I saw this place on a photo somewhere and decided it is a must stay. I got the opportunity this year when we decided to come to the Eatern Cape on holiday. We did not book online, pity tho. I emailed them from their site 's "contact us" to request a specific rondavel/chalet. But no one ever replied. We decided to phone them the day before we would arrive in PE, they still had some availability and was very nice in to letting us come through and see if the rondavel they had was ok for us. OBVIOUSLY!!!! YESSSS!!!‼️ I mean bucket list TICK✔️ I was disappointed for not being able to have THE best rondavel, but I had such a lovely stay with such beautiful views! I think maybe what could have gone better was, although we were early, they said the cleaner would still come finish up. The room was done but the table outside and stoep was still not cleaned. No prob. But if they decide to cut the grass, maybe the person with the blower can come blow the stoep when no one is around than try and ask us to move to clean all the grass from everywhere. I just think this should be done when they see it is not occupied, or ask us to leave or go inside before we settle for the afternoon. And again... Everyone was so friendly! Wow, mind the monkeys, almost forgot. The silly thing got into our vehicle, silently looked around, took my dutch syrup waffles and ate it on our rondavel roof! Other than this nitty gritty things, I will go back again and again and again. And ask for the same rondavel.
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Date of stay: October 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Phone if you want a specific booking. Do not wait for call backs or emails.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The most scenic place, it’s absolutely beautiful! We felt very safe, even at night, walking around the resort. The accommodation was clean and the bed was so soft and comfy! It was so peaceful falling asleep to the sound of the ocean. Our neighbours had been playing loud music all day and into the night and it sounded like it was actually in our rondavel as the neighbouring rondavel was so close, but after I called to complain at around 10pm they turned it down, so we were happy that the resort took our complaint seriously.
We were lucky the weather was perfect because otherwise there wouldn’t have been much to do and there was no WiFi. After reading through their website and seeing what activities were available, we were expecting much more. The website states they have Openview TV. We didn’t have in our room and when I asked at reception we were told there is no such thing, just the normal SABC channels.
The website states that the coffee shop serves breakfast, light meals, desserts etc, leading one to believe you can order from them all day, but actually they’re only open for an hour in the morning (from 10am and that’s when checkout is, so you can’t have breakfast on your last day) and an hour in the afternoon and the last order is taken at 4.30pm, so you can’t have dinner there either, or lunch!
The website states that the games room has PlayStation 3 games, but when we asked, the staff laughed and said they don’t have a PlayStation. What a disappointment for the teens! It also says there’s a volleyball net and a soccer goal net which there was not. It states that there is a “big screen projector TV where children can watch movies in the evening while enjoying fleshly made popcorn and hot chocolate”. My child was so looking forward to that, but when we enquired, again the staff looked at us blankly and said they don’t have anything like that.
It also states that hamburgers are served all day at the shop, but that was only for the 2 hours that the coffee shop was open… not all day. Also, the only ATM at the resort was out of order and they require a cash deposit for the putt putt.
Altogether just so disappointing after reading about all the wonderful activities on offer and then really not having much to do, especially for kids. I would come back for the absolute beauty and tranquility of the place, but in bad weather I think it would be very boring for the kids.
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Date of stay: June 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This is the second time we (two couples) have stayed here. We booked a Double Rondavels online in advance and paid on site. We received a friendly welcome at reception and check-in was quick and easy. The Double Rondavels is well equipped, clean, tidy and secured with an alarm system. Our Double Rondavels was right next to the sea and we were able to fall asleep to the sound of the sea. What more could you want? The check-out was also quick and easy.
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Date of stay: October 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Camped at Willows 17 - 20 Feb2022. The problem:The total lack of the resort trying to control the monkey problem at Willows will lead to them getting less and less campers. The monkeys raid the caravans and tents daily, either the main troop will flood the camp site or a smaller group will run between the sites. They are aggressive towards woman and will be to children if they have something to eat. The monkeys dig into dustbins and rip plastic bags apart leaving a mess. They crawl into tents and open zips. This is a very serious problem and Nature conservation should be getting involved. It is not safe to leave your campsite alone to go down to the beach, when you get back the monkeys had there way in your tent. For now I will rather stay at home if the other camping sites are full than to visit Willows. Staff: I found the staff to be very friendly and helpful and the site is well maintained - toilets and sites. To be done: They should make the bins monkey proof and fine any camper that encourage monkeys to visit the site by putting out food or water, maintain the electric fencing and have staff shooting the monkeys with paintball guns or something that will scare them. Nature conservation can maybe give advice on how to manage the problem.
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Date of stay: February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We have stayed at The Willows on two consecutive visits in the chalets.
Clean and comfortable. Everything you need to self cater.
Beautiful views. Doesn’t really have a nice beach as the coastline is very rocky but not an issue for us.
Staff very friendly. Check in and check out easy and straightforward.
Nice base while having to do business in Port Elizabeth.
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Date of stay: April 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We had our team building outing at the Three Pools Day Camping Venue which is a km away from The Willows Resort. The natural and marine environment is very nice and accommodating with security guards on site. There are quite a few designated braai areas and three pools for your leisure. These pools vary in sizes and depth; small one is for toddlers, middle one is for teenagers and the big one is for adults and experienced swimmers. There is also an option of renting the Afdak, Kraal area or the Pool Lapa if you prefer to have your privacy. We opted for the Pool Lapa which is the area with a roof, braai area, electricity and tables and chairs facing the pools. The beach is just a few metres away and there are footpaths made if one wants to take a walk to the beach. There is an entry fee of R30 per adult and R20 for kids under 16. There is also a kitchen area that you can rent. This venue is so wonderful and safe and you can use it for a wedding reception, birthday party, year end function or just a nice outing for your family and small ones.
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Date of stay: October 2014
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Eugenie N, Front Office Manager at The Willows Holiday Resort & Conference Centre
Responded 09 Nov 2014
Hi Khusela, Thank you for your kind review. We are very glad that you enjoyed Three Pools resort. It is important to us to create a clean, safe & secure venue with adequate facilities for day visitors. Please visit us again soon. Regards, The Willows team
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Although located in a beautifully scenic place, regrettably my experience of this resort is not positive. As I was part of a large group arriving to celebrate a wedding nearby, it was sensible to be accommodated here, however I had prior misgivings which were proved. The communications around booking were unfriendly and unhelpful, the website offers limited information and much of it appears suited to the needs of the resort owners, not the guest. The property, a rondavel, although very clean and seemingly suitable, suffered from a lack of maintenance and a lack of thought from the user’s perspective for example; none of the windows fitted well, the door latch didn’t work, the door didn’t fit and there was 2cm gap under the door. The very barest minimum of utensils was provided, and the quality and finish of those and the furniture could best be described as ‘rustic’ or basic. I ‘rented’ an iron and board, but the iron lead was so short the only way I could use it was to move the microwave out of the kitchen, place the collapsible ironing board on the kitchen worktop and iron there, however the ironing board design meant I couldn’t pass fabric under the board as the legs were in the way, rendering it useless. Despite trying to draught-proof the windows with kitchen-roll and using the rug as a water-barrier against the gap under the front door, as a consequence of the cold and damp, wherein the rain came in under the door, through the gaps in the window frames and the leaking roof, I was moved to a chalet. Whilst it was less draughty, the same lack of maintenance, basic weather-proofing and lack of thought of the user experience was evident : a leak which flooded the floor, the water stains and blown chipboard inside the cupboards in the main bedroom, the damp seeping in under the floor; the lack of a plug within 15ft of a mirror (how is one to see the effects of hair-drying?). Although I stayed in a period of heavy rain and unexpectedly wet weather, it is clear that lack of investment and maintenance is long-term and the two units I stayed in have long term problems. However, the resort staff worked hard in extremely challenging conditions to open a new gate and access to the property when torrential rain flooded the main entrance and were gracious in enabling me to leave in advance of my scheduled departure.
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Date of stay: October 2012
Value
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Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My unbelievable distressing weekend at the Willows because of the racially biased behaviour of the management and staff.
Please read to the end and then tell me whether I was mistaken and that discrimination practices were not applied in my situation.
I was at the Willows resort on the weekend of the 24 January and had a very relaxing adults only Weekend. Upon leaving the resort my friends and I decided the check availability over Valentines weekend for a family bonding weekend, spoiling our children and grandchildren. We booked "three out of the four available" rondawels 24, 25, 26, along the front row with premium view and we planned this weekend meticulously as we wanted our grandchildren to build lasting memories about their experience at the resort.
On the Friday at around 13h40 on the 12th of February 2021, I received a frantic call from my friend that there are already a white family in the rondawel number 26, a unit which I had reserved, and a 50% deposit paid. I immediately telephoned the resort, and the manager was very apologetic citing that a mistake was made. She then offered to ask the family who booked unit 24 to move and then to give me unit 24, not realising that we booked all three units. I told her in no uncertain terms that she will not inconvenience another family in our group and that she should go back to unit 26 and explain the situation to that family. I explained that we all are there with small children with bicycles and we needed to be along the road to look after them.
During all of this, she was not willing to approach the white family, now occupying unit 26 but was initially booked into unit 28, a unit next door to 26 to be moved. I asked why she moved the family to unit 26 and she explained that unit 28 to quote her directly, “was a mess”. I asked whether it was possible to clean unit 28 and that I was willing to then take unit 28. Her response:” Oh no, unit 28 is in such a mess”. To which I the asked her to confirm that unit 28 will not be available throughout the weekend, and she responded “definitely not”
At that stage I had no clue where unit 27 was situated and she told me to enter the site to view the place. I was on my way to view the unit when my husband asked me what I was going to do if I did not take unit 27. My grandchildren were in the car and becoming restless. I return to ask the lady what other option I had if I did not take unit 27 and her short answer was that it was take it or leave it as they did not have other units available. I told her that I will be watching unit 28 very closely and she responded that unit 28 will remain vacant over the weekend. For the sake of the family, I accepted the unit. I told her that the discussions would continue come Monday.
Now during all of this, there were two other staff members assisting with bookings. No response nor eye contact from them, but they were able to follow our conversation and should be able to collaborate this narrative, if they do not then there is a serious situation of collusion at the resort which warrant serious investigation. At that stage I believed everything that this lady told me and that a genuine mistake was made. I voiced my unhappiness but took occupation of unit 27 and spend the weekend running up and down a hill cooking in unit 27 and making use of unit 25 for anything else, this was a great inconvenience to all of us.
As kismet would have it, we were opposite the four units and having full view of the units all afternoon. Nobody entered unit 28 from the time that we arrived on site until I heard a greeting from my nephew who was parked at unit 28, the disturbingly messy and unliveable unit 28. The Williamsons were moving into the unit 28. Their story is also quite interesting and will be told at a later stage. I will just add that they telephoned the resort at around 15h00, I must have just walked out of the reception area and were told that unit 28 had a cancellation and that they may have the unit. Very interestingly they mentioned that they were moved about in the past and that the staff regularly move other races around in favour a white family, no matter that you made a confirmed booking with a deposit for a specific unit. The staff always apologise profusely so you accept the change as a genuine mistake.
It was at this stage that I realised that I was duped and intentionally lied to. I was at first incredibly sad that these practices are still allowed to happen. This spoilt my weekend and changed the course of my stay at the resort. I then took a snap survey with people of colour staying on the resort and found another three couples that had the same experience. In hindsight I should have recorded the conversations, but it is expected that the owners will validate these claims.
To get back to the white family now in unit 26. A family member went to speak to them and told them what has happened and asked them how they ended up in unit 26. The gentleman replied that he had no idea as he was not asked to be moved but rather was told that they are getting unit 26, even though they booked the unit 28. This defies logic as unit 28 was not touched or cleaned on Friday afternoon, yet given to a family of colour?
This experience consumed me over the weekend, leaving me disturbed and with sleepless nights. I felt degraded, insignificant, not warranting respect and the same excellent customer services due to any paying customer, irrespective of colour, race or religion.
I obviously voiced my displeasure during my departure on the Sunday and am yet to receive a response to the feedback form submitted.
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Date of stay: February 2021
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
As part of our honeymoon Garden Route holiday we booked a few days at The Willows.
Sadly, I was rather disappointed and actually left a day before the time.
The place wasn't very clean, I bought a pair of rubber slip-slops as I didn't feel comfortable putting my bare feet on the shower floor because it just didn't look too good.
It's a shame because the location is really good. You can hear the waves breaking and view and the sound of the sea is relaxing and it's away from the hustle and bustle of the main area in PE where all the activity is.
It would be an incredible place if it's updated slightly and kept in tip-top shape. Rather charge more in order to make it worth the while.
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Date of stay: January 2008
Value
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Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We were meant to camp but as it was so windy/gale we asked for a rondavel for the night. we enjoyed this little hut which also has a a kitchen and a bathroom. It was good value for money and also good to be out of the wind. But we had a lovely sea view from the hut. We hope to return when the water is warm and when the winds are not so strong.
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Date of stay: October 2016
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Good day,
A Two Bedroom is available on the 24th, a Three Bedroom Chalet is currently the only available unit on the 25th, and the 26th of September is unfortunately fully booked. Contact us to check alternative dates or to add your request to our waiting list.
Regards,
The Willows team
Hi,
A Single Rondavel, equipped for 2 persons, is currently available during the requested period, at R640.00 per night. Please contact us soon to reserve your place or if you require further assistance or information.
Regards,
The Willows Team
Hi,
Thank you for your interest in our resort. We currently have some Two Bedroom Chalets available during the requested period. These units costs R970 per night during in-season. We are situated approximately 21km from the NMB Stadium. Please visit our website to make your booking.
Regards,
The Willows Team
There are more places to choose from in the Port Elizabeth area.
ALSO KNOWN AS
the willows hotel port elizabeth
LOCATION
South AfricaEastern CapePort Elizabeth
NUMBER OF ROOMS
46
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect average nightly room rates, including taxes and fees that are fixed, known to our partners, and due at time of booking. Please see our partners for more details.
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THE WILLOWS HOLIDAY RESORT & CONFERENCE CENTRE - Cottage Reviews (Port Elizabeth, South Africa)
Frequently Asked Questions about The Willows Holiday Resort & Conference Centre
Which popular attractions are close to The Willows Holiday Resort & Conference Centre?
Nearby attractions include Cape Recife Lighthouse Villa (1.7 km), Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (6.6 km), and South African Air Force Museum (7.1 km).
Are there any historical sites close to The Willows Holiday Resort & Conference Centre?
Many travellers enjoy visiting Prince Alfred's Guard Memorial (9.2 km), Old Post Office Building (8.9 km), and The Prince Alfred's Guard Drill Hall (9.0 km).
