NOAH house — Hotel in Tamboerskloof

I am writing a review for Noah House to try and give an honest insight in to what it’s like staying there. After viewing many reviews about how wonderful it is I thought to myself I had to stay and experience it myself. I stayed for two nights in February and wondered what the hype was since it never offered anything extra special, (no parking, no swimming pool, no restaurant). On arrival it was a lengthy process to get checked in as there was only one gentlemen doing check in (really lovely). I got to my room to find a nice bedroom, mediocre shower room and view of next door. My bin had the previous guest’s rubbish in it and the TV had no channels to watch. I had to upgrade my Netflix back home to watch anything at all. When it came to bedtime the bedroom windows didn’t lock, they have shutters with a flimsy latch on (no actual locks on the windows at all and they can slide right up so anyone can fit in). Not really secure enough for anyone to feel safe in Cape Town which sadly has an on-going crime problem. I had to find items in the room to push up against the shutters to give me added safety and security meaning I had two terrible nights of sleep. I was awoken at 5am on both mornings by crashing and banging in the kitchen while the staff made breakfast. Sadly it was loadshedding on both mornings I was there so half the menu wasn’t available. The coffee machine and cooker to make eggs don’t operate during loadshedding despite all the possible options there are to overcome this. They have a communal coffee making area (no tea or coffee making facilities in the room) which guests have access to and a ‘honesty bar’. On one occasion there wasn’t any milk for me and as this was after hours there was no way to easily contact a staff member for milk, meaning I missed out (i could’ve whatsapped him to get him out of bed to bring me milk but who’s going to feel comfortable doing that?). I also didn’t feel comfortable making coffee first thing in my PJs so again missed out because I didn’t want to have to get fully dressed to have a coffee in bed. There are no robes or slippers on offer although I have now suggested this as I think had there been these things I perhaps would’ve made myself a coffee. In addition to my safety concerns, on night two I monitored the door to the balcony which wasn’t locked by a staff member meaning eventually I had to go and lock it myself at around 10pm. There is also no one available on site at all times. I feel a guest manager would be helpful so that guests don’t feel like they’re looking after themselves. It just amazes me that they can charge what they do for this.

I find all of these points disappointing and I contacted the owner to address these issues before leaving a bad review as I know how damaging a review can be. Sarina was lovely and took time to comment on each complaint I had. She thanked me for my honesty and constructive feedback and kindly offered me a voucher for a future stay, however I declined the offer and requested I receive the gesture as a refund instead as there is no way I would want to stay at Noah House in the future or recommend it to anyone. I feel that giving me a refund would be an obvious response to the complaints I made as surely one would agree I didn’t receive a north of R5000 per night stay. Instead I have now just been ignored which has left me no choice other than to leave this review in an attempt to warn others of the overpriced price tag and unmatched experience. As I said, Sarina was kind and appreciative in her response to me and the two staff members were also very lovely so I in no way want to make a personal attack. This review is to shed an honest light on to what you might expect when staying at Noah House and if I had been fortunate enough to read this review before choosing Noah House, I would have instead extended my stay at the wonderful Vineyard Hotel. Obviously this is my personal opinion and what might be terrible for me could be ok for others but if you’re anxious about safety in Cape Town as I am then perhaps...

I am writing a review for Noah House to try and give an honest insight for those who are considering staying there. After viewing multiple reviews about how wonderful the place is, I had to stay and experience it myself. Well, what a disappointment it was. ||I stayed for two nights in February and shortly was wondering what the hype was since it never offered anything extra special, (no parking, no swimming pool, no restaurant etc) ||On arrival it was a lengthy process to get checked in as there was only one gentlemen doing check in (lovely, pleasant gentleman). I got to my room to find a nice bedroom, mediocre shower room and view of next door. My bin had the previous guest’s rubbish in it and the TV had no channels to watch. I had to upgrade my Netflix back home to watch anything at all. When it came to bedtime the bedroom windows didn’t lock (they are lock free and can be opened fully, they have shutters with a flimsy latch on. Not really secure enough for anyone to feel safe in Cape Town which sadly has an ongoing crime problem. I had to find items in the room to push up against the shutters to give me added safety and security meaning I had two terrible nights of sleep. I was awoken at 5am on both mornings by crashing and banging in the kitchen while the staff made breakfast. Sadly it was loadshedding on both mornings I was there so half the menu wasn’t available. The coffee machine and cooker to make eggs didn’t operate during loadshedding despite all the possible options there are to overcome this. They have a communal coffee making area which guests have access to and a ‘honesty bar’. On one occasion there wasn’t any milk for me and as this was after hours there was no way to easily contact a staff member for milk, meaning I missed out. I also didn’t feel comfortable making coffee first thing in my PJs so again missed out because I didn’t want to get fully dressed to have a coffee in bed. There are no robes or slippers on offer although I have now suggested this. In addition to my safety concerns, on night two I monitored the door to the balcony which wasn’t locked by a staff member meaning eventually I had to go and lock it myself at around 10pm. There is also no one available on site at all times. I feel a guest manager would be helpful so that guests don’t feel like they’re looking after themselves. It just amazes me that they can charge what they do for this! It is not worth it. ||||I find all of these points pretty disappointing and I contacted the owner to address these issues before leaving a bad review as I know how damaging a review can be. Sarina was lovely and took time to comment on each complaint I had. She thanked me for my honesty and constructive feedback and kindly offered me a voucher for a future stay, however I declined the offer and requested I receive the gesture as a refund instead as there is no way I would want to stay at Noah House in the future or recommend it to anyone. I feel that giving me a partial refund would be an obvious response to the complaints I made as surely one would agree I didn’t receive a north of R5000 per night stay and that’s how myself and my friend felt. Instead I have now just been ignored which has left me no choice other than to leave this review in an attempt to warn others of the overpriced price tag and in return the mediocre experience they’ll receive. I’m still surprised to see such glowing reviews.||As I said, Sarina was kind and appreciative in her response to me and the two staff members were also very lovely so I in no way want to make a personal attack. This review is to shed an honest light on to what you might expect when staying at Noah House and if I had been fortunate enough to read this review before choosing Noah House, I would have instead extended my stay at the most wonderful and incredible Vineyard Hotel in Newlands. Again this is a personal experience and what might be ok for some won’t necessarily be...

NOAH House review January 12-16 2024 Deluxe King room

Delightful! Serene clean open, airy welcoming oasis. The most wonderful staff, Blessings, Maria, Violet and another beauty, whose face I will remember, treated me with warmth kindness and respect. Sarina and Gerald Van Engelen have restored a Victorian landmark into a jewel box treasure pleasing to all the senses.... I relished the sight of my morning cereal dressed with a tiny exquisite edible flowers..even the neighbor’s cat greeting me on the terrace with “free kisses”. The house oozes a wonderful calm spirit, each hour of the day light and shadows change…I slumbered like a child on pristine linens and awoke up to the sound of a charming avian symphony. I believe the house has been recently renovated - likely gutted and rebuilt from the inside . However I had an issue with one electric outlet which I brought to the attention of the owner. Aside from that my room had a view worthy of painting… Tall windows with white louvered shutters facing plumerias, palms, lush trees, and the clay tiled roof of a charming cottage next door. Waking up and gazing on the orange glow of early morning light shining on Lions Head ( part of Table Mountain) will be imprinted on my memory.. The design is eclectic and personal … Nordic minimalism pays homage to the soul of Africa. Rooms are uncluttered minimal subtly displaying subsaharan African Native artifacts … Mahogany masks, organically shaped earthenware, bold feathered cowry necklaces (fit for a tribal priestess) combined with a neutral palette of colors. Denim blues, black and white patterned tiles, earth tones, natural fabrics - jute straw cotton clay tiles, and white marble counters… The tall windows and ceilings have fans that create a fresh breeze .. The house is lit beautifully at night.

After traveling a few weeks I was ready to leave Capetown but in truth could have spent a few more days at NOAH House. The Van Engelen’s offer their guests some unique experiences. Why not take a ride on their lovingly revamped NOAH tagged Rover for a sunset picnic adventure? Or learn to make gin with handpicked local botanicals … after all, the house is (part of or ) by SA’s famous Garden Route. If you’re incredibly lucky to have seen it all …perhaps spend your last day reading and relaxing, sipping stellar cappucino, or savoring a glass of SA wine, while admiring the wonderfully displayed contemporary art collection ( for sale by local SA artists) Or just simply take a few moments time to reflect on a sense of place, South Africa, or time (past /present / future).

.. Life is a journey.. embrace the positive … An easy to do...