By Nana Alfred Taban published in Good Vibes Magazine issue 1, Nov 2019
Of course, nourishing the mind is always best done when relaxing in suitably pleasant surroundings.
On a recent Saturday afternoon, I checked into the Pyramid Continental Hotel in Juba, one of the best Five Star Hotels in the country, with luxurious surroundings and supreme spontaneous services that makes one feel completely pampered. (Exactly what I needed). After a draining work week, I’m after one thing: peace and quiet.
Coming from Kampala, the hotel driver picked me up at Juba International Airport with a white V8 (The latest) one of the most loved and popular cars in the city. It was a 10-minute ride to arrive at my destination.
The hotel has 81 expansive luxury decorated rooms and suites providing extraordinary comfort for a wonderful haven in the city. They have Classic, Superior and Deluxe rooms with different prices ranging from $260-280. The standard King Room cost me $259.60 a night inclusive of taxes, breakfast, and spa services. They also have Junior and Presidential Suites ranges from $517.
For the next twenty hours, I deal with a total of three people (front desk agent, a smiling waiter, and the spa center desk agent). Otherwise, I’m left in blissful solitude. Even when you’re out of your room, the whole ‘Do Not Disturb’ philosophy has a way of permeating all aspects of hotel life.
ACCOMMODATION
Once inside my room, I shut the door behind me, and did a quick lap of the space, a ritual shared by hotel geeks worldwide (trust me). The room was extremely lavish and elegant with lively furnishing and fabrics. It offered European inspired Roberto Cavalli facilities including: speedy internet access, mini bar, TV with international channels, safe deposit box, hairdryer, tea and coffee facilities, bathroom with walk in shower, flexible bedside reading lights, blackout curtains and a beautiful indigenous legacy mirrored in exceptional views from the balcony of the River Nile as well as Juba city. All these features creating perfect examples of the “Belle Époque Era” the French expression meaning Beautiful Era.
The table, stocked with a decent array of magazines (at the top of the pile: Travel + Leisure), makes an inviting place to stop and sit, but I could barely make it through an article before surrendering blissfully to a pre-dinner nap.
SPA FACILITIES
After the satisfying pre-dinner nap, it was time for relaxation and immersing the senses through a flawless spa journey leaving you feeling spoiled, re-energized and peaceful, allowing you to shut off from external stimulation.
The Spa Center helped me to indulge myself in some much-needed ‘Me’ time, to switch off and relax, recharge, reflect, detox and beautify.
The Spa facilities in the hotel include a variety of choices of relaxation for you, from Sauna to Steam, and Jacuzzi. They also offer incredible treatment rooms and Turkish/Moroccan baths. Its extensive treatment menu are performed in purpose-built, beautifully appointed private rooms featuring up-to-the-minute technology and products.
I was extremely pleased to find out both male and female spa facilities are separate for the comfort of each individual. The Spa charges a reasonable $25 per person for non-guests who would like to pamper themselves.
DINING/RESTAURANT/BAR
The Peacock Restaurant
By 6:30pm I was making my way to The Peacock Restaurant that offers all day dining, located on the ground floor that beautifully structures a diverse buffet style set-up of internationally-inspired cooking during breakfast, lunch and dinner especially dedicated to the taste of delicate and fantasy.
The unique setting of this restaurant focuses mainly on elegant food with an excellent wine list and outstanding menus with a delightful buffet spread to enjoy while watching their cooking experts showcasing their cooking creativity.
I saw a subtle balance in the tradition, culture, and modernity of the restaurant.
The Hookah Terrace
By 10:00pm. I called one of my girlfriends to accompany me through the night time lively affairs. And she was up for it. By 11pm we’re at The Hookah Terrace with breathtaking arabesque design details and a remarkable lounge-style set up with excellently blue colored pillows and candles to enjoy the delicate sense of calmness in their unique space. With the best company in a friendly and unique atmosphere.
The shisha lounge offers a variety of shisha flavors for guests to choose from including watermelon, double apple, rose, cherry, mint, and blueberry. My absolute favorite was the blueberry-mint.
ThePresidential Spot and Anseba Sunset Lounge
After enjoying the shisha we went to the Presidential Spot, one of the primary spots to be, placed on the fifth floor with a vast variety of drinks to choose from.
Outside of the Presidential Spot is the open-air terrace The Anseba Sunset Lounge which has a good view of the sky or sunset when you visit it at the twilight hour.
During the weekend night’s atmosphere of relaxation, the hotel offers social nights open to the public and guests that draws a fairly international crowd where they watch the sunset and catch up with colleagues and friends after a long day. I went back to my room at around 2:30am with a treasured collective of night experiences.
SERVICES
They have a great fitness center, one of the essentials of a top class hotel. This 5 star gym consists of state-of-the-art equipment, yoga space, and cardio suite.
Using high-spec equipment, gym instructors are there everyday to help guests with their routine and advise what you should do to keep fit. The personal trainers will give advice on weight training, aerobics and so on.
There are more services like airport pickups, currency exchange, beauty salons, barber shop, multilingual staff, laundry and dry cleaning services for your comfort.
Overall Pyramid Continental Hotel satisfied my every need and I reluctantly checked out with a feeling that I wanted to extend my stay for a few more days. The hotel in my opinion is your best option as a business traveller visiting Juba who expects a world class standard of service and ambiance.
