Mayfair Casino Review

The Mayfair Casino in Umtata (Mthatha) presents a mixed bag of experiences for its visitors, ranging from highly enjoyable to deeply disappointing. Positioned as a casino, it also offers a hotel component and dining options, leading to varied feedback primarily revolving around the gaming facilities, service, and food and beverage quality.

The Gaming Experience 🎲

For a venue whose primary type is a casino, the feedback on the gaming aspect is a significant point of concern. One visitor highlighted a frustrating experience with faulty day cards and a severe lack of functional gaming machines, stating that "most of the machines was out of order and only fee machine slots." This led to the perception that the establishment felt "more like a game centre instead of a casino," which can be a major letdown for those travelling specifically for a casino experience.

Food and Beverage Offerings 🍹🍽️

The food and beverage service elicits some of the most contrasting reviews:

1. Cocktails: On the positive side, multiple reviews praise the cocktails. Guests have found them to be at a "very reasonable price" and described as "stunning and SO colourful." The bar staff received commendation for their knowledge and ability to make excellent selections, with one guest happily allowing the barman to choose for them.
2. Food Quality & Service: This area is where the casino faces considerable criticism. One particularly negative account reported a "worst service ever," with drinks taking 45 minutes to be served. The food itself was described as burnt (meatballs, ribs), cold and dry (wings), and misrepresented (beef pieces instead of lamb chops). Stale fries were also noted. Conversely, another reviewer enthusiastically praised "fresh delicious food," indicating a significant inconsistency in kitchen performance.

Service and Atmosphere ✨

The general atmosphere and staff service also receive polarized opinions:

• Positive Aspects:

• Several visitors have found the environment to be "beautiful" and appreciated that it's not overly crowded, making for a more relaxed experience.
• Staff members have been described as "knowledgeable" and attentive, knowing "how to make a guest feel welcome." The overall ambiance, when positive, was associated with "glitz and glamour."

• Areas for Improvement:

• Despite positive comments, the service on food and drinks, as mentioned, can be extremely slow and unsatisfactory.
• Another recurring concern relates to comfort: one reviewer noted that the establishment was "cold and dark," suggesting a need for better heating and lighting, especially during colder periods.

Overall Impression 🤔

Mayfair Casino in Umtata appears to offer a potentially pleasant atmosphere for those seeking a less crowded venue, especially for enjoying reasonably priced and well-made cocktails. The staff, at times, are noted for being welcoming and knowledgeable. However, the experience can be severely hampered by inconsistent food quality and slow service. Crucially for a casino, the significant issue of non-functional gaming machines and limited slots casts a shadow over its core offering, leading some to question its identity as a full-fledged casino rather than a "game centre."

Recommendation

If you are primarily looking for a place to enjoy a few drinks in a less crowded setting, Mayfair Casino might suffice. However, if your main purpose is gaming or a reliable dining experience, it would be wise to manage expectations given the reported inconsistencies and issues with equipment functionality. Visitors travelling a long distance solely for the casino might find it disappointing.