Please select your travel dates to see rates and availability
Check In
Check Out
1 room2 guests1 room, 2 guests
Info
Summary of reviewsThe '1 on Albert Building' offers a convenient location close to the Central Business District (CBD) with easy access to public transport, shops, restaurants and tourist spots, making it a popular choice for visitors exploring Cape Town. Guests appreciated its proximity to the train station, bus routes, shopping centers and the scenic views of the city and Table Mountain from their rooms. While the safety of the surrounding area received mixed reviews, the building itself is generally considered secure.
The rooms are noted for their modern and stylish design with many guests highlighting their cozy and comfortable setups. Some appreciated the inclusion of high-quality TVs and other amenities. However, reviews on cleanliness and maintenance are inconsistent with reports of dirty linens, pests and lack of proper room service detracting from the positive aspects. Proper ventilation and essential amenities like towels and cutlery were also cited as lacking.
Staff reviews are mixed with some guests praising their friendliness and helpfulness, especially the security personnel. However, instances of unprofessional and unresponsive behavior were frequently mentioned, indicating a need for improved customer service and staff training.
The absence of a provided breakfast is a point of contention for many guests. The cumbersome process of arranging meals, often involving interactions with security and management via WhatsApp, suggests that guests should plan to secure their own breakfast options.
WiFi connectivity is generally poor with many guests experiencing inconsistent or non-existent internet service, impacting their stay. Similarly, the pool area received mixed feedback with complaints about cleanliness and maintenance overshadowing the few positive remarks on its visual appeal.
Parking, while safe and reliable once sorted, involves a challenging and sometimes costly process of obtaining an access tag from a separate location. Poor instructions and assistance from staff further complicated this aspect.
Guests' experiences with the beds were largely negative with many finding them uncomfortable, old and poorly maintained. Cleanliness of the bedding was also a significant issue.
Lastly, while the hotel's location is praised for its accessibility via transport services, issues with non-functional elevators and other accessibility challenges have been noted, suggesting that further improvements are needed to cater to guests with disabilities.
Overall, '1 on Albert Building' offers an attractive location and potential for a comfortable stay but faces notable challenges in cleanliness, maintenance, staff professionalism and consistent service delivery. Show more
Read review summaries for all categories
Categories
Apartment with Swimming Pool
Outdoor Pool
Apartment with Parking
Accessible Apartment
Apartment with Outdoor Pool
Room Types
Guest Reviews
Location
The location of 1 on Albert Building is frequently praised for its convenience and proximity to various attractions and amenities. It is close to the Central Business District (CBD), making it an ideal spot for those with work commitments or seeking easy access to the city's main attractions. Public transport options are abundant with the train station and bus routes just a short walk away, ensuring hassle-free commuting. Guests appreciate its central position with shops, restaurants and tourist hotspots within easy reach. Many enjoyed the scenic views of Cape Town from their rooms, adding an extra layer of appeal.
However, opinions on the surrounding neighborhood are mixed. While some felt safe and found the location convenient, others expressed concerns about safety and noted that the area felt dodgy, particularly at night. Despite these concerns, the building itself is described as secure and the convenience it offers often outweighs the negatives for many guests. The close proximity to shopping centers, the waterfront, public transport and various dining and entertainment options makes it a popular choice for visitors looking to explore the city.
Breakfast
The 1 on Albert Building has consistently received guest feedback addressing the breakfast situation, primarily highlighting the absence of a provided breakfast. Many guests confirmed that breakfast was not included in their stay, suggesting a need for clearer communication regarding meal options. Some guests mentioned arranging their own meals or obtaining breakfast from nearby options. The process of acquiring breakfast appears to be cumbersome, involving interactions with security and management via WhatsApp. This feedback indicates that while the hotel may excel in other areas, guests should not expect a complimentary breakfast during their stay.
Rooms
The rooms at 1 on Albert Building evoke a mix of modern allure and practical comfort, showcasing stylish interiors and cozy layouts. Many guests appreciated the chic, contemporary design, complete with furnished spaces and sleek aesthetic touches. High-quality TVs and the inclusion of Netflix (though not always active) were noted as nice technological additions. The rooms, while often described as small, were frequently perceived as cozy and comfortable, offering adequate space for a pleasant stay.
Cleanliness proved to be inconsistent with some reviewers stating that their rooms were exceptionally clean and neat, while others encountered issues such as dirty linen, cockroaches and a general lack of maintenance. The absence of proper room service and maintenance was a recurring complaint with some guests finding their rooms unclean upon arrival or not serviced during their stay.
Ventilation posed another significant concern, as rooms were often described as stuffy, smoky or having unpleasant odors, particularly of marijuana. Moreover, some practical issues like broken doors, non-functional windows and lack of essential kitchen and bathroom amenities (such as towels, pots and cutlery) were frequently mentioned, detracting from the overall guest experience.
Despite these drawbacks, the view from the rooms—especially those with balcony access—was often highlighted as a redeeming feature with striking vistas of Cape Town's cityscape and Table Mountain. Proximity to shopping centers and transport options also added a layer of convenience for guests. However, aspects like the noise from nearby train stations and the occasional lack of advertised features, such as specific views or room sizes, left some guests dissatisfied.
Overall, while the exterior and some units at 1 on Albert Building impressed with their appealing designs and comfortable setups, inconsistency in cleanliness and maintenance detracted from what could be a consistently positive guest experience.
Beds
The guest reviews for '1 on Albert Building' reveal a mixed but generally negative consensus regarding the beds. While a few guests noted that the beds were comfortable, the prevailing sentiment highlights a range of issues. Many guests found the beds to be uncomfortable with complaints of hard and noisy mattresses and instances where the springs were felt poking through. The beds were often described as old, worn out and in poor condition, sometimes broken or squeaky.
Cleanliness was a significant concern with multiple mentions of dirty, stained sheets and mattresses, some with unpleasant odors or hair from previous guests. Several reviews mentioned the absence of clean bedding and pillows, as well as heavily stained linens. Some guests reported encountering bed bugs, contributing further to discomfort and dissatisfaction.
In summary, while there are sporadic mentions of comfort, the predominant feedback from guests about the beds at '1 on Albert Building' suggests that improvements in both cleanliness and quality are urgently needed.
Cleanliness
Guest reviews of the '1 on Albert Building' present a range of experiences with cleanliness being a major point of contention. On the positive side, several guests highlighted the apartments as clean, cozy and spacious. The kitchen, when maintained, had good utensils and specific mentions of clean bathrooms, clean facilities and pest control services suggest some efforts toward maintaining cleanliness. Clean rooms and fresh finishes were also noted by a few guests, contributing to an initial impression of good hygiene.
However, the negative feedback considerably outweighs the positive. Numerous reviews pointed to unclean conditions, including dirty bedding, floors and curtains. Guests frequently reported stained linens, smelly and dusty rooms and the presence of cockroaches. Many felt that housekeeping and maintenance were severely lacking with reports of no room service during stays, dirty pool areas and refuse not being collected unless requested. Furthermore, issues like broken equipment, dirty kitchen appliances and spaces not being properly cleaned upon arrival were common grievances.
The external environment also contributed to the overall negative experience with corridors smelling of cigarettes and weed and noise from railway tracks adding to the discomfort. The area surrounding the property was described as unsafe by some guests.
In summary, while there were occasional positive aspects regarding cleanliness, the majority of reviews indicate that the '1 on Albert Building' often falls short in maintaining the expected standards of hygiene and cleanliness.
Staff
The reviews for the staff at the 1 on Albert Building paint a mixed picture. On the brighter side, many guests appreciated the friendly and helpful nature of the staff, security and cleaning personnel with some noting that they were attentive to details and quick to respond. Security staff received praise for their professionalism and willingness to assist and the receptionists were often described as friendly and approachable.
However, the positive experiences are overshadowed by a range of negative feedback. Many guests reported instances of rude, unhelpful and unresponsive staff across various departments, including reception and security. Communication issues were a recurrent theme with numerous accounts of poor or non-existent customer service, ignored requests and unreturned calls. Some guests experienced unprofessional behavior from the staff, including being given false promises, encountering disinterest and even rudeness.
Additionally, there were mentions of chaotic check-in processes, unclean conditions and a lack of proper maintenance, further exacerbated by the unprofessional conduct of some staff members. Some guests even reported that staff members displayed an indifferent or hostile attitude, which significantly impacted their stay.
Overall, while there are moments of commendable service, the prevalent narrative is one of inconsistency and poor customer relations, suggesting significant room for improvement in staff training and guest interaction at the 1 on Albert Building.
Wi-Fi
Guest reviews of '1 on Albert Building' in terms of WiFi performance are largely negative. While a few users reported fast and responsive connections, the overwhelming sentiment depicts a different reality. Many guests found the WiFi to be inconsistent, unreliable and often non-existent. Frequent complaints include not being provided with functioning WiFi passwords, experiencing connectivity issues and WiFi signals that were either too slow or kept dropping. For some, the internet was simply not accessible at all during their stay and any attempts to resolve the problems seemed to meet with little success. These reviews suggest that dependable WiFi is a significant issue at this establishment, impacting the overall guest experience.
Pool
The pool at 1 on Albert Building has received a mixed bag of reviews with several guests expressing dissatisfaction primarily due to cleanliness issues. Many reported that the pool was either closed or inaccessible, often citing broken glass, sand and general unkempt conditions as significant concerns. The cleanliness appears to be a recurring problem with several reviews noting that the pool was dirty and not well-maintained, sometimes described as the worst they had seen. The management seems to struggle with maintaining the pool area, leading to a lack of use by guests who find it uninviting.
However, there were a few positive remarks about the pool. Some guests found it to be a nice and lovely feature of the hotel. The pool area was described as beautiful by some and there were mentions of the pool being visually appealing upon initial inspection. Despite these positive comments, the overall sentiment leans towards disappointment due to inadequate maintenance and limited access, which overwhelmingly overshadow the occasional praise for the pool's aesthetic appeal.
Parking
The '1 on Albert Building' offers a mixed experience when it comes to parking. On a positive note, the parking, once secured, is described as safe and reliable with some guests appreciating the private basement parking and the fact that their cars were secure. However, numerous issues have been reported, making the overall parking experience less than straightforward.
Guests frequently mention the inconvenience of having to drive to a separate location, in some instances up to 2 kilometers away, to collect a parking access tag. This process often involves additional costs and there are reports of reserved parking spots being unavailable upon arrival, as well as difficulties with malfunctioning key cards. Some have noted that the instructions for accessing the parking are unclear, adding to the confusion and frustration. Moreover, assistance from the property’s staff appears to be lacking with several guests expressing dissatisfaction with the response they received when encountering parking issues.
For those planning a stay, it's crucial to make parking arrangements well in advance and be prepared for some potential logistical challenges. Despite the difficulties, once the hurdles are overcome, guests can enjoy the convenience of a secure parking space.
Accessible
1 on Albert Building offers a mixed experience in terms of accessibility, particularly for guests with disabilities. On a positive note, the hotel's location is highly convenient, being easy to access by Ubers and other forms of transport due to its proximity to main roads and downtown. The security team at the reception is praised for their kindness and helpfulness, contributing to a secure and safe environment. Guests appreciated the cleanliness and simplicity of the apartment, which was described as accessible.
However, there are significant drawbacks. The stairs posed a challenge and the balcony was inaccessible. The elevators, which are crucial for mobility, had issues with working consistently. Some guests struggled with technological aspects due to a lack of assistance available, especially when access keys failed to function. Clearer instructions for parking are also needed. Despite these issues, the overall location and security presence make it a reasonably accessible option.
Outdoor Pool
Nestled within the vibrant locale of the 1 on Albert Building, the outdoor pool and recreational area present a mixed bag of experiences according to guest reviews. Visitors have appreciated the pool area for its pleasant layout and fondly speak of the bright outdoor setting that complements the recreation. Some reviews have highlighted the pool as being overall nice and even commend the area for its appealing space.
However, frequent criticisms about the pool's cleanliness cannot be ignored. Multiple reviews point out that the pool was dirty, filled with debris and appeared unmaintained. Complaints about the pool not being cleaned regularly or heated improperly, suggest that the management might need to focus more on its upkeep.
Despite these issues, some guests still managed to enjoy the pool when it was clean. There is an evident need for better maintenance to allow all guests to fully appreciate the 'promised' amenities. With a bit more attention to cleanliness and maintenance, the outdoor pool area could potentially become a standout feature of the 1 on Albert Building.
Yes, 1 on Albert Building has pool(s) that belong to one or more of the following categories: Outdoor Pool.
No, a spa isn't available at 1 on Albert Building.
No, 1 on Albert Building doesn't allow dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at 1 on Albert Building.