Greenways Hotel

The Greenways Manor Guesthouse is an impressing classical place for stayingsurrounde by a wonderfull park. It has a great tradional atmosphere and Thomas Ringer as a host is very warmhearted. We are looking forward to our return.

Staff are extremely friendly. Always willing to help. Comfortable and relaxing. Home away from home feel. Love the shower gel and lotion. The breakfast was always prepared with love . The swimming pool is beautiful and relaxing. It was affordable and as well as convenient for UCT.

LOCATION   Manor in Claremont is easily accessible from city or airport.    MANSION   This establishment has enjoyed the likes of Nelson Mandela and other celebreties showcasing the hall of fame with multiple framed photographs capturing the moments these giants graced the premises.     The manor door is a glass door, which was quite clean so that in the morning I walked into the door bumping my head. Would be good to put a sticker or something on the glass door. The old grandfather clock still ticks away in the atrium as passing guests walk through history.   This guesthouse enjoys a pristine garden, lush green trees complete with a childrens playarea/treehouse and an antiquated sundial. Gardeners can be seen scurrying around the garden trimming the hedges, pruning the shrubs and attending to the flora and foliage during the day. I am told a few years back they even had horses onsite.   Pool area looked satisfactory with a deep end for diving.   The manor has an elevator for only 2 floors and each suite is dearly named, ours was called IRIS. The elevator buttons remind me of the elevators 30 years ago.   SERVICE   Security is good and we were relieved that we notified the guesthouse of our late arrival at 10pm, as it was dark outside and the driveway to the manor is not short.  Requested a city map on check-in and the next morning, but never given one.    On check-out, we noticed that they had charged breakfast to our invoice, whereas our package on Booking.com had already included breakfast. The desk clerk had to call the owner to confirm this before correcting the payment slip.   ROOMS   The bedroom is graciously spacious and elegantly grand, while the wooden window shades are delightful. “Hideaway Hotels- the 100 most beautiful hotels and resorts in the world 2012/2013” is the bilingual book (German and English) sitting on the table featuring this upscale, charming establishment as a luxury world-class hotel. That was the past. Now the telephone did not work and although the coffee machine has pods, no milk provided, so I informed the desk clerk who brought a small 1 person tea milk jug and a kettle.    There were 2 bath towels, 1 hand towel and 1 bath mat for a massive bathroom, which should have more linen for the separate shower and bathtub instead of the empty towel rings on the wall. Conspicuously missing was the hand/face towels, which should have been rolled under the counter like in the photograph of the book. The “his and her” washbasins only had 1 mirror instead of the original 2 mirrors. Despite there being multiple soap dishes, only one bar of soap provided, which we had to carry from bath to shower to washbasin. The toiletries used were of good and high quality.    Hot water supply was limited and the toilet leaked after flushing. Bed was comfortable and relaxing. The décor and furnishings gives a hint of the former luxurious suites of an upper class elite.   FOOD   Breakfast on the patio or indoors with the Christmas tree was pleasant and filling. The pineapple dish was innovative, interesting and the most artistic presentation. German owner Thomas came to greet all guests at breakfast and receive feedback.    Although many issues relate to the age of the manor, small aspects like providing creamer or milk is standard in hotels and guesthouses, and customers should not need to request basic essentials. A look through previous reviews reveal similar recurrent issues, only partially addressed. The lasting impression is of a majestic establishment streamlined down to the bare necessities.   SUMMARY   NOSTALGIC JOURNEY BACK TO THE GLORIOUS PAST