The Sails Apartments Timeball Point Durban

Shockingly Poor Standards at The Sails Point Apartments

Our four night stay at The Sails Point apartments in Durban was one of the most disappointing accommodation experiences we’ve ever had. The level of neglect, lack of cleanliness, and overall misrepresentation of the units is completely unacceptable for a property advertised on reputable booking platforms. From the moment we walked in, it was obvious that the apartment looked nothing like the photos online. • The lounge had almost no furniture, and what was there looked worn and uncared for. • Curtains were torn, walls were dirty and damp, and the lounge air conditioner didn’t work at all. • The kitchen was in a shocking state: the stove and oven were filthy and unusable, the fridge hadn’t been cleaned or defrosted, and the cutlery and utensils were minimal and in terrible condition. • The bathroom was mouldy, unhygienic, and poorly maintained. • The main bedroom had dirt on the ceiling, a malfunctioning downlight, a rusted curtain rail, no hangers, and cupboards that smelled strongly of urine. • The air conditioner in the bedroom couldn’t be used because there was no remote. This was not a minor oversight — it was a clear sign of long term neglect. I immediately contacted the agent (they operate under the name of Carrington Guest House) and requested to be moved. Instead of resolving the issue promptly, I was told we could only be moved the next day because all other units were occupied. They did offer a 50% discount on the first apartment, but that didn’t change the fact that the unit was uninhabitable. The following day, a manager arrived and showed me two alternative apartments. I chose what they called an “upgrade” — a larger unit that was in slightly better condition but still far below acceptable standards. As the day went on, more faults became apparent. That evening, things escalated further when we discovered a ****roach infestation. ****roaches were scurrying around the apartment — something no guest should ever have to deal with. I reported all of this immediately, along with a new list of faults. Instead of taking responsibility, management repeatedly insisted they would not refund any money and would only send someone to “sort out” the issues. After a lot of back and forth, the only action taken was sending another cleaner, who left the apartment in almost the same condition as before. No repairs. No pest control. No meaningful intervention. The Sails Point apartments are being advertised in a way that does not reflect their true condition. The level of neglect, the hygiene issues, the pest problem, and the dismissive attitude from management made this stay incredibly stressful and disappointing. Even after being moved to a supposedly upgraded unit, the problems continued. The lack of accountability and refusal to offer a proper refund speaks volumes about how this property is being run. In its current state, I cannot recommend The Sails Point apartments to anyone. Basic cleanliness, maintenance, and comfort should be the minimum — and unfortunately, this property failed on all three.