Hotel
The Oyster Box
The Oyster Box is a five-star Red Carnation hotel on the Umhlanga beachfront beside the lighthouse, with 86 rooms, suites and villas, a spa and celebrated…
Garden Court South Beach
Garden Court South Beach is a 414-room mid-range hotel on OR Tambo Parade, a two-minute walk from the beach, with a pool, two restaurants and secure parking.
At a glance
- Type
- Mid-range beachfront hotel
- Area
- South Beach, Durban, South Africa
- Price
- $$ · Mid-range
- Official site
- southernsun.com
Good to know
- 414 rooms
- Outdoor pool
- Garden Grill
- Spur restaurant
- Free Wi-Fi
- Secure parking
- Conference rooms
Why we recommend it
Garden Court South Beach is a straightforward, good-value hotel on Durban's beachfront, run by the Southern Sun group under its mid-range Garden Court brand. It stands on OR Tambo Parade, still widely known as Marine Parade, at the southern end of the central Golden Mile, about two minutes' walk from the sand and the paved promenade. With 414 en-suite rooms, it is a large hotel aimed at travellers who want a practical base by the sea without luxury prices.
All rooms are en suite. The Garden Grill restaurant serves the breakfast buffet, and a Spur steakhouse on site covers grills and family meals in the evening. There is one outdoor pool for guests, free uncapped Wi-Fi, self-service workstations and secure on-site parking, charged at a daily rate. For meetings and events, the Malibu Room can host up to 250 delegates, and a 12-seat boardroom handles smaller groups.
The location is the strong point. uShaka Marine World is a short walk or drive to the south along the beachfront, the central beaches and piers are right outside, and the Suncoast Casino and Entertainment World is to the north along the promenade. The Durban ICC is a short drive inland, which makes the hotel a sensible choice for conference delegates who want to be by the sea. The Gateway Theatre of Shopping is further north if you need a large mall, and the city centre's museums are a short taxi ride inland.
The hotel suits budget-conscious families, groups and anyone who will spend most of the day out exploring. Children will enjoy the beachfront paddling pools and uShaka nearby, and the on-site Spur steakhouse makes dinner easy with children in tow. Check-in is from 14:00 and check-out by 11:00. Book early for the December and January holidays and the June and July school holidays, when beachfront hotels fill up, and ask for a sea-facing room when you book.
Walking the promenade is enjoyable during the day; after dark, keep to busy, well-lit stretches or use a ride-hailing app, as you would in any large city. For a change from hotel dining, the restaurants at uShaka's Village Walk and the bunny chow spots of the city centre are a short ride away.
Garden Court South Beach FAQs
How many rooms does the hotel have?
414 en-suite rooms.
How far is it from the beach?
About a two-minute walk.
Where do I eat?
Garden Grill serves the breakfast buffet, and there is a Spur steakhouse on site.
Is there a pool?
Yes. There is one outdoor pool for guests.
Is parking available?
Yes. Secure on-site parking is available at a daily rate.
What are check-in and check-out times?
Check-in from 14:00 and check-out by 11:00.
Can I hold a conference here?
Yes. The Malibu Room takes up to 250 delegates, and there is a 12-seat boardroom.
What is nearby?
uShaka Marine World, the Golden Mile beaches, Suncoast and the Durban ICC.