I recently stayed at The Rockefeller Hotel in Cape Town for a wedding, and it turned into a nightmare. If you value your belongings, privacy, or peace of mind, do not stay here.
From the start, it appeared my group was being targeted by hotel staff. My bags were secretly searched, my medicine was moved around, and $300 in cash was stolen from deep inside my luggage. I reported the incident to hotel management, but no meaningful action or resolution was provided.
Shockingly, a few days later, several members of my group experienced the same thing — bags clearly rummaged through and items or money missing — even after I had already raised the issue. This made us feel unsafe and unprotected as guests, even after I had already alerted the hotel. Management’s response was indifference at best, negligence at worst.
On top of that, I noticed that the door lock on my room was either manipulated or malfunctioning. I recorded video evidence showing that the door did not properly lock when closed, leaving the room unsecured and effectively allowing staff (or anyone else) unfettered access to guest rooms. Management denied the issue even existed until I showed them the video (good thing I recorded it). Despite showing this to management, they stated that they were “not responsible”.
This is not an isolated incident; it’s a pattern of theft and cover-up. The hotel seems to be turning a blind eye — if not actively complicit — in staff stealing from guests.
This experience ruined what should have been a celebratory trip. If you’re considering staying here, think again. Until management takes serious action, The Rockefeller Hotel is an unsafe place to stay.