We, being my husband and I, returned as we do a few times a year on business. We never stayed often in 2010 due to escalated prices due the World Cup being held in SA.

This year our favourite room was in need of a refurbishment - the carpets where badly stained and the bathroom needed some attention not to mention the buzzing compressor from outside the building - two missing security personel in the morning when trying to leave early made our stay less memorable of a normally remarkable hotel.

We did lodge a complaint in writing and where assured they would attend to the problems we noted as it is a firm favourite of ours when visiting Port Elizabeth - a home from home.

Stayed one night here before catching a flight to Durban. Haven't enjoyed a bath so much for 40 years. A really big bath to soak in. Room reminiscent of my youth. Nice and old-fashioned. Food amazingly good and well balanced together with an excellent wine cellar. Highly recommended.

We have just returned from our 3 week stay in South africa, we went to a friends wedding which was fabulous. We stayed in several hotels on route and have to say this is the best one. nothing too much trouble, the house was fantastic, victorian all original features kept. dinner was set up for My husband and I in the library, candle lit very intimate.Cant understand where one of the previous reviews came from I swam and the pool was perfect, tennis court was great. The staff were attentive, the food 5 star. who needs a reception desk when the staff are always around. the room was amazing 4 poster bed with a bathroom to die for. Maybe the previous review would be more comfortable in a travel lodge as they do not seem to have much taste for the better things in life. Thank you so much for our lovely stay and yes I would recommend this to others.

After great experiences with several guesthouses and hotels on the garden route Hacklewood Hill has been a huge shock for us.

First of all I have to say that Port Elizabeth hasn't appeared to us as attractive at all. This might have affected our hotel experience as well. But even within Port Elizabeth the hotel has a quite strange location. It's located in a residential area with mainly old buildings and heavy fencing. This mght be caused by several strange industrial areas as well as townships nearby. Overall the area appeared to be dead - especially in the evening.

The hotel building itself seems to be from the last century and could have been the set for a horror movie. On the one hand it has a special charme but ont the other hand it's just old, dirty and scary. The gardens as well as the tennis court and pool had been in a disastrous condition and couldn't been used. There is no reception or desk so you have to enter the main kitchen to find staff. During our stay we just saw three staff member in total including the Chef.

The room had the same charme of gone days. However, dirty bedclothes, cobwebs and used-up carpets resulted in horrible sleep. We even didn't use the shower or bathtub because the overall impression made us wondering about the water quality. Overall a tired and bad managed property which could have convinced by a step back in time.

Food quality at breakfast remembered us of old times as well. The bread has been dry and hard, the cold cuts smelled strong.

Only positive experience has been the evening at the fireplace. The lady who served drinks has been attentive and service oriented. The wine selection was quite good at reasonable prices.