ONOMO Hotel Durban — Hotel in Stamford Hill

I'm sorry but this place may look nice on pictures and superficially nice but everything is cheap and service is quite poor. The plastic wood everywhere is tacky, windows are so thin you hear all the traffic on the roadside while on the yard side there is LOUD partying til very late. The staff assured me it would stop at 23, but this was not true, it continued til 2 am.||The staff in reception seems truly clueless at most things, this is probably because they have no training and hardly any salary. The poor manager on duty seems to constantly have to rush and make right the various mistakes made, she seems to do nothing but apologise all day to costumers. The owners of the hotel clearly prioritise their own pockets over providing service. ||A few examples of cheapness: |1.No folder with information in the room - I am referred to the website. The tebsite says iron and ironing board in your room. I looked and looked, couldn't find it. I called reception and they said I can fetch it from the lobby (another hotel would have brought it to my room...). I went down to lobby, carried the ironing board up in the elevator etc. to my room and then found the iron to be old and dirty, it dirtied my blouse and the steam function didn't work properly there was just a lot of water coming out, leaving water stains on my other top.... Just replace the iron when it is old? If a guest calls, deliver the iron and board to the room? Change the information on the web... not so difficult things if you want to make a good impression.. ||2.My collegue had a paid and booked transport to the airport that had been forgotten by the staff despite that he reminded them a few hours before and they ensured him it was settled. Once it was due - no transport. He nearly missed his flight. The poor manager lady had to book an uber for him and give him cash...||3. I gave them laundry one morning, thinking it would be finished by the evening or the next day, like all other hotels. By next evening it was not finished (it was 3 small items, no dry cleaning). They seemed to be looking for it as if they had lost it. When I was checking out 2 days after handing in the laundry, the woman in reception admitted one of my tops had been lost... When I complained about this and point 4 below, they did offer compensation, but I had to send a recepit of a new top and fill in forms etc. hassle.||4. After a long week of work staying at this hotel I was looking forward to sleeping 8 hours until leaving on Saturday. The Friday partying however started already at 4 pm with a DJ. I had the room facing the courtyard and asked the manager how long the partying would continue. Oh we have a curfew at eleven in Durban, she said, it will definitely be quiet after that! I’m not from South Africa so I believed her and felt OK I can sleep from 11 to 8 am, that’s OK. My room turned out to be just above the party and it felt like it was IN my room. I was trying to finalise my work from 21.00 to 23.00 with the booming music. By 23 I was really tired of it. But – what do you know, the party went on! I tried to call the reception at 23:30 but they didn’t even pick up (could probably not hear the phone over the loud music). Later when I call again closer to 24 they pick up and one of the non-trained receptionists admits that the party will continue until 2 am!! I’m baffeled and a more slick manager like guy calls me back a bit later and apologises and says ‘we’ll try to lower the volume’. I ask how long this would go on and he is like “it should be over by eleven or twelve”. I’m like - it’s almost twelve now! Guess what – music was not turned down and reception didn’t respond to any further calls. The music finally stopped just before 2 am after I had listened to it for 5 hours! I slept less than 6 hours instead of my 8+ hours that I was looking forward to. Since they also lost my laundry I was quite upset and the manager lady said she would compensate me with money back for the final night, after I filled in a lot of forms etc. I hope this will happen. I would have prefered to have a good nights...

The ONOMO Hotel offers a blend of modern comfort and African-inspired design that creates a welcoming atmosphere for both business and leisure travelers. Located in the heart of Durban, it's conveniently close to the ICC, Moses Mabhida Stadium, and the beachfront, making it an excellent choice for those wanting to explore the city.

The rooms are well-appointed with contemporary furnishings and practical amenities like free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV, and a work desk, making it suitable for business guests. The beds are comfortable, and the rooms are kept clean, though they can be on the smaller side. The hotel also provides a fitness center, which is a nice touch for those looking to keep up with their workout routine.

The staff at ONOMO are known for their friendliness and attentiveness. They are usually prompt in addressing guest needs, whether it’s for room service, extra amenities, or advice on local attractions. However, during peak periods, service can slow down slightly.

The on-site restaurant offers a decent selection of local and international dishes. Breakfast is particularly good, with a variety of options that cater to different tastes. While the food is generally tasty, some guests might find the menu somewhat limited if staying for an extended period.

ONOMO offers good value for money, especially considering its location. It’s competitively priced compared to other hotels in the area, and the overall experience justifies the cost. However, if you’re looking for luxury, you might need to explore higher-end options.

ONOMO Hotel is a solid choice for travelers looking for a comfortable and convenient stay in Durban. It balances affordability with quality, making it a popular option for both business and leisure visitors. While it might not offer the extravagance of some higher-end hotels, it excels in providing a welcoming,...

Review Onomo 28 Aug 2022

Was expecting much more and totally disappointed. Yes it might have been due to the fact that it was the Comrades, but then again that is no excuse for sub par standards.

Room was adequate, small but comfortable and clean. Bedding one thin duvet cover. The loud reverberating music emanating from the Topaz Rooftop bar while attempting to sleep would require a horse tranquiliser to achieve that goal.

Dinner was either a selection from the buffet or word fired pizza ( here creativity and smart marketing by using word fired) is totally a figment of the imagination and whoever was responsible for the marketing of such deserves an award. If that was a wood fired pizza then the world is flat. The pizza was more a resemblance of a rounded doughy toasted sandwich smothered in cheese to hide the flaws.

Breakfast was interesting, it can’t get worse than this, having ordered an cappuccino and then leaving the table to peruse what is on offer , upon returning it seemed like David Copperfield also ran the comrades, cappuccino had disappeared and upon reordering was informed that WOULD be another charge.

Checking out requesting for the invoice was another issue altogether, as apparently a glitch in the system ( which I suspect has something to do with Mr Copperfield handiwork) was not possible.

Would I return, you...