February 2016: The Protea Hotel Balalaika, in the heart of Sandton, has reinvented itself many times since starting out life as a countryside tea room during the 1940s – in the period before Sandton even existed. Over the years the hotel has transformed itself from an upmarket dining and dance restaurant, to the tranquil accommodation oasis it is today. And, despite being located at the very epicentre of South Africa’s economic heartland, with tall corporate office buildings and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange surrounding it, the hotel manages to retain its country feel, its terrace overlooking a tranquil and quiet garden area.
Recently the Protea Hotel Balalaika has had all its 330 rooms refurbished and fitted with new luxurious carpeting, curtains, throws, scatter cushions and a splash of new paint to the walls, creating a refreshed look to the grand establishment that all guests can enjoy.
Extensive changes to the Village Manor conference room have in essence created an entirely new venue – new carpeting, the installation of a magnificent fireplace and a more ergonomically pleasing floor plan – elevating the venue to one offering the best modern standards.
Danny Bryer, Director of Sales, Marketing and Revenue Management for Protea Hotels, a proud member of Marriott International, the leading global hotel group, is pleased with the outcome of the renovations, commenting, “The hotel owners investment of R30 million into improving this iconic establishment is bound to produce great returns. The renovations elevate the hotel to a truly international, and modern, standard.”
The refurbishments follow last year’s bold renovations to the building itself which included, improvements to all the public areas, the reception, Lords Bar, six conferencing rooms, and the installation of new door locks, air conditioners and electronic safes in all the rooms.
With all of the following improvements completed to The Protea Hotel Balalaika we can truly say that this is the beginning of a new chapter in the establishment’s history.