Hilton Garden Inn Umhlanga Arch — Hotel in KwaZulu-Natal

Everything about this hotel is just slightly more infuriating than normal.

The rooms are mediocre at best. My biggest concern is that, for the price you pay, the following: Some of the room's blinds dont close completely, so you do not get to enjoy a full nights rest. Lights: When switching from generator to regular power (due to loadshedding), the entire room's lights flash on, this is especially disruptive when in the middle of the night. Aircon: The aircon is unresponsive. The air is stuffy and there is no window or fresh air coming into the room. The light of the aircon is so bright that in the middle of the night, it lights up the entire room Coffee: You are not allowed to be served coffee in the breakfast area in the morning from the coffee machine behind the bar, as this is at an extra charge, but you can have from the automatic coffee machine...so dont expect good quality coffee, unless you dish out more cash. Water: The policy apparently states that you only receive 2 bottles of water for your entire stay...but this is 2 small bottles, however they dont supply 2 small bottles, you get 1 750ml bottle of water though. You are also only supplied 1 bottle of water every second day, but not on the day you checkout. So even though the price is 1500 per room per day, some days this might include water, other days this might not...which is quite infuriating as, if this is not made clear, you can find yourself in the morning with no water to drink....unless, again, if you buy it at a highly inflated prices from their "local" hotel shop.

Much to my surprise, as i've come to find out at 5 in the morning, dont expect to find any consideration from the hotel side.

Remember: They are doing you a favor by giving you a place to sleep for R1500 per night...nothing else (this is the general feeling towards this hotel)

I've been forced to stay here a few times due to work, and unfortunately this hotel has been one of my worst experiences as it comes to customer engagement, satisfaction and quality. The restaurant staff are ill equipped when it comes to good service delivery. Orders are slow, drinks are slow, and pricing is quite high. I mean R85 for a Red Bull is crazy

They treat you like you are going to steal from them, you cannot just charge to you're room and settle upon checkout, you have to put a hold on your card, and before you can sign something to your room, they have to check if are under the hold amount...

When checking out, you have to pay anyway, and then the hold will get release or refunded...(not in my case though)

I had to wait more than a month for a hold on my card to cleared, this after paying my bill...after many calls, and much frustration, and having to go in-person...this finally got sorted. The problem is they expect you to adhere to their policies, but they hold no accountability towards...

Okay. Let me spill the tea! Our entire stay was hot garbage. The aircon: About as user-friendly as assembling furniture without instructions! We woke up feeling like we swallowed sandpaper. Thanks for the sore throat souvenir, no extra charge! My partner ended up getting sick. The room lacked proper ventilation. Dinner: A marathon. I aged significantly waiting for our food to arrive. The dishes should've been served with an apology. The chicken had pink parts and the lamb was tougher than a CrossFit session! I get it now - UberEats really is the MVP of this joint! Customer service: Our waitress insisted we hadn't paid for dinner despite us clearly saying we had opted for breakfast and dinner inclusive, which was paid for on arrival. We had even explained that we spoke to a waitress when we entered the restaurant who confirmed dinner was included. We were eventually taken to customer services where reality hit her - our reservation did include dinner, and...cue eye-roll. In general, the staff were rude, unfriendly, and about as helpful trying to get WiFi from a toaster. The look on housekeeping's face could've curdled milk when we asked for a few minutes to get ready before she cleaned our room. Pool attendant? Permanently miffed. There were only 3 sunbeds by the pool - is this a hotel or a game of musical chairs? Who knows! TV: Channels? Limited. Netflix or Disney+? Nah, in your dreams. The TV threw a tantrum, freezing and switching off mid-show. Regularly. Shower: Hot water? Comes and goes like a distant relative. Blinds: The blinds couldn't decide if they wanted to work or not. And blackout? More like a dimmer switch. Everything's overpriced for this mediocrity marathon. I have never been more excited for a holiday to be over! It wasn't a visit, it was a masterclass in how not to...

Excellent Stay at Hilton Garden Inn Umhlanga

I recently had the pleasure of staying at the Hilton Garden Inn Umhlanga, and it exceeded my expectations in every way. From the moment I arrived, I was greeted with a warm and friendly welcome by the staff, who went above and beyond to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable stay. Their professionalism and attentiveness truly set the tone for a great experience.

The hotel itself is impeccably clean and well-maintained, with modern and stylish interiors that create a relaxing atmosphere. My room was spotless, with fresh linens, a well-designed layout, and all the amenities needed for a comfortable stay. The housekeeping team does an outstanding job in maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness throughout the property.

One of the highlights of this hotel is its fantastic location. Situated in the heart of Umhlanga, it offers easy access to Gateway Theatre of Shopping, one of the largest malls in the area, as well as a variety of restaurants, cafés, and entertainment options just a short walk away. Whether you’re in town for business or leisure, the convenience of this location is unmatched.

Overall, Hilton Garden Inn Umhlanga delivers a perfect blend of comfort, convenience, and exceptional hospitality. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a memorable stay in Umhlanga. I will definitely be returning on...