Port Elizabeth’s latest edition, the 5-star Boardwalk Hotel & Spa looks set to become a future hot favourite! All rooms are ocean-facing and contemporary in design with excellent mod cons. There’s even a bijou balcony so you can admire your stunning surrounds to the full. Styled after boardwalks famous during the turn of the 20th century, the hotel exudes Victorian grandeur and, being on the Garden Route, it’s handy for exploring close by as well as further field. Chill out on golden sands or laze beside the gorgeous swimming pool, a good book to hand. There’s also a state-of-the-art fitness centre for the body conscious and a full-service spa if you fancy a spot of pampering. A feast for the eyes as well as the mouth, the Boardwalk’s Asian-inspired sumptuous buffets are bound to be a draw for guests and locals alike, as will the relaxing ambience of the lounge bars, boasting an impressive wine menu. The Boardwalk Casino is a short stroll away from the hotel and perfect for a sophisticated night out, chancing your arm with Lady Luck!
Amenities
Bar
Fitness Centre/Gym
Internet Access
Laundry Service
Restaurant
Room Service
Safety Deposit Box
Spa
Swimming Pool
Where is it
In Port Elizabeth, on the Garden Route, facing the Indian Ocean. Transfer time from Port Elizabeth Airport: 20 minutes.
Hotel information
140 rooms. All with air-conditioning, balcony, satellite TV with pay-per-view films, telephone, high-speed Internet access, mini-bar*, tea/coffee maker, safe, hairdryer, bathrobes, slippers, iron and board. Luxury Room with 1 king-size bed or 2 queen-size beds, sleeping maximum 2 adults.
Superior Luxury Room with king-size bed as above but more spacious, sleeping maximum 2 adults or 2 adults and 2 children.
Junior Suite with living room and separate bedroom with a king-size bed, sleeping maximum 2 adults or 2 adults and 2 children.
Superior Luxury Family Room with a lounge and dining area, king-size bed, sleeping maximum 2 adults and 2 children.
Luxury Suite is larger with an outdoor patio area, lounge and dining area and a separate bedroom with a king-size bed, sleeping maximum 2 adults.
Kipling’s Brasserie. Tshawe Bar. Lobby Lounge. Swimming pool. Spa*. Fitness centre. WiFi access. Laundry/dry-cleaning service*. 24-hour concierge. 24-hour room service*.
*Denotes local charge.
Based on 664 reviews
Rating summary
Location
Sleep Quality
Rooms
Service
Value
Cleanliness
Traveller rating
Excellent (398)
Very good (161)
Average (55)
Poor (28)
Terrible (22)
Very disappointing visit. We won’t return
Nov 18, 2024Alan DLondon, United Kingdom
We stayed in this hotel 8 years ago and were really looking forward to another visit.
The hotel building its self is lovely and has appeared to have been redecorated recently. It is set in a nice position.
However standards have really slipped.
The breakfast buffet is really disappointing. You have to serve your own coffee from a machine. There…
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We stayed in this hotel 8 years ago and were really looking forward to another visit.
The hotel building its self is lovely and has appeared to have been redecorated recently. It is set in a nice position.
However standards have really slipped.
The breakfast buffet is really disappointing. You have to serve your own coffee from a machine. There is no vegan choice. (Despite me emailing before hand requesting non diary butter & milk there was none to be seen).
The bar is a beautiful setting ruined by very noisy locals, smoking, and creating a horrible atmosphere for hotel guests.
The staff appear uninterested and unmotivated.
The levels of service are very poor.
It’s such a shame because it was a lovely hotel.
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Getaway spoil
Nov 2, 2024Allison S
The service was excellent, staff were friendly and very helpful. The hotel was beautifully clean and neat and the atmosphere puts you in a holiday mood. The fact that the hotel has its own shopping mall with restaurants etc was great too. Views from our room was great as well.
Awful service, food and vibe
Oct 26, 2024Flyer36267159449
Stopped into the bar to watch a match and have drinks and something to eat. Service was atrocious- order a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon - waiter brought a wet glass and a carafe of Sauvignon Blanc. I asked for a spare napkin so I could dry the glass. I ordered Linguine Chicken Parmesan. I got Penne pasta with chicken that had bones in it! …
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Stopped into the bar to watch a match and have drinks and something to eat. Service was atrocious- order a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon - waiter brought a wet glass and a carafe of Sauvignon Blanc. I asked for a spare napkin so I could dry the glass. I ordered Linguine Chicken Parmesan. I got Penne pasta with chicken that had bones in it! Waiter could not give 2 hoots. Wish we had gone straight to the airport to fly home instead of staying here one day/night. Loved every part of South Africa but Port Elizabeth and this hotel were horrible. Do not recommend!!
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Horrible...could not wait to leave
Aug 5, 2024Trav S
Probably my worst hotel experience ever taking into consideration I travel for at least 4 months out of the year.
The Boardwalk had so much potential when it opened and I attended a tourism expo at the hotel amd everything was top notch.
Now it is run with virtually no services being offered in the restaurant and staff seem to think they on…
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Probably my worst hotel experience ever taking into consideration I travel for at least 4 months out of the year.
The Boardwalk had so much potential when it opened and I attended a tourism expo at the hotel amd everything was top notch.
Now it is run with virtually no services being offered in the restaurant and staff seem to think they on vacation.
Rooms are rundown and seem old in need of freshening up.
Food is below calibre some of the worst food I have eaten in my life.
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So bad, it was funny. Very strange experience.
Jul 17, 2024JetDoodLeicester, United Kingdom
Bad points: We went in July, off season. The hotel had an odd vibe - over staffed yet under serviced. It was almost ghostly. Overall poor service. Surprised to find mouldy bread at breakfast. Told breakfast staff about the mouldy bread and they simply confirmed yes, it is mouldy but none of them thought it was their responsibility to do anything…
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Bad points: We went in July, off season. The hotel had an odd vibe - over staffed yet under serviced. It was almost ghostly. Overall poor service. Surprised to find mouldy bread at breakfast. Told breakfast staff about the mouldy bread and they simply confirmed yes, it is mouldy but none of them thought it was their responsibility to do anything about it.
Many of the staff seemed to be work shy and not welcoming - actively avoiding helping and choosing to talk amongst themselves instead. They didn’t want guests sitting in the lobby which was odd. At one point we asked for a drink from the bar and they said they couldn’t serve us because they’ve lost the key! Lol - would make a great TV comedy show!
The quality of toiletries, tea coffee, etc in the rooms was low budget. There is a games room (PS5 etc) manned by a guy who looks like he pulled the short straw - he was not happy to be there - or for anyone else to be there.
Good points: This is a beautiful building which looks grand. It is well kept with beautiful furniture and is very clean. Comfy rooms and beds. Front desk staff were very professional and helpful.
It has a breakfast room but no restaurant. They do have a bar that serves food. The bar staff were particularly welcoming and nice along with the very accommodating chef. Other individual staff were also great but the team work was missing. Remember guys, team work makes the dream work!
Odd place, not a 5 star hotel. Its focus is on conferences and business guests with tourists more of an afterthought/inconvenience. Most of the staff seemed annoyed to have to be there?! Shame as it has a lot of potential. Maybe senior management should pay a visit.
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Very disappointing visit. We won’t return
