The Oyster Box
Umhlanga, South Africa
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Is The Oyster Box good? Overview, pros and cons
Verdict: 9.3/10 (Staylist AI score). Guests praise: kind staff; great food; spa. Main complaint: ants once.
Staylist AI overview · based on 8 public guest reviews
“Oyster Box's Umhlanga icon”
The Oyster Box is Umhlanga's legendary colonial seaside hotel — beautiful Victorian décor, great lighthouse views in a very safe spot, incredible food from oysters and sushi to terrace pizza and veggie noodles, an outstanding spa (Sne praised), seamless event hosting in the Shell Room, and staff who go the extra mile — Charlie, Jayd, Zondi, Yamekela, Justin and Vimseh all named, with a corgi kindly looked after. Anniversary extras and a surprise upgrade delighted a fifty-five-year couple. Two notes: it is not light on the wallet, and one room had many ants.
- Rooms
- Beautiful rooms; ants in one though.
- Service
- Extra mile staff; many named here.
- Location
- A safe seaside spot by the lighthouse.
- Food
- Incredible dining and a loved bar.
- Facilities
- An outstanding spa and event rooms.
- Value
- Legendary but not a light stay.
- Kind staff
- Great food
- Spa
- Views
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Gym
- Public parking
- Ants once
- Older building (opened 1947)
Best forCouplesSpecial occasionsLuxury stays
How it compares
The Oyster Box ranks #1 of 18 hotels Staylist lists in Umhlanga. At about $480 a night it is 263% above the median for hotels in Umhlanga ($132). The closest listed alternative is Radisson Blu Hotel Durban Umhlanga, 300 m away (score 9.1).
About the hotel
- Address
- 2 Lighthouse Rd, Umhlanga Rocks, Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal, 4320, South Africa
- Hotel class
- ★★★★★ 5-star
- Opened
- 1947
- Renovated
- 2009
- Check-in / out
- From 14:00 · by 11:00
- Distance to centre
- 1.6 km
- Getting there
- Airport: King Shaka International Airport (19.06 km) · Train Station: Durban Station (15.18 km)
- Children
- Children of all ages are welcome at this property.
Nearby hotels
- Radisson Blu Hotel Durban Umhlanga300 m · 9.1 · $400
- Protea Hotel Durban Umhlanga300 m · 7.4 · $215
- The Capital Pearls Hotel400 m · 7.9 · $237
- Hilton Garden Inn Umhlanga Arch1.3 km · 9.0 · $228
- Coastlands Skye Hotel, Ridgeside, Umhlanga1.4 km · 7.9 · $98
Amenities
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Diving
- Snorkeling
- Horse riding
- Spa
- Massage room
- Gym
- Public parking
- EV charging station
- Airport pick-up
- Car rentals
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Taxi booking service
- Airport drop-off
- Conference room
- Multi-function room
- Playground
- Kids' club
- Childcare service
- Tour and ticket booking service
- Wi-Fi in public areas
- Luggage storage
- Infinity pool
Frequently asked questions
- What time is check-in at The Oyster Box?
- Check-in starts at 14:00 and check-out is by 11:00.
- Does The Oyster Box have a pool?
- Yes: outdoor swimming pool, infinity pool.
- Is there parking at The Oyster Box?
- Yes: public parking.
- Does The Oyster Box offer an airport transfer?
- Yes: airport pick-up, airport drop-off.
- What wellness facilities does The Oyster Box have?
- Spa, Massage room, Gym.
- How far is The Oyster Box from the airport?
- The nearest airport is King Shaka International Airport, about 19.06 km away.
- How far is The Oyster Box from the centre of Umhlanga?
- About 1.6 km.
- Is The Oyster Box suitable for children?
- Children of all ages are welcome at this property.