The importance of pre-arrival communication
A guest should never have to wonder if anyone knows they are coming.
When we take an airport booking, we ask for the flight number, and from then on we follow the flight in real time. The guest receives an email with the chauffeur’s name and the vehicle details well in advance. By the time they reach the arrivals hall, the person waiting for them is not a stranger. And they can switch off with peace of mind long before the plane touches down. Reducing as much stress as possible is the nuance of luxury travel we aim for.
A luxury chauffeur is a ready chauffeur
Our chauffeurs are at the arranged spot thirty minutes before the collection time. Not on time. Early. An arrivals hall is crowded and loud, and someone who has just spent a night in the air should not have to search for the person who is meant to find them.
That has not changed in two decades. Guests relax the moment they spot the right face, and they tense up when they have to go looking for it.
What happens to the luggage?
The chauffeur takes every piece. Nobody is asked to push a trolley or keep an eye on a suitcase. After that, the chauffeur escorts the guest to the vehicle.
Families are the real test. Eight people, eleven bags and a pram will tell you very quickly whether an operator has planned for them.
Quiet is also a service
Some guests arrive wanting to talk about the city, the weather, the best place for dinner. Many, especially after a night flight, want none of it. A good chauffeur learns to tell the difference within the first minute or two. That’s why we train our staff in the soft skills needed to interact with premier guests.
What’s in the car?
Chilled water and a daily newspaper. Wi-Fi that works for guests on business trips who open a laptop before they have even unpacked. Climate control is set to keep passengers comfortable. Anything else you asked for when you booked is already there.
Guests need to know without a word that someone thought about them before they arrived.
What if the flight is late?
We adjust. Because we are already following the flight, we usually know about a delay before the guest has had the chance to message us, and the collection moves to match. The same goes for an early arrival. Nobody needs to phone us from the runway. Any other change of plans? We simply roll with your dynamic schedule.
The drive from the airport
Cape Town International is roughly twenty kilometres from the city centre, which sounds like nothing until you meet the N2 at peak hour. Our chauffeurs check road closures and traffic and choose the route on the day, not out of habit. All our chauffeurs are highly experienced drivers who know how to keep the journey smooth.
But by then the guest has already made up their mind about us. The drive can only confirm their first impressions.
If you are booking an airport collection for yourself, or for someone you are looking after, send us the flight number and tell us how you like to be met. We will take it from there and ensure you get a first-class first impression.
Nazeem Jamie
Founder and CEO: SOHO VIP Chauffeurs
