Vivari Hotel and Spa by Mantis

I decided to spoil myself with a few days at Vivari after a cosmetic surgery procedure. So glad I did. The staff were so supportive and friendly and welcoming. Excellent service throughout. The food was also great and the rooms and environs were beautiful- a perfect space to recuperate.

We went to vivari for my husband's birthday and our 5yrs anniversary, from the moment you enter at the gate the security guy is very welcoming. To being assisted with our bags, checking in was very smooth oh wow the staff is very professional and very friendly at the same time..the place just brings you peace and the room oh wow. Vivari is the place to go if you want a chilled relaxed and soothing moments. Loved it very much will definitely go back...

Property is very tranquil and has a relaxing atmosphere, which is very nice. We stayed there as it was close to all the places we needed to go. Service was very friendly but not as efficient as expected in a hotel of that category. E.g. coffee, bath salt, shower caps or water was nit refilled, you had to ask for it when needed. Food is good but choices are limited.

The hotel side was beautiful, the customer service was wonderful and the restaurant was also exemplary. Now for my complaint. I arrived at the spa at 11:50. When I got there I told Sam that I’m anele and I’m here for my appointment with my husband however we won’t be using the jacuzzi as I’m pregnant and still in my first trimester so I can’t. She then proceeded to give me the most horrific experience of my life. She said we can’t get the massages as I’m pregnant and should’ve requested a pregnancy massage. I stated that I wasn’t made aware of that nor was it written in the terms & conditions but I did tick that I’m pregnant on the form I was sent for my husband and I. She ignored this. Then proceeded to say I’m rude and I asked how cause I’m trying to explain to her that I booked. She kept saying I’m wrong and was supposed to inform the spa that I’m pregnant when I called to book. I said I didn’t call and booked everything online. I then said it’s okay we won’t do the massage but can I get my money back then. She said I won’t be refunded and I left then went to reception. At reception Kagiso and Joy called her down. She still proceeded to be extremely rude to me and to speak to in in an extremely disgusting manner, Joy tried calling her aside and was telling her that’s not how a client is spoken to and she ignored this and kept talking to me rudely. I have never in my life been disrespected like this she even said I’m claiming to run a business but I’m rude, I was never rude to that lady in any way shape or form. I got to reception extremely upset and was not rude to Kagiso or Joy, if I was a rude person then surely I would have been rude to them to but nobody else in the establishment can say I was ever rude to them. Even Sam I kept asking her to not speak over me as I was trying to explain over and over that I wasn’t informed that pregnant people can’t get the massage. I’d like my money back please for the spa that was paid as I will never be coming to Vivari again, Sam left a very unpleasant taste in my mouth. Worse today is my husband and I’s anniversary but she’s ruined it for us and we had to checkout and leave. Please teach your spa stuff customer service plus how to deal with clients, I’m horrified plus traumatised at the experience I received. I posted my initial review 19 November and have an update today, 26 November. I was sent a WhatsApp by the owner of the place Dr Redd and she “apologized” on behalf of Sam plus used her having “family issues” as an excuse for the way I was treated as a pregnant woman plus the distress I was caused. She assured me that I would get refunded for the spa plus they offered a complimentary night stay which makes 0 sense to me as we had to forfeit the one night we had already paid for because of her employee. Last week she kept texting me to delete the review then Friday told me that I won’t get my refund unless I delete the review. (I’ve got screenshots of all the conversations

I was working at this particular hotel and most of the staff was a dream to work with, most notably Lota and his colleagues at the restaurant. They were so very helpful and spared any minute they had to assist me in achieving my goal for work purposes.

Very efficient and helpful team - venue is lovely, guests felt like they were not even in JHB. Definitely will be going back. Food was amazing as well! The rooms are spacious and extremely comfortable. They have some great weekend specials for the family - pizza at the pool, etc.