1 reviews | Active since Mar 2015
TERRIBLE experience!
This hotel is terrible in every way that you can think of. Firstly not only is it substandard for what claims to be five star (its possibly deserving of 2 or 3 star and after the experience I had 1 star) but it is also gloomy, unattractive and completely over priced.
Secondly the breakfast is horrible. A few limited bland options of mostly stale, old or cold food. Furthermore paying over R2500 per night you can only choose one item from the menu. The dinner looks equally bad and I didn’t see anyone attend it for that reason either.
Third the owner who is an old man with a bad hairstyle sits in an office at the entrance watching over everything like a hawk. He is rude, arrogant and disrespectful. He was speaking to a friend at breakfast next to me bantering about women and gossiping. I was shocked.
The hotel’s treatment of me as a guest was even more disgusting. I checked out early and requested use of their (very basic) gym while waiting for my flight later to which they agreed - an easy alternative was for me to use the Virgin active fitness center down the road but the lady at the hotel’s reception said it was not a problem. As I was about to enter the gym, the owner aggressively confronts me in the corridor saying that I’m not allowed to use it any longer. He starts shouting at the top of his voice that I am cheap, not considered a hotel guest any longer (even though I checked out early), that he has had better guests and literally kicks me onto the street with my bags in the middle of Houghton (I have the photos to prove it). I was horrified. It was not just impolite and rude but unclassy, unprofessional and trashy of him.
This hotel is more than disappointing - it is dreadful. Keep away from it! Everything about it from the overly priced rates, to the poor management (in this case an irate, frustrated old cringeworthy owner) to the food and amenities is terrible.
Please be advised that I have stayed at the best hotels in the world. This is not even “not the best”. It’s “one of the worst!”
Good Day
Thank you for taking the time to send us a review.
I am very sorry to hear of your unfortunate experience that you had with us. It is regrettable that it turned out the way it did. I am sincerely sorry and apologise.
With regards to the use of the hotel gym, after you checked out. I am afraid that the manager did not agree to allow you to use the gym. The hotel facilities are for hotel guests only. And you had checked out already, and it was after 4pm when you wanted to use the gym. Check-out is 10am, so it is considered as another day in hotel terms .
Unfortunately, the manner in which you were treated was unruly and distasteful. However, it was met with your disgruntled and bad-mannered allegations and behaviour towards our waiters in the morning. This is no reason to be treated how you were, but it just to clear that from our side.
It is very disheartening to hear you found our hotel to be gloomy and unattractive, since we have recently gone through renovations, which have taken this hotel to a new level of wonderful, exquisite beauty and luxury.
Our breakfast buffet has an assortment of options such as croissants, Danish pastries, fresh fruit, a variety of cheeses, variety of cereals and so much more, along with ordering hot breakfast from our A La Carte menu, which is made fresh and to order. You tried to order 3 breakfasts, where only 1 breakfast was included in the room rate.
Our restaurant is open to the public and very popular, especially on the weekends, so it is unfortunate that you chose not to have the opportunity to enjoy it. Some of the hotel guests also choose to eat elsewhere to experience the Joburg city life. For those guest who stays in and dine with us, they are pleasantly pleased with our chef’s fine-dining, home-style cooking.
Again, I do sincerely apologise for your experience and wish you all the best.
Gracious Regards
Felipe Costa
General Manager
Good Day
Thank you for taking the time to send us a review.
I am very sorry to hear of your unfortunate experience that you had with us. It is regrettable that it turned out the way it did. I am sincerely sorry and apologise.
With regards to the use of the hotel gym, after you checked out. I am afraid that the manager did not agree to allow you to use the gym. The hotel facilities are for hotel guests only. And you had checked out already, and it was after 4pm when you wanted to use the gym. Check-out is 10am, so it is considered as another day in hotel terms .
Unfortunately, the manner in which you were treated was unruly and distasteful. However, it was met with your disgruntled and bad-mannered allegations and behaviour towards our waiters in the morning. This is no reason to be treated how you were, but it just to clear that from our side.
It is very disheartening to hear you found our hotel to be gloomy and unattractive, since we have recently gone through renovations, which have taken this hotel to a new level of wonderful, exquisite beauty and luxury.
Our breakfast buffet has an assortment of options such as croissants, Danish pastries, fresh fruit, a variety of cheeses, variety of cereals and so much more, along with ordering hot breakfast from our A La Carte menu, which is made fresh and to order. You tried to order 3 breakfasts, where only 1 breakfast was included in the room rate.
Our restaurant is open to the public and very popular, especially on the weekends, so it is unfortunate that you chose not to have the opportunity to enjoy it. Some of the hotel guests also choose to eat elsewhere to experience the Joburg city life. For those guest who stays in and dine with us, they are pleasantly pleased with our chef’s fine-dining, home-style cooking.
Again, I do sincerely apologise for your experience and wish you all the best.
Gracious Regards
Felipe Costa
General Manager