### Review of Recent Stay at Taj Cape Town
**Overall Impression: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5)**
Having had a remarkable experience at the Taj Palace in Mumbai, I was eager to try out the Taj Cape Town during my hoilday to Cape Town . However, my stay fell short of the expectations set by my previous experience.
#### Booking and Arrival:
The booking process through Booking.com was straightforward, and I appreciated the option to specify my arrival time as 1:00 PM. I promptly received confirmation that check-in was at 3:00 PM, and the hotel would do its best to accommodate my early arrival.
Upon arriving just after 1:00 PM, I was greeted warmly by the doorman, who assisted with my luggage. The check-in process began amicably, with a young gentleman providing me with a warm cloth to freshen up. However, I was disappointed not to be offered a welcome drink—a small touch that could have enhanced my arrival experience.
#### Dining Experience:
After checking in my bags, I went to the main bar, Mint, for a drink and snack since I hadn’t had lunch. The service was shocking; it took over 30 minutes for someone to acknowledge me, and when I finally placed my order for a glass of Beyerskloof Pinotage and chicken wings, the wait for fulfillment was painfully long.
Unfortunately, my first choice of wine was out of stock, as was my second choice. When finally directed to the Dimersdaal Pinotage, the chicken wings arrived looking hastily prepared and lacking the garnishes described in the menu. When I flagged this to the waiter, I didn’t receive any introduction or engagement, which made the experience feel impersonal.
#### Check-In and Room Conditions:
I returned to the desk at 3:20 PM, where a polite young lady informed me my room was not yet ready. After a brief wait, I was finally shown to my room. However, I was disappointed to find my bathtub unclean, with a long strand of red hair present—a stark contrast to the expectations for a luxury hotel.
Despite this, I must commend Ntombi from housekeeping, who was extremely professional in assisting with my laundry and shoe polishing. Unfortunately, upon returning home, I discovered that my clothes had shrunk after washing, which could have been avoided had I chosen dry cleaning.
#### Breakfast Experience:
Breakfast on my first day was particularly underwhelming. The hostess greeted me and took my room number but the service was akin to what I would expect at a two-star establishment. My hot porridge took over 20 minutes to arrive, and my order for a chicken sausage resulted in being served bacon and three sausages instead of one. Although the waitstaff acknowledged their mistakes, I found the service to be lacking in basic training and guest engagement.
On the second day, my experience improved slightly when a manager took notice and made helpful recommendations, including the delicious aloo paratha.
#### Facilities:
On a positive note, the hotel's facilities, including the gym and indoor pool, were excellent. The spa was another highlight of my stay; from booking to treatment, it was a stellar five-star experience that I would highly recommend.
### Conclusion:
While the Taj Cape Town has the potential to match the exceptional standards of its sister property in Mumbai, there seems to be a significant lack of training and effective communication among the staff. The few positive experiences I had were overshadowed by several disappointing aspects of service. I would strongly recommend focusing on staff training and quality control to elevate the overall guest experience. At this time, I can only recommend the spa and select hotel amenities.
Thank you for the opportunity to share my feedback!