Starfish Guest Lodge

I was travelling with my colleague on a work related visit to a family in Plett. We travelled 800km to Plett, only to be told by the lodge that our bookings were cancelled the morning of the check-in day. As to why the booking was cancelled, we were told that it is because my card payment was declined. This was nonsense as this payment was made more than a month before the check-in day and there was not such communication. I even checked with my bank and my money was still out of my bank account. When I offered to then come and pay at the premises cash to ensure there are no payment issues, I was told that both our rooms had already been given away that morning. Which is very surprising that they would find people that are looking for two rooms for one night in a matter of hours before check-in as if these people had travelled at the way to Plett and waited for a cancellation to then check-in. I requested the email proof from Hotels.Com that communicated that my payment was declined, I did not receive it and its been more than a month of waiting now. But that is because there was no such email as I contacted Hotels.com to enquire and there is no record of that and there was confirmation that the card never declined. The only reason I can see why the lodge did not want us to stay there is because we are black and they did not want to have black patrons. The insane thing is that while we were refused accommodation I still have not received my refund that is due to me.

Wir waren nun schon zum zweiten Mal in der Starfish Lodge in Plettenberg Bay. Es hat uns wieder sehr gut gefallen und der Abschied viel schwer. Der ganze Service ist außerordentlich und jeden Morgen wird einem ein köstliches Frühstück zubereitet. Danke!

I actually stayed at the nearby guesthouse owned by the same people: Periwinkle. The facilities were beautiful and the staff was excellent.

Lovely quiet property with friendly staff who were happy to book restaurants taxis etc. Pool was very small & really only suitable as a plunge rather than a swim. Breakfast was well presented with a good variety of products. The feature I was not happy with was checking in at an alternative guest house but no directions given on where it was. We were advised it was not safe to walk after dark necessitating taxi use. Plettenberg Bay has lovely beaches which are great to stroll along.