The Boardwalk Hotel & Spa

Port Elizabeth, Garden Route

Virgin rating

The hotel

Port Elizabeth’s latest edition, the 5-star Boardwalk Hotel & Spa looks set to become a future hot favourite! All rooms are ocean-facing and contemporary in design with excellent mod cons. There’s even a bijou balcony so you can admire your stunning surrounds to the full. Styled after boardwalks famous during the turn of the 20th century, the hotel exudes Victorian grandeur and, being on the Garden Route, it’s handy for exploring close by as well as further field. Chill out on golden sands or laze beside the gorgeous swimming pool, a good book to hand. There’s also a state-of-the-art fitness centre for the body conscious and a full-service spa if you fancy a spot of pampering. A feast for the eyes as well as the mouth, the Boardwalk’s Asian-inspired sumptuous buffets are bound to be a draw for guests and locals alike, as will the relaxing ambience of the lounge bars, boasting an impressive wine menu. The Boardwalk Casino is a short stroll away from the hotel and perfect for a sophisticated night out, chancing your arm with Lady Luck!

Amenities

  • Bar
  • Fitness Centre/Gym
  • Internet Access
  • Laundry Service
  • Restaurant
  • Room Service
  • Safety Deposit Box
  • Spa
  • Swimming Pool

Where is it

In Port Elizabeth, on the Garden Route, facing the Indian Ocean. Transfer time from Port Elizabeth Airport: 20 minutes.

Hotel information

140 rooms. All with air-conditioning, balcony, satellite TV with pay-per-view films, telephone, high-speed Internet access, mini-bar*, tea/coffee maker, safe, hairdryer, bathrobes, slippers, iron and board. Luxury Room with 1 king-size bed or 2 queen-size beds, sleeping maximum 2 adults.

Superior Luxury Room with king-size bed as above but more spacious, sleeping maximum 2 adults or 2 adults and 2 children. 

Junior Suite with living room and separate bedroom with a king-size bed, sleeping maximum 2 adults or 2 adults and 2 children. 

Superior Luxury Family Room with a lounge and dining area, king-size bed, sleeping maximum 2 adults and 2 children. 

Luxury Suite is larger with an outdoor patio area, lounge and dining area and a separate bedroom with a king-size bed, sleeping maximum 2 adults.

Kipling’s Brasserie. Tshawe Bar. Lobby Lounge. Swimming pool. Spa*. Fitness centre. WiFi access. Laundry/dry-cleaning service*. 24-hour concierge. 24-hour room service*.

*Denotes local charge. 

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (398)
  • Very good (161)
  • Average (55)
  • Poor (28)
  • Terrible (23)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating An icon that needs upgrading in the breakfast department...

Nov 30, 2024 Eager6travellers Cape Town Central, South Africa

November 27 We recently stayed at the Boardwalk Hotel in Port Elizabeth, expecting a luxurious experience. While the hotel's interior and exterior were impressive, our breakfast experience the next morning was disappointing. Despite being extensive travelers, we were shocked by the poor service. Upon arrival at the breakfast area, we weren't… Read more
November 27 We recently stayed at the Boardwalk Hotel in Port Elizabeth, expecting a luxurious experience. While the hotel's interior and exterior were impressive, our breakfast experience the next morning was disappointing. Despite being extensive travelers, we were shocked by the poor service. Upon arrival at the breakfast area, we weren't greeted or asked for our room number. The waitresses seemed unfriendly and unattentive, failing to offer us coffee or tea until we asked. The breakfast itself was average, and we had to request honey twice. The waitress's response was to nod towards the 'hostess' station, where I had to fetch it myself. Checking out, we had the same experience. The young lady appeared disinterested in us, the hotel's clients, she was not friendly at all and the total opposite of the young man who checked us in the previous night. Given the high room rate (over R2000 per night), we expected respect, friendliness, and good service. Unfortunately, the waitresseses' laziness and poor attitude left a negative impression. We will not recommend this hotel or stay here again. A pity. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Very disappointing visit. We won’t return

Nov 18, 2024 Alan D London, United Kingdom

We stayed in this hotel 8 years ago and were really looking forward to another visit. The hotel building its self is lovely and has appeared to have been redecorated recently. It is set in a nice position. However standards have really slipped. The breakfast buffet is really disappointing. You have to serve your own coffee from a machine. There… Read more
We stayed in this hotel 8 years ago and were really looking forward to another visit. The hotel building its self is lovely and has appeared to have been redecorated recently. It is set in a nice position. However standards have really slipped. The breakfast buffet is really disappointing. You have to serve your own coffee from a machine. There is no vegan choice. (Despite me emailing before hand requesting non diary butter & milk there was none to be seen). The bar is a beautiful setting ruined by very noisy locals, smoking, and creating a horrible atmosphere for hotel guests. The staff appear uninterested and unmotivated. The levels of service are very poor. It’s such a shame because it was a lovely hotel. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Getaway spoil

Nov 2, 2024 Allison S

The service was excellent, staff were friendly and very helpful. The hotel was beautifully clean and neat and the atmosphere puts you in a holiday mood. The fact that the hotel has its own shopping mall with restaurants etc was great too. Views from our room was great as well.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Awful service, food and vibe

Oct 26, 2024 Flyer36267159449

Stopped into the bar to watch a match and have drinks and something to eat. Service was atrocious- order a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon - waiter brought a wet glass and a carafe of Sauvignon Blanc. I asked for a spare napkin so I could dry the glass. I ordered Linguine Chicken Parmesan. I got Penne pasta with chicken that had bones in it! … Read more
Stopped into the bar to watch a match and have drinks and something to eat. Service was atrocious- order a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon - waiter brought a wet glass and a carafe of Sauvignon Blanc. I asked for a spare napkin so I could dry the glass. I ordered Linguine Chicken Parmesan. I got Penne pasta with chicken that had bones in it! Waiter could not give 2 hoots. Wish we had gone straight to the airport to fly home instead of staying here one day/night. Loved every part of South Africa but Port Elizabeth and this hotel were horrible. Do not recommend!! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Horrible...could not wait to leave

Aug 5, 2024 Trav S

Probably my worst hotel experience ever taking into consideration I travel for at least 4 months out of the year. The Boardwalk had so much potential when it opened and I attended a tourism expo at the hotel amd everything was top notch. Now it is run with virtually no services being offered in the restaurant and staff seem to think they on… Read more
Probably my worst hotel experience ever taking into consideration I travel for at least 4 months out of the year. The Boardwalk had so much potential when it opened and I attended a tourism expo at the hotel amd everything was top notch. Now it is run with virtually no services being offered in the restaurant and staff seem to think they on vacation. Rooms are rundown and seem old in need of freshening up. Food is below calibre some of the worst food I have eaten in my life. Read less