My Biggest Ban Yet – &Beyond

I’ve not been on the receiving end of a ban in a while.  In fact, as it currently stands (well, stood), I am not banned from anywhere.

I’ve managed to properly upset Sirai House before, despite loving Sirai Beach.  And Melote House were not my biggest fan at one point, yet we ended up falling in love with each other.  Or at least I did.  They just mildly tolerate me now.

But now I’m in a new league.  I’m no longer dealing with the odd bruised ego of a single, private lodge owner.  I’ve managed to secure myself a portfolio-wide ban from &Beyond.

The lowdown

I’ve never been particularly drawn to &Beyond.  Last year, however, I went to their newest property, Suyian Lodge.  And I actually liked it.  I recommended it.  It’s not perfect, but it’s a real stunner, and once the wildlife density improves over the next few years, it will be a strong addition to Kenya’s safari circuit.

I also went to the newly refurbished Mnemba Island.  That one, I did not like.  It wasn’t for me.  Ok, I probably compared it to a natural disaster.  Or looking like Godzilla took a shit on the island and rolled around in it.  Or said it was buying a ticket to the Hindenburg, except with the worse outcome of surviving and having to live with the shame.  But luckily, no one reads what I write, so really, what was there to be upset about?

Then, last week, I started finalising my stay in Botswana this May.  I decided that going to &Beyond Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge made perfect sense.  Suyian Lodge shut me up a bit by actually being good, so I was willing to accept &Beyond might not be as bad as I thought.  So I went to book it.  As in, pay.  With money.  They asked for my name.  And just like that, I was no longer allowed to go.

To be absolutely clear: I went to Suyian Lodge and Mnemba as a full-paying guest.  No comps.  No discounts.  I was intending to do exactly the same at Sandibe.

Now, as a private company, they are welcome to do as they want.  So this isn’t me annoyed about it, pacing around the room, drafting imaginary legal rebuttals in my mind.  I actually find it funny.  I clearly hit a nerve, and in an industry built on feedback, having a company so opposed to hearing anything bad is quite epic.  But I also find it worthy of talking about.  After all, I always think a ban says more about them than it does about me.  Although…..perhaps that’s why I’m banned — unwavering confidence paired with complete denial.  

So if you ever wonder why this industry is saturated with breathless, meaningless, five-star write-ups that all read suspiciously similar, this is one of the reasons.  Honest feedback carries risk.  Praise does not.  Some of these companies absolutely detest feedback and want to ensure only the bullshit praise rises to the top of the pile.

If nothing else, it’s a reminder that when every review you read is glowing, it’s worth asking who wasn’t allowed through the door.

Or maybe it’s just me.