La Mercy Beach Hotel — Hotel in KwaZulu-Natal

On arrival we were greeted by staff that looked very confused because we had booked and paid online, Booking.com. We produced our booking form and proof of payment but the "lady" from the back office insisted that we have to pay again [and hey we were there and wasn't about to drive around looking for other accommodation] So my friend paid and we were told that she can accommodate us as she had one room left. We had to walk up to the room. Corridors are dark and seedy. The room smelled offal and the windows were dirty & wouldnt open due to corrossion. We complained and was moved to another room. The room was musty and far from comfortable. We had to pay for the use of the remotes and for use of a blow dryer. At diner they could not provide half of the items on the menu and you are watched throughout your meal. There is a bottle store downstairs but you are not allowed to buy alchohol if you stay at the hotel. We got better food at the place down the road. on the morning of us checking out we packed up and went down to breakfast, they took long to serve us [as it is not buffet style] During our meal we were approached by the "lady/manager/owner?" who very rudely told us that we have to check out. Gavintold her they took long to serve us and we will as soon as we are done with our meal. She screamed at him that she does not care, checkout is at 10 and that's it. we fetched our belongings and they seemed very hesitant and took very long to refund us for the remotes and blow dryer. The staff are over worked and look very afraid to step out of line.Cutlery, rooms, hallways, windows are dirty and management are rude. Please don't waste your money...

On arrival the hotel looked ok, however things got worse.|There were a small flight of stairs just to get to the elevator. Once on our floor, we were greeted by a very unpleasant musty smell, this probably came from the bathroom vented windows that are in the corridor. |Once in the room I found nail clippings after moving the twin beds aside, so we weren’t sleeping together.|The WiFi didn’t work and was told it hadn’t worked for at last 4 days, this was more than inconvenient as I had work to do.|We went down for dinner, all I can say was after actually finding something they actually had, it took ages to arrive, tiny portions and quite disgusting. Also ran out of local beer choice. However the nice lady serving us was lovely and very over worked.|None of our rooms had a TV remote available.|The room was dated, the bathroom needed some TLC, the toilet seat was very loose and dangerous, however the water was hot and I mean VERY hot.|Breakfast buffet was available, however the choices was VERY limited, the hot food was not in any way hot and breakfast seemed to be packed away in a rush as if we were an inconvenience.|I can honestly on behalf of myself and the friends that I was staying with, we all agreed this place was awful and probably the worst hotel we had ever stayed in and the only positive thing I can say about it was the...

Checked in for two days. 03 and 04 June. Check out tomorrow 05 June. The service received on checking in was very good and the morning service also good. Went for a family funeral only to be received this evening by the night manager Shabir. No greeting. No smile and no manners. He insists it is not his duty to receive paying guests. Refused to apologise for his arrogant tone and aggressive questioning. Purchased food and beverages (some alcoholic) to have after I checked in ( they keep the room keys when you go out). I got to the hotel after close to 12 hours so that I could change and go out to have said drinks with family who came with me to the hotel. I had no idea that one cannot have take out when they checked into the hotel room. Again I reiterate the drinks was for consumption with family at a get together at one of my family members homes who is busy ferrying me around.

The assumptions and the accusations over and above the arrogant questions and not even greeting or speaking properly to a paying guest is absolutely atrocious. First and last time one would check into a place where you are treated so poorly. The night staff on the day before were exceptional and give the hotel a good name. This evening on the other hand leaves one with a bitter taste and makes me wonder how other guests are treated...