Sanbonani Hotel

Objective: The BuzzBoxSA team recently visited this facility (hotel) after receiving some negative comments from our international clients. We decided to check out the place for ourselves and combined it with a 60th birthday on 20th June 2025. Our stay was form 18-21 June 2025. Environment: The facility lies in a green valley with access via a poorly maintained suburban area of Hazeyview. The hotel (4*) and self catering units are located in a garden environment with beautiful trees and subtropical plants. Pathways are well laid out and easily accessible. Lawns were found all around the area and well kept and green. Reception: Reception counter was manned by one lady whom was efficient but not in line with a 4* rating. We expected a bit more guidance on activities and scenery other than directions and timing of the breakfast venue. Gorgeous pool area with lots of seating, loungers found, including a pool bar area is directly in front of the restaurant deck areas. Room: We booked an executive room with a balcony. The room was practical and of good size, with a separate bathroom (with bath & shower), sufficient cupboard space, coffee station, bar fridge and TV. The large king-size bed was super. However, the "balcony" was simply a ledge of about 50cm depth suitable only for a person to stand on. Sliding doors opened onto the balcony with a gorgeous view of the gardens below. Decor was attractive but perhaps a bit outdated. Communication: The room had a TV with about 10 basic channels. On attempting to log in for alternative TV- channels via WiFi we discovered how poor the signal was and remained like that for our stay. In a world of technology and ability for streamline communications (e.g. our laptops and reporting) we expected much more from a 4* facility and thus a major downfall for us. Restaurants & meals: The main restaurant was of fair size but with outdated decor. Breakfast was mediocre and not at all in line with a 4* rating - off an A la carte menu with limited options. We did not attempt dinner (served in the same room 18:00-21) due to content of the dinner menu stuck on a wall outside of the restaurant - this remained the same for the duration of the stay and we opted to have dinner elsewhere in Hazyview each night. Very nice, family friendly, deck areas are outside of the restaurant as well as the bar area. The bar area serves "pub type" meals until 18:00 daily and of a far greater variety than the dinner menu. We recommend using that service- for early dinner and drinks on the deck instead of the restaurant dinner. Pricing was good and the portion sizes decent. The gentleman attending the bar and these "easy" meals is a superstar and assists with anything, even just a good old chat! Personnel: Staff were found to be very friendly and efficient. Reception may have to consider increasing the efficiency of the people applied here. Summary: In reality we found this hotel to be more in line with 3* classification. The environment of the

Maybe it was the timing of our visit; perhaps we simply had different expectations based on word-of-mouth/website... Anyway, there was certainly nothing "wrong" with our visit - besides the price - and 'Sanbonani' has plenty on offer including: huge swimming area, tennis courts, a small but functional indoor gym, pool table/billiards, nice quiet location, lush & beautiful grounds, but it just didn't feel worth it. Our "luxury ensuite room" felt a little 'worn'/aged, and the air-con made noise all night. The bed was comfortable, but made a terrible 'cracking' noise every time one of us rolled over! Breakfast was fine, though they attempted to charge us for coffee on the second morning, even though we had paid 'bed and breakfast' rates! Alas, a good location very proximal to Phabeni Gate at Kruger, kind staff, and the fact that you're staying minutes from Kruger National Park all make it worth it.

Frontline reception staff had no authority to take any decisions. Room had bathing water that was running hot and then cold. We requested the staff to correct it but nothing was done about it. Food was of a sub optimal standard with very limited options. We were overcharged for the service we got. I would not recommend Sanbonani to international tourists, specifically from a “value for money” perspective.