Shomatobe Lodge, Kuruman

Never in my life will this place see me again...!!!

We found this lodge online after searching for a relaxing, out of town place for the night as a treat on our way home from the Northern Cape. The pictures of the accommodation were beautiful so we booked and paid upfront online via Lekker Slaap to reserve our place for 3 adults & a toddler for the Saturday night - Cost: R1250.00.

After a 12 hour day on the road we arrived - all we wanted was a meal, a warm shower and a comfy bed!

Reception was locked with not a person in sight. We rang and rang the doorbell and walked around the premises looking for someone to assist. After several minutes we phoned the office, which seemed to be diverted to a cellphone. The lady said that she would send someone down from their bedroom on the property.

We enquired about the restaurant for supper and breakfast - it was closed with no indication of opening. This meant we would need to drive to buy supper in town.

There was load shedding when we arrived. The lady showed us to our chalet and I went through it quickly, in the dark, and did not say much at the time. After the electricity went back on we inspected the chalet and came across the remainder of our story below.

A double story chalet was allocated to us - had to block off for baby and make a bed in the lounge on old worn out couches. Only a shower, no bath, yes they knew about baby.

I phoned the reception again and told them that we have a toddler to bath and a bed on the second level - we booked a one level chalet. She said she would find out and revert back. When she phoned back she apologized for placing an incorrect adverti*****t and photo's and that this was the only unit left - all the others were reserved. They would like to give us R250.00 discount. We informed her it was unacceptable and that we request a full refund.

There we were - no internet to google and find alternative accommodation, we were tired and sweaty, it was dark by this time and started raining again. We had no other option but to stay and make the best of the night.

Once the electricity returned around 20:45 we waited 2 hours for the geyser to warm the water. The water was still ice cold, which says to us the Geyser didn't work. The shower head was horrible so you could not even get a proper stream to rinse under icy water. We filled a dirty black burnt pot with boiled kettle water to sponge bath. I sponge bathed baby in the kitchen sink, as there was no plug for the bathroom sink.

Decor very outdated, dirty, old/broken. Cutlery missing in kitchen. Inventory far from complete. Security guard does not lock gates at night - not secure parking. Security gate inside chalet front door latches don't lock - 2 latches can be opened and gate pushed open past lock.

The Lodge has no back up generator so my husband's CPAP wouldn't work and we couldn't make supper. Outside braai area - no grids so we couldn't braai either.

Dustbin lid in bathroom was broken off. The only cupboard against wall - shelf fell out when we tried to place items in. Bathroom light cover not put back. Bathroom walls were super grimy with mop strings and dead insects on the floor! Shower rack not hung properly and substance running down tiles. Towel rack broken.

Fridge has one foot and inside rack missing, standing slanted. Only a broom, nothing else as on the inventory list. Curtains hanging off railings. Didn't want to put the aircon on, not sure when it was last cleaned.

One kitchen chair to sit on. Kitchen table tops chipped/burnt melamine. Kitchen dustbin extremely dirty! Sachets catered: 2 cremora, 2 coffee, 1 Rooibos & 1 normal tea sachets to use.

Too top it all when electricity came back on: DSTV only 1 Chanel active - the rest blocked. (Advertised full DSTV). WiFi non existent. (Advertised open WiFi).

Top wooden floor had collapsed and was falling in. Wall was broken through to the stairs. They placed temporary boards underneath the flooring, above the shower roof, with support beams to prevent the floor from caving in to the shower. This we only saw after I asked my husband, who weighs approximately 130kg, to fetch sheets and pillows upstairs to make a bed on the old couch for baby.

Stuck here for the night, was too late to find a new place to move too after arriving at 18:30 and by the time she phoned back it was dark.

The following morning there was No electricity and NO water. Luckily I had filled the kettle with water which we could use to brush our teeth, wash our faces and flush the toilet once.

We paid for the quality in the pictures as advertised. Who checks and approves these places? I I escalated to Lekker Slaap via email the Sunday morning when we left. Today they reverted with a 40% discount = R500.00 refund offer of the R1250.00 we paid. We informed them that this is unacceptable and we request a full refund including our supper expense.

This chalet is clearly a Health and Safety violation and must be closed down until compliant. This Lodge's service is non existent - ZERO stars for this place!