Emerald Resort & Casino

“Great holiday stay”

Had a great stay at this Resort, we were visiting friends in and around the Vaal Triangle having lived in the area for 12 years from 2008. this was our second stay at this hotel, it has undergone extensive renovations since our first visit. Our room was on the ground floor and was very comfortable,… more

Had a great stay at this Resort, we were visiting friends in and around the Vaal Triangle having lived in the area for 12 years from 2008. this was our second stay at this hotel, it has undergone extensive renovations since our first visit. Our room was on the ground floor and was very comfortable, we were on BB rate. The hotel was very clean and fresh. The restaurant was very good serving a buffet breakfast and evening meals, there are several restaurants within the resort, Gas Monkey is worth a mention, and several more a short drive to either the Riverside Mall, 1 km, Ocean Basket is excellent, or Vaal Mall 2.5km with lots of variety The ground are well kept, it is a pleasant walk down to the Vaal river within the grounds, game roams freely around the grounds. An outdoor swimming pool and bar, and a spa all within the hotel grounds. There are several attractions within the resort that will keep the youngster occupied. You do need to hire a car in South Africa, we hired from the airport, it can be daunting driving in and around Johannesburg, keep to the main roads. They drive on left same as UK, awareness is the key to remaining safe, fuel is served to you, I would not recommend any public transport, there are some reputable Taxis but I have seldom used them.

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“Emerald Resort and Casino is a Great Four-Star Resort, But One Restaurant Falls Well Below Standard”

I recently stayed at Emerald Resort & Casino in Vanderbijlpark, a four-star resort, and dined at both restaurants, Graze Braai across the pool and Graze at the hotel itself. Graze Braai was a very good experience — the service was attentive, the food was enjoyable, and everything was handled as on… more

I recently stayed at Emerald Resort & Casino in Vanderbijlpark, a four-star resort, and dined at both restaurants, Graze Braai across the pool and Graze at the hotel itself. Graze Braai was a very good experience — the service was attentive, the food was enjoyable, and everything was handled as one would expect at a resort of this standard. Graze, however, was a serious disappointment and far below what one would expect from a four-star establishment. I ordered a quinoa and baby spinach salad, but it arrived with wilted, brown lettuce instead of spinach — and, worse, there was a green caterpillar in the dish. While the waitress apologised multiple times, there was no follow-up from the kitchen or management. I found the handling of the situation very unprofessional, particularly for a four-star hotel. The service was also extremely slow. I often waited long periods without attention and at times had to get up to ask for service. Most frustrating was the lack of any check-ins — after finishing my drink, I was left with an empty glass for extended periods without being offered another. In a four-star resort, this level of attentiveness should be standard. This is especially disappointing given how beautiful the resort is, with great facilities and surroundings. However, the experience at Graze does not meet the standard one would reasonably expect. Graze Braai is worth visiting. Graze is not — unless serious improvements are made.

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