10 minute read
COVER STORY – HILTON SANDTON
Iconic Hilton Sandton - remains a classic choice for conferencing
Set among landscaped gardens and suburban surroundings, Hilton Sandton is located just north of Johannesburg, in the city’s business district. Delegates and guests have easy access to the Gautrain, Stock Exchange, Global Banking Institutions and Nelson Mandela Square. Modern guest rooms and a host of amenities make the hotel the ideal base for exploring Sandton.
Linda Reddy, general manager of Hilton Sandton, said: “My vision for Hilton Sandton is to ensure that we are the leading hotel in creating heartfelt experiences for our guests. My aim is to ensure the growth of a sustainable business with a positive impact on my team and in our communities. In one word, I would describe Hilton Sandton as ‘classic’.”
Ms Reddy began working in the hotel industry at the age of sixteen, while she was completing a science degree. “I have worked across all aspects of the business operations from receptionist, finance to assistant general manager. My first general manager position was in 2007 at the Garden Court Sandton and I have been at the helm of Hilton Sandton since July 2019.”
“Hilton Sandton caters for all segments and markets, from families to large conference groups and the business traveller. We have the perfect location. But what differentiates us from other hotels is our people and the service culture that is instilled in them. Our commitment to Travel with Purpose ensures that we run a responsible business and give back to the communities in which we operate.
“I believe completely in empowerment of team members to achieve a common vision and my personal motto is ‘Nothing works unless you do’. Hilton has six key values and the one which really resonates with me is ownership. It speaks to me of owning every guest experience, every team member interaction and most importantly, being in control of your own destiny,” Ms Reddy added.
Business in Covid times
Considering how business has changed due to Covid-19, she said: “Foremost the volume of business has plummeted and there has been a good uptake of domestic leisure business.
“Booking lead times have shortened, so planning has taken on a new meaning. We have had to look at our business in a new way and have become more flexible and adaptable to changing guest needs. Cleanliness is paramount but guests still travel for great experiences and that is what we must ensure that we get right. Our conferencing business is still limited in terms of the number of guests we may accommodate so we do more social and intimate conferencing events at the moment,” Ms Reddy said.
“Queenies” Shebeen – it is a pop up venue which was used during the Soccer World Cup but clients have used it before for functions.
Hotel cleanliness
She said: “In line with us being a responsible hotel that regards the health and wellbeing of guests and team members as paramount, we go the extra mile when it comes to the Covid-19 operational protocols.”
“We engaged with government and other stakeholders at the very beginning to ensure that our Hilton CleanStay programme exceeded the compliance levels mandated by government. Part of the CleanStay programme, ensures that the top ten high touch areas in a guest bedroom receive high attention and that the entire bedroom and bathroom is sanitised before we seal the bedroom door. This ensures that, once sanitised, no one else enters the room until the guest does. We have a strict temperature control and mask wearing culture and enforce social distancing in all public and team member areas of the hotel. We have converted our food and beverage offerings to individual items and our buffets are served by team members. Over and above this, we ensure that our hotel is audited on Covid-19 compliance by an independent company and that random microbiological checks are done, not only in the kitchen, but in bedrooms, heart-of-house areas, public bathrooms and on commonly used equipment,” she concluded.
Hilton Sandton provides guests with a complement of services and amenities, including 329 guest rooms, nine meeting rooms catering for up to a thousand guests, outdoor swimming pool with gazebo offering al fresco dining, complimentary shuttle to Sandton City and the Gautrain Station, multicultural, all-day dining at the Tradewinds Restaurant and a variety of Asian cuisine at the Lotus Teppanyaki & Sushi Bar. For inhouse guests there is a 24-hour fitness centre, 24-hour complimentary business centre and complimentary Wi-Fi internet access.
Hilton Sandton is also part of Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest-loyalty programme for Hilton's eighteen distinct hotel brands. Members who book directly have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of points and money to book a stay, an exclusive member discount, free standard Wi-Fi and the Hilton Honors mobile app.
Who is Linda Reddy?
Linda Reddy, general manager of Hilton Sandton, has been with the hotel for two years.
The 23-year hospitality veteran, has led many teams in various hotels. Her more recent positions include leading one of the largest hotels in Gauteng, Garden Court Sandton City, the conferencing hub of Fourways, Southern Sun Montecasino and finally the Palazzo Hotel.
Our Facilities
• Fitness centre
• Outdoor pool
• Business center
• The meetings level offers an entire floor of meeting rooms and a business centre with full office facilities.
Hilton Sandton fun fact
Hilton Sandton was opened in 1997 by HRH Prince Charles. It was one of the first International brands to open in Sandton and provided huge investor confidence in the tourism industry in South Africa.
Conferences and events
Elena Ioannou, groups conference and events manager of Hilton Sandton, said: “I have always been excited to be part of this property. It has a majestic feeling when you walk through the lobby. The classic ambience is very warm and welcoming.”
She said: “As event organisers we must ensure that we have thought of everything to make the experience unforgettable. We strive for our clients to shine. When they shine, we shine. Our guest experience is world class.”
“We try to do as much as possible for the client so that they don’t feel they need to look further. We also want our guest to feel at home when they are here and that we can take care of their requirements immediately,” she said.
What makes Hilton Sandton perfect for conferencing, meetings and events is our location. “We are situated in the Sandton Business District in the heart of Johannesburg. Hilton Sandton features amenities for both business and leisure travellers. On-site features include a beautiful pool area and rose garden as well as one of the largest meeting facilities in the Sandton Area. Our convenient location offers guests easy access to large shopping centres, Nelson Mandela Square, Diamond Walk and The Marc, allowing for some leisure during business,” Ms Ioannou said.
Hilton Sandton is also able to host beautiful events, small and large. “We have a beautiful rose garden and pool area which we can host up to two hundred guests. Our ballroom facilities are able to accommodate up to 450 guests, banquet style,” she said.
In conclusion, she added: “We follow strict health and safety protocols with our safety manager overlooking on training and compliance. Hilton Sandton conducts an external supplier audit with FCS, which examines the hygiene and safety protocols followed by the hotel. We achieve 100 per cent on scoring. This audit is done quarterly.”
Plans to expand
Cindy Valentine, Hilton commercial director.
There are plans to have more Hilton hotels in South Africa and our development team, headed by Andrew Mclachlan, work rigorously on new opportunities that fit the various Hilton brands.
Cindy Valentine, Hilton commercial director, said: “Hilton Sandton is very much dependant on international travel coming into the country. As a result of many airlines not currently flying into South Africa, we have had to realign ourselves and focus more on domestic business both in the transient and group segments.”
Ms Valentine began her career with Hilton in March 1998 as a sales executive. She rose within the ranks of the Hilton sales team to the position of director of sales in 2009. Later in July 2012 she was promoted to cluster director of sales for Southern Africa heading up a team of fourteen people. She was promoted to Hilton commercial director in late 2019.
Food trends
With more than 23 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Stuart Cason, 39, executive chef of Hilton Sandton has a wealth of knowledge in the culinary arts. He was born and bred in Johannesburg. “Hilton has been great for me and my development. My five-year plan is to complete a management course with Hilton, and then move to a general manager role. My next step would be, after the programme, to be a director of operations for a while, and then move into the role of the general manager,” Stuart said.
In terms of food trends, he said: “One of the major trends in recent times is that of whole plant-based diets. I find it fascinating. People are beginning to be a lot more conscious of what they put into their bodies.”
However, the world has changed. “The Covid-19 pandemic has been devastating and challenging to our industry. As an industry, we need to make sure that we look after and take care of protecting our guests, clients and employees. Some of our clients would like us to return to normal operation, and don’t really understand the government guidelines and procedures we are facing, which is really challenging.
“I have had to adapt during the pandemic, and I’m sure so have many other chefs. There was a trend for bowl food. What I have done now, is create a conference menu, based around individual portions, where possible, served in biodegradable containers. It is served buffet style, but also ‘grab and go’ style. We have had great compliments from it so far.”
From a global trends’ perspective, he said: “Covid-19 has opened up opportunities that many people did not really think of before. A lot of establishments are now preparing meals for home. A lot of great restaurants are relying on it to pay bills. I think that this trend will possibly stay and transform into a new way of dining. Ancient grains are still trending as well as plant-based diets.”
However, as much as things have changed, some things have remained constant. “The passion, understanding and commitment that everyone has in the industry has remained constant. Everything else is changing and evolving constantly. And we need to change and evolve with the times,” he concluded.
Conferencing and Meeting facilities
329 guest rooms, including 37 executive rooms, and 35 suites. Nine meeting rooms catering for up to 1 000 guests.
Meetings and Events
• Enjoy our spacious meeting venues, personalised service and delicious catering options. • The ballroom and banquet facilities are connected to an outdoor terrace and are close to the pool – perfect for enjoying the sunshine as you celebrate your special occasion.
• Our 6 460 sq. ft ballroom hosts up to 1 000 guests and may be divisible into three separate rooms.
• Nine spacious and function meeting rooms; several with natural light.
• Meeting additions available include breaks, lunch, parking, Wi-Fi and select equipment.
• Parking space for up to 300 vehicles.
Hilton CleanStay fully implemented in all Hilton SA hotels
Hilton announced, in April, a new programme, CleanStay, to deliver an industry-defining standard of cleanliness and disinfection in Hilton properties around the world. Hilton’s CleanStay programme is fully implemented in all three of Hilton’s South African hotels.
Executive lounge
Hilton Sandton Executive Lounge creates a unique experience for our executive floor guests. With sweeping views of Sandton and Johannesburg, it is the perfect spot to relax, work and enjoy a complimentary breakfast as well as drinks throughout the day.
Background on Hilton Hotels
Hilton was founded by Conrad Hilton in 1919 and, after 102 years, now operates in 119 countries and territories with 6 478 properties and over one million hotel rooms. Hilton Hotels & Resorts comprises of eighteen different brands (Hilton, Waldorf Astoria Hilton Garden Inn, LXR, Hampton etc), catering for every market. The strength of the brand is embedded in its values, culture and diversity. The current chief executive officer is Chris Nasetta.
Contact details:
Hilton Sandton: +27 (0)11 322 1888 Address: 138 Rivonia Road, Sandton, 2146 Email: sandton.reservations@hilton.com
