Palm Continental Hotel

The hotel is primarily noted for its staff's friendliness and helpfulness, which stands out as a consistent positive amidst numerous challenges. Its signature feature is its convenient location near key city attractions like FNB Stadium and China Mall, making it a suitable choice for event-goers and sports fans seeking proximity to venues. While some guests find the hotel to be a reasonable option for budget-conscious travelers, particularly given its accessible location, others express significant disappointment with its overall condition. The hotel appears to be undergoing extensive renovations, which, while potentially promising for the future, currently contribute to an unkempt appearance and noise. To ensure a more comfortable stay, guests are advised to confirm their room's readiness upon arrival and manage expectations regarding the current state of facilities and the surrounding area.

Facilities & Amenities
Guests frequently comment on the hotel's amenities, though feedback is often mixed regarding their functionality and upkeep. The swimming pool and Jacuzzi are mentioned as features, but many guests report them being cold, dirty, or out of order, with some noting a damp smell in the pool area. The fitness center is available, but several reviews suggest it is outdated and in need of significant upgrading. While Wi-Fi is present, its reliability is inconsistent, with some guests praising it and others experiencing connectivity issues. The hotel's spa is consistently reported as closed, despite signage indicating otherwise. Furthermore, guests frequently note that only one of the two lifts is operational, leading to potential delays. In-room amenities like irons, ironing boards, and hairdryers are generally appreciated, though the absence of microwaves in rooms and non-functional safes are common complaints. The hotel does have a generator which provides power during outages.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Feedback on room cleanliness and comfort is highly varied, with many guests expressing significant concerns. While some rooms are described as clean and comfortable, with comfortable beds and clean linen, a substantial number of reviews highlight issues such as untidy rooms upon arrival, dirty carpets, stained bedding and towels, and a general lack of thorough cleaning. Persistent problems include unpleasant odors, ranging from moisture and stale smells to cigarette smoke and even sewer smells. Pest issues, particularly cockroaches in rooms and bathrooms, and even reports of mice, are a recurring and distressing theme. Bathrooms frequently present challenges, with complaints about leaking showers, slippery tiles, non-functional plugs, mold, and dirty conditions. Noise levels, from children in corridors to construction noise and sounds from adjacent rooms, also impact guest comfort. In-room features like TVs often have poor signal or dead remotes, and air conditioning may not function properly.

Dining & Food Quality
The breakfast experience at the hotel garners highly mixed reviews. Some guests describe it as excellent, good, or amazing, appreciating the buffet style. However, a significant number of reviews deem the breakfast to be terrible, horrible, or unremarkable, citing issues such as limited options, cold food, and a lack of freshness. Specific complaints include watered-down juice, stale bread, and unhygienic conditions, with reports of insects and even cockroaches in the food area. Staff at the breakfast service are sometimes described as unhelpful or having a poor attitude. Beyond breakfast, the hotel's dining options are severely limited; many guests note that the restaurant is often not operational for lunch or dinner, or that the menu is restricted, focusing on specific cuisines that may not appeal to all. In-room dining is available but is often considered pricey and of poor quality.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's central location is frequently highlighted as a major advantage, offering easy access to various points of interest, including FNB Stadium and China Mall, making it convenient for those attending events or seeking shopping opportunities. However, the immediate surrounding area receives considerable negative feedback, described as dodgy, unkempt, and having a visible presence of homeless individuals and drug users, which can make guests feel unsafe when walking outside. Despite these concerns, the hotel itself is generally perceived as secure, with security personnel and cameras on the property. Parking is available and often described as safe and secure, though some guests note that the parking area is unorganized, with dangling nets or ongoing construction impacting its appearance. Issues with airport transfers, including unfulfilled requests and taxi scams, have also been reported, suggesting that guests should arrange their own reliable transportation.

Staff & Service
The hotel staff consistently receives high praise for their friendliness and helpfulness, with many guests highlighting the positive interactions with receptionists and maintenance personnel. Staff are often described as accommodating and willing to assist with requests. However, the overall service experience is inconsistent. While some guests report quick check-in processes, others recount long waiting times and issues with rooms not being ready upon arrival. Housekeeping services are frequently criticized for being late or insufficient, with rooms not being cleaned thoroughly or amenities not being restocked. There are also reports of staff exhibiting unprofessional behavior, such as being rude, gossiping, or not wearing uniforms, making it difficult to distinguish them. Furthermore, guests note a lack of responsiveness to serious issues, with complaints about problems not being addressed promptly and management being difficult to reach.

Additional Information
The hotel is notably undergoing significant renovations and construction, which, while potentially aimed at improvement, currently contribute to an unorganized appearance and noise. Many guests feel the hotel's current state, described as old and run-down, does not align with its advertised four-star status, suggesting the pictures used online are misleading. A recurring and significant issue is the presence of pests, including cockroaches and mice, which guests find highly distressing. Guests should also be aware of the hotel's smoking policy, as many report a pervasive smell of smoke throughout the premises, indicating a lack of designated non-smoking areas. The hotel does not enforce a curfew, allowing guests flexibility with their comings and goings. Some guests have also experienced water supply issues, including complete outages or only cold water availability, though the hotel does have a generator for power outages.