Westmoreland Lodge

We couldn't stay there on 10 October. I couldn't even bring myself to get out of the car. The yard smelled bad and was dirty, and the pool was dirty too. A lady we met there seemed lost, and she was from our neighbouring country. The place was nothing like the good reviews led me to expect. We asked for a refund, but they kept some of the money, saying we hadn't booked directly. I can't recommend it to anyone who cares about cleanliness or taking photos. It was really bad, with nothing good about it.

There was no bell or alarm at the gate, and I stood waiting on a quiet street with nobody coming to help. The staff seemed unconcerned when they saw me there, which made me question their work ethic. I also couldn't get a straight answer about the price. Booking.com showed R3669.91 for 13 days, while on the phone I was quoted R350 for a room with a shared bathroom and R400 with a private one. In person, they asked R400 for shared and R500 or R600 for a room without sharing. The different prices felt dishonest and like a rip-off. Management should be ashamed of how their staff treat people, since that is how they lose business. I'll look somewhere else, and I don't think the staff are honest.

The rooms are honestly nice, and I even came away with a few decorating ideas I'd like to use at home. It's a good budget choice, with a pool, a quiet atmosphere, and birdsong in the morning. Staff were friendly and went beyond what you'd expect at a self-service lodge, which left a lasting impression and made me want to return. The location is handy too, in a good neighborhood near malls and the taxi rank. Johannesburg city centre is close, so getting to popular shopping spots like Small Street is easy. The service was quite good, and the rooms were genuinely nice for the price.

The host was incredibly friendly, and the facilities were neat and clean. Communal areas can get busy and a bit rowdy, though. It's a decent stopover when you're travelling, with several malls and things to do nearby.