1/5 Sharon S. 1 year ago on Google
Our
anniversary
celebration
was
to
have
been
a
momentous
occasion.
Veranda
House
seemed
to
tick
all
the
boxes
in
terms
of
the
location,
facilities
advertised
and
reviews.
We
were
welcomed
by
Madelaine
to
a
beautiful
set
up
of
roses,
tea
light
candles
and
a
tasty
cordial
on
the
table.
We
were
advised
that
the
lack
of
electricity
was
due
to
load
shedding
which
had
started
earlier
and
that
the
power
would
be
restored
within
the
2.5
hour
schedule.
We’d
wanted
to
take
a
refreshing
shower
before
relaxing
in
the
garden
but
surprisingly
there
was
no
hot
water.
(The
towels
in
the
bathroom
had
seen
better
days
and
were
worn).
We’d
paid
a
premium
rate
for
the
exclusivity
and
private
pool
area
but
what
we’d
found
was
derelict
looking
pond
which
was
explained
as
being
part
of
a
‘natural
system’
and
the
unkempt
pool
and
markings
were
a
result
‘wear
and
tear’
and
that
due
to
the
lack
of
electricity,
could
not
be
cleaned.
There
were
no
pool
towels
in
sight
and
the
nearby
drinks
table
was
damaged
and
patched
up.
The
garden
is
riddled
with
massive
thorns
and
both
my
husband
and
I
had
the
displeasure
of
both
being
injured
having
stepped
on
them
unwittingly.
The
decor
items
have
not
been
cleaned
and
polished
and
look
tarnished.
The
frames
behind
the
couch
on
the
veranda
are
falling
apart
and
the
ceiling
boards
above
the
table
were
damaged
leaving
huge
gaping
holes.
We’d
wanted
to
lay
out
some
snacks
and
had
to
wash
out
the
dusty
crockery
and
eating
utensils
beforehand.
There
were
no
champagne
glasses
and
almost
all
the
cupboards
were
locked.
We
were
not
informed
that
there
wouldn’t
be
drinking
waters
and
would
have
to
purchase
from
their
bar.
For
the
duration
that
we
were
there
there
was
No
WiFi
and
no
TV.
Of
greater
concern
was
that
we
were
next
to
an
open
veld,
and
from
the
veranda
we
could
see
the
traffic
on
the
main
road
which
inadvertently
meant
that
there
was
foot
traffic
too.
We
felt
very
uneasy
and
vulnerable
with
the
electric
fence
off
and
there
was
no
generator
as
a
back
up
solution.
The
staff
were
also
able
to
also
access
the
property
at
will
and
without
warning.
With
no
solution
we
had
no
option
but
to
leave.
Despite
the
assurances
and
repeated
reminders,
it
took
forever
to
eventually
get
a
refund.
We
certainly
did
not
experience
the
5
star
rating
of
a
venue
as
advertised.
Alan
the
owner,
acknowledged
and
confirmed
that
we
were
100
percent
on
point
and
indicated
that
he
would
get
his
maintenance
team
in
soonest.
His
arrogance
was
simply
astounding
when
called
to
book
when
we
declined
his
offer
of
a
discounted
rate
on
our
next
stay
and
a
1
night
weekday
stay
at
his
convenience.
Clearly
he
had
not
understood
our
experience.
