Le Rêve Hotel & Restaurant
Ranking
#9
in Travel & Vacation
NPS Score
-100
Recommended: Unlikely
Jun '25 - May '26
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Share Your Experience1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Subject: Urgent Workplace & Food Safety Complaint – Le Rêve Boutique Hotel & Restaurant, Tulbagh Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to formally lodge a complaint regarding serious workplace, labour and food safety concerns at Le Rêve Boutique Hotel & Restaurant, located in Tulbagh, Witzenberg Local Municipality, Western Cape. I was employed as a Line Cook/Commis Chef and the issues outlined below require urgent investigation for the safety and wellbeing of both staff and guests. KEY CONCERNS 1. Unsafe and unhygienic kitchen conditions · The kitchen is dirty, poorly maintained and infested with ****roaches and flies. · Staff are pressured to re-purpose leftover food (e.g, serving unfinished dishes to other guests), creating serious food safety risks. · The kitchen does not meet professional hygiene standards and is unsafe for food preparation. 2. Toxic workplace environment · Staff are regularly belittled, disrespected and threatened by management. · There is no proper leadership, accountability or transparency. · Internal complaints raised with management have not resulted in any improvements. Salary inconsistencies and dishonest practices · Payments are unclear, inconsistent, and often below the agreed upon rates. · Staff members are never/hardly paid more than R250 per day, even when working a full double shift. · Zimbabwean staff working in housekeeping and scullery are paid as little as R180 per day, regardless of the length of their shift, which is exploitative and discriminatory. · There have been instances of dishonest manipulation of orders and tips, resulting in financial discrepancies among staff. · Management frequently orders food for personal use and then opens tabs under staff members’ names without their knowledge or consent, effectively forcing employees to pay for the manager’s personal orders. 4. Poor live-in accommodation for staff from outside the Western Cape(Tulbagh) · Staff provided with accommodation are placed in a very small single-bedroom unit with three single beds, providing no privacy. · The living environment is unhygienic and unsuitable for acceptable living standards. · Staff who raise concerns are threatened with dismissal or told to leave. These issues negatively affect staff morale, mental health and guest safety. Non-compliance with Certificates of Analysis (COAs) The establishment is also using various food products and cleaning chemicals without valid or up-to-date Certificates of Analysis (COAs). Several COAs have expired, while others are non-compliant with required safety standards. This poses a serious health risk, as the safety and quality of these products cannot be verified. This violates Municipal Environmental Health requirements, which mandate that restaurants maintain valid COAs for food ingredients, sanitizers, detergents and all consumables used in food preparation areas. The continued use of non-compliant products increases the risk of contamination and foodborne illness. REQUEST FOR ACTION I request an intervention from the CCMA, the Department of Labour, Witzenberg Environmental Health, Cape Winelands District Municipality and the relevant labour unions to: · Investigate the working conditions, hygiene, and food safety practices at the establishment. · Ensure compliance with the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, food safety legislation and occupational health and safety regulations. Please confirm receipt of this complaint. I am available to provide supporting evidence, including photographs, messages and receipts, upon request. Kind Regards, Phefumlela Tywala Former Line Cook/Commis Chef NB: Pictures/Images for proof can be sent upon request Thank you
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Subject: Urgent Workplace & Food Safety Complaint – Le Rêve Boutique Hotel & Restaurant, Tulbagh Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to formally lodge a complaint regarding serious workplace, labour and food safety concerns at Le Rêve Boutique Hotel & Restaurant, located in Tulbagh, Witzenberg Local Municipality, Western Cape. I was employed as a Line Cook/Commis Chef and the issues outlined below require urgent investigation for the safety and wellbeing of both staff and guests. KEY CONCERNS 1. Unsafe and unhygienic kitchen conditions · The kitchen is dirty, poorly maintained and infested with ****roaches and flies. · Staff are pressured to re-purpose leftover food (e.g, serving unfinished dishes to other guests), creating serious food safety risks. · The kitchen does not meet professional hygiene standards and is unsafe for food preparation. 2. Toxic workplace environment · Staff are regularly belittled, disrespected and threatened by management. · There is no proper leadership, accountability or transparency. · Internal complaints raised with management have not resulted in any improvements. Salary inconsistencies and dishonest practices · Payments are unclear, inconsistent, and often below the agreed upon rates. · Staff members are never/hardly paid more than R250 per day, even when working a full double shift. · Zimbabwean staff working in housekeeping and scullery are paid as little as R180 per day, regardless of the length of their shift, which is exploitative and discriminatory. · There have been instances of dishonest manipulation of orders and tips, resulting in financial discrepancies among staff. · Management frequently orders food for personal use and then opens tabs under staff members’ names without their knowledge or consent, effectively forcing employees to pay for the manager’s personal orders. 4. Poor live-in accommodation for staff from outside the Western Cape(Tulbagh) · Staff provided with accommodation are placed in a very small single-bedroom unit with three single beds, providing no privacy. · The living environment is unhygienic and unsuitable for acceptable living standards. · Staff who raise concerns are threatened with dismissal or told to leave. These issues negatively affect staff morale, mental health and guest safety. Non-compliance with Certificates of Analysis (COAs) The establishment is also using various food products and cleaning chemicals without valid or up-to-date Certificates of Analysis (COAs). Several COAs have expired, while others are non-compliant with required safety standards. This poses a serious health risk, as the safety and quality of these products cannot be verified. This violates Municipal Environmental Health requirements, which mandate that restaurants maintain valid COAs for food ingredients, sanitizers, detergents and all consumables used in food preparation areas. The continued use of non-compliant products increases the risk of contamination and foodborne illness. REQUEST FOR ACTION I request an intervention from the CCMA, the Department of Labour, Witzenberg Environmental Health, Cape Winelands District Municipality and the relevant labour unions to: · Investigate the working conditions, hygiene, and food safety practices at the establishment. · Ensure compliance with the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, food safety legislation and occupational health and safety regulations. Please confirm receipt of this complaint. I am available to provide supporting evidence, including photographs, messages and receipts, upon request. Kind Regards, Phefumlela Tywala Former Line Cook/Commis Chef NB: Pictures/Images for proof can be sent upon request Thank you
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
We booked a two-night stay at La Rêve in Tulbagh for the “Christmas in Winter” festival in 2025 — and it turned out to be the worst accommodation we've ever experienced. The room was in a shocking state of disrepair. There were two active water leaks from pipes that ran outside our window. One poured down the inside wall next to the bed, causing a massive puddle on the floor and the other, in the bathroom directly next to an electric heater, mounted on the wall, just below the ceiling — not only dangerous, but likely *******. We discovered there was no hot water in either the shower or the bath. We had to ask the manager, Keiser, to assist with this on Saturday morning. After battling for two hours, he was finally able to restore hot water to our shower, but in fact this was only a temporary fix, the hot water disappeared again later. Due to the delay, we missed some of the bookings we had made for the festival. Upon booking, we specifically requested two separate beds. We were given two separate beds, each with a very thin duvet and only one single blanket that we were somehow supposed to share. This blanket was neither clean nor fresh. The bedding was smelly, frayed and full of holes, rats/mice or the live ****roach we found in the room? There were marks on the bedding which we preferred to think of as rust stains. There were no electric blankets. The heater in the room was broken. Given it was the middle of winter, the room was freezing and completely ill-equipped to handle cold weather. The issues didn’t stop there: • Curtains were paper-thin. • No bedside rugs, so the wet, dirty floor made matters worse. • The wardrobe doors were jammed on their rails, but on forcing them open there was one lonely coat hanger and a previous guest’s toiletry bag still inside. • The dressing table chair was broken and since there was no power point or light nearby — was useless. • The room had no hairdryer. • One bedside light was broken and the roof lights covers were filled with dead bugs. • Walls were stained, cracked and showed signs of water damage. • Two out of three windows couldn’t close due to broken clips. Likewise, the bedroom door only stayed closed if it was locked. • There was mould everywhere. The room’s windows, frames and panes were horrifically mouldy. The shower walls, ceiling and floor were also covered in mould. • Tiles were cracked throughout and the floor was dirty. • A single candle was stashed in a drawer (no matches), next to what appeared to be a broken jewellery chain left behind by a previous guest. The drawer clearly hadn’t even been checked, likewise everything else in the room. • No fire extinguisher or instructions on what to do in case of emergency. While breakfast was included, we chose not to eat there — based on the horrific state of the room, we didn’t want to take that risk. We were promised a 50% refund which is ongoing. Many guests have reported similar experiences and are still waiting for refunds. We were so appalled we took photos of everything — because honestly, it was that bad! Someone needs to shut La Rêve down. Until then, avoid it at all costs.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
We booked a two-night stay at La Rêve in Tulbagh for the “Christmas in Winter” festival in 2025 — and it turned out to be the worst accommodation we've ever experienced. The room was in a shocking state of disrepair. There were two active water leaks from pipes that ran outside our window. One poured down the inside wall next to the bed, causing a massive puddle on the floor and the other, in the bathroom directly next to an electric heater, mounted on the wall, just below the ceiling — not only dangerous, but likely *******. We discovered there was no hot water in either the shower or the bath. We had to ask the manager, Keiser, to assist with this on Saturday morning. After battling for two hours, he was finally able to restore hot water to our shower, but in fact this was only a temporary fix, the hot water disappeared again later. Due to the delay, we missed some of the bookings we had made for the festival. Upon booking, we specifically requested two separate beds. We were given two separate beds, each with a very thin duvet and only one single blanket that we were somehow supposed to share. This blanket was neither clean nor fresh. The bedding was smelly, frayed and full of holes, rats/mice or the live ****roach we found in the room? There were marks on the bedding which we preferred to think of as rust stains. There were no electric blankets. The heater in the room was broken. Given it was the middle of winter, the room was freezing and completely ill-equipped to handle cold weather. The issues didn’t stop there: • Curtains were paper-thin. • No bedside rugs, so the wet, dirty floor made matters worse. • The wardrobe doors were jammed on their rails, but on forcing them open there was one lonely coat hanger and a previous guest’s toiletry bag still inside. • The dressing table chair was broken and since there was no power point or light nearby — was useless. • The room had no hairdryer. • One bedside light was broken and the roof lights covers were filled with dead bugs. • Walls were stained, cracked and showed signs of water damage. • Two out of three windows couldn’t close due to broken clips. Likewise, the bedroom door only stayed closed if it was locked. • There was mould everywhere. The room’s windows, frames and panes were horrifically mouldy. The shower walls, ceiling and floor were also covered in mould. • Tiles were cracked throughout and the floor was dirty. • A single candle was stashed in a drawer (no matches), next to what appeared to be a broken jewellery chain left behind by a previous guest. The drawer clearly hadn’t even been checked, likewise everything else in the room. • No fire extinguisher or instructions on what to do in case of emergency. While breakfast was included, we chose not to eat there — based on the horrific state of the room, we didn’t want to take that risk. We were promised a 50% refund which is ongoing. Many guests have reported similar experiences and are still waiting for refunds. We were so appalled we took photos of everything — because honestly, it was that bad! Someone needs to shut La Rêve down. Until then, avoid it at all costs.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Not at all what the pictures portray on their social media. Or atleast not what i had expected Rooms need a revamp asap lights not working in toilets jacuzzi not clean and room filled with spiders we finished two cans of room within the first hour we arrived informed management we are not comfortable to stay in the room said we could not get a refund had to spend additional funds to book in at tulbagh hotel as we were not going to sleep in that room not knowing what else was lurking in the cracks in roof windows etc. We booked the all inclusive special food was good I will admit but they did not have the items I was most excited to try such as samoosas very common item to have pre packed and frozen salmon and lamb so we spent 3 days eating the same food (not to mention being swarmed by flies the entire time whilst trying to enjoy your meal and getting two tiny candles to get rid of it was a joke the tiny mosquitos too just not a good experience we opted for breakfast in the hotel. Inclusive of the R5800 package was a couple massage on said morning we called to say we would be at back at 11 for massage whilst having lunch manager informed us that said massager had just not shown up and offered 3 other options and final offer was to get our cash back which obviously we requested. Which is also odd as she could give money back for a fault of theirs but not due to their customers not being satisfied with false advertising and conditions of the rooms. I will not be returning to this place it needs a full on makeover and should not he advertised as a hotel and spa when they do not meet the criteria of normal hotel and spa establishments. The staff were friendly and shame they did what they could to get us to atleast try to enjoy this experience
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Not at all what the pictures portray on their social media. Or atleast not what i had expected Rooms need a revamp asap lights not working in toilets jacuzzi not clean and room filled with spiders we finished two cans of room within the first hour we arrived informed management we are not comfortable to stay in the room said we could not get a refund had to spend additional funds to book in at tulbagh hotel as we were not going to sleep in that room not knowing what else was lurking in the cracks in roof windows etc. We booked the all inclusive special food was good I will admit but they did not have the items I was most excited to try such as samoosas very common item to have pre packed and frozen salmon and lamb so we spent 3 days eating the same food (not to mention being swarmed by flies the entire time whilst trying to enjoy your meal and getting two tiny candles to get rid of it was a joke the tiny mosquitos too just not a good experience we opted for breakfast in the hotel. Inclusive of the R5800 package was a couple massage on said morning we called to say we would be at back at 11 for massage whilst having lunch manager informed us that said massager had just not shown up and offered 3 other options and final offer was to get our cash back which obviously we requested. Which is also odd as she could give money back for a fault of theirs but not due to their customers not being satisfied with false advertising and conditions of the rooms. I will not be returning to this place it needs a full on makeover and should not he advertised as a hotel and spa when they do not meet the criteria of normal hotel and spa establishments. The staff were friendly and shame they did what they could to get us to atleast try to enjoy this experience
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
THIS IS THE WORST PLACE WE'VE BEEN TO. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS PLACE. My wife and I visit guest houses and hotels all the time, all over the world. This is probably our first rating under 4 stars, and the first place we didn't like.. why? As Le Reve deserves nothing better than ZERO STARS! I wanted to suprise my wife with a lovely weekend away at a "Boutique Hotel" ... but ended up staying at such a ***** place! WE CHECKED OUT AFTER ONE NIGHT! Please note that the rooms on the website and social media are NOT the room you will get. The room we stayed in is not a boutique hotel room. It is at best a cheap BACKPACKER ROOM and that is if you want to insult a backpackers! Here are some facts: (PLEASE READ THESE FACTS BEFORE BOOKING) ****roaches are crawling around! Lots of mosquitoes in the room! No hot water! Shower is DISGUSTING, there was something growing on the walls and floor! Even old soap stuck to the floor which obviously means it was not cleaned. Human or animal excretion on pillows and curtains. Loud noises (music, dogs, voices) coming from restaurant upstairs while trying to sleep. Dog threatened to bite my wife, later read online that the owner or managers dog bit someone so bad that they had to go to hospital. Pool very dirty, not clean as advertised. Paintings were skew, toilet not flushed, and the 1 poor single bedlamp was not even plugged in, it was as if they tried their best to make the place look bad. Someone broke into the property while we were sleeping, luckily not into our room as we had valuable items in our room. Tiles were cracked. Some lights were broken and flashing on and off. There was a bad smell, as if they were trying to hide a bad odour. I really urge guests not to go to this place as I can guarantee you, this place does NOT live up to the standards advertised. Please be aware that you will not get what you pay for and that you will find much places better anywhere else in the nearby vicinity. We checked out after the first night as it was a truly bad experience. They promised us a refund, I've waited almost 2 months and still havent received our refund, we get random excuses every week and are now at the point where our lawyers have taken over. SAVE YOURSELF THE TIME AND EFFORT, DON'T VISIT THIS PLACE.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
THIS IS THE WORST PLACE WE'VE BEEN TO. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS PLACE. My wife and I visit guest houses and hotels all the time, all over the world. This is probably our first rating under 4 stars, and the first place we didn't like.. why? As Le Reve deserves nothing better than ZERO STARS! I wanted to suprise my wife with a lovely weekend away at a "Boutique Hotel" ... but ended up staying at such a ***** place! WE CHECKED OUT AFTER ONE NIGHT! Please note that the rooms on the website and social media are NOT the room you will get. The room we stayed in is not a boutique hotel room. It is at best a cheap BACKPACKER ROOM and that is if you want to insult a backpackers! Here are some facts: (PLEASE READ THESE FACTS BEFORE BOOKING) ****roaches are crawling around! Lots of mosquitoes in the room! No hot water! Shower is DISGUSTING, there was something growing on the walls and floor! Even old soap stuck to the floor which obviously means it was not cleaned. Human or animal excretion on pillows and curtains. Loud noises (music, dogs, voices) coming from restaurant upstairs while trying to sleep. Dog threatened to bite my wife, later read online that the owner or managers dog bit someone so bad that they had to go to hospital. Pool very dirty, not clean as advertised. Paintings were skew, toilet not flushed, and the 1 poor single bedlamp was not even plugged in, it was as if they tried their best to make the place look bad. Someone broke into the property while we were sleeping, luckily not into our room as we had valuable items in our room. Tiles were cracked. Some lights were broken and flashing on and off. There was a bad smell, as if they were trying to hide a bad odour. I really urge guests not to go to this place as I can guarantee you, this place does NOT live up to the standards advertised. Please be aware that you will not get what you pay for and that you will find much places better anywhere else in the nearby vicinity. We checked out after the first night as it was a truly bad experience. They promised us a refund, I've waited almost 2 months and still havent received our refund, we get random excuses every week and are now at the point where our lawyers have taken over. SAVE YOURSELF THE TIME AND EFFORT, DON'T VISIT THIS PLACE.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
My partner and I had recently taken advantage of this resort's 2-night weekday offer, overall it really is a beautiful place - the staff were fantastic throughout, every meal we ate at their restaurant was amazing, the room was lovely and cozy, beautiful décor etc. Unfortunately on our first night the owner's dog attacked my boyfriend for absolutely no reason while we were leaving the restaurant. Luckily it was more of a graze than a bite, but nevertheless an open wound that required a tet**** injection as well as antibiotics. The staff were very apologetic which we appreciate, but nothing from the owner who is responsible for this dog as well as this establishment he is running. The owner did not even offer to pay for our doctor's bills, I had to ask that they please reimburse us to which he agreed, and after I had given them my receipts we were then asked for a photo of the bite before being reimbursed. On top of this when we eventually returned to the resort after our doctor's visit and day out, we found the dog roaming freely around the resort and restaurant yet again. We are completely disgusted at the nonchalant attitude from this owner - I would assume that your dog biting a guest on your resort is not something that should be taken lightly, especially when this happens in a restaurant where food is being prepared and served. A simple phone call from the owner expressing some concern would have been appreciated, but he clearly could not be bothered which is why we are giving this resort a 1-star rating.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
My partner and I had recently taken advantage of this resort's 2-night weekday offer, overall it really is a beautiful place - the staff were fantastic throughout, every meal we ate at their restaurant was amazing, the room was lovely and cozy, beautiful décor etc. Unfortunately on our first night the owner's dog attacked my boyfriend for absolutely no reason while we were leaving the restaurant. Luckily it was more of a graze than a bite, but nevertheless an open wound that required a tet**** injection as well as antibiotics. The staff were very apologetic which we appreciate, but nothing from the owner who is responsible for this dog as well as this establishment he is running. The owner did not even offer to pay for our doctor's bills, I had to ask that they please reimburse us to which he agreed, and after I had given them my receipts we were then asked for a photo of the bite before being reimbursed. On top of this when we eventually returned to the resort after our doctor's visit and day out, we found the dog roaming freely around the resort and restaurant yet again. We are completely disgusted at the nonchalant attitude from this owner - I would assume that your dog biting a guest on your resort is not something that should be taken lightly, especially when this happens in a restaurant where food is being prepared and served. A simple phone call from the owner expressing some concern would have been appreciated, but he clearly could not be bothered which is why we are giving this resort a 1-star rating.
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