Hi all, World cup period lurker, first time poster. Thanks to scorps for the scanner - missed out on most tix by a fraction but im sure disappointment was wide spread for many. Appreciate the efforts/ Still was great adrenaline rush and brought back memories from 2006. Question is related to accommodation - our group booked a room in Spinnakers apartment block in Durban on point Rd. Its been an ongoing effort to try and proper confirmation from a tour group called 'rosebuds' . The booking was made through sleeping out where part deposit was made, but 2 months ago full deposit was wanted. The person in control of our finances got feed up with back and forth emails and paid the full deposit through international bank transfer. But since then it seems to have been delaying tactics until i sent an email demanding a form of receipt or copy of ID documentation. A receipt was finally sent but it looks pretty dodge and could have been done up by anyone. We have the tour companies acccount number , branch, swift code - but not sure this really guarantees our position. Also do any scams continue with correspondence ? I would have though now they have our money they would just cut and run? any reasons to continue on with cat and mouse? any other dangers? The company is apparently based in centurion . So if any local from durban or centurion , or people familiar with accommodation scams could you please help out with some advice as time is drawing close! Any help would be fantastic. HITG
A lot of people are booked to stay at the Formula 1 hotel in Wynberg. I have warned them re Alex and Factories yet the hotel is well priced and very conveniently located to the Fan park, Gautrain, Sandton etc. Do you guys still think it is a no go -it is right next to the highway on the very edge of Wynberg 0 you can actually see it off the M1. I have told them not to walk there at night and the usual warnings. Thoughts?
That is not good at all. I am actually booked at the Formula 1 in Wynberg for the first week. I am in SA for 37 days and will be working remotely as well so I need a comfortable safe place to stay at. I am going to cancel my booking there, do you guys have any other suggestions? What about this place? http://www.worldcup-safrica.com/wereweare.html
Looks ok but it is far from the action - in the countryside. Don't be too hasty in cancelling Wynburg yet - check what the others have to say. The question was asked about Wynberg itself not the Formula 1. Wynberg itself does not even have houses - the Formula 1 is situated almost in Bramley suburb
Ok but here is the thing. I am there for a while, there will be days when I have to work a lot and I don't want to be cramped up in a hostel or a really small room. So I was thinking of staying at this place for a few days till I get more familiar with the area and then move. What would be the best area to stay, something not far away from the action?
try http://www.sa-venues.com/gauteng/bandb/irene.php or http://www.sa-venues.com/gauteng/bandb/centurion.php I think I have said to you before that Centurion is close enough to the action - should be cheaper than Jhb and accessible to fan parks, metro rail, loftus and highways leading to games. Have no Ide of your budget but at this late stage and because you are staying so long I think you can negotiate a good price - especially with the private B & B's. They would prefer someone staying for a while.
Hi Guys, I registered on this site, specifically because I see many people struggling with accomodation / area etc. I have lived in SA my whole life and feel ashamed of the terrible prices for accomodation. I am more than happy to offer advise to anyone who wants to know more about an area transport etc. I will check back often to reply to your questions.
If it's next to the highway then it shoudln't be a problem but a walk at night is a NO-NO unless you are transported by a South African.
Thank again BoughtmyPoints and others for your help in planning. As for our accom in Cape Town, after discussing it with my mates, we have decided to stay downtown in a nice hotel for three night rather than drive from Melkbos and rent a car. One mate used his points so we are staying pretty cheap in the hotel. Whew. For the other nights we are staying in a B&B in Gardens (Gordon St.) area for about 1200R per night (3adults). Is that area good and can we walk from there to the Fanfest? We used http://www.wheretostay.co.za/ to find the B&B which some others have posted and was pretty good. There were still nice places available. Thanks again all. Enjoy the WC
i'm still looking for a place to stay for the 11th and 12th and am going to the usa/england game in rustanburg. My plan right now is to stay at a hotel near the airport and drive to the game, but would prefer something closer so we don't have to drive back after usa/england. there's 3 of us, but we only need one room. any help would be great.
Someone posted this site in Rustenburg - looks like fun http://www.africaubuntu.co.za/index.php/rustenburg/46.html That means you can drive to Rustenburg after landing, go to the Pilanesberg game reserve or sun City then go to the game the next day - perfect.
I was one who originally booked this place. The main reason I booked at this Formula 1 is how close it is to everything. It is right on the highway. Now the other question I have is that for people heading to the FIFA fan park in Sandton, which I'd imagine would be a popular destination, they want us to park in the Rautenbach Square, which is deeper in Wynburg and then walk to Innesfree Park. Surely FIFA/police will be all over this area? I mean, FIFA wants people to stay late at the park, then they must secure the walking route to the cars haha. My hotel is only 300 m from this supposed walking route, and I would think it would be safe, right next to the highway.
Yup - I think the others saw Wynberg only and did not know/remember about the little patch of suburb. The police are really out in full force at the moment - I am sure it will stay that way during the WC. Check other thread re Gautrain - you will not be able to catch it as the train stops running at 20h30.
Booked and paid R1000 on May 19 Just received this Dear Guest CLASSIC CROWN PROPERTIES 198 CC TRADING AS SIGNAL HILL LODGE This serves to inform you that Signal Hill Lodge was provisionally liquidated in the High Court of South Africa (Western Cape High Court, Cape Town) on 5 May 2010. The Liquidators have informed us that they will not be continuing the trading operation of the lodge. In the circumstances we regret to inform you that the lodge will be unable to accommodate you for the period of your confirmed reservation. We have provided your details to the Liquidators who shall shortly be in contact with you so that you may submit a claim against the Close Corporation in respect of any payment that you may have already made to secure your booking. To assist us in this regard, we request that you kindly by return email provide us with your postal and email address. In an effort to ensure that you are not inconvenienced in any way, we have contacted various hotels and lodges in and around Cape Town City Bowl that would be able to accommodate you during your stay. Please find attached a list of these hotels and lodges. We would recommend that you liaise directly with your preferred hotel/lodge to make the necessary arrangements should you require tours or airport transfers. We once again, apologise for any inconvenience that may have been caused to you in this regard. Regards Signal Hill Lodge Tel: 0878078847 Tel: (021) 426 5363 Fax: (021) 426 5368 29 Military road, Upper Bo Kaap CBD E-mail: info@signalhilllodge.com Website: www.signalhilllodge.com
I am very sorry to hear this. If you paid by cc, you can claw back the money. Otherwise ... looks like a nice bit of fraud. You could amuse yourself by "laying a charge" at a police station but nothing will happen as you will be out of the country when the matter eventually reaches court. If you paid by bank transfer, you can try and get your bank to claw back the money.
VdC - that sounds grand but isn't me. I would imagine you used your debit card as a credit card, i.e. without a PIN number. That should make things easier. Call your bank ASAP. That website is still taking bookings! Incompetence is a sorry excuse here.
Yup - phoned them but they are not taking bookings AS OF TODAY! If someone in CT can go and check it out it would be great to see what is REALLY going on. Do you think it would be worth reporting this on Hello Peter?
Gronum, I am proud to see a fellow South African putting in so much effort to help the foreign visitors and I want to do my bit as well. I see that a few of you are still struggling to find accommodation. DefTouch85, if you haven't come right with accommodation yet, then contact me. I will give you first option on free accommodation in Pretoria. My fiance and I live in a house in Menlyn (Pretoria) and we can accommodate 3 people (2 in a double room and 1 in a single room). Our house is situated near the highways and has a jacuzzi with projector screen for movies, lapa with braai area, swimming pool, DSTV and access to internet. As the accommodation is for free, you will just have to provide your own food. No, there is no catch. I just feel sorry for everyone who is struggling to find accommodation and it will be nice to help out if I can.
Aaargh.Thought you were infact the god from trip advisors WC forum who is Van de Caab.Sorry bloke,thanks for the advice