I had the most unpleasant experience on 5 February 2021 - 6 February 2021.
What was supposed to be a secure and pleasant stay in Forest Lodge (which holds 4 stars) turned into the most unpleasant stay.
Forest Lodge boasts “The Lodge design evolves around the luxury and comfort of its clients. … Welcome to the most unforgettable holiday destination…”. Well there was no luxury nor comfort!!!!!! Our stay definitely will be unforgettable, but sadly not for the right reasons.
My friend and I did a few days of travelling through Natal and booked a room for 2 people for the night of 5 February 2021 through booking.com. Somehow there was a glitch and our payment went through twice.
Upon our arrival we noticed that there was only open parking off the street. Enquired at the receptionist about the safety and we were assured that vehicles are safe. Our concern was that our vehicles had many valuables in from various shopping expeditions over the past few days. I parked my vehicle between the lodge and a Mercedes Benz as close to the entrance as parking allowed.
After formalities we were seen to our room. We were also assured that the overpayment would be rectified the following morning.
We had to address the receptionist a few times on various issues, which left us running up and down between our room and reception.
1 cup in the room (which still had coffee...I had the most unpleasant experience on 5 February 2021 - 6 February 2021.
What was supposed to be a secure and pleasant stay in Forest Lodge (which holds 4 stars) turned into the most unpleasant stay.
Forest Lodge boasts “The Lodge design evolves around the luxury and comfort of its clients. … Welcome to the most unforgettable holiday destination…”. Well there was no luxury nor comfort!!!!!! Our stay definitely will be unforgettable, but sadly not for the right reasons.
My friend and I did a few days of travelling through Natal and booked a room for 2 people for the night of 5 February 2021 through booking.com. Somehow there was a glitch and our payment went through twice.
Upon our arrival we noticed that there was only open parking off the street. Enquired at the receptionist about the safety and we were assured that vehicles are safe. Our concern was that our vehicles had many valuables in from various shopping expeditions over the past few days. I parked my vehicle between the lodge and a Mercedes Benz as close to the entrance as parking allowed.
After formalities we were seen to our room. We were also assured that the overpayment would be rectified the following morning.
We had to address the receptionist a few times on various issues, which left us running up and down between our room and reception.
1 cup in the room (which still had coffee rings in it). No other cups were available in the room.
No ice in the fridge (the kitchen had to be unlocked to obtain ice).
No sugar available.
Open shower gel in the shower which clearly indicated that the room was not attended to as it should have been – what happened to daily housekeeping?
As we were about to turn in, we realised that there were no pillowcases on the pillows. The 4 pillows on the 2 beds were covered in yellow stains and black mould. The pillows itself appeared to have been bought from a low budget shop many years before(badly shaped sponge chip pillows, which were not firm nor held position). The black mould, yellow stains and poor state of the pillows were/are of grave concern. My friend phoned the lodge and the lady who answered said very rudely that she is off site and we needed to go to reception. Receptionist brought in pillows from another room (which was also poor quality pillows as above).
Now being concerned we opened the beds to examine the linen and the beds as a whole. Iron burn marks appeared on the one sheet and the sheets appeared that it should have been retired a few years before. – thinned out - one could in fact see the marking of the matrass.
The following morning, we approached reception only to be met by a very unhelpful and rude receptionist. No apology for the poor state of affairs. An hour later (after breakfast) we once again approached reception (for we were ready to leave) and even though we were led to believe that the overpayment would have been sorted out in the hour before, we were now told that she needed to get hold of the owners. We went to pack our belongings and returned to reception. Given forms to fill in and a new undertaking that the money would be refunded the same or following day. Needless to say – we had to take this matter up with bookings.com and despite trying to phone the lodge on numerous occasions up to 11 February, our calls were not answered.
Arriving at my vehicle (in a supposed safe space) – I immediately noticed that the entire left hand side was keyed/scratched from the front to the back. Two deliberate horizontal lines. I walked back into reception and brought my discovery to the attention of the receptionist. I asked whether there were cameras and was just told “no”. She did not even bother to check/investigate the matter – just walked off. The scratching of my vehicle is of grave concern, specifically because we were told the parking is safe and the fact that I was parked right next to the building (the Mercedes Benz next to me, between myself and the street.)
The stay at Forest Lodge was not what I would have expected from a 4 star lodge. The mould on the pillows were appalling and definitely not hygienic. The poor state of the linen, the dirty cups and shower must be addressed for either there is an owner problem or a management problem.
Sadly this lodge will never see me again nor will I recommend that you choose this lodge for your overnight stay in St Lucia.More
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