14 Penguin Place, Melkbosstrand

False advertising with outdated strategic pictures and an absolute horrific experience.

1.0

N/A

− I don't usually write reviews but I feel obligated to write this one. I am not going to expand too much on the false advertising and overpriced fare on this accommodation. The pictures attached speak for themselves. My price mid July dead of winter of R1455 per night cannot be more detached from the value received. I have been booking with this app for 15 years and have never had this disparity between price and true value. Outdated pics and strategic photos hide an experience that was horrific from start to finish. There is a huge difference between rustic and Run Down. To top it off it was dead winter with a nice heater with no gas as per the pics. I would like to focus more on my lesson learned through this booking. This was my first booking where I had NO OPTION for Booking,com to facilitate my payment. This should've been a big flag in hindsight. The owner whatsapped me forwarded info and no greeting but very adamant that my fare be paid upfront and cleared immediately before handing over keys. The whole focus was on payment cleared immediately before our arrival and no proof of payment will be accepted. In hindsight on arrival I realized why. I now paid the owner directly with no cover from Bookings.com before setting eyes on the shocking establishment compared to immaculate outdated pics. I can only imagine why. There must have been so many come backs from this establishment and money back requests that trapping your client into upfront direct bank to bank payments works perfectly. Well played and lesson learned for my future bookings. I will never book an accommodation that the payment isn't facilitated by Booking.com.

Guest review

10.0

Lying in bed viewing the sea! Also, stepping from the lawn amost immediately onto the beach!

Guest review

9.0

Views and beach access is the best

Beautiful view. Beautiful location. A space where you can slow down. You feel safe.

7.0

I loved the ocean view. The environment is serene and safe.

− Hot water pump switch off quickly while you still drenched in soap.

WORST STAY EVER - APPALLING ROOM - HORRENDOUS EXPERIENCE - NO VALUE FOR MONEY! EXPLOITING CUSTOMERS!

1.0

Ocean view, fast wi-fi

− I have been traveling for Business and Leisure for the past 30 years. I always use Booking.com as I place high reliance on their rating system. I use filters for a minimum 4-Star Rating and an average customer score of 8+/10 to identify properties that are of offer similar [good] quality and service level. This venue, 14 Penguin Place, had a 4-Star Rating as a Preferred Partner of Booking.com and a 8.3/10 rating. These ratings are IMPOSSIBLE, based on my experience 5 days ago! I am APPALLED and OUTRAGED by the fact that this place is part of Booking.Com's Preferred Partner Program with a 4-star rating. I would rate them as 1-star (maximum) - just for the prime location and fast wi-fi. The average score of 8.3/10 is definitely NOT a true reflection of the property. It is FAKE NEWS!!!!! I booked a "DELUXE Triple Room with Sea View" (that is the only room that was available). I had certain expectations based on the high price and the fact that the property has a Booking.Com 4-Star rating. I also compare the property with others in Melkbosstrand that I had stayed at, but were fully booked unfortunately (these are less expensive and of extremely high quality.). I feel RIPPED-OFF that I paid R1545.33 per night (no breakfast) to stay in a DELUXE DISGUSTING Triple DUMP!!!!! See pictures of what the room and kitchen look like inside. I found a long black hair on the shower floor (I did not want to shower afterwards, as it seemed unclean). There were also dust and sand on the floor(unclean!). The double bed mattress felt like a waterbed and I could not sleep on it – had to sleep on the single bed. It seems that the rooms have not ever been renovated since 1960 - broken tiles, paint coming off the wall, moulded and cracked ceilings, big open hole leading to rooftop, etc. = SCRUFFY!!! Aircon does not work, which I PAID for. WORST PROPERTY EVER! This place tarnishes Booking.

one of the best guesthouse. What made our stay so wonderful was the brilliance of the owner.

10.0

I did not have breakfast with the lady. The owner, a middle-aged woman, was absolutely gorgeous. So pleasant. I really enjoyed her wonderful personality, humor, and just her presence. As I visit many guesthouses per year, I can easily rate this one as one of the best.

− She must supply her tenants with sandals to enjoy the seaside more efficiently, as I had no sandals.