Hemingways Hotel

The staff were attentive and friendly, and the coffee was really good. Still, the buffet breakfast felt a bit lacking despite the staff's best efforts. The hotel needs renovating: the room felt grimy and lived in, and the whole place is dated. It's not just the age. Small upkeep would help, like refinishing the wood, redoing grout, fixing peeling wallpaper and updating plug points. The carpet was rough, like the fabric headboard, so tile it or replace it. That queen sleigh bed also doesn't suit a room that size. I bruised my knees on it several times.

The food was the best part for me, tasty and served in lovely portions. It was a great place to stay, and the staff were lovely and helpful. I'll definitely return to Hemingways Hotel on my next trip to East London.

Hamingways East London was a disgrace. There was no water, and all I got for my evening bath was one cold 5 litre bottle to boil in a kettle myself, even though I'd paid the full accommodation fee. After a long day at work, having to heat bath water like I'm staying in a backpackers room felt unsanitary and undignified. Tsogo Sun. My food arrived without cutlery. The guy disappeared for 25 minutes to find some, so the meal was cold by the time he came back. Then he asked if he could take it back to warm it, without explaining why finding cutlery took so long or why they sent the food without any. I couldn't enjoy a warm bath, and I was hungry because the order was late and I had to wait another 25 minutes for utensils. I was livid and deeply displeased. #hamingwayhotel Tsogo Sun Hemmingways

We had booked a buffet for a retirement party at the hotel restaurant, and my colleagues and I found it absolutely delicious and plentiful. The tables were set elegantly, and all the staff were kind and quick to help.