Jazz giants from across the globe – including four-time Grammy Award-winner Dianne Reeves; National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis and South African musical legends Sibongile Khumalo and Jonas Gwangwa – are part of the line-up for the 2014 Standard Bank Joy of Jazz. It takes place at the Sandton Convention Centre.

The festival is expected to attract thousands of guests from around the country and the continent. The Sandton Tourism Association – which has nearly 100 members including retailers, hotels, tour operators, transport providers, restaurants and shopping centres as well as the Sandton Convention Centre – are looking forward to welcoming all visitors who will be coming to Work, Stay, Play or Shop.

Special accommodation rates for those coming to Sandton for the jazz weekend are available.

They include:

Tsogo Sun and its three hotels - Sandton Sun, Intercontinental Johannesburg Sandton Towers and Garden Court Sandton – are the official accommodation sponsors of Standard Bank Joy of Jazz. They are offering show and stay packages from R2300 for two people sharing, including two Standard Bank Joy of Jazz tickets – a one-day pass with access to 16 acts; accommodation and breakfast for two; transfers to and from the Sandton Convention Centre from select hotels and transfers to and from the Gautrain station.

For more information, click here

City Lodge’s various hotels have a number of specials. Courtyard Hotel Sandton: R1150; City Lodge Hotel Sandton, Morningside: R890; City Lodge Hotel Sandton, Katherine Street: R890; Town Lodge Sandton, Grayston Drive: R690. In all cases, the rate is per room, single or double and is valid from Tuesday, 23 to Monday, 29 September.

Only online bookings is available. Apply at www.clhg.com using the promotional code ‘SHOPPING14’.

Crowne Plaza Johannesburg The Rosebank is offering the following special rates. Single B&B: R1000 per room per night (1 pax); and Double B&B: R1200 per room per night (2 pax). The offer is valid from Wednesday, 24 to Sunday, 28 September.

To make a reservation, email reservations@therosebank.co.za and quote the rate code: ‘ILOTHJAZ’.

Faircity Quatermain – The hotel has a number of special offers starting with a standard room Single rate of R1000 (usually R2200) on Friday, 26 and Saturday, 27 September including bed and breakfast as well as discounted rates on Thursday, 25 September. Special rates are available on all room categories. Free transfers to the Sandton Convention Centre and Sandton are included.

For more information, visit www.faircity.co.za.

Faircity Falstaff – The hotel has special offers starting with a standard room Single rate of R900 (usually R1650) on Friday, 26 and Saturday, 27 September including bed and breakfast, as well as discounted rates on Thursday, 25 September. Special rates are available on all room categories. Free transfers to Sandton Convention Centre and Sandton are included.

For more information, visit www.faircity.co.za.

- Holiday Inn Sandton in Rivonia Road is offering a package at R1160 single or double occupancy (max two per room) which is inclusive of breakfast, transfers to Nelson Mandela Square and one drink to the value of R40 per person.

Protea Hotel Balailaika – The hotel is offering a rate of R1045 bed and breakfast, single occupancy and R1200 bed and breakfast, and twin sharing for the duration of the event. A block code, ‘Joy of Jazz’, has been created on their system so all guests making their own reservations will have to quote the block code to get this special rate. As an additional extra, the hotel also has complimentary shuttle services to and from the Sandton Convention Centre and surrounding areas.

For more information, visit www.balalaika.co.za or click here.

The Maslow Hotel – Priced from R999, The Maslow is offering a low weekend rate in celebration of Heritage week with complimentary breakfast inclusive. The package includes a luxury double room and a complimentary breakfast for two people as well as a complimentary shuttle every 15 minutes to Sandton Gautrain and Sandton City.

Other activities at the hotel include:

Sunday, 21 September - Jazz Sunday Kick off Gourmet Braai and live Johannesburg Youth Orchestra Jazz band at the Maslow’s Lacuna Bistro (R250 pp buffet and glass of bubbly) from 13:00 to 17:00

Monday, 22 to Friday, 26 September - Jazz evenings at The Maslow’s Lacuna Bistro and Bar every evening leading up to final event on Sunday, jazz band by Johannesburg Youth Orchestra every evening from 18:00 to 21:00

Sunday, 28 September - JOJ Grand Finale Show- Sunday Gourmet Braai and live Jazz band at the Maslow’s Lacuna Bistro, overlooking a tranquil oasis garden. (R250pp - buffet and glass of bubbly) from 13:00 to 17:00.

For more information, click here

The Park Inn - The Standard Bank Joy of Jazz rate is R1290 single and R1390 double bed and breakfast. Rates include complimentary wireless Internet access as well as a complimentary shuttle to and from the Sandton Gautrain station and Sandton City Shopping Centre.

For more information, click here

Other special offers during Standard Bank Joy of Jazz:

Cresco Tours – This well-known Sandton tour operator is offering special tours to Liliesleaf Farm in Rivonia. The raid by security police on Liliesleaf Farm in 1963 led to the arrest and capture of members of the high command of Umkonto we Sizwe (the military wing of the African National Congress), and the subsequent Rivonia Trial, which resulted in the life long imprisonment of key ANC, South African Communist Party and Congress Alliance leaders.

The late Nelson Mandela and key leaders of the struggle, hiding from apartheid authorities, operated from the farm for two years. Mandela’s alias was David Motsamayi, the supposed gardener, cook and chauffeur at Liliesleaf, and to avoid suspicion he lived in the tiny servants’ quarters. In reality, however, it was the base of the underground, newly formed Umkhonto weSizwe, the armed wing of the ANC.

With approximately 60% of the original building structure having been restored, Liliesleaf embodies the experiential aspect of South Africa’s recent political history.

The tour cost is R850 per person or R700 each for two to three persons and R550 each for four to seven people. A 10% discount will be offered on these prices during Standard Bank Joy of Jazz.

To book, email info@crescotours.co.za or visit www.crescotours.co.za.

Pogiso Tours has a 10% discount on all airport transfers between Wednesday, 24 and Sunday, 28 September to Sandton and the surrounding areas. For more information, visit www.pogisostours.co.za.

First time riders for Uber get up to R200 off their first ride. For more information, visit www.uber.com.

The Hands On Retreat Guest House and Sleep Spa also has special packages during the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz. For more information, visit www.handsonretreat.co.za.


For more information on all specials, visit www.sandtontourism.com.