Lord Charles Hotel Manager Drowns Customer Loyalty - after 7 years!

I have been taking my business to Lord Charles for over 7 years now.

As a remote worker, this is where I have been working, meeting clients, meeting friends, watched sport and spent thousands of rands. I have always ordered food and drinks whilst working/ meeting/ socializing.

The hotel underwent a revamp with new management in the last year or so. All the previous staff members (Faizah/ Carter/ William/ Lynette but to name a few) that was taken over still knows me and my children personally. In 7 years of visiting have we never caused any problems for the staff, hotel guests or conference attendants.

We have become members of the Lord Charles family and we were always treated in such a way. Although the swimming pool facilities are only for the hotel guests, I have had permission by previous management that my children can make use of the pool whilst visiting / working. They never make a noise and we never stayed for longer than 2 hours at a time.

Last week my daughter jumped from the plastic feature rock (which she has never done before) - I told her that it is against the rules and that she should stop doing it. Which she did.

Not long thereafter, a coloured man (I presume he is a manager) approached us without introducing himself telling us that we are no longer welcome to swim here and that the facility is only available for hotel guests.

I understand the sentiment of regulations, however, the manner in which he conducted himself (and that in front of my guest and children) was simply unacceptable. He did not politely asked us to keep to the rules, instead, he made it very clear that we are not welcome.

I am deeply disappointed in the manner that this was handled - especially taking into account how long we have been visiting the facility as loyal supporters. The hotel is quiet and business has declined tremendously since the new management took over. The staff which I know very well complained about this same man and the way in which he treats them.

I am deeply saddened by this. I have spent a lifetime and large amounts of money at the hotel. I regret that I have no other choice than to take my business somewhere else. As a resident of Somerset West, I will make sure that my friends/ colleagues and business affiliates will take their business somewhere else.