Steenberg Hotel

Avoid this very expensive Hotel. The rooms are advertised as Mountain View’s, but we had no views at all. The pool pictured cannot be used by most guests. Join the Spa guest in the hope of getting a sun bed. Very close to Pollsmore Prison and police warning signs outside about safety. This explains the delays in getting in to the Hotel.

Very disappointing dinner at the 1682 restaurant. Menu can only be described as a failed attempt to re-invent traditional Spanish Tapas dishes. Whole experience was one of overly pretentious attitude. Staff were excellent, obviously following Management guidelines regarding service protocol. One to forget.

This was our last stop on a 4 week trip around the Cape. The hotel comprises original buildings all set within vineyards - which you can explore on foot or by bike. We had what I think was a superior room. It was spacious, with a small sitting area in the room but disappointingly the first hotel we stayed in with no terrace or balcony. Having said that, there was lots of storage space and a large bathroom with a great shower. There are 2 restaurants on site - Bistro 1681 & Tryn. Both are good but we preferred the tapas in 1682. Wine was more pricey than elsewhere, but still reasonable based on UK prices. We ate breakfast in Tryn, only realising on the final day we could also have had this in 1682. The breakfast menu was very good, and you could also pick different options to have exactly what you wanted. However, the service was extremely slow. The order would be taken, and the first course (berries, yogurt etc) would arrive - sometimes all at once, sometimes a waitress would have to go back to fetch a missing item. However there would then be an interminable wait for the second course and even that was not complete at times. How long does it take to make an omelette? We did complain, and both managers we spoke to listened to our comments but clearly there is a communication issue between the waiters & the kitchen. It was not unusual for breakfast to take 90 minutes! For us golfers it meant careful planning, and we did wonder whether an arrangement could be made to have breakfast at the golf club. There is a very good menu at the golf club. We were told by the hotel that the kitchen closed at 6pm, but we discovered it was 8pm so had two meals there, which were very good value. The one thing that is missing is a bar area for pre/post dinner drinks or a coffee. There is a small terrace but that's about it. There is a pool area with a limited number of sunbeds. Plenty of towels and enough shade. When we booked, I noticed there was a shuttle into Capetown, which was one of the reasons for booking. However this is only during the day and one trip each way, which can take up to 45 minutes depending on traffic. At night you need a taxi. This was disappointing - and we didn't appreciate how long it too to get to The Waterfront. However there are plenty of Uber's. The hotel shuttle will take you anywhere within a 5km radius, free of charge. It would be nice if this could be extended to Constantia Village which is 8km away, as this is the closest decent shopping centre (without going into Capetown) and also has numerous restaurants in the vicinity. The golf course is good, and is a 5 minute walk from the hotel). Hotel guests do get discounted rates which made it very reasonable. There are buggies and also push trolleys available to hire - and the course is walkable. Greens were challenging. We took advantage of the complementary wine tasting which was great fun. Gouwa (hope that's correct) was in charge of ours, and she was fantastic. Very informative and very engaging. The staff were all extremely helpful, and thanks particularly to Ashlen, who assisted us with various bookings & was always on hand to help.

The hotel is not as described and we were given a view of a wall and hedge - not the wonderful views of mountains promised. Plenty of noise and activity around the room as we were next to the staff/canteen and recreation area. The pool advertised on their website is only for certain guests. Most people staying there can only use the Spa pool, when it’s not full of the public using the Spa. When we went there were no sunbeds and spa guests were eating chips in the pool. Another couple we spoke to could not believe that on a scorchingly hot day - they could not use the beautiful pool that was pictured when booking. Pollsmore Prison is nearby - which may account for the delays getting in to the property, due to the strict security. Outside the hotels there are warning signs, not to cycle alone.

It was with incredulity that we were allocated a room, next to the workers rest facilities/restaurant, and with a view of a wall and hedge. The manager was very apologetic and explained that the Mountain View room we booked had not been kept for us, but he would ensure we were moved to the correct room today. Disappointingly, this room does not have “ tranquil werf on their entrance doorstep and private terraces with spectacular unimpeded views of the mountains across the vines or meandering greens” This is misrepresentation, as are the misleading photographs of a spectacular pool that it transpires - is not available to guests staying in our rooms. We are only allowed access to the small pool at the Spa. This is not exclusive as this is for the use of anyone using the Spa. Yesterday, there were no seats left when we looked in. It is unconscionable that you continue to deliberately mislead potential guests. What you do offer is interrupted views of Pollsmore Prison - not mentioned anywhere on your website, or Tripadvisor.