Lodge on Main Guest House

A stunning place in a very central spot, with amazing rooms and excellent staff.

The property, gardens and shared areas like the bar and breakfast room look impressive, and the suite had a separate lounge and kitchen. But once I got to my room, my impression went from 4 star to -1 star. I booked the Baobab suite at the back because it had a kitchen and washing machine, and I was staying 5 nights. There was no washing machine. The lady I assume was the manageress said there are no washing machines in the rooms and that I could use their laundry service. The room smelled strongly of damp and mould. It was dark, the carpet looked as if it had never been properly cleaned, and the wardrobe smelled even worse, with visible damp stains. I didn’t dare put clothes in it. The headboard had stains that I presume were old sweat marks. The bedroom was a disgrace. I couldn’t sleep because of the smell, so I messaged the property to say I needed to change rooms. Next morning I found the owner and explained. He seemed blasé, almost bored, and didn’t even flinch when I said the room stank of damp and mould. He checked and said they were fully booked, which was fair enough, but asked if I couldn’t just “open a window”! He offered a different room each night, but those rooms had no kitchen, so that wasn’t practical and I turned it down. I changed my mind after going back to the room and messaged him, but nobody replied to any of my messages about the problems. They had my money and didn’t seem to care that I was upset or uncomfortable. They get away with this time and again. I asked if they had a humidifier. He said yes, but what I got was just a normal fan, and it didn’t help at all. In the bathroom, the mirror and bath tub were the only nice things. The rest was filthy: the cheap plastic toilet lid, a toilet brush that probably hadn’t been changed for years, window sills, blinds, dirty rusty burglar bars, a shower with a flimsy cheap plastic door, and the state of the towels and bathrobe. I was flabbergasted. The kitchen was the best of the worst, but still dirty, with cobwebs, dirty windows, a badly rusted stove top and the cheapest utensils imaginable. The crockery and glassware were at least OK. The “bottle” of water was a refillable glass bottle with what I suspect was tap water. At night, light from the other unit shone right onto the bed, and I had to use tape to try to keep it close. I stayed because I wasn’t going to waste more money, time and energy finding somewhere else, and I shouldn’t have had to.

It’s a calm place with attractive design and a comfortable room, and the breakfast was great. Staff were friendly too. Great value for money for a business traveller, especially if you need to be near Walmer Park shopping centre. It’s very central.

The breakfasts were superb, and the lodge was nicely furnished. A big bunch of us parents stayed while the kids were at a waterpolo tournament. The rooms were clean and the beds really comfortable. They were happy for us to bring our own liquor, use the fridges and bar, and make use of the braai. A great place to stay and well priced.