Beverly Hills Hotel, Umhlanga

Beverly Hills is a luxury hotel on the Umhlanga Rocks seafront, standing on Lighthouse Road between the village pier and the lighthouse, with direct access to the beach below. Run by the Southern Sun group, it is a compact hotel by beachfront standards, with 89 rooms and suites, and its appeal lies in its location and sea views rather than its size.

The rooms and suites look out over the Indian Ocean or along the coast, and breakfast is included in room rates. The Sugar Club is the hotel's fine-dining restaurant and also serves afternoon tea, Elements Cafe Bar offers more casual meals, seafood and sundowners, and The Lounge and Vista Terrace are the places for a drink with a view. Facilities include an outdoor pool, a Mangwanani spa, a 24-hour gym, a business centre and five meeting rooms for up to 150 guests, as well as free Wi-Fi, room service and parking. A shuttle can be arranged on request.

The hotel suits couples, honeymooners and business travellers who want a quieter, more intimate stay than the large beachfront towers in central Durban. For families, the beach, rock pools and promenade on the doorstep give children plenty to do. Its neighbour along Lighthouse Road is the Oyster Box, so it is worth comparing the two if you are choosing a luxury stay in Umhlanga.

Check-in is from 14:00 and check-out by 11:00. Rates are at the top end of the Durban market, particularly in the December and January holidays, so book well ahead. Ask for a sea-facing room when you reserve, and look out for spa and dining packages. Afternoon tea at The Sugar Club is a relaxing way to enjoy the hotel even on a short stay.

From the hotel you can walk straight onto the Umhlanga promenade to the lighthouse and the Whalebone Pier, and the shops, cafes and restaurants of Umhlanga village are a few minutes away on foot. Lord Prawn and other village restaurants are close by for dinner, and The Chefs' Table is a short drive inland. King Shaka International Airport is to the north, and central Durban, uShaka Marine World and Moses Mabhida Stadium are a drive south along the coast.