Garden Court East London — Hotel in Eastern Cape

I visited the restaurant for lunch just after my visiting the nearby virgin active. It was exactly midday today- heritage day 24 Sept 2024. I had such high hopes for a long standing hotel that has been part of southern sun for years. I am not staying at the hotel as disclosure, I merely wanted a nice lunch during a hot day. Here’s my summary

I ordered a T bone steak with salad. My friend ordered a surf and turf and was immediately told there isn’t any calamari so instead she will receive a double portion of prawns instead. Kwl. About 10 min later, one of the kitchen staff tells us actually the waiter made a mistake, there are no prawns in the kitchen, rather calamari. We opted for a second T bone steak with salad too. We wanted something bubbly to drink, so we ordered some sparkling wine, most of the wines on the list were not in stock. We settled for whatever was available. The lady that was serving us literally dripped all over the table and did not even wipe it. A few minutes later she brings me my steak and salad. No accompanying cutlery, so I’m sitting there and I can’t eat because my friend hasn’t been served. I call the waiter and complain that it would honestly be so rude of me to eat while my friend watches me why wuddnt they bring the two plates at the same time. Long story short, the waiter took back my plate and returned a couple minutes later. My friends plate is warm, my steak is cold. The green salad looks like it’s bought from a deli. We asked for medium to well done, the steak was properly well done instead. I have never seen a T bone steak so small in my life! Jesus. For R230 each, it felt like daylight robbery. The service was poor, the food was even worse. A T bone steak so small and so thin with store bought sauce.

I have never had such an experience in a southern sun hotel before. Don’t mind the fact that you cannot have lunch outside because it’s not allowed.

Going to this hotel is my biggest regret. They should be a motel not a hotel and they certainly do not deserve to be part of southern sun. I’d caution you against...

I traveled to East London for work and was advised to stay at the Garden Court. After our experience, I don't think our organization will be using it in the future. My first impressions were positive enough. The location is great as the hotel is right on the waterfront and a quick walk to a number of shops, restaurants, and attractions. The hotel staff were very kind and attentive and they were able to provide me with a room well before the official check in time which I greatly appreciated. I would advise against taking a ground floor room. I noticed that the locking mechanism on the sliding glass door was not functioning at all. The hotel had installed another locking device on the door but it did not seem very sturdy and I was uncomfortable staying there, especially since I was traveling alone. The hotel did switch me to another room on a higher floor so I didn't have to worry about the fact that the sliding door didn't lock properly. The hotel does not use AC in the hallways so walking to the rooms feels like walking through a sauna. The AC in my room was working well enough but I learned from other colleagues who were staying there that they were having trouble. There is a small gym at the hotel that seemed nice enough and a lovely pool that I did not have time to try. The breakfast buffet in the morning was fine but the water dispenser seemed as if it hadn't been cleaned in awhile as there were things floating in my glass after I filled it. While the staff do their best to please customers, the hotel is in need of an update. Until then, I wouldn't...

Garden Court east London a dump This is the second time I have received poor service from this **py hotel.So today I checked in after a busy day of travel from Durban to Gauteng then to East London,I was given the room service menu and told I could order room service then I place an order for a chicken and mayonnaise sandwich which was taken then I receive a call a few minutes later stating there is no chicken.Then I take what they give and I am.told to collect it from downstairs they can't bring it to me,then I order dinner,I order a chicken burger yet again they say they don't have chicken then I choose fish and chips and i ask for sauce the lady says they don't have sauce ,I also ordered tea,they send me a jug with hot water and a tea bag and no milk I call and tell them no milk 40 minutes later nothing,I ask for the duty manager Pinky they can't find her I request her cell number and they don't want to give it to me,Pretty the lady at reception is rude and refuses to give me.her surname,finally Pinky comes to my.room and says they don't have milk and she gives me the milk they use to place in the rooms,so I must drink my.tea with the milk they put in rooms with my cold tea...pathetic service,they should close this dump,batroom is untidy, ceiling vents full of dust,toilet...