ER
Emfuleni River Lodge & Cafe
Unclaimed Business
ER
Emfuleni River Lodge & Cafe
Unclaimed Business
0 Reviews (last 12 months)
Does not respond to reviews
Performance(last 12 months):
TrustIndex
0
Score
Ranking
#9
in Travel & Vacation
NPS Score
-100
Recommended: Unlikely
Recent reviews (0)
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Share Your ExperienceLD
Lungile D
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
5 Mar 2025, 10:00
Unfair Removal at Emfuleni River Lodge
My friend and I were looking for accommodation within Vanderbijlpark, as we had a wedding to attend for the weekend of 1, March 2025. On the 27th of February 2025, my friend found Emfuleni River Lodge on bookings.com. She contacted the cell number, via WhatsApp, that was provided to ask if they had an availability. The contact person, whom had not revealed their name at the time, to later finding out that it was one of the employees (female) by the name of Mbali. She informed my friend that there was availability, and that we are to make a deposit payment to reserve. We then had trust issues to make any payments, as communication was through WhatsApp, and the Bank Confirmation Letter showed some name; Nikok Trading and Projects (Pty) Ltd. We then told Mbali that we will pay upon arrival. On the day of our booking, 28 February 2025, Mbali gave us a call when we were leaving Johannesburg, just after 20:00 asking us if we were still coming, and we confirmed that we were on our way. Upon arrival at the lodge we saw a text from Mbali stating that our room was taken. However, when we arrived for checkin she managed to get us the room. We had told her that we will be booking for 2 nights. She first put us in room 1, and then stated that we would only be able to stay in this room for 1 night and be moved to another room the following day. I then asked her to put us in a room that was not booked, as we would return very late from the wedding we were attending. She then put us in Room 7. Everything was smooth sailing in our stay, up until the following day, 1 March 2025, when Mbali gave us a call a few minutes after we left the lodge to go to the wedding. The call was informing us that allegedly they made a mistake in the bookings. And that our room was booked by someone else on the previous Wednesday, but canceled and had not confirmed their rebooking date. Mbali further stated that due to this alleged double booking their Boss Niko had instructed them to remove our luggage from our room, and suggested some BnB by Spar, in Vanderbijlpark. We were so appalled at how this establishment would commit such a felony of taking our belongings without our consent, and placing our luggage in the kitchen they do the laundry and breakfast. My friend and I returned fuming at the lodge. When we arrived Mbali and Isaac (male) were at reception. I informed them that what they did, including their boss was a crime, as they took our belongings without our consent, and placed them in a place where they cook. Mbali then told us that their boss, Niko, had gone to book for us at some lodge by Spar. We refused to go to this booking at first, as we had already paid to stay at Emfuleni, and felt we were being removed unfairly. But because it was late (going for 23:00), and we were fatigued we ended up going to this BnB, and took Isaac with us. Upon arriving at this BnB, we then learned the news that this Niko personally came to make the booking himself, and that BnB was more priced than the Lodge, so Niko said he would loose a lot of money if he paid for our breakfast as well. So, we had the booking and no breakfast, as Niko said if we wanted breakfast we would have to pay ourselves. What I don’t get is why we had such treatment, of which the lodge could’ve informed that person who canceled for Wednesday that the rooms were full. But instead, they had to target two females and mishandle our luggage, without our consent. The level of disappointment is unmatched, because my friend and I had even planned that we would return to the lodge, prior to the incident that irrupted later on the Saturday. Never have I felt such violation in my life. I don’t fully blame Mbali an Isaac, as what we witnessed there was child labour. Mbali & Isaac not on handle reception duties, but are the ones who cook, clean the establishment.
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Lungile D
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
5 Mar 2025, 10:00
Unfair Removal at Emfuleni River Lodge
My friend and I were looking for accommodation within Vanderbijlpark, as we had a wedding to attend for the weekend of 1, March 2025. On the 27th of February 2025, my friend found Emfuleni River Lodge on bookings.com. She contacted the cell number, via WhatsApp, that was provided to ask if they had an availability. The contact person, whom had not revealed their name at the time, to later finding out that it was one of the employees (female) by the name of Mbali. She informed my friend that there was availability, and that we are to make a deposit payment to reserve. We then had trust issues to make any payments, as communication was through WhatsApp, and the Bank Confirmation Letter showed some name; Nikok Trading and Projects (Pty) Ltd. We then told Mbali that we will pay upon arrival. On the day of our booking, 28 February 2025, Mbali gave us a call when we were leaving Johannesburg, just after 20:00 asking us if we were still coming, and we confirmed that we were on our way. Upon arrival at the lodge we saw a text from Mbali stating that our room was taken. However, when we arrived for checkin she managed to get us the room. We had told her that we will be booking for 2 nights. She first put us in room 1, and then stated that we would only be able to stay in this room for 1 night and be moved to another room the following day. I then asked her to put us in a room that was not booked, as we would return very late from the wedding we were attending. She then put us in Room 7. Everything was smooth sailing in our stay, up until the following day, 1 March 2025, when Mbali gave us a call a few minutes after we left the lodge to go to the wedding. The call was informing us that allegedly they made a mistake in the bookings. And that our room was booked by someone else on the previous Wednesday, but canceled and had not confirmed their rebooking date. Mbali further stated that due to this alleged double booking their Boss Niko had instructed them to remove our luggage from our room, and suggested some BnB by Spar, in Vanderbijlpark. We were so appalled at how this establishment would commit such a felony of taking our belongings without our consent, and placing our luggage in the kitchen they do the laundry and breakfast. My friend and I returned fuming at the lodge. When we arrived Mbali and Isaac (male) were at reception. I informed them that what they did, including their boss was a crime, as they took our belongings without our consent, and placed them in a place where they cook. Mbali then told us that their boss, Niko, had gone to book for us at some lodge by Spar. We refused to go to this booking at first, as we had already paid to stay at Emfuleni, and felt we were being removed unfairly. But because it was late (going for 23:00), and we were fatigued we ended up going to this BnB, and took Isaac with us. Upon arriving at this BnB, we then learned the news that this Niko personally came to make the booking himself, and that BnB was more priced than the Lodge, so Niko said he would loose a lot of money if he paid for our breakfast as well. So, we had the booking and no breakfast, as Niko said if we wanted breakfast we would have to pay ourselves. What I don’t get is why we had such treatment, of which the lodge could’ve informed that person who canceled for Wednesday that the rooms were full. But instead, they had to target two females and mishandle our luggage, without our consent. The level of disappointment is unmatched, because my friend and I had even planned that we would return to the lodge, prior to the incident that irrupted later on the Saturday. Never have I felt such violation in my life. I don’t fully blame Mbali an Isaac, as what we witnessed there was child labour. Mbali & Isaac not on handle reception duties, but are the ones who cook, clean the establishment.
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Replies (0)MM
Mark M
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
22 Feb 2019, 14:20
Rude Unprofessional and NO Integrity
I booked at River Lodge on a Daddy’s Deal Voucher C4B3C12D On 20/2/2019 I forwarded the voucher together with a request for a reservation on Weekend 02 Mar 2019. They replied in an hour to inform that they were fully booked. I called the resort and spoke to the lady at reservations at 02h31 and enquired about the availability for the weekend 8 Mar 2019 and was assured of availability. I followed this up with an email as soon as I put the phone down and requested that a booking should be made as discussed. She did not reply to my email and this morning 22/2/2019, I called to confirm my reservation. I was informed that they are fully booked for that weekend and that I should choose another date. When I asserted that this is not acceptable as she had informed that there was availability and that I had accepted the reservation and followed up with an email, she became rude with lots of attitude and told me that (at her own discretion) she is now sending an email to refund me. I am of the opinion that River lodge is moving the clients with Daddy’s Deals vouchers to the back of the queue as they receive cash clients. I really find this unacceptable, and for Daddy’s Deals to accept suppliers that treat their subscribers in this manner is outrageous Maybe this is the reason why they are issuing vouches – their attitude and integrity.
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Mark M
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
22 Feb 2019, 14:20
Rude Unprofessional and NO Integrity
I booked at River Lodge on a Daddy’s Deal Voucher C4B3C12D On 20/2/2019 I forwarded the voucher together with a request for a reservation on Weekend 02 Mar 2019. They replied in an hour to inform that they were fully booked. I called the resort and spoke to the lady at reservations at 02h31 and enquired about the availability for the weekend 8 Mar 2019 and was assured of availability. I followed this up with an email as soon as I put the phone down and requested that a booking should be made as discussed. She did not reply to my email and this morning 22/2/2019, I called to confirm my reservation. I was informed that they are fully booked for that weekend and that I should choose another date. When I asserted that this is not acceptable as she had informed that there was availability and that I had accepted the reservation and followed up with an email, she became rude with lots of attitude and told me that (at her own discretion) she is now sending an email to refund me. I am of the opinion that River lodge is moving the clients with Daddy’s Deals vouchers to the back of the queue as they receive cash clients. I really find this unacceptable, and for Daddy’s Deals to accept suppliers that treat their subscribers in this manner is outrageous Maybe this is the reason why they are issuing vouches – their attitude and integrity.
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PH
Parumjothi H
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
12 Dec 2016, 14:04
Terrible Experience
<p>I have to add that my experience with this lodge was terrible. They said they sent me an email to cancel my booking but in fact they had sent the email to themselves.</p> <p>The lady Blanche is an absolutely rude person. I didn’t call before I arrived because I knew that my reservation was booked and paid for. I arrived at the Vaal at 8pm and called to let them know I was just going to get dinner then go check in. The lady very rudely said that they sent me an email to tell me they were doing renovations at the place and that there was no accommodation for me there. She insisted that the email was sent when I said I never received an email. I asked her to send me the email that she claims she sent because I never received it. She said she would send it. She only sent me an email on the 25th November 2016 and when I read the email I saw that they sent the email to themselves. I was meant to check in on the 18th November 2016. She never offered to find me alternate accommodation and wasn’t apologetic at all. I found accommodation at the Mall Guesthouse and had to pay R780 for the night and not to mention the petrol costs that was wasted by travelling all the way there for nothing</p>
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Parumjothi H
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
12 Dec 2016, 14:04
Terrible Experience
<p>I have to add that my experience with this lodge was terrible. They said they sent me an email to cancel my booking but in fact they had sent the email to themselves.</p> <p>The lady Blanche is an absolutely rude person. I didn’t call before I arrived because I knew that my reservation was booked and paid for. I arrived at the Vaal at 8pm and called to let them know I was just going to get dinner then go check in. The lady very rudely said that they sent me an email to tell me they were doing renovations at the place and that there was no accommodation for me there. She insisted that the email was sent when I said I never received an email. I asked her to send me the email that she claims she sent because I never received it. She said she would send it. She only sent me an email on the 25th November 2016 and when I read the email I saw that they sent the email to themselves. I was meant to check in on the 18th November 2016. She never offered to find me alternate accommodation and wasn’t apologetic at all. I found accommodation at the Mall Guesthouse and had to pay R780 for the night and not to mention the petrol costs that was wasted by travelling all the way there for nothing</p>
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Prenila H
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
2 Mar 2015, 10:09
unscupulous business
I called Emogene on the 21 January 2015 to make a booking for 1 night i.e 24 January. She confirmed availability and I requested an invoice. I did not receive any invoice but an email with the lodges bank details, 22 Jan at 10h48. <br> In order to secure my booking I paid the deposit at 13h34, the same day . I requested cancellation of my booking at 14h16, the same day since my sister went into premature labor. <br> Emogene responded saying that she had discussed with the owner but this was against their policy.After numerous attempts the owner, Blanche(owner) decided to take my call. <br> I tried to explain the circumstances, the fact that I had cancelled the booking within an hour of making payment &
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Prenila H
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
2 Mar 2015, 10:09
unscupulous business
I called Emogene on the 21 January 2015 to make a booking for 1 night i.e 24 January. She confirmed availability and I requested an invoice. I did not receive any invoice but an email with the lodges bank details, 22 Jan at 10h48. <br> In order to secure my booking I paid the deposit at 13h34, the same day . I requested cancellation of my booking at 14h16, the same day since my sister went into premature labor. <br> Emogene responded saying that she had discussed with the owner but this was against their policy.After numerous attempts the owner, Blanche(owner) decided to take my call. <br> I tried to explain the circumstances, the fact that I had cancelled the booking within an hour of making payment &
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