Four Seasons

The security was a dealbreaker. The hosts even advised us not to be out after a certain time because of how dangerous the area is, and it didn’t feel safe even with security guards. I absolutely wouldn’t recommend this hotel or apartment to anyone. We booked for two days and could barely stand it. It was freezing because the heater didn’t work, and when we messaged on WhatsApp they read it and ignored us. There was no privacy; it felt more like a student hostel, and the whole place made us nauseous. The Wi-Fi kept dropping so badly they had to try another router. The photos online looked completely different from the place we were given. It felt like a scam, especially with the no-refund policy. The washrooms were tiny, and they didn’t even make you want to take a bath.

The staff were friendly, accommodating, and available whenever I had a question or concern. The apartment itself was spacious and clean, with elegant furnishings and all the facilities I needed for a comfortable stay. It had high-speed Wi-Fi, cable TV, a fully equipped kitchen, air conditioning, and comfortable beds. Urban Oasis is in a convenient area, with cafes, restaurants, and shops within walking distance, and the city center and major attractions a short distance away. The views were amazing, and the modern design made the apartment feel inviting. It would suit families, couples, or friends looking for comfort and a relaxing stay. I’d recommend Urban Oasis for a luxurious holiday and a chance to make good memories.

The apartment was clean, in a good district with plenty of places to go out, and there’s a coffee bar right across the way that’s worth a visit. It also has its own washing machine, though we didn’t use it because of the water crisis, plus a rooftop pool and gym. For about 1k ZAR a night, though, I’d choose somewhere else next time. A lot of things were broken when we arrived, which made for a terrible first impression. The lower part of one window had been ripped out, so we couldn’t close it at first, and the panel for the boiler room was off and lying on the floor, exposing the ugly, dirty floor it was meant to cover. We fixed both ourselves. Other broken things were repaired in about ten minutes, so I don’t understand why they weren’t sorted before we arrived. The internet failed about 90 percent of the time across several devices, leaving us without TV or communication. The air conditioning cooled for 20 minutes, then started heating despite still being set to cool. The bathroom door lock was broken and wouldn’t really close. In the harbor-facing apartment, a large building under renovation stood right in front of the view. That isn’t the hotel’s fault. There are private apartments in the building too, and some people were talking on the main floor at night. They quieted down when we asked, and were actually nice. The key pickup was confusing: you have to collect them from another building 50 meters away. We’d read that beforehand, but an email saying we could check in a day early through their app was misleading. It didn’t mean we could enter on arrival; we still had to wait until 3 pm. That part was our own fault, but the message could confuse guests. The guards at reception in both buildings were unfriendly, and I couldn’t tell which one was worse. I wouldn’t stay here again.

Three days before I was due to arrive, the owners messaged to say the apartment I’d booked on booking.com was no longer available. They gave no reasonable explanation and told me to book one of their other apartments in the building or cancel. I think they use this apartment to attract bookings with its views and appearance, then put guests somewhere else when they actually want to stay at Urban Oasis.