Mont Aux Sources Drakensberg Resort — Hotel in Okhahlamba Local Municipality

If you are looking to waste your money while staying in unhygienic accommodation look no further. Unfortunately, we never read the other shocking reviews before booking, however, we did see Mont Aux Sources is a part of the Orion Hotel group, which we thought was a very reputable brand so we trusted the brand.

Reception Service: after driving from Joburg, about 4 hours - We arrived at the hotel around. 10pm. We were greeted at the entrance gate by the security guard who told us no one was available to check us in to the hotel. After looking at him I’m disbelief and asking him what he expected us to do , he eventually said he would help us check in and we could proceed to the reception area. We then waited at the empty reception for over 20 minutes, until other guests went and called someone to assist us. After receiving our room card key, which had our room number scribbled on to it, we asked for someone to help us carry our bags and show us to our room. After another 15 minutes no one showed up, we went and found our room ourselves.

After complaining the following day, the general manager, Ken, promised us that he was placing a night-duty manager to be on-site during that evening. He agreed with us that it is ridiculous to not have someone on duty in the night.

The next day we went on a hike and for dinner in Clarens so we arrived back at the hotel late again, around 11pm. We checked to see if there was anyone on duty and there was no one to be found. We proceeded to our room looking forward to getting in to bed after a very long day. When we got to our room our key did not work!! We then had to mission all the way back to the security guard and had to beg him to help. He then woke up someone named Lebo who obligingly came out of her room, in her gown and assisted us with fixing the key. Still no one on duty! I really don’t know what would happen if there was an emergency.

Rooms: The rooms are extremely unhygienic. Immediately upon opening the cupboards you’re faced with layers of dust (see pictures attached). Again, we mentioned this to Ken and he said he would have it sorted the next day. Once again he failed to deliver on his promises and our room was just as dirty as the previous day. The air conditioner does not work and half the lights in the room are faulty, globes have just not been replaced. The paint is peeling off around the air conditioning unit, in line with this hotels policy of zero maintenance / upkeep

Bathrooms: Only two, old towels are provided, of which all have holes in them!!This was also mentioned to Ken, however, he seems unphased and never supplied new towels for our second night

Overall: The staff are extremely unprofessional and the hotel has been hugely neglected with damaged skirtings, broken plugs, and above all is infected with cockroaches. Electrical points in reception area don’t have cover plates which is a fire hazard.

‘Breakfast included’ - yes it is, hostel style breakfast! Expect cheap orange juice in chipped glasses. Rather bring your own food or go out to eat.

Overall, this was a very disappointing stay and we landed up leaving after two nights when we had booked for three as we were not prepared to stay another night in this ‘hotel’.

It is upsetting that a “hotel” on the foot of a world heritage sight with such great potential has been neglected as badly as this. The hotel group has clearly cut costs in order to make a buck at the expense of their clearly...

I've read so many bad reviews about Mont Aux Sources Hotel but every one of them fell completely short of the reality.

Accommodation The accommodation is amazing. It rivals any of the 4 star hotels in DBN and JHB. However, if you do not like insects then don't come to the mountain. If you want to sit and watch TV the entire day then don't come to the mountain! The aircons need to be fixed for the people who want to sit in their rooms and watch TV the entire day. The ants need to be tamed for the guys on the ground floor. Drainage in the shower needs attention. Bedding and towels seem to be an all round issue with dirt marks on them. I recommend housekeeping stop drying the towels and bedding on the railings and start using some sort of bleach. They also need to learn how to clean under the beds. The amount of dust I found there was disturbing.

Grounds and activities The yard is extremely well detailed and taken care off. Kudos to the gardeners. There is a fair sized pool which I saw that all the families with kids used. I did not use it as I preferred the Gudu falls pool which is a 2 hour hike from the Mahai camp site. There are a few other nice activities on site for families and kids such as an outdoor chess set and a damn nice putt putt course.

Food Unlike the numerous people whom had negative reviews of the hotel restaurant, who love eating food and show it in their well rounded nature, I take a more pragmatic view in my review. The range of main dishes at dinner is well rounded and well prepared. I would rate the food on par with Garden Court Marine Parade in DBN having stayed there numerous times. The chef needs to learn to use less oil though! Breakfast is a standard english spread. The muffins are to die for! I'm sure I put on a few kg from eating them! The omlettes are standard as per any other hotel. Main issue observed is the attitude of staff (both waiters and chefs). A smile would not go amiss.

Last but not least is Reception and Management. Kudos to Brett for his efforts to do good by the guests. Reception could definitely be improved. There were three ladies behind the counter when we arrived. The lady who served us (Lebo) had a pleasant smile and was friendly & helpful when we asked for advice on what we could do around the area. The other two ladies were extremely grumpy and gave off a very negative attitude. Everyone whom had to deal with the grumpy ladies only had complaints. With reception being the face of any hotel, this hotel is being dragged down by the attitude of its reception staff.

Overall I would definitely go back! And I would recommend this hotel to my friends if...

I grew up in Royal Natal, just a few kms from this hotel and visited frequently with my family. Was saddened to hear that it closed down in 2019, so when it was reopened this year we decided to spend Christmas there. I’m not one to be negative or complain much, but I do feel an honest review might help get this resort back to its former glory.

Let’s start with the pros: The chalets have been upgraded and look beautiful inside, some maintenance issues like door locks being faulty and shower doors not closing properly, but not that big of a deal. The waitress thabisile was brilliant and so helpful. Nikesh, the reservation officer was also a delight to work with.

Cons: We paid R500 for a Christmas buffet for 10 people, it was the worst buffet I’ve had in my life, the food was running short, none of us got any dessert and to top it off, my entire family left feeling unwell. The manager on site apologised and asked us to come in for a free lunch the next day, anything from the menu and some cheesecake (the dessert we never got)

We thought this might help, we were so wrong. The “free” lunch was just 3 options, and we were told that the rest of the food is still arriving from Town, yet everyone else at the restaurant got menus and had what we asked for but the manager insisted there was no food in stock. We wanted burgers, and the table next to us who arrived after us, got the burgers, and when we asked again, he lied and said there was no food in stock. Instead he gave us half chickens (that were clearly remainders from the day before). Also, apparently there was no butter to make the cheesecake so once again, promises were made that were not fulfilled.

Unfortunately we left feeling mistreated and worse, some of us had gotten extremely sick. Tummy aches and pains whilst traveling back home was not an experience to remember.

Now I know Mont Aux Sources was great, their food was phenomenal before and service incredible. What we wanted and what we got were two different things.

Lastly, when I was about to leave, a receptionist named Ayanda harassed me about sending proof of payment of my accommodation. Saying there might be a balance etc. The proof of payments were all sent to the reservation officer before arrival and this was so uncalled for, we felt as if we were criminals.

She actually waited at the gate so I wouldn’t leave without sending it. Imagine.

Such a beautiful place, so many memories, but absolutely run down by terrible service and horrible food.

I doubt I’ll ever return, surrounding accommodations have been much better...