the gallery owner to be so amazing. I could listen to him talk for hours.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM): This is why I love to travel. The hotel's concierge helped me get into a zoo.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM): Amazing time at the zoo.
- Evening (6:00 PM): Went back to the hotel to explore. I wanted to explore so that's what I did, even if it was wandering around my room. I loved the vibe.
Day 4: Culture, Coffee, and Contemplation (or "Deep Thoughts and a Very Expensive Latte")
- Morning (8:00 AM): Woke up, more or less.
- Breakfast (9:00 AM): Some breakfast in the room.
- Morning (10:00 AM): Went to the local coffee shop. Amazing.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM): The hotel's concierge helped me find a private museum tour. I was hoping for some art, but I did expect the gallery owner to be so amazing. I could listen to him talk for hours.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM): Back to the hotel. Back to the room.
- Evening (6:00 PM): Went to get dinner at a restaurant.
Day 5: Relaxation, Reflections, and Retail Therapy (aka "Treat Yo'Self")
- Morning (9:00 AM): Slept in. Coffee and pastries in bed. This is the life.
- Morning (10:00 AM): Spa day at the hotel. Pure, unadulterated bliss. Massages, facials, the works. Worth every penny.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM): Shopping at a local market, buying souvenirs.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM): Relaxing in the hotel room.
- Evening (6:00 PM): Went to dinner and relaxed.
Day 6: Adventure, Aftermath, and Anticipation (or "Learning to Love the Unexpected")
- Morning (9:00 AM): Breakfast.
- Morning (9:00 AM): The hotel's concierge helped me find a tour.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM): Back to the hotel to relax.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM): Went to the hotel's gym.
- Evening (6:00 PM): Packed. Back to the room to sleep.
Day 7: Departure & the Bitter-Sweet Goodbye (or "Until Next Time…")
- Morning (6:00 AM): Alarm screeching, volume level: "existential despair."
- Breakfast (7:00 AM): One last delicious breakfast at All Seasons. Bittersweet.
- Check-out & Transfer (8:00 AM): Getting my life together, mostly.
- Departure (10:00 AM): Flight. Goodbye, Pretoria. You were messy, you were beautiful, and you completely stole a piece of my heart. Until next time.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM): At the airport, waiting for my flight.
- Flight (2:00 PM): Back home, or moving locations.
Postscript:
This trip wasn't perfect. I got lost, I was late, my luggage was a disaster, and there were moments where I considered just turning around and going home. But… I wouldn't trade it for anything. The unplanned adventures, the unexpected conversations, and the sheer beauty of South Africa just overwhelmed me. All Seasons Boutique Hotel was the perfect basecamp for my chaos. If you're looking for a place to embrace the mess, find some beauty, and make some memories, this is it. Just remember to pack extra underwear (and maybe a spare charger). And maybe learn to drive before you go.
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All Seasons Luxury Awaits: Your Pretoria Escape (and a Few Honest Truths!)
Okay, spill the tea! Is All Seasons Luxury Awaits *really* all that? Like, is it worth ditching my usual budget motel?
Alright, let's be real for a second. I'm a sucker for a good deal. I've stayed in places that make you question the very fabric of reality (and the cleanliness of the sheets). But All Seasons? Yeah, it's a game changer. It's not about just a room; it’s an *experience*. I mean, the *smell* when you walk in... It’s like a fancy spa, not just a hotel. They're not paying me to say this, by the way – although if they *were*... Honestly? Worth every single penny. Especially after that soul-crushing flight delay I experienced recently. The welcome drink felt like a genuine hug from the universe. And the *beds*... Oh, the beds. I legitimately considered just living in the room. (Don't judge me.) Yes, ditch the budget motel! Your sanity will thank you. And your Instagram feed. (Look, we all do it.)
The website says "boutique." Does that mean tiny rooms and a stuffy atmosphere? I hate stuffy.
Okay, "boutique" can be a red flag, I get it. Sometimes it translates to "expensive shoe closet disguised as a hotel room." But All Seasons... no. The rooms are spacious, and well-appointed. It's not some cramped box, trust me. I'm not claustrophobic, but I *loathe* feeling squeezed. And the atmosphere? Definitely *not* stuffy. It's more like… relaxed elegance. Like, you can actually breathe. I was so nervous before I went, I even did a breathing excersie and I got no use because it wasn't stuffy. It's more like a really stylish, well-curated home, where you *don't* have to do the dishes. They even have a pool, which, post-travel, I will pay someone's fee just to lay near it.
Let's talk breakfast. Is it the sad continental buffet of despair? Or something truly worth getting out of bed for?
Oh, breakfast. The ultimate hotel litmus test. And All Seasons *passes with flying colours*. Forget the sad continental buffet! We're talking a proper spread. Fresh fruit, perfectly cooked eggs (however you like them - I'm a poached-eggs-with-hollandaise kind of gal, myself), pastries that actually taste like they're made with butter (a rarity!), and decent coffee. I might be biased because I'm a serious breakfast person. More importantly, you can sit outside on the patio and enjoy the sun - or hide from it in a lush corner. I'd happily go for breakfast alone. I might just go again *this* weekend, to be honest... purely for research purposes, of course.
What about the staff? Are they genuinely friendly, or just putting on a show?
Okay, this is a big one for me. I HATE fake nice. And the staff at All Seasons? Genuinely lovely. They're attentive, but not hovering. They actually seem to *care* that you're enjoying yourself. I had a slight issue once; let's just say I tripped (gracefully, of course) and needed a bit of attention. They were immediately helpful, getting me what I needed. and even checked on me later. It really made a difference. They're professional, but they're also... *human*. And that makes a world of difference.
Is it noisy? I need my sleep.
Noise is a dealbreaker for sure. And I am a light sleeper. All Seasons Luxury Awaits really lives up to its name here. I mean, it's South Africa, so you *might* hear a distant chorus of a bird at dawn, but generally, it's peaceful. The rooms are well-insulated, the location is great (you get the convenience of being close to things, but you don't get the constant honking of cars), and the beds themselves are so comfortable you'll probably sleep like a log anyway. I actually had an amazing, long nap there, and felt truly refreshed. Bliss.
What's the location like? Easy to get around?
Location, location, location! All Seasons is perfectly situated. It's close to all the key attractions in Pretoria, but it's also in a lovely, safe area. You're not going to feel stuck. Taxis, Ubers, whatever floats your boat, are readily available. Easy to get around, definitely. It's also near some fantastic restaurants, so you can easily walk out for dinner. That was a real bonus for me, because I love to eat, and after a long day I never want to drive!
Are there any downsides? Spill the tea, don't hold back!
Okay, gotta be honest. No place is perfect. And I'm a tough judge! But I'm really struggling to come up with anything major. Okay, maybe... the pool could be a *tiny* bit bigger? (I'm a pool fiend, okay?) And I *might* have missed a notification from a package coming that ended up being sent back to sender, but that wasn't hotel's fault. Honestly, I'm nitpicking. It's seriously a wonderful experience. Look, there wasn't anything I didn't like *enough* to dissuade me from going back. I mean, the only other potential "downside" is that you might never want to leave. And well, that's not so bad, is it?
I'm travelling with... [insert travel companions here]. Is this place suitable?
Ah, the perennial question! Okay, depending on who you're bringing along, it could be perfect.
- Solo travellers: Absolutely! It's safe, comfortable, and you can relax and recharge.
- Couples: Romantic city escape? Check. The vibe is perfect for a getaway.
- Families: They generally welcome children, but check when booking to make sure children can go in the same room.
- Business travellers: Definitely. Fast Wi-Fi, comfortable workspace options in the rooms. This would make a good choice to stay and work productively.
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