La Splendida Hotel by NEWMARK

The restaurant breakfast was excellent, though I’m not sure whether it’s part of the hotel. For the price, the place is okay if you’re not expecting modern standards. The room was large, but the bed was awful, very soft and sagging down the middle. The hotel feels old, with a real key for the door and elevator buttons that were barely reachable. The bathroom was tiny, with a loo next to the shower and a very small area right in front where I nearly hit my head. The glass wasn’t clean, so I used the tap directly. There are almost no amenities, which stood out to me after getting used to standards in 🇯🇵. The upstairs room in the two-storey space got far too hot, and there was no aircon, so I didn’t really use it. If you get a front-facing room, the view is great, but noise from the restaurant downstairs and the boulevard is a problem. Staff were a mixed bag, from friendly and hospitable to acting like they didn’t want to be bothered. Even the GM didn’t answer messages over the weekend 😂. The TV picture was so grainy, I haven’t seen one like that in decades.

The team really went out of their way when I got stuck in CPT for an extra night, and they took my complaint about the rattling door well and began sorting it out. I’d recommend the place without hesitation for its service. The rooms do the job, though they’re dated and worn, with visible stains and minor defects. The main problem was the windows’ poor insulation, they rattled all night in the Cape Town wind.

I’d definitely stay again for the view and the service. I had a sea-view room, and the staff greeted me whenever I came or went and checked that I had what I needed. They even offered to store my daughter’s stroller in the office so I wouldn’t have to carry it up and down the stairs. The elevator was closed for safety concerns, but that wasn’t a major issue for me. The restaurant downstairs serves amazing food at decent prices for Cape Town. In the room, though, the floor was really dirty. I wiped up a little spilled coffee and the cleaning wipe came away filthy, and another section was just as bad. The sliding door windows looked like they had mould on them. I understand the hotel is right by the ocean, but sprays or treatments could help prevent that. There was no anti-slip mat in the bath, which was quite slippery and could cause an injury. Music from the restaurant can get loud, so light sleepers or anyone with an early start may want to plan around it.

The staff were courteous and efficient, and there’s a good restaurant. It’s a great spot for sea views and walks along the shore. I’d definitely recommend it 👌