The Oyster Box

The Oyster Box is a landmark luxury hotel on the Umhlanga Rocks beachfront that looks straight out at the red-and-white lighthouse and the Indian Ocean. The hotel traces its heritage back to 1954 and today belongs to the Red Carnation hotel collection, with membership of the Leading Hotels of the World. It is rated five stars and describes itself as a luxury boutique hotel and spa.

There are 86 rooms, suites and villas, each decorated individually, and they face either the sea or the hotel's tropical gardens. Guests have access to pools, a fitness area and an award-winning spa set in the gardens. Food and drink are a major part of the experience. The Ocean Terrace serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with views of the lighthouse, and its curry buffet, offered every evening and at weekend lunch is popular enough that non-residents are advised to book well ahead. The Grill Room provides more formal dining, while the Lighthouse Bar, the Chukka Bar and the Oyster Bar cover drinks, and the Palm Court is the setting for the hotel's high tea. There is also a chef's table experience and a private wine cellar.

The hotel suits couples, honeymooners and travellers looking for a special stay, and it also welcomes families and hosts weddings, meetings and conferences. Non-residents are welcome to eat and drink here, which is a good way to experience the place without staying. Book the curry buffet or the high tea well ahead, particularly at weekends and in the holiday season, as both are in strong demand.

Rates are at the top end of the Durban market, and the busiest periods are the December and January summer holidays and Easter. Ask for a sea-facing room if the view matters to you, and enquire about spa packages when you book.

The hotel's location is a big part of its appeal. The beach and the Umhlanga promenade are directly outside, so you can walk to the Whalebone Pier and the rock pools in a few minutes, and the restaurants and shops of Umhlanga village are close by. King Shaka International Airport is about 20 minutes away by car, which makes the Oyster Box a convenient first or last night in South Africa, and central Durban and its beachfront are a short drive south.