Helderberg Guesthouse — Hotel in Western Cape

On arrival we were met by a young lady who could not be bothered to speak to us only beckoned us to our rooms which were dirty and not very well equipped. The bed linen was very off white and pillows stained with black marks. There was no milk in the rooms for coffee and the wifi was supposed to work everywhere but it was not very good at all. There were cobwebs around the windows and doors and outside furniture, looked like this place had not been cleaned in months and there was an open kitchen bin full of stinking rubbish alongside the sitting area. The lady had already left and said she will be back in the morning. She came in and started cooking breakfast, not even asking what we would like and when my sister told her shes vegetarian she just looked away and didnt respond. Either shes downright rude or does not understand english but either way its not good enough to treat your guests like this. When she served breakfast she went outside on her phone, smoking and shut the door. We had to ask for more coffee as she didnt want to speak at all it seemed like too much trouble for her. On leaving she just held her hand out for the keys and walked off. What a terrible place I would NEVER stay here again and it cost us more than some of the other perfect guesthouses.. a total waste of hard...

Greeted by staff who really didn’t know how to speak with guests. Dirty room. Cigarette ends in a dirty ashtray outside our room ( obviously not cleaned after previous guests). Dirty doors and pillowcases although washed were stained. No one to speak to regarding this as the lady just said “I’ll be back tomorrow at breakfast” then left. Only 1 towel between us and when I told the lady the next morning I just got a stare and she turned her back and started cooking bacon for breakfast before even asking what we would like. As I am vegetarian I had to say before she cooked some for me. Once breakfast was cooked she went outside and closed door and sat on her phone. Wi-Fi was non existent or occasionally would connect even though it was advertised as Wi-Fi in all places. We stayed at 10 different guesthouses along our route and every one was just perfect so I am not sure why this one was so dirty and unprofessionally run. Wouldn’t stay there again and cost was more than all the others. Avoid this guesthouse if you do not want to spoil...

Date of visit: 16, 17 & 18 Nov 2015.

Reason: Honeymoon in room Bordeaux.

Pro's: View, breakfast and hostess. Wifi uncapped 2mbps. Big TV with usb. Perfect price for what you get.

Cons: Traffic noise channels to house from cars passing by. Smell from kitchen cutlery drawer. Wind noises can bother some, but not most. Limited parking. Wifi could be faster.

Entrance/Parking: 6/10 Owner alows you to park in his driveway. First come first serve. Only place for 2 cars.

Garden/Outside: 6/10 Small but nice.

Bathroom: 7/10 Fair. Shower and bath in room Bordeaux.

Kitchen: 7/10 Basic. Everything you need. Braai on balcony.

Bed/Linen: 7/10 Clean and comfortable.

Cleanliness: 8/10 No problems. Patio was just not clean enough. Still acceptable.

Decor: 7/10 Fair.

Staff: 8/10 Helpful and friendly.

Meals: 7/10 Breakfast was good.

View: 8/10 Small view of sea. Fair view of city and mountain. Good combination. Beautiful night lights.

Would I visit again? Maybe. Will choose no other room...