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External Review's Review of Umngazi Hotel And Spa

1 How would you rate your overall experience?

TRIPADVISOR - Escape38407332847 - 10 Nov 2020 - - - Mixed Feelings - - - Umngazi is a beautiful hotel in a beautiful location, however I’m not sure we would return in a hurry. The service in some areas is very poor; both the reception staff and the dining room staff couldn’t be less interested in helping you, and getting any information out of anyone is almost impossible. I think because most guests are return visitors, the hotel just assumes you know how things work, but, of course, if it’s your first time there, you really don’t. Luckily we met some friendly return guests who were happy to “show us the ropes”. The bar staff, the ladies at the spa, and the staff who facilitate all of the kids activities, on the other hand, are wonderful. The food is good and there is lots of it, and it is great that kids are allowed to attend both dining areas, however the kid’s dining room and the adult’s dining room opening times do not overlap, so if your children eat dinner with you, but aren’t keen on eating what the adults have on offer, they have nothing to eat. The activities on offer (once you manage to find out what they actually are) are excellent and varied, especially the kid’s activities. The rooms are lovely and very private, and if you’re lucky enough to get a sea facing room, the view is magnificent. Overall, we enjoyed our stay at Umngazi, our children especially, but as it’s a very long 5.5 hour drive from Durban via potholes, goats, and drunk pedestrians, I’m not sure we’d return in a hurry. I think, for the price, there are equal, if not better, venues with attentive staff and a far less arduous journey to get to them. (https://tinyurl.com/yy6omkye)

Umngazi Hotel And Spa
Dear Guest Thank you very much for your detailed review of Umngazi Hotel and Spa. I am extremely sorry that you have such mixed feelings and that your stay with us was not as satisfactory as you would have wanted it to be. It is extremely hard to receive such a negative review and I am sorry to hear that you won't be returning in a hurry. Unfortunately the road from Durban, goats and drunk pedestrians are things completely out of our control and, no matter how much we would like to change it, we're not able to. During the last few months after lock down, we have had more 1st time guests than return guests and none of them have felt "the hotel just assumes they know how things work" - our receptionists give all info upon check in, they provide you with a brochure of all activities available and we even have an Interactive Screen at our reception area with all info. There is always a manager on duty and present during breakfast, lunch and dinner and I find it very hard to believe that "getting any information out of anyone is hardly impossible". The room type assigned to you is also not dependant on "luck" but on your booking preferences and budget available. If you're budget allows for a sea facing room, we will allocate a sea facing room as per your booking. We are glad that you and your family had the opportunity to stay with us at Umngazi. South Africa really is a country filled with the most beautiful places and may your journey only be amazing. Sending you warm Umngazi greetings. Kind regards Melissa