Protea Hotel by Marriott Midrand

Dinner was the worst part for me. Everything came out cold: the lamb chops were tough, the roast potatoes undercooked and tasteless, and the roast chicken burnt outside and dry inside. Most dishes weren't labelled, so we couldn't tell which soup or curry was which. The coffee from the waiter was lukewarm and very weak. The room itself wasn't much better. The hotel feels very dated in the corridors and bedrooms. Lighting was poor, some lights didn't work, and the aircon barely worked. The shower swung between freezing and scalding, and it took ages to find a bearable temperature. There were a few tiny hairs on the basin, whose mixer tap looked worn and scuffed. The kettle took forever to boil, and the TV looked at least twenty years old. None of the channels came through clearly, and there were fewer than ten. Getting around was awkward too, with lots of little staircases and a terrible layout for a four-star hotel. I can't think of much good to say. This felt like a one- or two-star place at most, the worst hotel I've stayed in.

Victor deserves a special mention. He and the rest of the team put in so much effort to make us feel welcome, and nothing seemed like too much trouble. The bar and restaurant staff especially impressed us. We'll be back for more cocktails!

Check-in went smoothly thanks to Califonia, and our room was sparkling clean with wonderfully cool aircon. In the sweltering heat, Sihle and Tabang unloaded my car full of conference gear in minutes, all with a smile. We'll be back. Outstanding service, well done!

The food was fresh, delicious and clearly prepared with care, and the grounds were beautiful and well looked after. I attended a conference here and was really impressed by how welcoming and comfortable it all felt. The staff were friendly, capable and ready to help, with a warm and professional manner that made the experience even better. It was a wonderful conference venue, and I'd gladly return. Highly recommended.