D Storm
Google
Front/Reception/Restaurant Management/Admin have no interpersonal/people skills and do not care about the potential for repeat clients/patrons and treated me like they were doing me a favor…
Not how a luxury guest house/restaurant should treat ‘first timers’
So my wife and I have had a terrible week with a terrible family loss…
So we decided to get out on MOTHERS DAY to just breath and take in Ballito, seeing that we recently moved here and we need some much needed distraction and be close to the ocean.
With my wife booked in to their SPA (the Spa staff were very nice - the rest could learn from them!) I walk down stairs and stood there for a couple of minutes looking at the ocean and taking it all in, when i decided that a coffee on a super emotional day will be just the tonic with these views - a cup of coffee, as simple as that…
I preceded to walk towards what looked like their restaurant area (tables and chairs with a buffet setup it seemed) and preceded to ASK,not demand or order IF they MAY be able to make me a cappuccino whilst I wait (which I assumed would not be a problem for a high star rated establishment.
Firstly, the youngish white lady standing there just looked me up and down (I have a beard and tattoos…not sure how that might have impacted the look I got, but it was a cold stare…) and then the older Indian gentleman frowned, quick sighed and said ‘Coffee?’ and I said ‘Yes, If you could that would be great, just whilst I wait’. Another quick sigh and ‘You want coffee?’ later I replied, ‘Yes,Please..A cappuccino if you can.Thank you’
I took TWO steps forward just to look at the view and was QUICKLY told to NOT GO THAT SIDE.And said ‘You can sit here and have your coffee here’ and pointed at a table.
So I said that ‘I just wanted to have a look at the view and wasn’t looking at taking someone else's table’ (mind you the place was EMPTY, bar the staff)
I was then again told in the way you tell a child ‘Not to go there’ as they are very busy and they have setup the tables already and to only sit HERE and wait for my coffee…
I wasn’t demanding something, I wasn’t expecting a free cup of coffee, I was hoping for at least friendly staff, which we also didn’t get walking in (same guy, girl was busy but ‘professional-ish’) and a basic cappuccino whilst waiting for my wife.
We were there spending well and hard earned money, and I felt like they saw and treated me like a vagrant coming off of the streets trying to sell them show laces to go buy drugs!
I then told him to rather not bother, and that I will rather go where I didn’t feel like I’m not welcome.
He just brushed it off and walked away.
Whilst walking past the reception I mention the situation and treatment to the staff there (including the Indian lady sitting there when we walked in, the young-ish white lady that was there when I asked if a cup of coffee would be a possibility whilst I wait)
They couldn’t be phased by what I said.
I then turned around and said that we were here to try out the place and see what it is like, but I’m OK and would rather not come back.
Nothing said - I got a teenager styled eye roll from one of the ladies they just carried on working and I even got a slight chuckle when my back was turned (not sure from who)
We have in-laws coming in from Spain in June and we were looking for a nice SPA and RESTAURANT with an amazing view, but I’d rather suggest we don’t spend their hard earned Euros there.
Sad - beautiful views of the ocean, buildings need maintenance, but all establishments close to the ocean do, so that wasn’t a bad mark for them.
BAD. - Staff makes you feel like a low life..Well in my case at least.
So - The vibe I got - Come in, SHUT UP, spend your MONEY and go!
That is my first impression of them, with in less than 10mins.
I marched my bearded and tattooed behind out, got in my big modern SUV, and I went to go get my coffee from a beach coffee cart, because at least they treat you with 5 star professionalism.
I’m not telling anyone to stay away, or avoid them, but that was my experience with them.