Review: Protea Hotel by Marriott Hazyview

To earn Marriott Bonvoy points in Canada, the easiest way is via one of these 3 credit cards:

• The Marriott Bonvoy™ American Express^® Card
• The Marriott Bonvoy™ Business American Express^® Card
• The American Express Cobalt™ Card

Each offers a nice welcome bonus and the ability to earn Marriott Bonvoy points on each of your purchases (either directly for Marriott Bonvoy cards or by transfer for the American Express Cobalt™ Card).

You could have both Marriott Bonvoy cards and collect your points in your Marriott Bonvoy account!

With the 5 membership rewards points per dollar you earn on:

• Grocery stores
• restaurants and bars
• convenience stores
• food delivery at home

it is like earning 6 Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar!

It’s the travel hacker’s favourite card in Canada.

For the first night of our trip to South Africa, we had planned to stay one night in Hazyview after a 4-hour drive from Johannesburg.

When we checked in around 4 pm, our rooms were ready. The reception informs us of our benefits with Marriott Bonvoy’s Titanium Elite status: a drink offered at the bar as well as complimentary breakfasts.

No upgrade since we already have the highest room category (which was available with points like all other rooms).

Our arrival – and our entire stay – will be in the rain. Fortunately, it was possible to park in the shelter while unloading luggage.

A friend, for whom he was missing one night to renew his Platinum status (50 nights a year), had offered me an additional room in exchange for checking in for him.

We had no problem doing so: he had informed the hotel that it would be Audrey who would do the check-in for him. A good deal: for only 5,000 points, my friend was able to renew his status, and we were able to benefit from a second room for my mother and her grandchildren!

Head to our rooms – 52 and 53 – sheltered through the pathway.

Our rooms face a beautiful garden.

Our two rooms were identical.

Ideal for families, these rooms offer 2 Queen beds as well as a sofa bed (which we didn’t have the use of thanks to the second room provided by our friend).

The room is dimly bright, and the lighting is a bit austere/cold. But it will do the job for a one-night stand!

Note the very high ceiling!

Always appreciable, especially for families: a fridge.

In the large cupboard, extra blankets and pillows, as well as a safe.

A coffee maker is placed on the desk, as well as a bottle of water.

On the coffee table, a welcome gift and a note to thank us for our loyalty to Marriott Bonvoy.

The bathroom is made up of a shower bath, as well as hygiene products.

On the central level of the hotel is a bar/lounge.

The photos do not do justice to this place because of the rain.

It is a nice place, which has a terrace overlooking the hotel pool.

What makes this hotel so charming is its outdoor terrace, accessible from the bar and restaurant and overlooking the pool. In good weather, the view must be beautiful.

To do this hotel justice, here is a photo provided by the hotel’s website, under the sun!

The hotel has a nice outdoor swimming pool (unheated).

With good weather, this one must be very pleasant, with a soft-sloping entrance for the little ones.

Also pleasant for families, this playground for children, just past the pool.

Breakfast is in the hotel restaurant and in the form of a buffet.

Here are the different dishes:

It is possible to have eggs served as you wish.

Cappucino and Latté will be served at our table.

An excellent breakfast that will allow us to skip lunch! A it was free, thanks to our Titanium status (also complimentary to Platinum members).