The Westcliff welcomes children of all ages and we go to great lengths to make them feel like princes and princesses.
Below are a few examples of the personal touches we provide to make our younger guests’ stay a very special one.
Special Children's Amenities:
New born (0-3 years)
• A cot in the room
• Special fine cotton linen pillows and duvets
• Baby toiletries
• A bottle warmer
• A baby bath
• Fresh milk
• Baby-sitting services available
Children (3-7 years)
• A kiddies dressing gown
• An assortment of treats and soft drinks
• A special toy as a gift
• Children’s movies
• In-room dining, with a specially designed children’s menu
Cots are provided on request – as is an assortment of baby products. Specially fitted white linen is used on non-suffocating baby pillows and duvets. A baby or toddler’s robe and T-shirt will be placed in the room. The In-Room Dining Menu also offers a special section for children. A baby-sitting service can be arranged at Concierge.
Children's Policy:
0 to 2 years of age (Baby)
ONE cot can be placed in any room category, free of charge.
The baby will be entitled to baby amenities and breakfast served in the Restaurant.
Cots are subject to availability.
3 to 12 years of age (Child)
ONE extra bed can be placed in a room from a Junior Suite category upwards, for an additional R195 per night. The child will be entitled to breakfast, served in the restaurant. Extra beds are subject to availability.
Activities for children at the hotel:
Tennis court
Heated swimming pool (all year round)
Activities within close proximity to the hotel:
The Johannesburg Zoo:
The zoo is an animal paradise with lions and elephants, monkeys and gorillas, seals and polar bears. The farmyard section, designed for under-sixes, also has cuddly animals which can be picked and patted. Kids can also ride on the tractor ferry, do an organised trot around the zoo, or catch a moonlight tour. There's also a programme of educational events and a safe environment with green lawns and picnicking areas ensures plenty of space for running around.
Duck feeding:
Ducks and geese are just waiting for small people to feed them at Zoo Lake, Emmarentia Dam and Gillooly's Farm. All three venues also provide plenty of lawn space for children to play, fly kites or roller blade, and for parents to picnic.
Exotic birds:
Get really close to some exotic birds at the Montecasino Bird Gardens, where the kids can walk along elevated wooden walkways inside a large aviary. There are over 100 exotic species of birds, including spectacular Scarlet Ibises. Bird shows twice a day feature owls, cranes, pelicans and vultures and children can feed the interesting collection of small animals, including iguanas, marmasets, tamarins, snakes and colourful frogs.
Exciting rides:
We recommend the Gold Reef City theme park with its great, often scary rides - all 31 of them. Try out the anaconda, earthquake tunnel, miner's revenge, the tower of terror and the river rapids, for starters. There's also a funfair for under 10s with gentle rides on horses, shells, small wheel and Flintstones cars. Children over 6 can do an underground tour down a mine.
Art fun:
For rainy days, try some arts and crafts fun. At the Colour Café in Hyde Square, kids can paint fairies, money boxes, mugs and vases. Tea and coffee is available, plus cakes and muffins. On Tuesdays and Thursdays they're open from 10am to 10pm, on other days from 10am to 5pm.
Ice skating:
Try something more skilful at the Northgate Ice Arena. If they can't skate, the arena runs a skating academy with 8-week courses held on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings.
Theatre freaks:
Let the kids learn theatre skills at the Johannesburg Youth Theatre. There are also classes every Saturday morning from 9.30am to 12 noon.
Star gazing:
Take them star-gazing at the Johannesburg Planetarium.
Miniature Johannesburg:
Look down on the miniature town of Johannesburg at Santarama Miniland at Wemmer Pan. There are mini trains, jumping castles and fairy boats, plus an indoor play centre.
Lustrous Lipizzaners:
Take them to see the quite amazing lipizzaners - pure-white performing horses with roman ancestry. The horses are bred in KwaZulu-Natal, and at three years the stallions are moved to Kyalami to begin their training. The Lipizzaner show is on every Sunday at 10.30am.
Sci Bono Discovery Centre:
Science doesn't always have to be about chemicals and formulas worked out in stuffy classrooms. It can be a truly exciting learning experience at Newtown's Sci Bono Discovery Centre.
