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Caroline C
South Africa

Great staff and adequate, but needs attention to detail.

3.0 of 5 bubblesReviewed 01 Oct 2019
Can't say enough about the staff - they were warm and helpful, and nothing was too much trouble. However, for everything else, the word would be "adequate". If your budget’s tight, everything is basically "functional" i.e. you'll "get what you paid for"; and, for a get-away weekend on a tight budget, it wasn't too bad - especially as the most important area, the bedroom, was clean enough to be livable in, and they give you lovely big towels and the bedding was clean. Sadly though, a bit of a lack of attention to the general cleanliness and general up-keep, especially in the common areas. The biggest disappointment though was the expected "Bird Park" - a few left-over and "sad" birds from when it was run as a Bird Park; but truly cannot legitimately be called a "Bird Park" anymore. Bottom line: everything's "adequate", and the staff are truly great; but, if you can afford a little more, it's a little lacking in attention to overall house-keeping, cleanliness and maintenance - we suspect you could probably find better if you can afford a bit more. A great location though i.e. central to visit a number of local places of interest. Has Wi-Fi, but we could only access it in the dining area i.e. the signal doesn't reach all the rooms. We were on a bed-and-breakfast basis; and the breakfast was .. you got it: "adequate" - your basic "bacon & eggs".
Date of stay: September 2019
3.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
4.0 of 5 bubblesService
3.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
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    Reviews (49)
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    6 - 11 of 49 reviews
    Reviewed 18 August 2019

    It was clean and comfortable, but some of the small things were missing.
    On the second night, there were no fresh towels.
    The drain in the basin was blocked which resulted in the shower flooding.
    For where we have stayed in the past, it was overpriced.
    I think that was because of bookings.com
    We'll avoid them in future.

    Date of stay: August 2019
    • Trip type: Travelled as a couple
      • Value
      • Location
      • Sleep Quality
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      • Service
    Review collected in partnership with this hotel
    Thank gbarke821421
    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.
    Etienne366, Front Office Manager at Umfolozi River Lodge & Bird Park, responded to this reviewResponded 20 August 2019

    Good day

    Thank you for taking time to review us. Sorry about the inconvenience with the drain and towels. We have bought more towels in the meantime.

    Hope we'll see you again soon.

    Blessings
    Bird Park Staff

    Report response as inappropriate
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    Reviewed 4 August 2019

    We booked this lodge because it looks nice in the pictures at booking.com. Actually this lodge is old and not maintained. Everything is in a bad condition. This lodge has a high potential with its environment, it birdpark and its arcuitecture, but somebody needs ot invest some money soon. Otherwise it dies soon.

    Date of stay: July 2019
    • Trip type: Travelled with family
      • Value
      • Location
      • Sleep Quality
      • Rooms
      • Cleanliness
      • Service
    Review collected in partnership with this hotel
    1  Thank mmayer917412
    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.
    Reviewed 1 May 2019 via mobile

    My friend and from the UK visited here for 3 days and there are no complaints. The owners were super friendly and welcoming, the staff were all very attentive, professional and friendly. I would 100% come back here and would recommend it to absolute anybody for a break away. Thanks to all the staff. We loved our stay.

    Date of stay: April 2019
    Trip type: Travelled with friends
    Thank TerryMcQ
    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.
    Etienne366, Guest Relations Manager at Umfolozi River Lodge & Bird Park, responded to this reviewResponded 29 May 2019

    Dear Terry

    Thank you for taking time to review us. Glad that you enjoyed your stay.

    Blessings
    Bird Park

    Report response as inappropriate
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    Reviewed 14 February 2019 via mobile

    First impressions are the lodge is run down - thatching missing, no one one in Reception, with a filthy fish tank as it’s main feature. We then had to find staff for lunch. On Enquiries on the bird park we were told “to be honest there are very few bird species here”

    White wine served from a box - warm and “off”. And was told no white wines go in the fridge. Food atrocious, badly prepared and over spiced.

    Not a good experience and in my personal view take this one off your “must see list”

    Date of stay: February 2019
    Trip type: Travelled with friends
    1  Thank Beautis3
    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.
    Etienne366, Guest Relations Manager at Umfolozi River Lodge & Bird Park, responded to this reviewResponded 29 May 2019

    Good Day

    Thank you for taking time to review us.

    I can gladly report back that the thatch roofs are fixed now. I'm sorry that you didn't see the notice that directs guests to the Restaurant. We'll try to make that more visible.

    We now have white wine in the fridge.

    Blessings

    Report response as inappropriate
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    Reviewed 10 February 2019 via mobile

    Went for a quick drive and decided to have lunch. We ordered our drinks and as my coffee arrive, with 3 Tennis biscuits,my eye catch the dirt inside the milk jug. Being in the Hospitality myself for 13yrs this is an ongoing problem to most places but this looked like the just used it and filled it agin a the dirt was easy to scratch off. Very disgusting. Ordered the Hake and Chips and wasnt very pleased as the Hake was very small and the waiter did not even asked if I wanted it grilled or fried, but received it fried and had some sort pastry that that looked like it was forgotton in the oil and coudnt cut is with my knife, i had to use my hands to break it and scratch the fish out, that was over cooked, as I am Gluten Intolerant. The chips was nice and tasty. I wanted the waiter to come to the table but not once dis she come and check up after we received our meal. Not baby friendly at all as the waiter wasnt sure if they had a baby chair or not. Overall the place is nice and have so much potential, it looks very rundown and tired.

    Date of stay: February 2019
    Trip type: Travelled with family
    1  Thank Konica88
    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.
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