Franka Guesthouse

We stayed for two weeks and found the guesthouse well located, with friendly, very helpful staff. Our room was spacious and had a kitchen and microwave for heating food, though the unit isn’t self-catering. Breakfast and dinner are available as extras you can book.

The place was quiet, secure and clean, with no noise, and I liked it. The staff were friendly too. But I couldn’t eat the meals, even though I’d paid for breakfast and dinner, so I had to buy extra food. The breakfast was a sandwich roll with archar and eggs, which isn’t what I’d expect from a guest house. On the first night, dessert was watermelon with feta cheese, a combination I’d never had. Dinner was a real surprise too. They need someone who knows how to cook and can make decent meals for guests. I’d recommend staying here if you only need a room and won’t be eating there, but not if you’re counting on the guesthouse for breakfast and dinner.

The reception service was friendly, quick and helpful, and the gardens are beautiful and well kept. I was only there for one night, with dinner, breakfast and a lunch pack booked. Since I spend all day on my feet giving training, I need a dark, safe, quiet room where I can sleep and work before bed. Guest houses cost a lot, so I expect value for money. Room 4 was spacious and had what I needed, including dark curtains, but the bathroom caused a few problems. The basin is in front of a window, so there’s no mirror for shaving. It took a very long time for the water to warm up, which wasted water. I was told they use gas geysers. I have no issue with the gas, but I do with that much water going to waste. The curtains were thin, and outside lights shone into the room through the bathroom arch, which has no door. The room stayed lit as though the bathroom light was on, and I couldn’t sleep well. There’s a veranda with chairs in front of the room, but my neighbours, who seemed to be contract labourers, sat by my window talking late into the night. I have no issue with them enjoying a room and a good night’s sleep, but I lost my privacy and had to close the curtains early. Whoever showed me the room should have noticed and done something. Breakfast service was poor. I was told I could start at 07:00, but the chef arrived at 07:15 and nothing was ready. The breakfast was below the standard I’m used to at other guesthouses. The chef was friendly but ill-informed. We book through The Traveller, and I know they pass on food requirements because other guesthouses received mine. The chef told me what she planned to make, and I had to correct her because she didn’t seem to know my requirements. The lunch pack wasn’t bad, but its standard was poor compared with places we’ve stayed for less. They also didn’t offer WiFi. I won’t stay here again, and neither will our company. I wouldn’t advise friends, family, colleagues or anyone I know to use them in Rustenburg. It’s unfortunate, because my research had made it look like a good place.

I had a great weekend in Rustenburg, and staying at Franka was wonderful. The room was huge, tidy and neat, with a very comfortable bed, and the place felt secure. The staff were great and made a good breakfast. I especially enjoyed relaxing by the pool during the heat wave, and the garden was lovely and well maintained.