Balancing work and play DEBASHINE THANGEVELO
THERE was a time when companies baulked at the idea of staff “working remotely”. But the arrival of Covid-19 has made it the new normal. This change meant the traditional sort of 9 to 5 work day has also evolved. Yes, the time frame tends to overlap but most people don’t mind work eating into a bit of personal time as they are in the comfort of their home. And when there is a need for a chance of scenery, there’s always the option of going on a workation. I wasn’t sold on the idea at first. I prefer to keep the two separate. But when an opportunity to test this new trend popped up, I decided to give it a try. As such, I recently found myself at the Protea Hotel by Marriott Johannesburg Wanderers. When the hard lockdown was enforced in March last year, the tourism industry - along with many others - took a huge knock. For this well-known establishment, it was the perfect time to renovate. My last memory of the place dates back to several years back when I was still living in Durban. So you can imagine my pleasant surprise when I arrived
at reception and was greeted by a sleek new trendy space. In fact, everything from the rooms, the dining area to the event spaces were remodelled, with the fixtures and décor giving it a very urban chic, cutting-edge feel. I stayed in a junior suite on the eighth floor, which offered a wonderful overview of the neighbouring Wanderers Club along with the bustling vibe of the Illovo/ Melrose Arch Precinct. The room was kitted out with a king size bed, a smart TV in the dining area as well as the bedroom. A spacious bathroom with a tub as well as a shower. It also had an executive work desk, where you can comfortably set yourself up during your stay. And there is free wi-fi throughout the hotel. During a tour of the place, which is fitted with plenty of sanitising stations throughout, I checked out their conference rooms, some of which can accommodate up to 15 delegates. By the way, it doesn’t matter whether you book into a standard guest room, a junior or presidential suite, all the rooms have a smart TV with satellite channels, air-conditioning, tea and coffee-making
