Purple Palms Travel Lodge

Abusive owner
Warning – do not stay in purple palms in johannesburg! The owner, John, beat his employee when we were there in early August ‘08. Fortunately the employee wouldn't stand for the abuse and left, and also called the police. John told the police, "You can't see any bruises so you can't prove anything." The staff were terrified of John, and he also intimidated the guests. From talking further with staff after the event we learned that John can sometimes be charming and can get along with guests, which I suppose is how he gets compliments. But trust me, we saw an entirely different side of him, one that is not pleasant at all. He does not deserve your business. There were five witnesses to the above event. I realize one must take all reviews with a grain of salt, but this issue is so important that I feel compelled to let people know about this place -- no one deserves to be treated like this (the employee). If you need further reasons not to stay there, they also do not accept credit cards despite advertising such (they make you walk to the bank down the street to withdraw funds) and there's nothing else around there so if you decide to leave you must taxi elsewhere -- and as far as arranging rides back to the airport it is at their convenience, not yours. Many guests have to pay for a taxi back, and the airport is twelve kilometers away, not two as one guidebook says). Please stay elsewhere while in Joburg. Don't support this abusive man.