Chaka's Rock Chalets — Hotel in KwaDukuza Local Municipality

Our family occupied units 19 & 21 for the period 26 March - 2 April 2021. We have been going to the resort for the past 30 years and it was absolutely shocking to see how it has been neglected over the past 2 years

Despite several emails since 6 April to First Resorts, First exchange & Management at the resort, no response has been received.

1. Neither of the two units were ready to be occupied by the communicated time of 15:00
2. Neither of the two units were clean
3. Poorly equipped kitchen - most of the kitchen utensils seem to have disappeared over the years. There is hardly a complete set of anything (glasses, crockery or cutlery)
4. Microwave (unit 21) - old, dirty & should've been replaced years ago
5. Oven (unit 21) - no oven racks, no oven tray & the numbers on the knobs where one sets the oven temperature, has completely vanished over time
6. Dishes, crockery & cutlery had pieces of fat & leftover food on it. We had to wash everything in the kitchen ourselves before we could use it
7. Almost every kitchen floor tile is chipped or cracked
8. In unit 19 we had to remove hair from the bath. A used mask & some toys are only some of the items that were left behind by the previous occupants & not disposed of by the cleaners Unit 21 - Urine splashes on the toilet seat & floor, bath dirty, light switches & door handles filthy
9. The waste bin in unit 21's bathroom was badly rusted & the lid broken off. We reported this to reception and this was at least replaced with a new plastic bin during our stay
10. Unit 21 - No TV in the main bedroom, just a notice to say "sorry for the inconvenience"
11. Unit 21 - Air conditioner in unit 21 not in working condition. We reported this twice and when we inquired when this would be attended to, we were told maybe within the next day or 2. After 2 days someone was sent to check the a/c & we were told they couldn't repair the unit as the fan motor had to be replaced & they had to get authorization first. Needless to say, no further attention was given to the air conditioner and it remained in a non-working state for the rest of our stay
12. The couches, cushions, curtains and doors in both units are in a run-down condition and are also dirty, torn & stained/marked
13. Staff members were generally unfriendly & especially reception staff were abrupt and not interested to assist at all. The person (manager) on duty (unfortunately I didn't get her name), was busy typing a message on her phone and couldn't be less interested. The receptionist said she would report the a/c

My son who occupied unit 19, sent an email on the 27th March, complaining about the state of the unit as well as the lack of cleanliness of the unit & no one even bothered to acknowledge receipt of the email or to address the issues at hand

Although there is a huge sticker on every unit's sliding door boasting "Pristine Purpose Cleaned", Covid protocols didn’t appear to be followed at all. Except for a container with hand sanitizer in each unit, I am of the opinion that through the lack of cleanliness of units & the obvious disregard of hygienic practices, staff are not only devaluing the resort, but are also playing with the health of people, especially during the current pandemic where special emphasis should be placed on cleanliness and hygiene.

I hope you will regard my complaint in a very serious light and take the necessary steps to ensure that Chaka's Rocks Chalets "up their game" and that it is reinstated to the clean, well-kept & family-friendly resort it has been...

Chaka's Rock Chalets is a true case of "you get what you pay for" which is low for the area. At R900 a night for a "six" sleeper (I would not reccommend the unit for more than 4 people) it's on the "cheaper side" which is fabulous, but know you are signing up for the basics.

Small details are missing here, however one can not help but feel a little nostalgia when walking through the post Covid scenarios of the venue, for a time where you can imagine the place teaming with life. Reminisce over holidays with mom cooking and cleaning and packing sarmies for the beach as dad stokes the fires for tonight's braai and you will be setting yourself up for this experience.

The chalets are simple, yet clean. Ceiling fans in each room will help us "vaalies" to lounge around. Like daisies to the sun, so will you be with the fan. Thank goodness for the aircon in the main bedroom (but you will probably have to get get the remote from reception as there wasn't one on arrival.) The lounge area is comfortable and the outside braai and patio (of fair size) gave us beautiful sea views. Neighbors are well spaced out and it is lovely and quiet. The pool is beautiful and the general gardens are well maintained. The linnen is crisp and the beds are comfortable. Need washing done? No problem. Hand a load of washing to the cleaning staff and it comes back super quick and beautifully cleaned for R50. It is also a stone throw away from the beach. Overall, a beautiful little unit.

What you need to know:

Bring your own dish soap, dish towels and cleaning stuff. The units are not serviced daily but they also didn't give us anything to clean with. Not even a broom for the first 5 days. (Also no dishwasher so get those hands ready for some serious washing, mom) Don't forget TP. We got 1 roll for the week. The bath is small and doubles up as a shower so it's gets a bit messy but the water pressure is great. Bring your own floor towels as none were provided (we got one only in the last 3 days). Also arrived to no hand towels. I am not sure why the TV is missing from the main bedroom but if they don't want to put tvs there, they can at least take down the giant TV rack. The double bed for 2 adults is very "snug."

The little things: Want to play chess? Sorry for you, it's missing pieces. My poor 10 year old was bleak as this was a selling point for her. Trampoline is missing springs. Little bit scary for parents of the very little ones. There is free wifi apparently, but no one gives you the password. Again, kids were a little bleak. Small things like reception giving you the wifi password from the start and an aircon remote and little touches are needed at this venue to just give it that edge.

In saying all of the above, on arrival I asked to upgrade to a 3 bedroom unit as the units are quite small. There were none available but we did get the chance to view one and it is DOUBLE the size of the "six" sleeper. I would have paid 3 times more if I knew how lovely the 3 bedroom units are. If you are going to stay here with a family (even of 4) and you like a little space, I would reccommend you pay the extra for a bit more space, bigger kitchen and more bathrooms. The bigger units...

My recent stay at Shakas Rock Chalets with my wife and family was a wonderful experience filled with relaxation, fun, and quality time together.

The staff were incredibly friendly, ensuring we felt welcomed and well taken care of throughout our stay. The chalet itself was beautifully maintained, with a clean and modern interior that blended comfort with functionality.

Accommodation & Comfort: The chalets were well-equipped, featuring a modern kitchen, stylish bathroom, and cozy bedrooms that made our stay very comfortable.

The living space was inviting, with well-thought-out décor and a spacious lounge that provided a perfect setting for family bonding. Small touches, such as neatly arranged bookshelves, high-speed Wi-Fi, and an air-conditioning system, added to the convenience of the stay.

Resort Amenities & Activities: Shakas Rock Chalets offers a wide range of recreational activities for guests of all ages. We particularly enjoyed: The swimming pool, which was clean and well-maintained. Outdoor entertainment areas, including a braai (barbecue) area and a cozy lapa, ideal for social gatherings. A fun giant chess set and a darts area. Putt-putt (mini-golf) and a squash court.

Areas for Improvement While most of the resort facilities were enjoyable, certain areas could benefit from better maintenance. The tennis court, for example, needs some upgrades, as the surface & net are worn and could use a refresh to make it more appealing for guests who love sports. Improved upkeep of the outdoor play area would also enhance the overall experience.

Overall Experience Shakas Rock Chalets is a fantastic holiday spot that offers a great mix of relaxation and activities for families. The staff’s hospitality, the range of on-site facilities, and the well-designed accommodations made our trip truly memorable. Not to mention, the view from the apartment was breathtaking (overlook the ocean)! A bit of extra attention to facility maintenance would elevate this hidden gem even further. We would definitely consider returning in the future for another peaceful and enjoyable...