54 on Bath

2nd time we checked out due to hotel issues. Dishonest and unprofessional. When we checked in, they never advised that the aircons were not working. At 22h00 we went to reception to ask how to switch in the aircons only to be told we have no aircons. We asked why were we not advised on check in. Silence. I asked to speak with the manager, he would not meet with me. To make it worse they booked us into a lower grade hotel at the rate of a 5 star hotel. Only when I challenged the person, did I get a refund. Please i ask you to not go there. We met a foreign man on the stairs who said he had terrible smells in his room and we could not help him.

On my second trip to Joburg, I knew I wanted to once again stay at the beautiful 54 on Bath. She was as beautiful as I remembered, but unfortunately there were a few issues this trip, when last time it was perfect. I had made arrangements for transportation through the hotel, and that was confirmed 2 months ago. About 15 hours before arrival, I sent an email reminder to assure a driver would be waiting. Nothing had changed with regard to our previous arrangement. We landed and there were many drivers waiting, but none for us. I attempted to contact the hotel, but could not get through. We waited almost an hour, continuously trying to contact the hotel, and were finally assisted by an employee at the airport. She told them we were waiting, and a driver was finally sent. He arrived about 30 minutes later. He was very nice, but we weren’t given an explanation or apology for the late arrival. I doubt it was his fault. I’m fairly certain we’d been forgotten. We arrived to the hotel, and the greeting there was very friendly, just as I remembered. No one brought up the fact that we’d been left waiting at the airport. We were offered the option of paying the driver in Rand or having the amount added to our bill. We paid the driver directly (in front of the front desk clerk) and he filled out their receipt book. I tipped him well besides. We were given a beautiful corner room, and the lovely doorman with the top hat not only escorted us, but explained everything in the room. He noticed slippers and a room service menu missing, and he had those immediately brought up by friendly staff. As we retired for the evening, I noticed we had no “do not disturb” sign for the door. I had no idea how problematic this would be. We were awakened by our doorbell very early by housekeeping. I explained to them we’d been sleeping, but would he leaving shortly. We immediately got up and went down to breakfast. When we returned, about an hour later, the room hadn’t been made up, and we were still exhausted. We laid down, and the doorbell was ringing again very shortly. This time housekeeping said they needed to check the mini bar. We were literally in bed when they came in. After she checked this, we finally settled down to sleep, but the doorbell rang yet again! I explained that we didn’t want service at this point and that we had no do not disturb sign. They did get one quickly and we were able to finally sleep uninterrupted this time. The rest of our stay was lovely. Breakfast was very nice, but then the final day came. We went to check out and the woman working the front desk wanted to charge me again for the hotel transfer. I explained that I had paid him in front of their staff and that he’d filled out a receipt book there. She still clearly didn’t believe me and was asking other staff whether I had paid it. Meanwhile, we had a flight to catch. It was really frustrating, and not a pleasant way to end our stay, especially after the fiasco with our airport pickup. Fast forward two days, and someone decides to answer the message I sent the day before our arrival to assure we would have a driver waiting for us. They’re telling me how to pay, etc., completely ignoring the fact that I’ve now clearly already landed and stayed there! It was just baffling. I replied that no one ever showed up until the airport staff called the hotel to send someone. Their explanation was that we were delayed. We were supposed to land at 6:35 pm. We were through customs, had our check bags in hand, and were in the airport lobby by 7:15 pm. I would hardly call that delayed. This situation was just handled so poorly, and it’s a shame, because the hotel is beautiful and many of their staff really do an amazing job there. I understand mistakes happen, but a 5-star hotel will generally own those mistakes, apologize and do at least a little something to make up for it. Making excuses and ignoring a situation is not the way to handle it.

From the minute of our late arrival to this beautiful hotel, every single staff person was so incredibly helpful and kind to us. From taking our bag, getting us water, to providing us the best service at the bar ever (shout out to Lindo for his hospitality and warm company), we absolutely enjoyed our stay and would stay here again. It was very conveniently located as well and their restaurant was great too.

I have been staying in the hotel from the 3rd of March till the 7th of March 2025. All i can say is that the personel working there had no respect for colored skin people. They were rude in the restaurant. I was asked to "go put some pants and come back" because the restaurant had a formal dress code. The very next day there was another woman eating in the hotel with a very small short on. I felt it was very raciste from the side of the people working in the restaurant. If you asked them question they get angry and bang my plate. And there is literally no communication ethics. Its the first time i felt being target to racism in South Africa but it is here. It was the worst experience in my life. The only good about the hotel was the head of security who has been very nice. The rest were just mean. If you not white please do not go the level four restaurant or the hotel 54 on Bath.

Definite drop in standards. My wife and I had breakfast which previously was a very high standard. We ordered mushrooms as a side with our eggs and received 1 mushroom each. The bacon was like rubber and inedible. The pastry I had was dry and unappetising. For the price I paid, the standard of the cooking and presentation is unacceptable.