 HOW SAY YOU? The average visitor rating is: |
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Review by: chau ngan ching, Hong KOng (stayed: October 2009)
It is a wonderful experience to stay in Liziw's. We just like staying in my own family that so easy and comfortable. The townshiop life let me feel how African lives are. It is cannot replace by ordinary guesthouse. Thanks to Liziwe, Donald and Andrew give me an unordinary holiday. |
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Review by: Anne Kathrine Løge, Norway (stayed: October 2009)
I had my first visit in South Africa and Cape Town and stayed together with some of my companions at Liziwe's guest house in Guguletu. And due to their hospitality and friendlyness I had a wonderful time at the place. They learned me a lot about life in a township, about pride, sharing and taking care. I'll remember our joyful evenings with laughter and storytelling. These memories will be a great treasure in my life. Thank you Liziwe, Andrew and Donald. |
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Review by: Lou Bergholz, Boston, MA (stayed: February 2009)
I recently helped to run a major training program that Liziwe's Guest House hosted for us with Grassroot Soccer. I have been working as a training consultant around the world for over 10 years and I found their service to rival any hotel or conference center I have ever worked in.
The facilities were well cared for, the food was ample and ideal for our group, and the security was excellent.
The most distinguishing aspect of our stay was the level of customer service. The staff were attentive, responsive and willing to go the extra mile to make sure that everything we needed was available to us. I would say, without hesitation, that the service provided by the entire staff at Liziwe's was comparable to service I have received any major conference or retreat center I have worked at in the last 10 years!
it is my pleasure to recommend Liziwe's Guest House without reservation.
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Review by: Chris Barkley, Cape Town (stayed: February 2009)
6 long days of workshops with 40 people during the middle of a Cape Town summer. What were we thinking!
We would have never survived the week if Andrew, Liziwe, and their entire staff hadn't bent over backwards to meet every need we had.
The combination of a grassroots feel & professionalism make Liziwe's an amazing place to hold workshops & rest your head. Hey, you guys full for the World Cup yet?? |
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Review by: ANNE AND BERTRAND'S FAMILY, Reunion Island (stayed: January 2009)
We only have excellent memories from our stay at Liziwe's.It started with the arrival at the airport where Andrew was such a great help with the rented automatic car ( which was new to us) . Then when we met Donald and Liziwe their welcome was so warm that even our 3 children (12-12-6) felt immediately at home and relaxed despite the language barrier.
We all did the township tour with Donald and it was for all of us adults and children an experience never to be forgotten since Donald's first-hand stories were ever so moving and came straight to our hearts.
At home we were pampered and treated to Liziwe's incredible authentic African cuisine and wish we had stayed longer to enjoy some more...
We loved the house, the bedrooms tastefully decorated, the evenings in the garden talking to our hosts over a drink.
The neighbourhood was lively and children came visiting from time to time,there were songs and music but we slept really well and we felt safe at all times;
We will never forget these moments and for our children and us they remain one of the highlights of our holiday in South Africa. |
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Review by: David Becker, Dubai, UAE (stayed: November 2008)
Dear All,
One day about a year ago I was travelling on a train abroad and came across a small article written about a couple who had built a B & B in the heart of a township/shanty town in Cape Town called Guguletu.
Since my wife has become accustomed to staying in five star hotels and I want to keep her on her toes, I decided as a surprise to book into the B & B for a night while we visited Cape Town in March of this year!
The stay turned out to be not just the highlight of our holiday but one of the most awe-inspiring experiences of my life.
Liziwe used to work as a tea lady and her husband Donald worked in the Sappi paper factory in Cape Town. One day he noticed that they were knocking down some of the surrounding walls to expand the factory and approached the owner of the business to see if he could use the bricks. The owner said he could have them if he could take them away. Donald found an old plot of land in Guguletu they were using as a rubbish dump. They bought the land and paid it off each month. They lived in a tin shack in the corner of the plot while he dreamed of building a house. Donald spent months carting the bricks back to the plot. Every night he would clean the bricks, brick by brick. There were 50,000 bricks and it took him two years to finish cleaning the bricks. By that time his hands were raw.
He taught himself how to build and began to build the house. After three years it was finally ready and Liziwe and Donald opened their small guesthouse. Liziwe taught herself how to use the internet and sought help on how to produce brochures. Soon they added on extra rooms and are now running a very successful business.
I have stayed in fancy hotels and B & B’s all over the world, but I can’t recall ever having experienced the warmth and hospitality anywhere that we experienced in our short stay at Liziwe’s. We were welcomed with big African hugs and lots of smiles as if we were long lost friends. We were treated to tasty African home-cooked food cooked by Liziwe herself in their restaurant (which has recently been reviewed by BBC Food, who came to film there). And we were moved and fascinated by their inspiring story.
I have met many inspiring people on my travels. Liziwe and Donald are right up there with any of them.
They had a dream and kept working towards it. They did not let anything get in the way of that dream. They were dedicated and determined to make it work. They are a wonderful symbol of the African spirit and what is possible if you put your mind to it.
More importantly, they inspire others in the community. Other people have now opened B & B’s in the townships and Liziwe has started an association for B and B operators in the area. She involves the surrounding community by employing local entertainers to perform at the restaurant. She ensures that everyone who opens their home on the walking ‘township’ tours they offer benefits financially. She has the support of all the surrounding community to ensure that guests have a safe and happy stay, as it is in their best interests.
What was meant to be an unusual excursion turned into an unforgettable life experience.
What was tragic is that in the three years the B & B has been open I was only the 2nd South African who had stayed there! This blew me away.
I would encourage all of you who are considering a trip to Cape Town, or even those living within Cape Town, to visit Liziwe’s guest house. It is fantastic value for money and great fun. Plus you may benefit from a powerful and inspiring message of hope, courage and ingenuity.
David Becker
Head of Legal
International Cricket Council |
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Review by: Gareth, Northants, UK (stayed: October 2008)
Dear All,
Thank you for such a warm hospitality, great food and the memorable beer!!we all enjoyed our trip thouroghly and i would like to send you a few photos of our visit.
All the best in the future and may your business continue to prosper and may the community also benift from the increased tourism.
Fondest Regards
Gareth, Michele, Mark and Tracey. |
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Review by: Karel Duran, Ter Aar, The Netherlands (stayed: August 2008)
When you visit Cape Town, besides a visit to the table mountain, a trip to Robben island, many travel agencies will offer you a tour through the townships, the black suburbs of Cape Town with their real african atmosphere.
If you are interested in this lively way of living, a tour in a bus is not enough, you should stay there at least a couple of days to get the vibes. I would certainly recommend the weekend!
Liziwes guesthouse was for us a perfect opportunity. The comfort meets western standards, and Liziwe and Donald do everything to make your feel at home. It is situated in Guguletu, close to the airport where you can be picked up by their van, and in spite of some that are afraid to enter the black townships, we soon find out that there is nothing to worry about in Guguletu. I would fear pickpockets more in the luxurious Waterfront, than in the township.
Liziwes is a good location from which you can plan different visits in and around Cape Town. We started using the guesthouse van, that is always at your disposal, soon to discover the minibuses that provide the fastest form of public transport in Cape Town. Later we rented a car that is more economical for outings further away.
Drawback: small garden and besides a beautiful view on table mountain, no beaches or seaside. But the experience to live together with an african family and to make easy contacts in the neighbourhood makes it more than worthwile. |
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Review by: Jill Rose, London, England (stayed: April 2008)
My husband, 2 year old son and parents-in-law all had a wonderful time at Liziwe's. The warm hospitality, excellent food and community visits made the stay both comfortable and memorable and we would have liked to have stayed longer. For us adults, the walking and half day tours were humbling and unforgettable - for our son the highlight was playing football with the local kids and eating Liziwe's delicious fried bread balls!
We highly recommend a stay at Liziwe's to anyone - it is a lovely place to stay and an important insight to south africa. Best of all, it supports an excellent township business.
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Thank you Liziwe, Donald and Andrew.... we hope to come back to see you again. |
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Review by: noluvuyo luvalo, South Africa (stayed: January 2008)
Was a great one ! |
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