netllama
July 7, 2024
I spent 2 nights here. From my arrival, it was disappointing & frustrating. They have two large American Express logo signs at reception, but they don't take AmEx cards. I tried to pay with 2 different visa cards, but their card machine kept failing. They seemed shocked that I didn't have 198k kwanza on me, when they claimed to accept cards for payment. I asked where the nearest ATM was, and they insisted that I needed a taxi to get there. The taxi drove me half way across the city for an ATM, as we drove past multiple ATMs. Once back at the hotel they demanded that I pay an extra 2k kwanza for the taxi, and I refused, and they let it go. Based on other recent reviews, this seems like a common scam the hotel is running where they know their card machine isn't working, and then charge extra for a taxi to get cash. The remainder of the actual check in process was equally bad. They tried to sell me day tours, and to book their chef for dinner (money for them!), but never bothered to provide the wifi password, or breakfast hours. The room itself was huge, but in poor condition. Lots of water damage in the bathroom, the mattress was very old and beat up with nothing but springs left (no padding). The roof top bar that they promote so heavily seems to be completely abandoned. Its filthy up there, with rotting wood, splintered benches, garbage everywhere, and mold growing on the hot tub. The breakfast was fairly basic, and inconsistent from one day to the next. One day there was fresh fruit in a bowl & hard boiled eggs, none the next day (and nothing to replace them). There was bottled drinking water 1 day, the next, one had none. There are water coolers on each floor, but most were empty. The place calls itself an 'art house' but most of the so called art are amateurish murals painted on the walls. The actual art that they claim is for sale is basically just 2 artists, and most of it has been hanging for years (nothing is selling). My room was facing the road, and there was plenty of noise from cars & people 24/7. I was awakened at 6am one day when there was construction noise next door. This might have been a great, unique hotel long ago, but its falling apart with dishonest, incompetent staff today.