Metcourt at Emperors Palace

This hotel offers a highly convenient stay, primarily distinguished by its direct access to the expansive Emperor's Palace entertainment complex, which provides a vast array of dining and leisure options. Its strategic location near the airport, coupled with a complimentary shuttle service, makes it an ideal choice for transit travelers seeking a comfortable stopover and business travelers attending events at the nearby congress center. Many guests appreciate the hotel's generally clean and comfortable rooms, along with the excellent breakfast offerings. While the staff are often commended for their friendliness, some aspects of service and room amenities receive mixed feedback. For families, the integrated entertainment options are a significant draw, while couples can enjoy the diverse dining and leisure activities. To ensure a more peaceful experience, guests are advised to request a room away from the airport-facing side and consider dining at off-peak hours to avoid breakfast crowds.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel's most notable amenity is its seamless covered access to the adjacent Emperor's Palace complex, which functions as a comprehensive entertainment hub. This allows guests to easily explore a wide selection of restaurants, a cinema, and a casino, providing ample leisure and dining opportunities without needing to leave the premises. The hotel also offers a highly convenient airport shuttle service that operates regularly, ensuring smooth transfers for guests. While free Wi-Fi is available, some guests have reported issues with slow speeds or restricted access to certain websites. For added convenience, the hotel provides a secure luggage storeroom for guests arriving early or departing late, and there are vending machines and ice machines on site, though some guests noted that certain ice machines were not in working order. The integrated nature of the complex means guests have a wealth of options right at their doorstep.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests generally find the rooms to be clean, neat, and well-maintained, with many praising the comfortable beds and pillows that ensure a restful sleep. The presence of block-out curtains is also appreciated for allowing guests to sleep in. However, feedback on room size and amenities is mixed; some describe rooms as spacious, while others found them small or tiny, particularly the shower and toilet cubicles, which are often described as cramped. Common issues include poor lighting, the absence of a mini-fridge or microwave, and a lack of convenient plug points near the bed. Noise can be a significant concern, with reports of loud neighbors, shouting in corridors, and airplane engine noise, though some rooms are noted to be well-insulated. Air conditioning functionality also varies, with some units reported as poorly working or difficult to control.

Dining & Food Quality
The breakfast at the hotel consistently receives high praise, with guests describing it as excellent, awesome, and exceptional. The buffet offers a wide variety of items, including a popular egg station that allows for custom orders. Many guests highlight the fresh fruit and overall quality of the hot food. However, the popularity of the breakfast can lead to significant challenges, especially during peak times or when large tour groups are present. Guests frequently report long queues for food, particularly at the egg station and toast machines, and extended waiting times to be seated, leading to a crowded and sometimes chaotic dining experience. Some guests felt rushed due to the high demand for tables. Despite these occasional issues, the quality of the food itself remains a strong positive. Additionally, the hotel's proximity to the Emperor's Palace complex provides guests with a vast selection of other restaurants for lunch and dinner.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's prime location is a major highlight, situated very close to the airport and offering a convenient free airport shuttle service that operates regularly. This makes it an ideal choice for transit and business travelers. A significant advantage is its direct, covered walkway access to the Emperor's Palace entertainment complex, which houses a multitude of restaurants, a casino, and other leisure facilities, providing guests with ample options for dining and entertainment right on their doorstep. While the location offers great convenience, some guests have noted noise from planes and buses due to its proximity to the airport. The area around the hotel and the complex is generally perceived as secure, with visible security presence, contributing to a sense of safety for guests.

Staff & Service
The staff at the hotel generally receive positive feedback for their friendliness, helpfulness, and attentiveness. Many guests appreciate the speedy service and the efforts of staff members who remember returning visitors. The check-in process is often described as quick and efficient, and staff are commended for their willingness to assist with requests, such as providing a quiet room or arranging a pre-packed breakfast for early departures. However, there are instances of mixed feedback, with some guests reporting long check-in queues and a perceived indifference from certain reception staff. Some restaurant staff were also noted as unhelpful or grumpy, and there were isolated reports of evening staff being less accommodating. Despite these occasional inconsistencies, the overall impression of the staff is positive, with many guests highlighting their commitment to providing a good experience.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware of several specific details that can impact their stay. The hotel has a designated smoking floor on the third level, which has led to complaints about smoke smell permeating corridors, lifts, and even adjacent rooms. While a complimentary airport shuttle is provided, its operating hours are not 24/7, with some guests finding the early morning start time inconvenient for very early international flights. Rooms typically do not include a mini-fridge or microwave, which some guests found inconvenient for storing cold drinks or warming food. For those using ride-sharing services like Uber, there is a small gate fee of ten Rand that drivers must pay upon entry to the complex, which can be an unexpected detail. Furthermore, noise from other guests in corridors and adjacent rooms, particularly on weekends, is a recurring issue, suggesting potential soundproofing limitations or a need for stricter enforcement of quiet hours.