1 Star – A Complete Operational Collapse and No Accountability

As an event professional with 25 years of experience, I have worked at countless venues across South Africa. What I experienced at The Garden Venue was one of the most chaotic and professionally damaging events of my career.

I raised concerns weeks before the event. I was reassured repeatedly that everything had been resolved. Those assurances proved entirely unfounded.

Access & Setup Failures - Access time was only confirmed late on Thursday for a Friday event, forcing suppliers to wait at my cost. - At the agreed access time, the previous event was still occupying the space, reducing an already tight turnaround window. - During setup, the majority of staff disappeared for more 30 minutes with no explanation (with a 45 minute set up period due to late access) - Items delivered the previous day were temporarily “missing.” - The quality of their décor did not align with current trends or professional quality, which I was aware of prior to the event, forcing me to procure various items of decor and furniture, at my expense, simply to achieve an acceptable professional standard. - Floral arrangements included elements that had been explicitly declined in writing. - White napkins were mismatched and marked. - The buffet service area presentation was below the standard expected of a professional events venue.

The property itself is attractive. The operation behind it is not.

Food & Beverage Breakdown - Welcome drinks were significantly delayed and inconsistently served. - A confirmed starter was never prepared or delivered, so there was no option but to serve the vegetarian option only, which was served cold due to the 45 minute delay while the venue realised there was no confirmed starter prepared. - The buffet was confirmed as ready and warm but, 10 minutes prior to the scheduled time was icy cold. I personally had to carry the buffet trays to the kitchen to get them warmed. - Dessert differed from what had been confirmed. When the chef was asked about this, her response was: “Oh well, this is what we made”. - Three of four pre-selected wines were unavailable on the day. A promise was made that the correct wines were en route. They never arrived. - There were extended periods with no visible service staff in the room. At one time, it was timed at 40 minutes, directly after dinner. - The final bar bill included items not pre-authorised. - I received a final tax invoice 2 months after the event.

Repeated requests for a function sheet were unsuccessful. It became clear there were serious internal communication gaps.

Post-Event Conduct Following the event, I sought a financial resolution for items paid for but not received. Instead of addressing this commercially and professionally, I was offered a “complimentary future event,” which I declined. The issue was not future bookings — it was reimbur*****t for services and products not delivered.

A financial resolution was refused.

The owner, Harold Horn, declined to engage directly on the matter.

Additionally, it took more than two months to receive a refund for an overpayment. The refund was promised for 12 February and was only processed days later after repeated follow-ups with management.

This was not a single oversight. It reflects a pattern of poor operational control and an unwillingness to take financial accountability when things go wrong.

I spent the event managing avoidable crises and the weeks thereafter pursuing basic resolution.

While my recommendation is to not use this venue, event planners and corporate clients, should they choose to use this venue, should proceed with extreme caution and ensure every detail is reconfirmed in writing shortly before their event.

A beautiful venue does not compensate for systemic operational failure and lack of accountability.