Old Moaner Travel
I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list
Africa Lodgings
Clearly, this is, by no means, a comprehensive guide to accommodation in Africa. Instead it's some of the places I've stayed in the past few years.
There are clearly more comprehensive guides available elsewhere on the internet, however this guide may give some suggestions of places to stay or, more importantly, avoid if you are considering visiting a particular location. I have given each hotel a subjective score out of five.
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In some instances the establishment has replied to my comments, where this has happened I have include, for fairness, their response.
Listings are alphabetical listing by country.
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eSwatini (formerly Swaziland)
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Mbabane
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Lugogo Sun 5/5
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I suppose it says a lot about my preconceived notions that I wasn't expecting much with the hotel, being located in Swaziland, however it turned out to be one of the best hotels in our tour of South Africa.
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The rooms are spacious and well appointed, although the television had seen better days with relatively few channels, although we were not here to watch TV.
The staff were exceedingly friendly and helpful, with nothing too much trouble for them.
The highlight though was dinner - normally when I hear it's a buffet alarm bells ring but I have to say it is the best buffet dinner I have ever had. The choice is extensive but the food is excellent - if you cannot find something to suit your tastes then you must be a very fussy eater.
South Africa
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Cape Town
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The President Hotel 3/5
This is a very difficult hotel to rate.
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On a plus point the room was large and comfortable with a massive bed.
Staff were friendly and helpful and nothing was too much for them.
However the catering was the bad point.
Funnily enough there were a party of German tourists on the next table hence the Basil Fawlty and Manuel comments.
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Dinner was a farce - first of all there was only a set menu available, therefore it should have been straightforward.
It was too much to ask - we had to wait 45 minutes for our starters to arrive. Then when the main course arrived my wife's chicken was, at best, lukewarm and had to be sent back.
We were not the only ones to send food back either.
On our final afternoon we had tea and some cake but when it came to pay none of the staff knew how to use the card payment machine.
The wi-fi, although free, was absolutely appalling no faster than old fashioned dial-up and the printer in the business centre was so poor it wasn't good enough to print our boarding passes.
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Durban
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Prorea Hotel, Durban Edward 3/5
The hotel itself is great - on the seafront.
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Well appointed rooms, friendly helpful staff and a good restaurant, although the packed breakfast's are not that special.
The downside is the location.
We had a room located at the side of the hotel and the view from the window beat anything you can see in a TV crime drama.
On the corner of the street you can see the local hookers plying their trade, whilst down below the drug dealers (and probably the pimps) ply their trade as well. If that wasn't enough we were "treated" to the sight of a car pulling up and an unconscious passenger dragged out and dumped on the pavement - so it's safe to say the hotel isn't in the best part of town.
Hotel response:
It is a pleasure to receive a review from such a well traveled (sic) individual, thank you for it!
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We are delighted to note that you enjoyed your stay with us and that the hotel's unique features played its part in making your stay great.
The City of Durban has done a great job to manage the vast number of humans it attracts to its beaches. The private companies managing the safety and security along with the cleaning service company should be commended for making the 'Golden Mile' an amazing space where one can have a very calm and composed holiday.
Maybe the next you visit, all of these efforts would have a better impact on you and many others.
We look forward to welcome you back soon.
Hazeyview
Perrys Bridge Hollow 4/5
I feel almost churlish giving four stars to this hotel.
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The rooms are incredibly spacious and has previously been mentioned they come with two showers, one in the main bathroom and one outside al fresco, presumably for the hot summer days.
Sitting out on the veranda watching the birds was relaxing.
The restaurant offered good food at reasonable prices.
So why not five stars?
Well the hotel is a resort, with shops and is self contained, essential as we were warned it was not safe to venture outside the resort.
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There are shops but they are of the more upmarket variety but worse of all they all closed by 17:00. We fancied a bar of chocolate around half six in the evening and it was impossible to get one.
The resort is well situated for Kruger.
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Johannesburg
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Protea Hotel Wanderers 4.5/5
Set in the heart of the famous Wanderers Club this is a delightful hotel to stay in.
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Slightly away from the city centre the hotel is incredibly secure and there were no worries about security and we felt safe.
The room was excellently appointed and roomy and the restaurant produced excellent food, albeit with a limited range and with the low value of the rand coupled with the relatively cheap cost of living in South Africa the meal was exceptionally good value.
There is a great pool which was relaxing to sit next to in the evening
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Breakfast was buffet style with a great choice.
A wonderful hotel and we'll definitely stay again next time we're in Johannesburg
Hotel Response:-
Thank you very much for your lovely review.
We are thrilled that you were able to feel safe and secure during your stay at the Hotel. Our security TEAM is extremely passionate about their role in keeping our GUESTS safe.
I am delighted that you found our rooms spacious and that the restaurant provided you with excellent food and great value for money. I shall pass your great feedback on to the relevant departments.
I hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back to our Hotel in the not too distant future!
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Oudtshoorn
Queens Hotel 5/5
We could take up permanent residence at this hotel.
A lovely colonial style hotel with a warm, friendly welcome.
The room was a reasonable size but not huge.
There is a lovely lounge with deep armchairs and sofa's and the restaurant is brilliant. We had an outside table overlooking the main road. Service was good and the food of exceptional quality.
There is nothing to fault about this hotel.
Sabie
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Misty Mountain 5/5
What an amazing place to stay.
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Chalet style rooms offering the most stunning views, this is a place where you have to relax.
Rooms come equipped with a log burner for those chilly evenings - even better the rooms do not come equipped with televisions.
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The large dining room serves good value, wholesome food and breakfast is a delight, especially when taken on the terrace and the hot food is cooked to order
In the late afternoon you can sit on your veranda and watch the shadows lengthen but in the morning we were treated to a glorious sunrise.
The only regret is we stayed here for just the one night.
Hotel response:
Wow – thanks for the amazing review. Glad you were wowed by Misty Mountain and that you liked all the simple things that make Misty Mountain such a special place. Hope you will come again sometime – but next time, please stay for longer.
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With thanks and regards from all at Misty Mountain
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Umfolozi
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Protea Hotel Umfolozi River 3/5
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A very strange room with the bathroom not really isolated from the rest of the room.
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Three quarter glass screens separate the lavatory and shower from the room and although frosted to maintain dignity it does seem strange.
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The hotel is OK but nothing exceptional
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