In December 2008 we stayed at the Whale Cottage in Franchoek. Talking to friends who stayed there before, we thought it would be another pleasant stop on our 3 weeks in South Africa. Unfortunately not. 

Unclean rooms, unfriendly on site manager, impossible to get a straight answer to normal questions. After 1.5 months of calling and emailing management has still not had the decency to acknowledge our complaints. In fact all we ever got back was a few emails regarding who could or could not write an email to management. Yes it is true. 

We have explained in length to both the local manager as well as to the Whale Cottage chain's owner that we have documented our stay. We have sent reminders telling that unless we can get somebody to talk to we feel forced to publish on line our experience. We really really don't want another party of happy travelers getting in to the same messy guest house. 

There are so many options in the Winelands. There is so much good to experience. We hope that our modest try to display consumer power will prevent others from having their vacation ruined.