Salamander Resort

We had a sea view from our spacious three-bedroom, two-bathroom unit, with a nice balcony and a small braai. The braai might be a bit small for the unit’s capacity of eight. Central air-conditioning cooled the whole place within an hour, and parking was secure with room for more than one car. The finish was moderate, and the kitchen had a dishwasher. Good value and a worthwhile stay.

The bedrooms are surprisingly roomy, and the property has more amenities than you’d guess from its small exterior. There’s even a sauna, which I wouldn’t expect at a self-catering place. You’ll also find a pool, rec room, Jacuzzi, ping pong and pool tables, plus braai areas and stands outside each room. The units have ovens, stoves, kettles, and the usual basics. It’s close to restaurants and grocery stores. On the downside, there are lots of stairs, including the ones to the bedrooms, so it isn’t wheelchair friendly. The ocean view isn’t clear, and parking can get cramped when the timeshare is busy or guests are visiting the flats.

We arrived to a dirty place, with old food in the microwave and dirty carpet. The braai stand was broken and had been glued together, and there was a strange smell. We’d paid extra for cleaning, but no cleaning service came. The rental agents weren’t helpful and ignored our calls. Very unprofessional. I’d never recommend C9 Salamander.

The staff were friendly overall. Salamnder has braai facilities at the top of the timeshare, with an ocean view, and the jacuzzi, pool, and sauna make a stay worthwhile. There are very few DStv channels, though, and people walking along Lagoon Drive can see onto the balconies.