Oyster Box Hotel

Beach Hotel, Durban

About

Taking centre stage on Umhlanga Beach for the past six decades the Oyster Box Hotel has set the standard for elegance and colonial grandeur over the years.  With its commanding views over the Indian Ocean, luxury Spa and impeccable sense of style and fine cuisine it is known as one of Africa’s most distinguished hotels.  This five star palace of yesteryear is THE destination in Durban and since its opening in 1947 has been adored by overseas travellers and locals alike.

Accommodation

A choice of 86 luxurious rooms, suites and villas all of which have been carefully refurbished to preserve the colonial charm of the building and resplendent with murals, paintings and antique furnishings.

Guests can choose Sea Facing Cabanas, Family Suites or a Garden Villa Loft overlooking the lush tropical fauna. For that extra special touch there is the Presidential Suite with panoramic views across the blue Indian Ocean.

Activities

Guests are spoilt for choice at the Oyster Box on how to spend their days. Either some sun worshipping on Umhlanga Beach or a spot of dolphin watching from the delightful confines of the Ocean Terrace and Oyster Bar.

Or maybe something a bit more adrenaline fuelled with a helicopter tour of the breathtaking coastline. Some scuba diving in the India Ocean perhaps? A wild day out with the kids at the local water park, some bird spotting in the nearby nature reserves or instead a day of pampering in the hotel’s award winning Spa.

Facilities

The hotel manages to combine both old world charm with modern day comfort.

Step through the mahogany and glass doors and glide into the cool reception area of the Oyster Box. You’ll find black and white tiled floors, lazily turning bamboo ceiling fans straight from some tropical plantation villa, and the original 1950s carved wooden staircase that winds its way up to the red and white themed Lighthouse Bar where Prince Albert of Monaco and his Princess Charlene caroused before their wedding. 

The hotel is noted not only for its understated elegance but also for its equally fabulous food. Try fresh oysters in the Oyster Bar, breakfast on the Ocean Terrace and a High Tea to drool over in the Palm Court underneath chandeliers from the Savoy in London. Or cocoon yourself in the leather and book lined library, or catch a movie in the small 24 seat cinema – complimentary popcorn and candies provided.

For pampering instead though, relax and unwind at the Spa, with its Turkish Hammam, six Treatment Rooms, each superbly equipped for dual and single treatments one with a hydrotherapy bath and four with rain showers.

Child Policy

All children are welcome at the Oyster Box with Family Suites and Sea View Family Suites available.

The Best of South Africa Travel map displays the locations of the destinations and accommodation that we have selected and visited; for each item, hovering over or clicking the marker will display a short summary and photo of that place or hotel, and hotel pricing. Follow the links in the info box to the full page listing which has much more information.

Note that the online map offers both a satellite view (click satellite in the top right) and, for some locations, a street level view (Drag the person in the top left onto the map). These let you explore the country; and when you wish to explore in person, or if you have any questions about the places you see, give our staff a call, or request a quote. Our staff regularly visit the places and accommodation that we feature.

When you book a holiday with us we will provide full driving instructions for reaching your accommodation, where necessary; these can be used by yourself, or you could enjoy the luxury of a driver. Alternatively we will arrange private (car rather than coach) transfers for you; helicopter transfers are also possible for some destinations.

Oyster Box Hotel Reviews

Exceeded our expectations

Dear Ash
We are home safely from our wonderful holiday. We had the best time and cannot thank you enough for all your perfect organisation. Each part of our itinerary was fabulous and so different. Everyone we met was kind; nothing  was ever too much trouble at the lodges and on the tours; the food and drink were excellent and we  have certainly got a taste for luxury accommodation!!

The holiday far exceeded our expectations and we wouldn't hesitate to recommend you to others. We will do a Tripadvisor review later this week. We are thinking of visiting the Cape Town area in a couple of years and hope
you will be interested in helping us arrange it.

Thank you again for everything

who stayed here in June 2019.

Oyster Box Hotel , Durban has been rated 1 time, with an overall rating of 5.00 out of 5.

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