Halyards Hotel and Spa

We left feeling degraded and appalled. What was advertised bore little resemblance to the filthy, run-down place we found, and we believe we're entitled to a refund. We plan to report the conditions to the authorities because this felt like a health hazard. In the rooms, the carpets were so dirty they turned our feet black, cobwebs were hanging from chairs, and the sofa was broken and filthy. The shower was revolting, the air conditioners didn't work, and the tiny TV was barely usable. We were given a small desk fan instead. The kitchen looked close to collapse, the ceiling seemed at risk of caving in, and the toaster was dirty and unhygienic. The promised assortment of pastries was only one type. With so many bad reviews and no apparent improvement, it seems the owners don't care. This was the worst accommodation we've ever experienced, and we can't recommend it.

The marina view is the one positive. We paid R3690 for rooms 19 and 38, and felt the experience was daylight robbery. The hotel has great potential because of its location, but the property is deteriorating badly and seemed neglected enough to raise concerns about guest welfare and the hotel's reputation. The rooms were revoltingly dirty. Old tissues and half-eaten crisp packets were in drawers, and the carpets were filthy and sticky. My son briefly walked barefoot from the room to get a bag, and came back with the soles of his feet black. Furniture, including a couch, was thick with dust. In room 38, the bottom of the glass door was broken and had been "repaired" with scrunched-up toilet paper. That suggests basic safety and care have been abandoned. The price led us to expect comfort and hygiene, but I would honestly warn people to pay to avoid this place. At least breakfast was tasty, with eggs, bacon and sausage, and gave us a brief respite. I urge the owners to take drastic action, perhaps close temporarily for a complete, ground-up renovation. I've known this hotel for 30 years, and the deterioration is shocking. Until there's a fundamental overhaul, I can't recommend Halyards Hotel. We left deeply appalled.

The marina view is the only thing I liked. I've known this hotel for 30 years and have watched it decline into a very poor state. The room carpets smell, and the paint inside the rooms and on the doors is pathetic. I wouldn't call it a 3 star hotel, I'd rate it 1 star.

The location is the only thing this expensive, terrible place has going for it. We booked on a referral and skipped our usual check of the reviews, which we regret. The carpet was torn, sticky, dirty and smelly, and when my son walked barefoot once, his feet turned black. We were so uncomfortable that we slept in our clothes on top of the blankets. The kiddies room door had a hole in one corner stuffed with toilet paper. On the balcony there were dirty black plastic chairs and a dirty black mop. It felt like a serious health hazard.