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Summary of reviewsBoulders Beach Hotel, Cafe and Curio Shop enjoys an exceptional location in the heart of Simon's Town, right next to Boulders Beach and its famous penguin colony. Guests repeatedly praise the hotel's proximity to these charming creatures and the stunning beachfront views, making it an ideal spot for nature lovers and those looking to explore the natural beauty of the area. The hotel’s authenticity and atmospheric charm are frequently noted with rooms described as clean, cozy and offering beautiful sea views. The friendly and helpful staff further enhance the overall guest experience, creating a welcoming and accommodating environment.
Breakfast at the hotel’s café receives mixed reviews, but many guests commend the tasty meals and highly recommended dishes, such as the eggs benedict. The café, known for its good coffee and pleasant ambiance, allows guests to enjoy their morning meals with views of the sea and local wildlife. Some critiques revolve around limited options, small portions and logistical issues. Nonetheless, the positive experiences often outweigh the negatives with guests appreciating the quality of the food and the friendly service.
Dinner options present a challenge due to the café's early closing time (4:45 PM), requiring guests to venture to nearby Simon’s Town for evening meals. Although some find the lack of on-site dinner services inconvenient, the drive to Simon’s Town unveils a variety of dining options, further enriching the visitors' culinary experiences. Notable mentions include Hickory Shack and Fran's Place for their delicious offerings.
Regarding accommodation, the rooms at Boulders Beach Hotel are mostly appreciated as cozy, clean and comfortable with some offering stunning sea views. Guests often find the basic amenities sufficient for shorter stays, though minor maintenance issues and a few comfort-related concerns are noted. Overall, the cleanliness and charm of the rooms, coupled with the prime location, leave a positive impression on most visitors.
Cleanliness is a strong point for the hotel with many guests commenting on the spotlessness of the rooms and the overall tidiness of the establishment. While there are occasional issues with maintenance and cleanliness in some areas, the general sentiment towards hygiene is positive, contributing to the comfort and satisfaction of the stay.
The staff's exceptional friendliness and helpfulness are repeatedly highlighted in reviews, significantly enhancing the guest experience. From the reception to the café and curio shop, the team’s efforts to make guests feel welcome and attended to are highly appreciated, adding a memorable personal touch to the stay.
Wi-Fi connectivity, however, receives mixed feedback. While some guests experience strong and reliable internet in common areas, others face significant issues with connectivity in rooms and sometimes no access at all. Despite these challenges, the overall guest satisfaction remains high, thanks to the superb location and the staff's excellent service.
Beds at the hotel garner mixed feedback with many guests praising their comfort and cleanliness. However, some reviews highlight issues with uncomfortable mattresses and occasional bedding concerns. Nonetheless, the majority of guests find the bedding satisfactory and conducive to a good night's sleep.
Lastly, while Boulders Beach Hotel might not classify as a 5-star establishment, it offers a stylish and quality experience with luxurious touches that add value to the stay. Guests appreciate the blend of comfort, functionality and luxury, along with the attentive and accommodating staff, ensuring a pleasant and memorable visit. Show more
Read review summaries for all categories
Cheap Bed & Breakfast
Located near Boulders Beach, this hotel offers affordable accommodation with the convenience of an on-site cafe and curio shop. Its proximity to the penguin colony makes it a great choice for budget travelers interested in wildlife.
Small Bed & Breakfast
Room Types
Double Room with Courtyard ViewThis double room features a electric kettle.
Standard Twin Room with Courtyard ViewThis twin room features a electric kettle.
Standard Double Room with BalconyThis double room features a tea/coffee station, bar fridge and complimentary water and rusks
Two-Bedroom ApartmentThis family unit consists of 2 rooms and comes with with full bathroom, lounge, kitchenette and outside seating area on the deck.
Self Catering Apartment
Apartment with Sea ViewOffering sea views, this family unit consists of 2 rooms and comes with full bathroom, lounge, kitchenette and outside seating area on the deck.
Self Catering Apartment
Standard Queen RoomThis Standard Queen Room features a tea/coffee station, bar fridge and complimentary water and rusks.
Triple RoomThe spacious triple room offers a private entrance, a tea and coffee maker, a terrace with an inner courtyard view as well as a private bathroom boasting a bath. The unit has 2 beds.
Double RoomThis double room features a tea/coffee station, bar fridge and complimentary water and rusks
Two-Bedroom CottageThis bungalow features a fireplace. This spacious bungalow features 1 living room, 2 separate bedrooms and 1 bathroom with a shower and free toiletries. Guests will find a stovetop, a refrigerator, an oven and a microwave in the well-fitted kitchen. The bungalow also comes with a barbecue. The bungalow is furnished with a desk and a seating area and features a washing machine, a tea and coffee maker and sea views. The unit has 2 beds.
Guest Reviews
8.1
Very Good
Location
Located in the heart of Simon's Town, Boulders Beach Hotel, Cafe and Curio Shop boasts an exceptional location right next to Boulders Beach. Renowned for its proximity to the beloved penguin colony, the hotel offers guests an unparalleled experience with nature. Many reviews highlight the unbeatable convenience of being just steps away from the penguins, making it an ideal spot for wildlife enthusiasts. The beachfront setting provides stunning views and a peaceful atmosphere with easy access to the coastline and nearby attractions like the Cape of Good Hope.
Guests appreciate the hotel's authentic charm and atmospheric vibe, noting that the rooms are clean, cozy and offer beautiful sea views. The staff is frequently praised for their friendliness and helpfulness, enhancing the overall stay. While some mention minor issues such as power cuts due to load shedding, the overwhelming sentiment focuses on the hotel's superb location, which is simply perfect for those keen to explore the penguin beach and enjoy the natural beauty of the area. Whether for a short visit or an extended stay, Boulders Beach Hotel is celebrated for its extraordinary setting and the unique opportunity to observe penguins right at the doorstep.
Breakfast
The breakfast experience at 'Boulders Beach Hotel, Cafe and Curio Shop' garnered a mix of reviews from guests, highlighting various aspects of the offering. Many guests appreciated the delicious offerings from the café, praising the tasty meals, especially the highly recommended eggs benedict. The café, situated downstairs from the hotel, was frequently described as a great spot with good coffee and satisfying breakfast options available for an additional fee. Guests enjoyed the pleasant ambiance with some mentioning the joy of having breakfast on the terrace with views of the sea and local wildlife.
However, there were some reservations. A few guests felt the breakfast options were limited and not always worth the cost, noting issues such as small portions and the need to pre-order meals the night before. Some also commented on logistical issues, such as breakfast starting a bit late and occasional unavailability of certain dishes. Despite these concerns, the friendly staff and the well-equipped café/curio shop contributed positively to the overall dining experience for many visitors.
While the breakfast is not included in the room price and must be booked separately, the overall feedback indicates a generally positive experience for those who partook in the café's offerings, especially appreciating the quality of the coffee and certain signature dishes.
Dinner
Boulders Beach Hotel, Cafe and Curio Shop offers an inviting and serene atmosphere with a few notable limitations regarding dinner options. Guests frequently mention the absence of an on-site dinner service, as the only cafe available closes by 4:45 PM. Consequently, visitors often find themselves needing to drive or take a taxi to nearby Simon's Town for evening meals, as walking alone at night is not advisable and there are few dining options within walking distance.
Despite the café's limited menu and higher than expected breakfast prices, the staff are notably helpful, sometimes even assisting guests with ordering pizza upon arrival. While the restaurant's closure is a recurring inconvenience, those willing to make the short drive to Simon's Town are rewarded with a variety of dining options, including the much-recommended Hickory Shack and Fran's Place, known for their delicious offerings and excellent value.
Overall, the location's peace and charm might outweigh the dining inconveniences, but potential guests should be prepared for the lack of on-site dinner services and be ready to venture out a few kilometers for their meals.
Rooms
Boulders Beach Hotel, Cafe and Curio Shop offers a range of rooms that are mostly described as cozy, clean and comfortable. The spaciousness of the rooms varies with some being more compact than others. Basic amenities such as kettles and coffee sticks are generally provided and many guests found the simple facilities sufficient for a short stay. The location is highly appreciated, especially for trips to Boulders Beach.
While the rooms are generally neat and often feature pleasant decor, some have noted issues with maintenance, such as outdated fixtures, poor soundproofing and difficulties in regulating water temperature. There are also sporadic reports of issues like ant infestations and expired items in the fridge. A few reviews mention the absence of TVs and fridges, which may be a drawback for longer stays.
Overall, the hotel provides a charming and practical accommodation option, particularly for short visits. Despite the occasional maintenance and facility concerns, the friendly staff, cleanliness and prime location contribute to a generally positive experience.
Beds
Visitors to Boulders Beach Hotel, Cafe and Curio Shop have mixed opinions about the beds. Many guests found the beds to be very comfortable with some describing them as super comfortable, incredibly comfortable and excellent. Guests also appreciated the coziness and cleanliness of the rooms, noting that the beds and cushions were clean and neat. However, some reviews highlighted issues such as bedsheets and linen needing more frequent checks, the presence of mosquitoes on the bed and instances of stained bedding. A few guests mentioned that the beds were incredibly hard and painful and that some were flimsy and uncomfortable with one couple noting the inconvenience of having only a single bed. Despite these drawbacks, the overall feedback tends toward the positive side, emphasizing the comfort and quality of the bedding at the hotel.
Cleanliness
The reviews for Boulders Beach Hotel, Cafe and Curio Shop primarily highlight the establishment’s overall cleanliness. Guests frequently describe the rooms as very clean, tidy, neat and organized. Words like spotless and fabulous indicate a high level of satisfaction regarding the hygiene standards in some cases. Fresh towels, clean bed linen and clean bathrooms are appreciated by many visitors. Many found the accommodation comfortable and cozy, which added to a positive experience and even led some to extend their stays.
However, some negative experiences are noted, such as room size constraints, occasional stain issues and certain areas needing improvement in cleanliness, particularly the bathrooms. Problematically, there are instances of ant infestations and unpleasant smells from towels. Some guests reported missing fresh towels and substandard housekeeping services.
While many visitors found the environment pleasant and the rooms clean, there are mentions of a lack of hot water and sound insulation with some common areas being untidy and showers dirty. Despite these concerns, the positive remarks about the cleanliness and atmosphere suggest that, overall, the hotel offers a satisfactory and comfortable stay for many of its guests.
Staff
At Boulders Beach Hotel, Cafe and Curio Shop, the overwhelmingly positive feedback about the staff shines through. Guests consistently describe the staff as friendly, super friendly and very friendly, highlighting a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
The staff stands out for their exceptional helpfulness and professionalism. They go above and beyond to meet guests' needs, whether it's booking tours or assisting with unexpected situations like intruding baboons. Politeness and attentiveness are frequently noted with many guests acknowledging the personal and kind treatment they received. This level of service extends to every interaction, from the reception to the cafe and curio shop.
Additionally, the host and reception staff earn special mentions for their friendliness and professionalism. The sense of warmth and hospitality is further amplified by the positive interactions guests have with the staff, making their stay memorable.
It's clear that the team at Boulders Beach Hotel takes pride in providing excellent service, ensuring a pleasant and accommodating experience for all visitors.
Wi-Fi
Boulders Beach Hotel, Cafe and Curio Shop has mixed reviews regarding its Wi-Fi service. Some guests mentioned having excellent, strong and fast Wi-Fi, especially in common areas like the main dining room. Despite these positive remarks, a significant number of reviews highlight issues such as choppy, unstable and very poor connectivity. Several guests experienced no Wi-Fi or internet at all with some noting that the signal did not extend beyond the main office or didn't work in their rooms. Others faced issues with the Wi-Fi not being suitable for work needs due to its unreliability. Overall, while there are instances of satisfactory Wi-Fi performance, many guests encountered significant connectivity challenges.
Luxury
Boulders Beach Hotel, Cafe and Curio Shop offers a stylish and quality experience with luxurious furnishings and finishes throughout the property. The overall accommodation provides plenty of space and some rooms even offer sea views from the door and the bathroom. Guests have noted the hotel as a good investment, delivering value for money with its luxurious accommodations. Despite not being a 5-star establishment, it maintains a loyal clientele who appreciate the blend of functionality and luxury. Additionally, staff are attentive and accommodating, ensuring a pleasant stay even when guests arrive earlier than expected.
No, Boulders Beach Hotel, Cafe and Curio shop doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Boulders Beach Hotel, Cafe and Curio shop.
No, Boulders Beach Hotel, Cafe and Curio shop doesn't allow dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at Boulders Beach Hotel, Cafe and Curio shop.
No, Boulders Beach Hotel, Cafe and Curio shop doesn't have a gym.