Thomas Neudenberger
18 May 2018
VERY SAFE – Clean – Elegant – Comfortable - Friendly.
VERY SAFE: I work in security and was very concerned coming from the US to Joburg. My local security partner picked this place for a reason. It is a safe location surrounded by a big wall and the entrance to the property is secured by a huge electric gate. But the kicker is that the entrance is at the end of a cul-de-sac (to the left). Right in the middle is a MAN GATED Entrance to a big apartment complex. The gate (see picture) has many cameras pointing at the street and one pointing at the gate of the 5 Crown Guest House. With the cameras and security people watching the access road 24/7 no stranger will attempt to even come down the cul-de-sac.
Clean: Going to Africa, I was a little concerned about cleanliness. I brought my own box of antibacterial wet wipes, but didn’t even take them out of my suitcase. This place was super clean. I saw employees scrub the floors and showers every day and the owners personally changed the beds. I got new towels, the place smelled good, looked good and I noticed that they even adopted best hotel practice of folding the tip of the toilet paper to indicate that the toilet had been properly cleaned.
Elegant: I was impressed by this huge mansion that was built by the grandfather in the 70s on a huge property. Parts of the property have been sold off and there are a handful modern family homes on the property (which adds safety). But you still have full privacy in the back yard at the pool. It looks as if there were no cost spared building this massive home and I truly enjoyed just walking through the building and the garden. I especially enjoyed the formal living room and the game room with a massive 12-foot snooker table (giant pool table) that you can play on! There is even a huge piano if you can play.
Comfortable: My biggest concern when travelling is always the bed. We spoiled ourselves at home and now I am having a hard time when travelling. Not here. I must say this was one of the most comfortable beds I have slept in outside my house. Stacked with huge pillows, soft blankets and a massive comforter, this was a real treat. Also, the shower has plenty of water pressure. I never tried the coffee maker as they made coffee for me every morning, but there is one as well as a flat screen etc.
Friendly: The place is run by the owner Sonja and her daughter Justine. Both are over the top. A sign at the entrance says, “be nice or go home”. They mean it. They welcome their guests with open arms. It is like visiting family (the once you actually want to visit because they are nice :- ). They have a beautiful outdoor area, where I spent some time to overcome my 6 hour jet-lag. They love to learn where you are from and enjoy a bottle of wine (bring a Nederburg Shiraz or two). I even saw them driving other customers to the local store for a small gas charge. Also, you will get a nice breakfast every morning with eggs, meat and coffee and they will make you a fruit salad or cereal as well.
In Summary: I would choose this place over ANY luxury hotel. This is a place that can spent weeks away from home and you still feel home. As per Arnold Schwarzenegger’s most famous words: "I'll Be Back"
Thomas, United States of America
Superb. 5 out of 5
