The Portswood

I Stayed at the Portswood a couple of days ago completely unplanned as our ship had been unable to enter the harbour due to the winds and was delayed by a day. The hotel itself is clean and had all of the facilities you would expect. The bar was well stocked however it took about 20 minutes for the barman to make a mai tai which was a comedy to watch but was completely unnecessary the bar man himself was very personable as was all of the staff in general but a Mai Ta was on the menu so its not as though he had been asked to make a drink he was unfamiliar with. I would like to mention the "Titanic" cocktail on the menu was rather good though. The girls in the breakfast room were particularly pleasant and efficient. The breakfast selection great and was included in the room rate. The hotel is well placed for the V and A however the 5 minute walk to the entrance 5 was on an unlit back street which was slightly disconcerting in South Africa during the evening. Unfortunately what spoilt the stay was the room I was allocated 103 which I notice has had a few comments about in review already. Although clean and appointed to about a 3 star level room 103 is right off the main lobby next to the business centre and opposite a staff area and toilet. The window overlooked the hotel and the only option to not have people look into the room was by pulling down the blinds which made the room dark and gloomy. The problem was mainly its position. All night and I do mean ALL night I was subjected to people talking outside the room, an alarm that was intermittent going off and the constant beeping of the door lock that was giving access to the office for the staff. It was almost as though there was not a door on the room, I could hear everything and I would be just getting off to sleep when another group would stop outside my door. On checking out I mentioned it to the receptionist and said that it was what had spoilt my stay and he said that he continually asked the staff not to put people in that room. The hotel was not full and there had been no reason not to have given me a different room. It is a shame but it would stop me staying there again and if it had not been for the staff that we encountered and their friendliness I would not have been so polite with the office when I checked out. Read less

I was at the hotel a few days ago. One day I returned to my room and realized that a bracelet and some earrings that I had left in the safe had been stolen. I went to reception to inform them about what happened and they gave me no response. They only informed me that they had seen a member of their staff enter on the cameras. but I didn't have any solution. Please do not visit that hotel. There are better ones in the area and they will surely be more honest. I hope to soon have an answer about what happened. no one contacted me Read less