Scenery Guesthouse Maqalika

I wouldn’t recommend staying here. When I arrived, the receptionist had already gone home. The staff member left there couldn’t find my booking, but said he’d check me in and we’d sort out payment later. I’d booked dinner and breakfast, yet he said they didn’t serve dinner. The receptionist later came back with a KFC street wise 3 piece, no drink, and the room fridge was switched off with no drinking water in the room. I let it go and went to sleep. At checkout the next day, the invoice included R300 for dinner, and they charged me R110 for the street wise, calling it a chicken quick meal. They then offered me a drink and said they’d forgotten to give it to me the night before, which was pointless. They said they would review the invoice while I had breakfast. Just as I was about to eat, they asked if I wanted cereal, even though breakfast was already in front of me. I also had to wait about 20 minutes to pay because the speed points weren’t charged.

The views from the rooms are lovely, and the place is comfortable and beautiful. The chefs did a great job, even making us a special meal for our diet. Thanks, Makamogelo. If they could install a more user friendly toilet, everything would be well.

The room itself had thin doors, so we could hear people snoring next door, and kitchen smells drifted in. The toilet didn’t work properly and there were insects in the tub. Staff weren’t wearing masks while preparing food or cleaning, so we asked them not to clean during our stay. We’d booked over a month ahead, but on arrival were given a room and then told in the morning to leave because they claimed we hadn’t booked. They also said we hadn’t paid a deposit, although the booking said payment was due in full on arrival. They tried to find us another place in areas that weren’t suitable. Worst service ever. Don’t book here. I’d give it zero if I could.

Rethabile the chef was so friendly and down to earth, a real bright spot. The other staff seemed lazy and wouldn’t even help with our luggage. We had to push a trolley that was out of alignment, and some of our things broke. The rooms look beautiful but need a proper clean, especially the bathroom. The reception area felt crowded, and the receptionists need more customer service training. It didn’t feel welcoming.