When given a choice between a regular hotel room and a self-catering apartment, I tend to lean toward the latter. It's very much a personal preference, and one that I established as a child vacationing with my parents.

Always on the hunt for a bargain, my mother would opt for self-catering establishments when choosing a holiday rental, following which, we would pack up everything we needed (in the same way you would when moving house), show up to our temporary home and enjoy the freedoms that came with having access to a full kitchen.

So already, it was score one for The Capital on the Park. Located in Sandton, the establishment offered me a one-night stay in one of their fully equipped apartments. 

I was situated on the fourth floor, with a great view of the city at night, but I wouldn't be so easily swayed by the pretty scenery. 

READ MORE | Would you check into a Sandton hotel, and, if you like it, make it your permanent home?

Surveying the one-bedroom unit, I was impressed with the amount of space on offer. A full kitchen, complete with cutlery, crockery, automatic washing machine and dryer, and stainless-steel appliances, made for a very modern interior.  

The place was spotless, with appliances so squeaky clean, some of them looked like they had never been used. 

My apartment came with a massive bathtub, as well as a sizeable shower. A spacious bedroom held a king-size bed and streamlined cupboards that provided just enough room for a short stay. 

In the lounge, an L-shaped couch allowed plenty of room for a couple to cosily cuddle while watching TV. The kitchen boasted a large dining table, perfect for sharing a meal with friends. 

A small balcony gave a great view of the courtyard and swimming pool while allowing us to take in the fresh night air. And when things got a little too chilly, the air-conditioning system provided warm solace.

READ MORE | Robots that talk, a piano playing itself, and a ride on the roof - Welcome to the Sky Hotel

I must admit, the check-in process is a dreaded part of any hotel stay, for me. The waiting and signing of numerous documents, checking and double-checking the system to make sure you've actually booked a stay - it's quite draining, especially if you've been travelling.  

I waited patiently in the queue at the check-in counter, which, for a second, I confused for a kiosk, bracing myself for the inevitable hiccup somewhere along the line, but to my surprise, there was none. Within minutes, I was being directed to my room. The staff at the front desk were, in two words, friendly and efficient.

For dinner, we sat down at the hotel's in-house restaurant. The place was buzzing. With a company function hoarding the pool area, and the dinner rush filling up the inside, we chose a small table toward the back of the room, precariously placed right next to the gym. 

Despite our weird seating, the staff were attentive, and the evening went down a treat.  

READ MORE | Shoreditch House: A beautiful new local spot that will easily become your second home

Because I had only stayed over for one night, I was not able to make use of the amenities provided by The Capital on the Park. Though, I must point out that I was quite bothered and confused by the location of the gym. Not only is it inside the restaurant, it's also right at the back, so those who feel like an evening run on the treadmill first have to wander through a hoard of people to get to their destination. 

And then, to make things just a little weirder, the gym walls are partly transparent, which means that while dining, you're also able to watch random strangers work up a sweat. While I enjoy some time in the gym, this alone was enough to put me off the idea of an early morning run. 

For a full list of facilities available, click here.

READ MORE | A staycation would be what you need to determine you and your partner's baecation compatibility

While concise, the menu at the in-house restaurant had some great options to choose from, including wraps, Korean BBQ ribs, pasta, and curry. Despite the dinner rush, service was quick, and the food was delicious, although the portion sizes left something to be desired.  

Breakfast is presented buffet style between 06:30 and 10:30 at the restaurant. I opted for scrambled eggs, bacon, beans and mushrooms, and decided to put together a little cheese platter for myself too. As with many breakfast buffets, there seemed to be an unlimited supply of food and an array of options to suit any palate. That said, I don't usually expect much from these buffets in terms of quality - I think their main aim is quantity, especially when breakfast is complimentary. 

My eggs were cold, and beans lacked seasoning, but at least the view was great.

Would I stay here again?

It's incredibly difficult to give a fair assessment of an establishment having stayed over for just one night, but in the limited time I had at The Capital on the Park, I would consider myself a satisfied customer. 

Speedy, reliable wifi, peace/privacy, and efficient service are things I appreciate most when booking a stay away from home, and The Capital on the Park offers all three, but it does come at a hefty price.  

According to The Capital's website, for the room I stayed in (one-bedroom apartment), prices range from R2 595 per night for the room only, to R3 035 per night for the room plus breakfast.  

READ MORE | Taking a break from social media improves mental health

Follow us on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.

Sign up to W24's newsletters so you don't miss out on any of our stories and giveaways.

Down the Aisle - Weekly

From something new to something borrowed, all the wedding trends and fashion inspo you need for your upcoming nuptials, plus, a peek into real life weddings.