Ecolux Boutique Hotel

This was such a disappointment. I travelled from the UK and wasn’t expecting much, but the place was horrid. The rating needs another look. Calling it five star makes no sense, and even two stars feels generous. The open-plan bathroom had no shower doors, and the room smelled like sewage. We couldn’t sleep, partly because the air-con was as noisy as a busy factory. Service was tolerable, but the food was bad. Breakfast was included, yet we were charged for coffee and milk. There was only one bath towel and one hand towel for two guests, and they didn’t understand why we wanted another set. The pool felt slimy. I wouldn’t return even if it were free.

Our usual place to eat in Komatipoort was closed, so we did a quick search and found Ecolux. Even with the rain and flooding in the area, they were open. It was very quiet, but we got a warm welcome, excellent food, and great service. Freedom made us feel like VIPs.

I was most upset to hear staff say they don’t feed the two cats on the property because then the cats would come back. They’re already there and seem to have made the place their home. To me, refusing to care for them shows a lack of compassion and is cruel. I can’t say anything good about a place involved in animal cruelty. Unless their approach to these cats and other animals changes, I see them as inhumane. The setting is quiet and pleasant, and the rooms are spacious and well equipped. But the basin splashes water everywhere, like turning on a tap over a plate, so either you or the area around you gets wet. The shower also leaves water across the floor, which you have to dry after using it. I didn’t like either fixture. There was no hot water in my room on arrival, so I had to shower in another room until they fixed it the next afternoon. The food was OK, but not what I’d expect from a five-star place.

We went for lunch as a family and waited nearly two hours for our food. When it finally came, it was far from great.