Mandela Rhodes Place

I would not recommend this establishment based on my experience. I have been waiting 10 weeks for the return of my refundable deposit. Despite numerous follow-ups, I have repeatedly been told that my refund is "in progress" with the Accounts department due to a backlog. No timeline has ever been provided, and no refund has been received. A refundable deposit should be refunded promptly once it is due. Instead, I have had to chase them continuously for weeks without any meaningful resolution. The lack of communication, accountability, and urgency is extremely disappointing. If you stay here, I would strongly advise you to think twice before paying any refundable deposit.

WARNING: Do not book here! They will not refund your deposit. Do not book with this place. They are keeping guests' money and refusing to pay it back. ​It has been two months since my stay, and I still have not received my security deposit refund. I have sent many emails, but they just send the same automated replies saying "the accounts team is working on it." They are just stalling and making excuses. ​I looked online and found that other guests are having the exact same problem with their refunds. I really wish I had read the reviews before booking here. ​PLEASE SAVE YOUR MONEY AND TIME. DO NOT BOOK WITH THEM!

DO NOT BOOK HERE Stealing money and giving the run-around! ​ I am writing this to warn anyone considering booking with this establishment. Their customer service is nonexistent, and their business practices are incredibly deceptive. ​I requested a refund for a transaction originally dated June 11th. It has now been over a month, and I have yet to receive my money. Every single time I reach out to follow up, I am met with the exact same automated, copy-pasted stall tactics from their "Reservations Team" claiming the matter has been "escalated internally" to their "Accounts Team." ​They completely ignore direct questions, offer zero actual timelines, and refuse to provide any proof of payment. It is a textbook stalling game. At this point, it feels less like a corporate backlog and entirely like a scam. ​Save yourself the massive headache, the stress, and the risk to your money. Do not trust this place with a single cent. Absolutely disgraceful service.

We will be reporting Jaco Jacobs and team to authorities for Fraudulant activity. As there are numerous reviews stating they've not received their refundable damage deposit. This is not just one bad case. This looks like a trend. Looking at the reviews below for Mandela Rhodes Place: The pattern 1. Yohan - 1 month ago: Promised refund in 14 days, 3 weeks later nothing. Ghosted on calls/messages. 2. Melusi - 3 months ago: Still waiting "till today". WhatsApp reply is always "The account department is working on it". Also said 14 days. 3. Ilse - 2 weeks ago: 60 days, 5 emails, no deposit. Says "this seems like a trend" and is considering legal action. All 3 say: rooms/location ok-ish, but service 1-2/5 specifically because of the deposit. Owner responses They’re copy-pasting the same defense: - "Misunderstanding of terms and conditions" - "Review the booking policies" - "Different letting agents" - But none of them say "we have sent your refund" or give a date. When multiple people over 3+ months report the exact same 14-day promise broken, and the owner doesn’t actually refund in the reply, that’s a major red flag.

On 30 May, we booked family accommodation at Mandela Rhodes Place. Unfortunately, our experience was disappointing from the outset. All communication was handled via WhatsApp, with consistently slow responses. When we arrived at approximately 18:00, we still had not received the code for the key lockbox. After contacting them yet again, we were informed that we first had to pay an additional R1,000 refundable deposit (described as a "whoopsies" deposit) before they would release the access code. With no other option, we paid immediately and only then received access to our accommodation. Since 4 June, we have repeatedly requested the return of our deposit. Every follow-up has received the same standard response that they are "awaiting confirmation from Accounts". To date, the deposit has still not been refunded. It is disappointing that guests are expected to make immediate payment before check-in, yet the establishment cannot process a straightforward refund despite numerous follow-ups over more than two months. Based on our experience, I would advise future guests to be cautious regarding refundable deposits and the length of time it may take to have them returned.