The Oyster Box Hotel

"This 1947 hotel set in lush gardens overlooking the Indian Ocean reopened after a two-year makeover as a long overdue luxury addition to KwaZulu-Natal’s tropical northern coast. The renovation enhanced its original character while adding modern essentials including two pools, a spa (expect angelic staff and a Turkish hammam), a gym, a 24-seat cinema, and business and conference facilities. Throughout the hotel, handcrafted, decorative tiles and antiques are offset by contemporary South African art—80 paintings are by leading KwaZulu-Natal artists. Attention to detail and design extends to the 86 rooms and suites (most of them sea-facing), all richly layered in pattern, texture, and color. Durban’s Indian, Zulu, and colonial heritage is reflected in many aspects of the hotel, from the friendly, proud-as-punch staff to cuisine. The Ocean Terrace has an authentic Indian curry buffet; the crisp navy-blue-and-white Grill Room, with old-fashioned dinner dances on weekends, offers a menu of classics from curries and prawn cocktail to seafood platters, and the colonial Palm Court serves traditional English high tea. Durban’s style mavens have practically colonized the Lighthouse Bar, which leaves the breezy Oyster Bar or cozy Chukka Bar for a quiet drink."