AFRICA'S TOP HOTEL?
Arriving at the Virginia Airport in Durban just few minutes away from the Oyster lodge now called the Oyster Box Hotel, which stands on a majestic beautiful beachfront, with an outstanding view of the Indian Ocean and the iconic Lighthouse.
with over 86 first class categor y rooms to choose from, the Oyster Box meets each individual’s needs and expectation. They have highly skilled staff members who appreciate and value every visitor that walks through the doors. They surpass their ser vices with ever y room that is situated to fit the customers' comfort and privacy. Built in 1950, the hotel has made impressive renovation across the years and still sits at the top 5 most respected hotels. The hotel is owned by the Red Carnation hotel group that is an internationally well-known brand across South Africa, Switzerland, Ireland, United Kingdom, Dorset-England, and Florida with at least 17 family owned hotels worldwide. In South Africa, the Red
Carnation Hotel has three branches such as, the Oyster Box hotel in KwaZulu-Natal (Umhlanga rocks), the Bushman Kloof Wilderness Reserve and Wellness Retreat in Western Cape (Cederberg mountain), and the Twelve Apostle hotel and spa in Cape Town (Camps Bay). The Red Carnation also owns a famous boutique in London at the Buckingham Palace.
With facilities such as the, health and fitness spa featuring the Turkish Hammam, free Wi-Fi, cinema room, kids’ holiday club, pools and garden, pet friendly, 24 hours in seven days business centre, which is open for all those who wish to still be on business but enjoy time on a relaxing vacation. Whether it is for family or business Oyster Box Hotel caters for everything. With over ten meal options to choose from namely; the grill room, the palm court, the chef’s court and curry buffet, which has at least 12 curries mixed in one pot from your vegetarian meal choice to your meat or fish special, etc. You sure don’t want to miss this mouthwatering feast.
The Oyster Box Hotel offers a wide range of rooms, suitable for many price classes right up to the Presidential Suites.
Enjoy the most breath-taking view of the Indian Ocean, with watching the dolphins from the terraces and oyster bar where you are guaranteed the best fresh oysters that are freshly picked from the sea every day.
The hotel also has private villas available for rent, providing 4-bedroom accommodation for a family or a groups of friends. My favourite spot was the Palm Cour t, which opens from 08:00am-21:00pm; its beautiful architecture with ceramic chandelier and four magnificent toles that were purchased from the Savory hotel in London has a calming, indulgent effect,
with natural sunlight and towering palms. Here you can meet with anyone over a cup of tea and enjoy the pleasant live piano music. With scrumptious treats like pastries, baked scones, finger sandwiches, and savouries.
The hotel allows a casual dress code, despite it being so luxurious. Breakfast starts from 7:00am-10:30am, High teas buffet service 2:30pm-5:00pm, Evening indulgence 06:00pm-09:00pm.
When to visit? Dr y seasons will be in July, whilst the highest level of humidity will be in Januar y/Februar y. You would preferably visit around October to April to fully enjoy the water and outdoor lifestyle like fishing, surfing and swimming, and to experience the nice waves arriving down from Mozambique in the very temperate Indian Ocean.
On arrival and once you have checked in, you are welcomed with a complimentary drink, and are welcome to use the in-house cinema and the other amenities such as kids free centre, and a shuttle is provided for your outdoor preferences. This hotel is a few minutes' drive from the largest shopping complexes l i ke your Gateway Theatre of shopping. It is also close to other facilities such as the Umhlanga Village centre, Durban cit y centre and King Shaka International airpor t.
Some of these apar tments are beyond what you would say exceptional; I had a sneak peak at one of the Presidential Suits, which offer obvious luxur y.
With Wayne Coetzee as the manager of the Oyster Box Hotel, you are sure in safe hands.
The hotel strives to continuously become involved in communit y projects, educating and enhancing the lives of the people with projects, such as the Lungisisa Indlela Village where they donate to the less for tunate. The other t wo projects called the Red Bucket / 67 minute campaign and the Ami Biehl Foundation are projects that the hotel engages with. They also have a ‘pack for a purpose campaign’ where it allows vi si t ors to pack any extra item in their luggage, for example pencils, deflated soccer balls, plasters for wounds, and blood pressure cuffs. The hotel believes and lives on their ‘rescue a child, restore a star, raise a leader and release a star’ motto. With up to 38 friendly homes that have been completed, 28 house mothers and 80 previously vulnerable and orphaned children in residence.” The hotel carries on tr ying to improve the lives of other individuals.
Being voted the top 5-star hotel in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) by the Li l i zela tourism awards with excellent ser vices and a life quote that reads “no request is larger, and no detail is small” the hotel excels in their attentiveness.
No wonder the hotel was recently voted as one of the top hotels on the continent of Africa.