Gallagher Hotel - Biggest Disappointment

My wife and I travelled from Cape Town to Johannesburg to attend the Caravan Expo at the Gallagher Convention Centre. The expo was amazing however the Gallagher Hotel across from the expo centre was a big disappointment. The hotel is well positioned but there is almost noting I can say that was good. Think twice before you stay there.

The photo’s on the various internet sites (Google, booking.com , Discovery Vitality, Gallagher Hotel etc) does not reflect what the hotel looks like and what one would experience if you stay at the hotel.

Shock no one - We arrived at the hotel and notice across from the hotel there is a ‘chop-shop’ with no respect for the environment. Cars being repaired and car oil being drained on the side walks soil and ******* laying all around the ‘chop shop’ sidewalk. Surely the hotel management can take this up with the authorities. I have also taken this up with the Gallagher Convention Centre Management

Shock no two - The hotel reception was ice cold and it seems like we were not welcome. We were glared at. The men in the reception area glared at my wife and made her very uncomfortable. I must admit Humfrey (making coffee etc was the only one who picked it up) sensed it and made us a good cup of coffee and chatted to us. Which I enjoyed I must say after an early morning traveling from Cape Town to Johannesburg.

Shock no three - We were allocated room 016 which was neat and tidy but the noise level from the hotel staff, guest and generator (when load shedding was on) was unbearable. Staff through out the night and early morning believed in having a long distance conversation talking to each other from the one end of the hotel to the other. No consideration was given to the guest who might be resting from 11H00 till 06H00.

Shock no four - After a very disturbing night and not feeling rested I went to reception to determine if I may book out and get a refund for the two more nights we had to stay there. Unfortunately I made the booking through booking.com and was requested to take it up with them. I tried to reach booking.com and what a joke on a Saturday morning. Be careful when you book a hotel room through booking.com they are not vey helpful and will not listen to your concerns. We then requested another room and moved to room 138. This was the biggest shock and in a way we regretted moving. We were speechless to what we had to deal with for another two nights without loosing any money. What we had to deal with: Black algae on the tiles in the shower Washing basin was not cleaned Water leaking from the air-conditioning onto the floor (I slipped on it and almost hurt myself) Laminated flooring was worn. TV - A hand full of channels and no clear picture on any of the channels. Windows quite dirty. The noise level from the security guards, guest and hotel staff was less then room 016 but still disturbing. Smokers sitting in-front of the hotel and chatting loudly till late at night and we could smell their smoke in our room. Carpets worn and dirty in the passage and stairs. A plate of unions was placed in the passage and it looked like it was fermenting. It was in the passage for two days before it was removed.

We felt very uncomfortable at the hotel and will not recommend the hotel to anyone unless your standards are low.

The three stars they were given is questionable.