Deposit refund (or lack thereof)

If anyone is thinking of booking or has booked accommodation at Grande Kloof Boutique Hotel, 69 Kloof Road, Fresnaye, Cape Town, I would suggest you don’t book with them, or cancel your booking (provided you haven’t paid them a deposit).

I have had such an unpleasant experience with them after cancelling my reservation with them for April 2023 booked on booking.com. When I made the booking back in September 2022, it was recommended that I pay a 50% deposit to secure my booking, which I did the very next day of R2,478.50. On 6 October 2022 I decided to cancel my booking on booking.com and was told that I will be refunded in the next 14 days.

Needless to say, despite numerous follow ups with Stanley, the Manager at Grande Kloof, since 26 October and subsequently Elzaan (also a Manager) from 8 December, I am yet to receive my money which both have admitted, is due to me. Each time I call I am told that they have handed the request to the Owner, Allen Tavakoli to make payment.

On 19 December I afforded Allen the opportunity to make right and transfer the money into my bank account by 12h00 today (23 December) or I would have no choice but to share my experience on social media and on platforms like TripAdvisor and the like, but he chose to not do the right thing.

So, other than continuing to call them and chasing them for my money, I would like to discourage anyone from booking with them. Why would you want to support a business that does not do the professional and ethical thing?