At first we were very impressed when visiting the RNYC, to see if we could make a booking for a fair-sized group of overseas tourists, who are about to visit Durban (wanting to give them a real taste of our city). We took the details of Commodore Graham Rose and Meleney, and were told that they would certainly ensure that dinner in their Britannia Room. We were even promised a mini tour of the clubhouse, and a small presentation on the history of the club.
We immediately contacted the tour group to confirm. A week later we returned to the club to arrange confirmation of the booking, but were told that Meleney was too busy to see us. Instead, two other staff members spoke with us and we and also promised to send us a copy of the Britannia Room's menu the same day (as it is not available on the website).
The promised email never arrived, upon which we wrote to Commodore Rose personally, copying Meleney a week later. Another week later and still no response or communication. One would expect in current economic times, that a place like this, seemingly promoting old school values, would at least make a little more effort, to a) do a little good business, and b) have the opportunity to market the club and also get repeat business from other tourists.
But, it seems the business of our tourist group is obviously not needed nor wanted. In addition my wife now has the embarrassing task of informing these people that the dinner will need to be moved to another upmarket venue who will hopefully appreciate the business more.
What a poor show. If this is the service beforehand, one cannot help but think that it's for the best. We would hate to receive similar service during the actual dinner. It seems by other comments on their fb page, that this is a very real possibility. We also intend placing this same complaint on other forums so other naive people are not mislead by the term 'Royal' as we were.
