The Oyster Box

Hotel

The staff treats you like royalty! The food is amazing and so is this hotel. Highly recommend this wonderful place!

We celebrated my birthday with High Tea at the Oyster Box. What an exceptional spread. The food was absolutely delicious, the service was excellent. The staff went above and beyond to make it such a special and enjoyable experience. I highly recommend the High Tea. I will definitely go back. The hotel itself is beautiful and everyone is friendly.

Absolutely amazing! Beautiful views, friendly staff, amazing food!

We are leaving now to Miami our home town and we are kind of sad, this 5 days in this hotel have being magic and so special. Everyone was so helpful and friendly, Angel the manager was always around checking on us, asking if everything was ok. The service was outstanding, the food and drinks out this world and the luxury in every corner was magnificent. If you visiting South Africa you must come here and seat by the pool, have a drink, enjoy the view and try the spa. You will be forever happy in here! With love from Miami, Fl Ania Rodríguez and Andy Hye.

Recently spent a night at this beautiful hotel. Firstly the service was world class, the room absolutely beautiful and that view just WOW. But sadly the food was disappointing, very average and doesn’t quite compliment what was otherwise a magical experience.

Excellent atmosphere, good food and drinks, awesome company.

Service is exceptional. Food, delicious! Amazing view👌🏼

As always super stunning. I had a little fall, tripped over a parasol stand in the lighthouse bar. Very attentive staff, and Ryan the first aider was amazing Hoping for a super special meal today in the terrace restaurant.

The Oxyster box have a very beautiful tranquil luxurious space, the atmosphere and the treatment is best, top class❤️❤️❤️❤️

The high tea is amazing with so much to savour. The service and staff are most accommodating and friendly. Will definitely be back. 😊

An absolutely extraordinary experience. Staying at the Oyster Box is like being teleported to a make-believe wonderland and the staff are the magic fairies who make every interaction part of the fairytale. A luxury utopia of exquisite personalised touches and sublime experiences. Truly enchanting.

Relaxed atmosphere to spend quality time with bae. 5 star service in every way. Loved their Weekend Curry Buffet lunch. The manager was very helpful after a bit of an inconvenience on our booking.

Really good service. Location is fantastic and the food at the restaurant was excellent. It’s pricy but worth it for a special occasion.

Excellent service with Elegant Decor That is so classic and relaxing. Awesome sea views. Great entertainment area too. I love it 😍

An amazing high tea experience! The ambience is great. The views are beautiful. The staff are amazing; very welcoming and friendly. This place won't disappoint! Highly recommend. 😊

Thank u Brandon for the way I treat your clients! Everything from the start to end was to the T. Best soup every and so classy presented. Special thanks to Jeffrey our waiter for adding his touch to a great dinner yesterday.

Very slow service. Waited 10 hours to get served.

What an awesome experience in The Lighthouse Bar and for lunch on the terrace. Highly recommended.

Anniversary dinner treat, great food and service, lovely ambience.

I had an amazing birthday celebration at oysterbox I am so glad I went to celebrate there. The staff as usual were extremely friendly and helpful. I want to especially thank Charlie our waiter who served us during the breakfast period and arranged for us to have cocktails in the oyster bar after and who took photos for us he was truley amazing. To Amanda who managed to get us an amazing table outside on the terrace and to Lucky who made sure we were looked after and let us take a mini tour. This made it a birthday to remember.

Great experience good food and staff beautiful hotel.

I can honestly say this is the best hotel with the absolute best service I have ever experienced. From the moment we arrived, the entire staff was incredibly friendly, helpful, and accommodating. The food was excellent, the house keeping impeccable and the location absolutely gorgeous. Waking up to that ocean view every morning was beyond amazing. Their covid safety protocols were also much appreciated! Highly highly recommend.

Excellent food and service all round. I wish I was the cat that lives there and gets to be on the chocolate wrappers 🤣🤣 Thank you for making my 40th birthday so special ♥️♥️♥️

I would say as many of these words as possible. Our first time here and the experience has been just wonderful. From the rooms, to the views, to the food, however the absolute best part has been the staff and team here. Always welcoming, nothing is too much trouble. My husband recently broke his foot and whilst able to walk with crutches, it is still challenging but there was always someone there to call the lift, help him with staircases etc
We would both highly recommend this hotel and thank you again for making it so special for us.

I love everything about you this place. Staff very helpful. Monkeys very friendly though thievery when one is having their breakfast 😂😂😂😂. I would recommend this place to everyone. A true definition of value for money. Clean and no any trace of dirty anywhere. Keep up the good work guys.

The atmosphere ie absolutely beautiful. Staff are extremely humbled.

One of my favourite favourite places to visit. Always the best, staff are exceptional. Made us feel so special on our anniversary. 🥂

The Ambience is Perfect… Exceptional service from staff and Management.
Food is delicious with beautiful presentation. They are pet friendly so we can bring in our fur family for a treat… Attention to detail is on another level…
It's a most definite YES from me 🥰💯

The ambiance and food. Lovely decor.

The food the ambience, good service. — mit Mike de Beer.

Beautiful atmosphere and Amazing food. One of the best restaurants in Durban.

Very friendly staff and the food really delicious.

Great service from the waitress.

Just love it! Always professional and friendly service from All staff!

My family enjoyed the stay, the staff is friendly and the food is great. The hotel is just beautiful, we miss the beach view rooms. We surely are coming back.

Gorgeous hotel, staff are very friendly and efficient. Fantastic cocktails menu for afternoon drinks.

Breathtaking view, amazing service!

Was a lovely pleasant afternoon at the Oyster Box, and my first time there. Absolutely beautiful. Amazing staff and food.

Excellent staff, beautiful views and awesome food.

Beautiful hotel, with such helpful staff, their food is absolutely excellent. Great view of the lighthouse and beach from the lighthouse bar.

Went there for my son in law’s birthday. Staff not very helpful. Vegan choices… zilch. Overpriced. Won’t go there again.

Amazing hospitality and service! Staff well trained and helpful at all times. “Simply the Best” as Tina Turner says.

This hotel has been the best I have ever very been at. The staff are wonderful and friendly. The food is fantastic. The location amazing. We were there for our 40th wedding anniversary and were treated like royalty.

From when we arrived to when we left our 1 night stay for our 26th anniversary we were spoiled and pampered. Friendly helpful staff, delicious food and luxury surrounds. A real treat, thank you!

A wonderful experience for our 1 night stay… highly recommend. Staff are so friendly, knowledgeable & we had fun…

Amazing hotel. Attention to detail is second to none. Everything from breakfast to dinner the pool and spa. Is just brilliant and the staff is amazing. Would rate it as my top hotel we been too.

It's very neat and they're the best when it comes to customers and they are welcoming.

Good food, friendly personnel.

Lovely views from the lighthouse pub. Excellent service and beautiful decor.

Such a wonderful experience. The staff were exceptional. The service was great and the ambience was relaxed and friendly.

Grt service and food with awesome staff. What an experience.

A wonderful opulent hotel. Service & quality amazing & the breakfast just something special.

Excellent service and fabulous atmosphere, feels like I am transported away to somewhere special!

We had an amazing lunch today at the Terrace for my grandmas 83rd birthday. The service was excellent and the food was delicious. Our waiter Rakesh went out of his way to give us such a great experience. We came all the way from New Zealand and it was definitely worth it. I highly recommend trying it out.

Had great time ambiance excellent service delicious food affordable prices t was my Boyfriend s birthday… on Wednesday… live band … had great conversations ❤️❤️

Delicious food. Great service. Fabulous atmosphere. A real treat. An experience like no other.

Excellent service. I was treated like royalty on my birthday. Pleasant surprise. Thank you.

What a treat! And it feels like home away from home with the warm and helpful staff. Just lovely!

I have travelled the world and I have seen beautiful hotels. Staying at the Oyster Box was unique — because from the very moment of arrival I felt something special: A feeling of home and kindness, nested in pure, joyful luxury. It was hard to leave, so I will come back, that is a promise! Cheers, Dominic.

The Oyster Box is my absolute favourite place in Durban! Delicious food, amazing views and spectacular service! Plus the added bonus of cuddles with Skabenga the cat. There is so much attention to detail in everything the OB does.

If you want to treat yourself to a wonderful breakfast or brunch that deserves hours dedicated to it. Lovely old school colonial hotel. Best views of the old umhlanga lighthouse. The food is amazing and the even have a menu for your cat and or dog. Yes this is a pet friendly hotel. Enjoy a walk from here, or relax by the red/while umbrella lined pool. They offer spas and the atmosphere is perfect for a relaxing getaway. Simply fantastic.

I visited the hotel for the Sunday High Tea experience. Oh my! What a beautiful experience! The hotel is exquisite, you are literally transported into a different era when you enter the establishment. Attention to details to excellent service is their specialty. The high tea offering included savoury, sandwiches and sweet treats. Go hungry so you can enjoy what's on offer. They offer a complimentary glass of champagne on arrival and you can enjoy a selection of teas and juices throughout. Take breaks in between and walk around the hotel, you will love the terrace bar and restaurant as well as the iconic lighthouse across the pool. Definitely going to stay at the hotel the next time I visit Durban. I'm sure it's quite a experience.

A small group of us went to celebrate my mom's birthday with tea at the Oyster Box and what a treat it was! We were able to order coffee and scones without a booking and the staff were amazingly helpful and friendly. Our waiter, Michael, was so polite and attentive. My mom was even surprised with a complimentary piece of cake and the manager came to wish her a happy birthday. We were also able to walk around the hotel after our tea. What a simply amazing experience. We will definitely be coming back for future special occasions.

The views from this hotel are absolutely stunning. The V&A waterfront, table mountain and city center is highly visible from this location. I spent two nights and had restful night's sleep in their comfortable bed, which unusual for me. The breakfast was delicious, but what stood out the most for me was the breakfast bowls from directly from their menu, I highly recommend you try it. Although the rooms are large and spacious, they could use some modernizing. I did love the bathroom, very spacious and modern.

The views from this hotel are absolutely stunning. The V&A waterfront, table mountain and city center is highly visible from this location. I spent two nights and had restful night's sleep in their comfortable bed, which unusual for me. The breakfast was delicious, but what stood out the most for me was the breakfast bowls from directly from their menu, I highly recommend you try it. Although the rooms are large and spacious, they could use some modernizing. I did love the bathroom, very spacious and modern.

I had been looking forward to the High Tea on Sunday, 24 June 2018 to celebrate my birthday with my family. It was a very average experience. I cannot fault the waitron, and the setting was comfortable and pleasant. However, I had emailed the Hotel to inform them that my mom was diabetic. I was assured that this would be noted. It was not. I had to ask for diabetic treats — and when they arrived they were nothing more than a selection of what was on offer at the table anyway. The selection included grapes, which are hardly diabetic-friendly. When booking, I was asked if there was anything special that I would like. I asked for sausage rolls to be included on the menu, This did not happen either. The bread used for the pastrami sandwiches was dry and somewhat stale — not what one would expect at a sumptuous high tea. I felt let down. This is not the service that I expected.

Spectacular! One of the most comfortable, convenient, easy and pleasant stays I've had. To top it all, we received a complimentary upgrade on one of our rooms. Highlights/good points: — Wonderful, friendly service by all staff at all times of the day. Extremely helpful and accommodating. — Exceptionally clean rooms and hotel in general, lovely vintage-feel decor. — Great location right in front of the beautiful ocean with scenic views (sea facing rooms). — The Grill room offered a superb dinner to my family and I. Great service again, tasty food and thanks to the staff who brought out the huge birthday cake slice for one of my family members! Booking at the Grill Room is definitely recommended and required in advance. — Nice breakfast spread catering for all. — Loved the clock library! Totally antique and loved spending time reading there. — Rooms well-serviced. — Basically everything! Disappointments/Low points: — None! Would definitely book again here in the near future! Totally lives upto 5* rating.

Its an absolute cut above! The service is something we've never experienced before. The staff are so polite, and so efficient. We had the curry buffet on the ocean terrace. Such a special experience and the food absolute top class! My new favourite place, can't wait to go back again.

We had dinner at the Grill room tonight. We had the chefs menu with wine tasting. Angel and Zama were outstanding servers and made sure we were taken care of every step of the way. Nathi was incredibly knowledgable with his wines and gave us a great tour through each course. What a fantastic evening! Thank you to the staff for all their hard work and attentiveness.

Total bliss. Special thanks to Brian, our waiter. He was charming and professional. Complements to the chef as well. The ocean views never disappoint.

Beautiful and stylish hotel in an exceptional location right on the Pacific Ocean in Durban, South Africa. A truly magnificent pool and ideal to relax. The restaurant and bar is fantastic too with great food and service. The Day Spa is wonderful with exceptional services and staff in a beautiful and serene atmosphere. By far, my favourite hotel in South Africa.

Even if it's only once in your life time, beg, borrow or steal. You have to spend at least one night at the Oyster box. Everything is perfect. An absolute spoil, truly the best place I have ever stayed. The hotel, the common areas, the restuarants, the bars, all incredible but the rooms are next level (lucky enough to stay in a suite). Food is incredible and the staff are beyond incredible. I loved it.

Heaven on Earth… What a fantastic place to stay. I was working in Durban last week and had an amazing stay at this property. The staff are extremely helpful and courteous, great credit to them. The upper floor, sea-view rooms are wonderful, with views onto the beach and extending for miles. The food is also excellent, with presentation and variety that exceeds all expectations. Well done all, one of the best hotel experiences I have ever had.

It is expensive. It is exclusive. But it's meals and Restaurant are fairly affordable given the context. People fly from Johannesburg, just to spend a day at the Oyster-box, and feel special for a day. Service is very good. Food is great. Ambiance is wonderful. No wonder the who's who from Putin to Prince Harry have hanged out here.

Beautiful hotel love the colonial style setting and decor, most especially the fresh scent in the lobby. The bathrooms are impeccable. The staff are all very courteous and welcoming. We had dinner at the Ocean Terrace which I found the view to be gorgeous but the food apart from a couple of dishes the Oysters and Beef Carpaccio to be very disappointing, considering the prices!

Fine dining experience at the Grill room par excellence. Elegant setup. Variety of food and drink choices. Master chef cooking and presentation. Food quality and taste superb. Staff very welcoming and pleasant. Wines were very good. Place to visit.

We went here for the afternoon high tea and it couldn't have been more lovely. The staff was amazingly friendly and helpful and we were never left waiting for anything. The reception with a glass of bubbly was appreciated before we started with the high tea. I received a special gift as it had just been my birthday with a lovely little plate and a rendition of Happy Birthday on the piano. The Oyster Box certainly lives up to its fame.

I stayed for a night to try out on Saturday, February 17 to 18. I had the room with the ocean view at room 101 and it was rather disappointing that the trees were blocking the view and the room was just above the showers where people rinse. I asked for another room with a better view but to no avail and nothing else was suggested. For the price I paid of almost R10, 000 for one night booked through my credit card company, I was expecting better experience. Food and service was great though.

Our second visit after 5 years, staying in a luxury sea view room. Still offers exceptional accommodation, wonderful staff and service. Just very sad that our room lit up with the sunrise as the lovely shutters don’t block the light, and the food for the extreme pricing is no longer of the appropriately extreme standard. Don’t eat there rather go to the Chefs Kitchen, a 2 minute walk away and offers the appropriate taste experience at much less than Oyster Box’s rates. Ask for a room with shutters and blinds when booking. Hope this helps.

A bit dated in my opinion, but seems to be very popular with the locals. Some things were really great, and some things were just weird, like a dirty water puddle outside of our door every day. The service is generally very good: people are attentive and fix errors generously. Great location on the beach and nice pool, but not heated in winter. IN my opinion a very good hotel, but overpriced: you would expect even more for that money.

The Lighthouse Bar is a great location for cocktails with friends and the Ocean Terrace restaurant boasts a fantastic wine and food menu. All staff are courteous and attentive. Definitely worth repeat visits!

A must visit. On the beach 5 star accommodation. Fresh pool overlooking the beach. Afternoon high tea best available better than some of too London hotel.

Starting as a cottage in 1863, it was transformed into a tea garden/ restaurant/ hotel which opened in 1954. In 2006, the property was sold to Stan and Bea Tollman (founder and president of Red Carnation Hotels). This grand hotel's history, heart and soul seem to be in perfect balance! The hotel is full of charm and grace with so many grand rooms. The Lighthouse Bar and library are 2 of the finest. The breakfast is outstanding, the newer walkway outside great for a jog or morning stroll. Beach is awesome but no soft sand here! Gritty but full of tide pools to explore.

The Oyster Box provides full comfort with fantastic views. They serve stunning food. Staff is very professional & helpful. You can choose from range Gluten free items. It provides a truly wonderful experience. Very friendly people working here who are great personalities and always smiling.

Starting as a cottage in 1863, it was transformed into a tea garden/ restaurant/ hotel which opened in 1954. In 2006, the property was sold to Stan and Bea Tollman (founder and president of Red Carnation Hotels). This grand hotel's history, heart and soul seem to be in perfect balance! This hotel is full of charm and grace with so many grand rooms. The Lighthouse Bar and library are 2 of the finest. The breakfast is outstanding, the newer walkway outside great for a jog or morning stroll. Beach is awesome but no soft sand here! Gritty but full of tide pools to explore.

I have not stayed here, but have been for their breakfast buffet a number of times. It is reasonably priced for what you receive. The service is A-Class, the food is amazing. Would highly recommend going here for any special occasion.

Great location directly on the umhlanga coast line with views of the lighthouse. Very smart and modern decor. Staff are quite helpful and approachable. Parking is a bit of a walk and the area is not too well lit. Overall great location and staff.

Rooms are nice and comfortable. However, there are no tea/ coffee making facilities or mini fridge with water. Everything closes at 20h30 at the reception. Food was not that good. Cold and watery quiche and served with no condiments. Bread at breakfast was stale. Reason why I didn't have dinner there. Staff very friendly. View was great and location is good. Overall the stay served it's purpose but I will be reluctant to go back.

Hotel super has 5 * that deserved it too!

The Lighthouse Bar is amazing. The staff are extremely nice. Very good food and wine. The view and the atmosphere are also amazing! It s very peaceful hearing the sound of the waves and the relaxing music.

Utterly amazing. A rich history and phenomenal level of detail in service as well as decor. Superb food with a beautiful view of the ocean. The sound of the waves rolling in add the perfect backdrop to a wonderful evening dinner.

It is for sure a "must visit" hotel, great personal service, food and beverages of highest order. Beautiful location and sea facing. This is a truly stunning boutique hotel. It really feels like a beautiful home from home.

I have always driven outside this place, with very little interest in going inside. Yesterday, we decided to treat ourselves to dinner at The Grill Room and it was lovely. I came across the most professional staff, they all appeared to have had years of training and experience. The food was delicious and didn't give a sedentary feel. The classic feel of the place was refreshing. 5 stars for a 5 star place, wow!

There is really no better place in Durban on a warm winter's day, than the Lighthouse bar at the Oyster Box, to soak up the rays and the atmosphere. Basil our very friendly waiter, ably assisted by Rudolph and manager Clive keeping an eye on proceedings makes for a well run spot. Drinks are served with snacks — keep and eye out for the monkeys who have a keen eye for the snacks too We had gin & tonics and beers. Prices are on the steep side … which is to be expected of a hotel of this standing … but if you throw in the view and setting it's the bargain of the day!

This is a great 5-star hotel located at the beach with amazing views, food, service, etc. It has a small kids club but it does not compare to the international 5-star hotels, but it is something to keep the kids busy. They offer service to put kids to bed in the night if adults want to enjoy fine dining (which is not kid-friendly, which is a bit sad since the hotel caters for families). The biggest downfall of the hotel is the size of the rooms; they are small for that price and rating. Amenities and facilities are great, providing movie theater and a couple of restaurants.

My stay here was absolutely amazing. The staff are extremely friendly and very helpful, they're always checking up on you. The view from the restaurant is breath taking. This hotel has been well maintained and it is very clean. There are two pools, spa and gym facilities. I would definitely recommend this place! You will not be disappointed.

Fabulous location on the beach and right near the shops. Check in was very welcoming and easy. Rooms very comfortable. Be sure to get a sea facing room to be able to enjoy the proximity to the sea. The breakfast offering is wonderful, however at busy times can be a little cramped. To get an outside table, book in advance.

The service in this hotel is really top class. The staff is super friendly and helpful. Their breakfast, dinner and ambiance is world class. In my room they also provided me with slippers that fit me (Size 4) instead of he usual size 8. I have to compliment the spa! The therapists are super professional, well groomed, well spoken and they do not cut corners in their treatments. The spa facilities have a relaxing station where you can just sit alone in silence and just focus on you. They have a warm plunge pool, a snack area as well as a steam bath. We stayed at the Sea View Cottage which was just indescribable in words. I would come back here in a heart beat.

Great Service, good food, one of the better hotels in Durban.

The view from the Lighthouse bar is the best in town. A must visit to fully understand Umhlanga's positioning just off Durban.

Has to be one of the best hotels in SA. Stunning setting, sublime food and staff who are motivated to ensure their guests get a 5 star experience.

One of the best hotels in South Africa. Relaxing and having a few drinks next to the pool is fantastic.

Amazing place good service and you can walk directly onto the beach.

Truly five star. The best breakfast you'll ever eat. Great online booking system which you'll probably need because it gets really busy.

What an amazing place. Had dinner at the Grill Room. The food was good and the service amazing. A little expensive but worth ever single cent. Completely exceeded my expectations.

I had a really enjoyable stay at the Oyster Box. The property has 86 rooms yet maintains a boutique hotel feel. It felt a bit like visiting an eccentric Aunt's summer home — historic, grand, and nearly everywhere I went on the property, I felt comfortable and well looked after. The collection of African art along the walls and hallways is impressive, but other outside influences are clear: the main bar was clearly inspired by Raffle's Long Bar in Singapore and the bright atrium where a lavish traditional afternoon tea is served, features ornate chandeliers rescued from London's The Savoy. My sea view room featured a delicate floral theme and balcony overlooking the iconic red lighthouse and beachfront. With close proximity to Durban and the King Shaka Intl. Airport, it's a lovely place to call 'home' for a few nights.

Only came here for some food but was very pleasant. The decor is very nicely done and has an old world charm without sacrificing modern conveniences. Food and drink was of a good quality and the roof bar is lovely. Recommended.

The Grill Room is all flair and no substance. Excellent decor, great service but the food was substandard. Better cuisine and reasonable prices are needed.

They are Helpfull. X The View is Great. X Its just Lovely. X.

We had arranged a wedding and reception. The wedding co-ordinator was hard to find when needed. The head waiter @ reception was out of touch with quests. The reception staff that attended to my rooms book-in was most unprofessional. This place is not ideal for large events catering for 100 people and more. Thumbs up to the doorman and waiters.

Would like to take this opportunity to thank Barbie for all her help and planning in making a reservation for Dinner at the Ocean Terrace, for my Brother Carlos Birthday on Friday 15 August 2014, she was an absolute star. I would also like to thank all the staff and waiters who made it a most enjoyable evening for all 10 friends who attended the dinner and for the lovely complimentary wine bottles. The food was outstanding with a great ambience and it made my brothers birthday a very special occasion thanks to you all at Oyster Box. Most of the friends including my brother were from Johannesburg and rated you highly, next time they visit Durban the Oyster Box will the place to come back too. Many Thanks Ida.

The Oyster Box Hotel is one of the most beautiful, well-kept, posh hotels I've been to in Durban. I had my fairytale wedding in the stunning gazebo area, and reception at the Pearl room in March 2014. The organization and assistance from the lovely Ginni Eslick and staff was spectacular. I didn't just have breathtaking views and scenery for my wedding pics, but 5-star food that was talked about and is still being talked about. All I experienced was ultimate royalty, I thoroughly enjoyed every moment at OBH.

Absolutely beautiful hotel with exceptional service and attention to detail. We stayed for a family holiday and the kids loved every minute of our stay. It's worth the trip to Durban/Umhlanga just to stay for a few days at The Oyster Box.